<p>My son prefer UM.
Possible reasons: (1) GF? (2) Easy life, count AP, need a break. </p>
<p>Need advice to persuade him Princeton is a better choice. </p>
<p>Financial<br>
U Michigan. Free ride
Princeton. (FC, 6k/yr, include personal and book costs, not a problem for parents).</p>
<p>Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>Was he able to attend Preview Days at P?</p>
<p>He did attend the Preview.</p>
<p>Princeton. Michigan is a fantastic school, but Princeton is Princeton.</p>
<p>definitely Princeton. It seems like they are offering pretty generous fin aid too. Can't get any better than that.</p>
<p>Your son will get more "care and feeding" at Princeton vs. Michigan. IMO, since he got into Princeton he should go...especially because the family can afford it.</p>
<p>But, if he's more comfortable at Michigan, it's a fantastic school and he'll do well no matter what he chooses.</p>
<p>Let's look at the facts. Your son is looking to turn down arguably the best school in the country because he has a GF at UM and he "needs a break"? Those reasons aren't good enough to turn down Princeton.</p>
<p>Heh, his GF can brag that her BF is studying at Princeton...it will elevate her reputation as well...;)</p>
<p>dad81, why do you want him to go to princeton? He attended the preview days at princeton, and evidently didn't like what he saw. If he's going to be happier at another school, then why not let him go there (especially if it's cheaper for you)?</p>
<p>The fact that Umich counts APs is a big deal, and maybe your son would rather be near the top of the pack and have a semi-easy life. Besides, if he's going to grad school, the prestige of his undergrad won't matter so much, and he'll be much more successful in an environment he is comfortable with.</p>
<p>Princeton is a more prestigious school. But, the so called "easier life" at Michigan, I would beg him to think again. It'll be just as hard at Michigan if he's doing Engineering/Science/Math.</p>
<p>But, this isn't a no name school vs. Princeton, it's Michigan. If he really likes Michigan, then he should go, especially given that he's saving $24k for you.</p>
<p>Your son should NOT let a high-school romance be the determining factor in the biggest decision of his life. That having been said, he really can't go wrong with either option. Just make sure he is making the "right" choice for the "right" reason</p>
<p>Patlees88, Yes. That's what I learned from his application. Good schools alway give better financial package. It is not smart if he turns down this opportunity.</p>
<p>aworldapart,</p>
<p>I totally agree with you. But he believes that "break" and "GF" are so important to him and they will not come back. The "break" he get in the future will be different from what he get when he is 18. </p>
<p>What should I do?</p>
<p>Kids are under so much pressure these days that it's not a big surprise when they are desperate for a break. Fortunately, he has a choice of two top schools although people will definitely be more impressed with Princeton, if that should matter to you.
One possibility is that you might offer him the choice of taking a year off to do something different-- an internship or gap year program. Princeton actively encourages students to do this.
On a side note, my friend's daughter goes to Princeton. She arrived an enthusiastic scientist and dropped science like a hot rock after her first year because of the "eat their young" atmosphere. I didn't even let my daughter apply because of that-- it's her passion and I didn't want it drilled out of her. So maybe your son is on to something?</p>
<p>JP_Omnipotence,</p>
<p>He had UM campus visit before he went P. After he came back from UM and met the girl there (3 days) he told me that UM is his school. I asked him to visit P and I know he will have bad impressions about P. </p>
<p>I think his decision is not a smart one.</p>
<p>As a thought experiment, I've recently been wondering what a Princeton admission would sell for on EBay.
I bet the contrast with Michigan would be stark.</p>
<p>Thanks, Keefer, He will choose engineering and science. I will tell him that P will be just as hard at Michigan</p>
<p>fatladysings,</p>
<p>Thank you for your suggestion. I will talk with him to see if he wants such internships.</p>
<p>I can see going to Michigan to take advantage of the immense resources. An aspiring student has the opportunity to take graduate courses and do cutting edge research with the best profs in his field.</p>
<p>Needing a break or an easy life in college are wrong reasons for choosing Michigan (if these are indeed his real reasons). He will get lost in the big U.</p>
<p>GoBlue81,</p>
<p>That's what I am worrying about. If he has this kind of "break" attitude, he probably will get lost in a big University with huge undergraduate population. On the other side, a small university, like HPY, has the resources to prevent it happening.</p>