Hi guys!!
I was lucky enough to be accepted by Princeton and Stanford this year!! I’m having a really tough time making an informed decision so I would really appreciate any advice/input. I’m not entirely sure what I want to study but probably computer science (I’m interested in machine learning), statistics, economics, or computational biology. I might consider working in the financial sector but I’m also interested in potentially pursuing a PhD doing research in computational medicine or economics. I’ve never really thought about working in the tech industry but I’m not opposed to it by any means. I’m from the East Coast.
In terms of academic environment, I’m definitely looking for something rigorous but also manageable. I’d like to build a pretty solid academic foundation through coursework and research/internship opportunities.
Also, in terms of social environment, can someone outline some differences? I know that’s hard to quantify. I guess I’m a pretty outgoing, fun-loving girl but at the same time I’m pretty serious about my academics. I know Princeton’s eating club system can really build a good sense of community and many people enjoy it.
Are there any other factors I should consider? Are people, in general, “happier” at one of the schools? What are some cons of each school?
Thanks again!!! I’d appreciate any help!!!
Stanford is only more laid back on the surface… in actuality, it’s as competitive as Princeton. Maybe more, in fact, since there’s this whole other entrepreneurial push-for-success going on at Stanford. At Princeton it’s still OK to want to be a gentleman scholar 
Stanford does have the CS advantage academically and is a virtual pipeline to Silicon Valley jobs. Princeton is probably better represented on (and sought by) Wall Street, if you do end up desiring a career in Finance/IB/VC et al instead of CS.
There will be plenty here who will tout Stanford, so I’ll speak a bit about Princeton’s advantages (or simply info about the school…) in this heavyweight matchup.
- One thing to note is Princeton's greater emphasis on, and attention given to, the undergraduate. I don't know all the reasons behind it, but it must have something to do with the fact that Princeton has relatively fewer grad students than any other elite school except maybe Dartmouth. Simply put, Princeton is more undergrad-centered than Stanford is.
- Another advantage Princeton has is its endowment. It's the highest per-student endowment in the United States. This means Princeton has the capacity to spend ludicrous amounts of money on each student. This is how they fund campus activities, study abroad opportunities (when aid is given), and academic opportunities. The applicable difference may be small, but it is there: Princeton can outspend Stanford.
- Weather is entirely in the eye of the beholder, but I think you should consider the potential advantages of having four distinct seasons instead of the same.. weather.. all.. the time. ZzzzzZzzz. ;-)
Variety is the spice of life! Also, California has serious water issues: they are paying for their lack of precipitation.
- Eating clubs have their detractors, but not all clubs require you to do the bicker thing. And apparently the parties at many are open to all. // Should a student decide against joining an eating club, he or she can remain in Princeton's perfectly wonderful housing system.
- At Princeton, you are an easy ride from NYC and Philly and longer, but doable, rides from DC, Baltimore and Boston. In other words, you're in a pretty good spot from which to launch forays into the major cities of the Northeast. Princeton itself, like Stanford, is suburban. Heck, most of New Jersey is one huge suburb. hehe
- If you like Gothic architecture, Princeton displays plenty of it on the immaculately landscaped campus. The Princeton campus really is bucolic -- just gorgeous.
- The senior thesis. You might look at this as extra work, but I think it should be seen as an opportunity to combine bits of everything you've learned into one nicely packaged, written sum of your Princeton education and exoerience. It's a testimony to what you have learned and to your interests and represents your chance to write a thesis as an undergraduate, which is rare. Of course it's probably not really that romantic or an all-encompassing experience for everyone, but it is a tangible something you can take with you. If it's really cool and compelling, you can publish it, as one student did with The Rule of Four.
Anyhow, obviously you can’t go wrong with either Princeton or Stanford. If you choose based on fit (and assuming FA offers are similar), you’ll make the right choice.
Have you visited each campus?
I was told to not choose school based on major since my plans could definitely change and to choose based on fit. However, I’m not entirely sure what that means? How will I know I fit in somewhere? What factors should I look for in terms of fit? I’m about to visit Stanford next week and I have already visited Princeton. @prezbucky @katliamom @Dunboyne
Princeton and Stanford are peers. If the money is the same or similar, choose based on your level of “fit” with the schools. Both can get you anywhere you want to go in any field – provided you work hard, seek paths intelligently and diligently, etc. – and are at the absolute top of undergraduate education here or (by rep) anywhere else. Everyone working in education and everyone hiring anyone for anything has heard of Princeton and Stanford.
What you should look for in terms of fit:
- Social: Social vibe, party scene, clubs and campus activities
- Culture/Environmemt: The beauty of the campus, cultural enrichment available in the area, the surrounding city(-ies), weather, etc.
- Logistics: Ease of travel/convenience of getting from place to place on campus and in the surrounding area and ease/cost of travel to and from home.
- Academic fit: programs and classes you like, class size, etc. (they're quite even here... with small pluses and minuses on either side. But Princeton's increased focus on the undergraduate stands as an axiom.)
If you can, visit both. You will likely like Stanfird’s weather while you visit. But keep in mind that sunshine is nice most of the time, but sunshine all the time is boring. Many kids these days flock to the Cali schools for no better reason than sunshine, and to each his own… but I’m telling you, variety is the spice of life, and all-the-time 50-80 degree weather, with sunshine 90% of the time, is bland. Put some salt and pepper on it.
I would recommend going with your gut: which place FEELS better?
In many ways, Stanford and Princeton are very similar: beautiful campuses with beautiful (but very different!) architecture, a posh/academic atmosphere and set in very boring towns! Princeton has always felt “old money” to me and full of a kind of pretense… Stanford definitely is new “tech money” and the pretense of no pretense 
I will also quote a professor who taught both at Stanford and Harvard. (I know Princeton isn’t Harvard, but it’s close enough.)This is how he characterized the student bodies: At Harvard they’re more nakedly ambitious. At Stanford they’re just more naked.
Personally, I always recommend kids – if they can – go to school in a very different part of the country from where they grew up. My daughter grew up in the west, went to school on the East Coast. It really broadened her horizons, and she understands so much more about America now. So, both schools being equal and taking money out of consideration, I’d say, carpe diem, and go for a major change in scenery.
Truth is, you really can’t go wrong. Both are superb schools that will offer you amazing opportunities. Congrats. It’s a nice dilemma to have.