<p>As I said in the heading, I'm deciding between Princeton with a concentration in the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs and Yale with a major in Ethics, Politics, and Economics. I visited both during their preview/bulldog weekends. I liked Yale's atmosphere a better because at Princeton, the whole campus seemed to be shut down and so quiet; granted the "preppy and pretentious" stereotype was not so, but I'm still not so sure about the eating clubs. Also, Yale students seemed to be more eager about their school and their passions and activities on campus and were willing to answer our questions. I don't know if it was the way Princeton preview was set up, but I didn't see much of the students and none of them seem too interested in us either. However, I still cannot let Princeton go because I feel that academically, it is the stronger option, whether it be the Woodrow Wilson School or the cool things I've heard about the senior thesis. So many adults in my life have basically said that Princeton might get me farther in life or that it would be the school they would choose. Obviously, I don't want to let other their opinions take over my decision, but it certainly influences it. Help?</p>
<p>Princeton’s social life basically shuts down during the preview weekends, the clubs go dry, etc. I never felt that princeton was quiet/shut down but I can definitely see how preview weekend would make it seem that way. </p>
<p>They’re both fantastic schools obviously but the WWS program is really fantastic. The task forces, individual attention, professors are all amazing. I was not WWS but the classes I took at the school were always just unbelievable learning experiences. For example, one of my seminars was a 20 person policy class taught by a former Senate majority leader- thats just awesome :)</p>
<p>While Yale is definitely more UG focused than Harvard, it still doesn’t hold a candle to Princeton in that respect. However, I don’t think there is any real difference in where either school will take you in life. That being said, Princeton does have an unbelievably helpful alumni network and probably places marginally better in finance. Hope that helps somewhat.</p>
<p>“I’m still not so sure about the eating clubs.”</p>
<p>Haha I find it funny that you formed an opinion of our social scene without having gone out to the eating clubs. I guess it’s no one’s fault, but Princeton’s social scene is hugely dependent on the street, and there’s no way you can have any valid opinion of our social scene without spending a night on Prospect Ave.</p>
<p>Well, I guess you can blame the Princeton Administration for not allowing their prospective students into the eating clubs.</p>
<p>No you can’t. That’s be a ridiculously foolish thing for the administration to do. I can just imagine the headlines: “17 year old prefrosh hospitalized from binge drinking at Princeton University.” And then, of course, that eating club would go off tap for the entire year. No thanks.</p>
<p>well i guess that’s it randombetch-- a. they didn’t let us in so we basically just got thrown a lecture/panel that they’re not that exclusive and that they’re such a great community bonding experience without having us actually see for ourselves or hear from students informally and b. if the whole social scene does seem to stem from there, i think that just seems very exclusive. so that’s why i’m not sure about it if that clarifies anything.</p>
<p>How is it exclusive? I could literally not know a single person on campus and still go party away if I wanted to. I don’t think you can really do that at any other university in the country. You know nothing about the eating clubs except what we tell you, and we’re telling you that it’s not exclusive.</p>
<p>Exclusive to me would either indicate that (a) not that people are allowed in or (b) it is the only social option available. As many people have indicated, pretty much anyone who wants to join an eating club can do so, because half of them are sign-in clubs, and over 70-80% of Princeton students join a club. Moreover, on any given night, one or several of the clubs will have open parties (and even “closed” parties are not particularly difficult to get into). So, I think that the clubs are far from exclusive or closed and nor are they somehow hideously snobby–they’re really just places where members can eat and where non-members can socialize and have fun. </p>
<p>If your concern is that there is nothing else to do at Princeton other than socialize at eating clubs, that too is far from the truth. On any given night there are plays, musical performances, lectures, movies, sports events, room parties etc. on campus and of course, there is always the option to go to NYC or Philly. Princeton has a very vibrant campus life, and most kids will do multiple things–for example, you might see a dance performance, go to an Arch sing and then wind up at an eating club party.</p>
<p>I have often said that schools with frats and sororities can be much more problematic, because if you don’t get in, your social options are much more limited and even your friendships can suffer. However, at Princeton it doesn’t work like that. Everyone can join a club and you don’t ever have to sit in your room wondering if there’s a party you can go to.</p>
<p>not exactly what i was going for…but oh well, there’s no point on dwelling on the eating clubs. i’m pretty set on where i’m going already.</p>
<p>You’re comparing the Eating Clubs to Frats or Sororities, like those are the alternative at Yale. They are exclusive. That’s the bottom line.</p>
<p>“Half the Clubs are sign-in Clubs.” Give me a break. Unless you’re a Christian Athlete who wants to go to Quad or a Floater/Boater who wants to go to another sign in club (I can’t remember the name) most people who want to be in clubs want to get into the Bicker clubs. And the Bicker Clubs are definitely exclusive.</p>
<p>I had a great experience at Princeton Preview just talking to two students, one in an eating club, one who didn’t get in through Bicker. What sort of struck me was that the person who didn’t get in seemed really down to earth and nice to me. She just didn’t get into the club she wanted. And when I asked her if she was in an Eating Club, it was sort of an awkward moment. It was clearly a big deal to her.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t really be all that worried about getting into a club myself, but the environment is totally different at schools where exclusive clubs are the center of the social life and where the center is inclusive residential colleges. Saying 70-80% of kids are in eating clubs is like saying “Well you can definitely be in an eating club if you want to. As long as you’re willing to join your second choice in the situation that you’re not deemed cool enough to join your first one.”</p>
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<p>That’s such a lie. Most people do not – Charter FILLED UP in first round sign-in. Terrace draws a fair number of students who are attracted to its personality. Cloister is the floater and boater club you are looking for.</p>
<p>You are objectively wrong.</p>
<p>@MSauce - is Greek life even a factor at Yale? When I visited it kind of seemed to take a back seat to other organizations.</p>
<p>No, they aren’t. That was sort of my point. </p>
<p>I feel like bumping this thread is going to result in some big arguing, though.</p>
<p>@Baelor: what gives Terrace that personality? Whatever that personality is.</p>
<p>Ah another thread devolves into an argument over eating clubs. </p>
<p>MSauce is just dead wrong. Many, many, students prefer sign in clubs over bicker clubs. That’s the point. There is something for everyone. Lots of choice = happy students :)</p>
<p>The culture of Terrace, laid-back, neo-hippie, focused on really good music and live bands, demands that it be sign-in. You can’t stick it to the man in a diffident manner if you’re bickering people:).</p>
<p>lol terrace is da future</p>