<p>Hey! To anyone who's in the same situation as me, how are you going to choose between these two amazing schools? I feel so conflicted!</p>
<p>What major are you currently interested in? Will you be visiting both schools?</p>
<p>Do you prefer citiy or suburbs? Do you like the idea of a liberal arts education vs pre-professional education?</p>
<p>I’m in the same boat. I don’t know Princeton nearly as well as I know Yale, so I’m doing my homework now and reading up on the university, since I won’t be able to visit again until the first round of Princeton preview days. </p>
<p>Some big strengths of Princeton for me is the Woodrow Wilson school/journalism curriculum/senior thesis/focus on undergrads. Not to mention the fact that I had the BEST cappuccino ever at the local coffee shop and my wardrobe consists of ungodly amounts of orange because it so happens to be my favorite color…a sign, perhaps? Obviously, I’m still seeking more legitimate pros over Yale. </p>
<p>Is Princeton really all that much more focused on undergrads than Yale? I hear from Yale alums that the pride of Yale University is Yale College – as compared to Harvard, at least. </p>
<p>Also, I find Princeton’s residential college system a bit odd. It seems that the social environment becomes stratified/fragmented when you bicker eating clubs after sophomore year.</p>
<p>This is the fun part, but agreed – this is a harrowing decision!</p>
<p>princeton undergrads: 5000
princeton grads: 2500</p>
<p>yale undergrads: 5000
yale grads: 6000</p>
<p>with undergrads being the majority at Princeton, they really do steal the spotlight. Its pretty much as close as you can get to a liberal arts education without going to a liberal arts college.</p>
<p>Fellow cross-admit here (Accepted to HYPSM, choosing Princeton)</p>
<p>I think Yale and Princeton both have very strong undergraduate focus. Harvard only wins in the cross-admit battle overall because of its prestige that is undeniably greater than Princeton or Yale’s. (Although in my opinion, I think going to Princeton or Yale carries enough weight that you can undoubtedly impress people, if that’s your desire, without turning them off or making them judge you constantly.)</p>
<p>I chose Princeton over Yale mostly because 1) Princeton is a much more diverse and interesting place. They focus a lot on race relations, service, diversity, student leadership, etc. A lot of stress on how students can thrive in a changing global environment. 2) Princeton’s campus is beautiful. 3) Princeton’s town is safe. But if you’re bored, you’re not too far away from two great cities that are literally only forty minutes to an hour away. 4) The school spirit and alumni network at Princeton is undeniably fantastic. It has the highest alumni giving rate and if you ever go to reunions, it’s crazy. In the best of ways. 5) Princeton’s sciences and engineering programs blow Yale’s out of the park. It’s humanities programs are pretty much at the same level as Yale’s, give or take a few departments, but Princeton’s humanities faculty are also stellar. It has really strong economics, and Woody Woo is at the top of its game. English (esp creative writing), history, linguistics, comp lit, East Asian studies, all very very reputable programs. The Princeton Art Museum is also renowned for its works.</p>
<p>This is a post from the admitted student’s homepage that I find particularly beneficial to anyone considering Princeton:</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Every school has its ups and downs, but for me Princeton just works.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>I think that there’s a real sense of undergraduate pride at Yale. From what I can tell, Yale undergrads don’t feel lost in the larger university. But how that translates to the academic experience, I don’t know. When people talk about the undergrad focus on Princeton, they’re talking mostly about the academics, because that’s where we’re the most different from our peers. Professors are focused on you, not their grad students or their research as they’re reputed to do at, say, H. One poster on here mentioned that when interviewing for jobs at Princeton, prospective professors are required to discuss their theory of teaching rather than their research. That’s the general spirit of the “undergrad focus” argument.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>You’re not the only one that finds it odd :). Res colleges don’t matter much at all, except that you can only room with people from your college. There’s not a sense of res college pride in the way there is at Yale for many reasons, the eating clubs included. However, I don’t think this is necessary a bad thing, and neither do many of my peers. Look in the comments here ([Make</a> a decision, Princeton - The Daily Princetonian](<a href=“http://www.dailyprincetonian.com/2012/03/29/30399/]Make”>http://www.dailyprincetonian.com/2012/03/29/30399/)) for some thoughts.</p>
<p>[Best</a> Undergraduate Teaching | Rankings | Top National Universities | US News](<a href=“http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities/undergraduate-teaching]Best”>http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities/undergraduate-teaching)</p>
<p>I am currently waitlisted at Princeton.
Was accepted to Yale and Columbia.
I would love it if you turned down Princeton so I could take your spot!!!</p>
<p>[A</a> Revealed Preference Ranking of U.S. Colleges and Universities by Christopher Avery, Mark Glickman, Caroline Hoxby, Andrew Metrick :: SSRN](<a href=“http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=601105]A”>http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=601105)
Yale-Princeton cross admit record shows that only small number of people choose Princeton.</p>
<p>^^^^^and Germancar, the anti-Princeton ■■■■■ is back, this time as “youpika”</p>
<p>Princeton is typically rated as the stronger academic school (albeit slightly), but factors that made me choose Princeton include:</p>
<p>Campus: The campus is gorgeous, open, and roomy - and there seems to be a lot of activity going on. I also much preferred Princeton, NJ to New Haven, CT because I found New Haven (outside of Yale’s campus, which itself was beautiful) frightening - especially as a distance runner who would have to traverse the surrounding area.</p>
<p>Location: I think someone else already said this, but it’s in a college town while still maintaining easy access to NYC and Philadelphia. I personally find New York too big and crowded to be appealing as someplace to live, but I’m really excited that I’ll be able to visit it periodically!</p>
<p>The People: The students were friendly, loyal to their school, spirited, fun, and talented. I like the idea that I will be surrounding myself with a bunch of incredible people. The graduate program is small, so the professors’ focus is on US 
I’ve actually already received an email from the Dean of the Anthropology department (which I listed as an interest on my application), and another professor at the Woodrow Wilson school was very receptive when I emailed her to ask about one of the seminars. Having that kind of attention as a rising freshman feels incredible, and based on my conversations with other students who’ve been admitted to Ivies, is unique to Princeton.</p>
<p>The Academics: Princeton is one of the best universities in America, if not the best. Yale is also obviously very very good - but typically, most surveys have shown that Princeton has stronger undergraduate teaching. That said, I don’t put all that much stock in rankings, so you should be good with either. </p>
<p>The Alumni: The Princeton alums tend to be fiercely loyal, and I feel like their network provides a lot of opportunity for jobs etc. post-college. Also, they are probably so loyal to their university post-college years because they enjoyed their time at Princeton so much. That, to me, speaks volumes. </p>
<p>Hope that helps; good luck with your choice, and congratulations! If you choose Princeton, I’ll see you next year!</p>
<p>For the reasons above, I chose Princeton over HYS and Columbia, Dartmouth, among others this year.</p>
<p>Yale is a wonderful school though; you can’t make a bad choice!</p>