<p>Okay, so I'm having a hard time choosing between the two. I'm Nicaraguan-American, born in the states and raised in Miami. I will probably study politics, english, or history. I want to go to law school. Here are my thoughts so far:</p>
<p>PRO PRINCETON:
1. Prestige. One of "big three. US News #1.
2. Among the most beautiful campuses in the US.
3. Pretty amazing financial aid. Offers to pay to visit, too.
4. Strong in both english and poli sci.
5. Focus on undergraduate. Good relationship with professors and liberal arts feel, which I liked about Amherst and Williams when I visited. </p>
<p>CON PRINCETON:
1. Grade deflation. Will this be a problem for law school?
2. Not diverse enough? But noted as one of top schools for Hispanics in Hispanic magazine.
3. Not enough to do? But 1 hr from NYC and Philly.
4. Snobby? But I'll have to deal with that sooner or later, and I'm sure not everyone's like that. </p>
<p>PRO COLUMBIA:
1. NYC.
2. Very diverse.
3. Awesome alumni, which leads me to think I might like Columbia people.
4. Strong in poli sci+human rights program. Also a Kluge scholar.
5. The Core. Students come out knowing quite a lot about the "great books."</p>
<p>CON COLUMBIA:
1. Not awesome financial aid. Didn't even offer to pay to visit.
2. Not as prestigious as Princeton.
3. NYC. Might be too distracting/costly.
4. Heard its bureacratic. Can't stand red tape. Don't like the idea about paying to make copies either. </p>
<p>First of all felicidades! If the financial packages were equal, I would say Columbia because of the diversity factor. That being said, in this case I would have to say Princeton hands down. Do not worry about Grade deflation because it is still Princeton and the name alone will carry you a long way as far as law schools are concerned. Also, if you are interested in law school, check out this non-profit organization [url=<a href="http://www.forpeopleofcolor.org%5Dforpeopleofcolor.org%5B/url">http://www.forpeopleofcolor.org]forpeopleofcolor.org[/url</a>]. It specifically helps students of color navigate and prepare for law school applications. Bueno Suerte!</p>
<p>In the job and grad school world, going to Columbia and going to Princeton are almost equal. Maybe princeton carries some more weight... but so what, if poli-sci is what you are interested in, I'd go to Columbia. It's in NYC and since grade deflation at Princeton is so recent, a lot of employers and grad schools aren't familiar with it yet and that will hurt you severely.</p>
<p>i think NYC (regarded by the columbia public affairs office as one of columbia's greatest strengths) is an overrated pro. while NYC is undoubtedly one of the greatest cities in the world, in practice columbia students rarely leave morningside heights and the campus is poorly integrated with the city (there are huge prison-like walls around the campus for security reasons). this is particularly stark compared to other urban campuses (like harvard or brown) where the campus is well integrated and students get out into the city a lot.</p>
<p>Frankly, there is a LOT I didn't like about Columbia.</p>
<p>First, it isn't in the safest area. Princeton is in a MUCH safer area and much prettier too.</p>
<p>Second, Columbia has a lot of required core courses. Princeton does have a number of liberal arts requirements ,but you get a lot more choices as to h ow you want to fullfil these requirements. Frankly, I would prefer to structure my own education instead of having someone tell me what I must take.</p>
<p>Third, Princeton focuses heavily on undergraduate education more so than Columbia.</p>
<p>I have a friend who works at Columbia. He says Columbia is really famous for its graduate school. For undergraduate education, I will say Princeton is definitely better because the size of its class is small. Students can have more interaction with professors.</p>
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Second, Columbia has a lot of required core courses. Princeton does have a number of liberal arts requirements ,but you get a lot more choices as to h ow you want to fullfil these requirements. Frankly, I would prefer to structure my own education instead of having someone tell me what I must take.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I second that. One of the reasons Columbia wasn't high up on my list when I was applying for undergrad was precisely the core requirements.</p>
<p>Morningside Heights is relatively safe. I've walked through Harlem at night and didn't even feel the slightest discomfort. Is it safer than Princeton, NJ though? Not by a long shot.</p>
<p>Is Princeton, NJ prettier than NYC? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Some people see big lawns and lots of trees as pretty. I prefer the urban landscape more... skyscrapers and lots of people. It comes down to personal preference.</p>
<p>Columbia, even though it's near Harlem, is an incredibly safe area. They boast they are they second safest area of New York (with the first being central park). However, I'd still say Princeton is safer.</p>
<p>However, I would have to agree that people take NYC as an overrated pro. And when I visited I did feel a lack of focus for the undergrad. I'd say not only is Princeton a better school, but the campus is much prettier. The campus for Columbia (as dcircle said) is almost claustrophobic. It is beautiful, but a lot of tall buildings in a tight area. </p>
<p>I don't like the super-structured core curriculum of Columbia either...At Columbia they said don't only go here for the Core and NYC, so I would say Princeton hands-down.</p>
<p>Princeton, even though I think that you would be much more comfortable at Columbia. Since Princeton is offering to pay for your visit, you can visit Columbia during the same trip as you will probably fly in to the Newark airport.</p>
<p>Rereading the OP's post, I notice that he already has decided on Princeton having a prettier campus, and that s/he likes the core, so I guess my points don't apply here.</p>
<p>wasn't a columbia grad student killed yesterday after being chased into traffic by a mugger? it's not fair to say columbia is unsafe, but it is fair to say they surrounding environment is less safe than princeton. to columbia's credit, security on campus is great but it gave me it always gives me the feeling i'm in a locked down facility.</p>