<p>Sorry to post on your boards, but thought this might be relevant to those considering both schools. I'm not sure if I agree with a lot of the negatives on the Yale, but I will admit that when I decided not to apply to pton, I knew that I was passing up on a unique opportunity for scholarship by way of the senior thesis. No matter what other schools may say about having "thesis requirements" in particular majors, I think the Princeton thesis program stands head and shoulders above the rest (though hopefully, should I pick a major that requires one here, I'll be proved wrong!).</p>
<p>The students I know on campus would definitely agree with at least the Princeton part of this statement: "Yale creates a more stressful and competitive atmosphere than Princeton. There seems to be a little more striving, a little less of the constant emailing, messaging and hugging that makes a day in Princeton strangely like a day in the African village where my daughter spent two years in the Peace Corps and that weaves those wonderful, tough friendships that Princeton students cultivate."</p>
<p>aparent, that's the sentence that resonated with me too. It is kind of like a day in a village, and I think it's what leads to the alumni loyalty. I don't know how Princeton does it though. Perhaps it is just a result of the location and layout.</p>
<p>Aside from the comment about the impossibility to forge "wonderful, tough friendships" - which is untrue - Grafton tries to be fair. I think it is a love letter to Yale in disguise. Both institutions come out pretty well in this emotional assessment. Refreshing for CC members to read: you can love a college and yet respect another.</p>