<p>dross, perhaps I am reading between the lines of your post but I suspect you just might have a teenyweenie crush on that babe Princeton despite or maybe because of your protests to the contrary. If some think she may possess too big a butt I say 'to each his own'. I for one am glad to see you step up and defend her honor with claims that the classroom(her mind) is what we should be focusing upon rather than the coarse aesthetics of her electric vibe. On the other hand, 'Love at first sight' is not so bad and in this case only has to last four years. (I hear it takes seven for the fascination to wear off.) If I were less superficial or perhaps less romantic, I too might advise youngsters to settle for a girl who can cook and sew and prove a dependable life partner,.. but why not let them reach for the stars and experience the same joyous certainty we did the first time our wives-to-be entered the room?</p>
<p>
[quote]
dross, perhaps I am reading between the lines of your post but I suspect you just might have a teenyweenie crush on that babe Princeton despite or maybe because of your protests to the contrary.
[/quote]
Well, okay. I have to admit that I think she is hot. But, you know, Im too old for her and shes not interested in me anyway.</p>
<p>
[quote]
If some think she may possess too big a butt I say 'to each his own'. I for one am glad to see you step up and defend her honor with claims that the classroom(her mind) is what we should be focusing upon rather than the coarse aesthetics of her electric vibe.
[/quote]
Absolutely. I wouldnt want anyone to overlook what I think is most important for the long haul. Butts sag over time. But the mind can keep you going forever.</p>
<p>
[quote]
On the other hand, 'Love at first sight' is not so bad and in this case only has to last four years. (I hear it takes seven for the fascination to wear off.) If I were less superficial or perhaps less romantic, I too might advise youngsters to settle for a girl who can cook and sew and prove a dependable life partner,.. but why not let them reach for the stars and experience the same joyous certainty we did the first time our wives-to-be entered the room?
[/quote]
Haha. I think if love at first sight happens, then that is quite fine. The problem is that sometimes we get carried away thinking that it HAS to happen in order for us to be happy. I dont think it is something we really should look for because it can get in the way of our seeing what may later prove to be serious issues. I advise those closest to me to be as unemotional as possible at this phase. Then, once you commit, become the greatest, most devoted fan ever.</p>
<p>I actually think likewise concerning marriage, though I confess being truly and hopelessly carried away by my wife when I first saw her. And I still am </p>
<br>
<p>Im too old for her </p>
<br>
<p>what? She's 260 years old. Just reaching her prime, like you,..</p>
<p>
[quote]
what? She's 260 years old. Just reaching her prime, like you,..
[/quote]
Ha! Okay, you got me there. Though, despite her age, she acts very young. Could be her musical tastes <a href="http://www.dailyprincetonian.com/archives/2003/01/13/news/6875.shtml%5B/url%5D">http://www.dailyprincetonian.com/archives/2003/01/13/news/6875.shtml</a></p>
<p>I was at prefrosh weekend too and it started out great but then I just sort of desired KNOWING people instead of meeting everyone and forgetting names. And my allergies became absolutely horrible so I was physically miserable. We went to two eating clubs and alcohol is really really not my thing, neither is grinding with a bunch of people I don't know at all. Overall I am frightened of the social life...but, I know it's the same at every other school pretty much and I never felt at home at any of the schools I visited...mostly because college is not home.</p>
<p>so I'm going to princeton.</p>
<p>One of the advantages of Princeton is that the drinking and grinding are primarily located on the Street, so if you desire another kind of social life you know to look elsewhere, and there's tons else. Congratulations and good luck.</p>
<p>"Hmmm. That you took it seriously is one of the strangest things I've ever read on this website."</p>
<p>Like I said, one of the strangest things I've ever read on this website.</p>
<p>You're clearly in love with Princeton. I don't want the OP's concerns about his education to be manipulated and convoluted by your own blind allegiance to Princeton. I get the feeling that no matter what the OP said, you'd bang out posts of every shape, color and variety explaining why Princeton is such a great match.</p>
<p>You used one of you're posts to explain that Princeton is a great match becuase it potentially doesn't have anything that interests a prospective student and therefore will allow them to start their own clubs.</p>
<p>...</p>
<p>!!!!!</p>
<p>Not only does that apply to EVERY school, but that is not how matches work, and you know that. I'm trying to seriously advise this prospective student, and you're saying "It's okay if you don't connect with Princeton, you can do you're own thing that no one else is doing. Isn't Princeton great!?" If my child was the OP getting this advice I would very, very upset. This is the OP's future. </p>
<p>This is someone's future, and you're telling them to go to a school because you like it, even though they are emotionally underwhelmed by it.</p>
<p>And don't start railing about how biased I am against Princeton. I really am not. The OP knows themself better than anyone else, and they know deep down which school is the real match, not us.</p>
<p>-Deleted-
(10 char)</p>
<p>Yes, May 1st is fast approaching. Now it's time to decide once and for all which school to spend the next 4 years. May the hand of God guide you choose for the best school for you! <em>Murmuring the litany from the Orange Bible</em></p>
<p>Just make your decision and don't look back...</p>
<p>Haha.. rara_avis, I WISH I could take that advice. Granted, many people say my situation is a no-brainer, I beg to differ. The top 5 schools I'm considering are Princeton, Dartmouth, Cornell, Williams, and Amherst. I only visited Princeton. I COULD HAVE visited Williams but I went to a reception for Princeton students in my state instead. I COULD HAVE visited Dartmouth, but it's Open House overlapped w/ Princeton's, so I went to Princeton's instead. Honestly, deep down in my heart, I seem to love Princeton the most of all my schools. Unlike the OP, I truly did find an awesome vibe at April Hosting. I feared that the students would be priveleged, elitist, snobs, but I was surprised to find friendly, down-to-earth people. Their parties were insane (not sure yet if that's a good or bad thing). I loved practically everything about it. My big problem is that, I obviously have given Princeton the MOST attention of all my schools. Sure, it is arguably the best university in the nation in terms of undergraduate attention and of course, endowment per student. But what about my other schools? Dartmouth is good w/ undergrad too! Its location isn't the best, but I'm willing to make some sacrifices.</p>
<p>Ahh.... I'm pushing myself to make my decision tonight, once and for all. Since APs are coming up and I would like to declare a school for my scores to be sent to, I might as well know before May 1st (as I have 2 APs that day). I'll be filling out all the college response cards tonight. Any last minute insight? Should I go on virtual tours of the other schools and do tons of crazy research, or follow my heart/instincts? I'd appreciate any and all advice! Thanks, and congrats to those definitely going to Princeton. We will most likely be Pton '10 class mates. :D</p>
<p>-Jon ;)</p>
<p>it can't hurt to do as much online research as you can, but there's really no substitute for an in-person visit if you can still swing it this weekend. if not, it probably isn't advisable to commit to a college, whatever its repuation, sight unseen. you wouldn't buy a car or pick an apartment that way, and neither of those commitments is as important as your college choice. good luck.</p>
<p>Hey thanks Scottie. Unfortunately, I don't think I can visit this weekend. And since I have 2 APs on Monday, I can't risk getting back late! I appreciate your advice! I'm sorry... I didn't read the entire thread, but have you chosen Princeton? If so, and if I do, it'd be cool to meet up (if you choose to do OA or CA during the summer).</p>
<p>Does anyone else have advice (please refer to my previous post)! Thanks!</p>
<p>-Jon :)</p>
<p>Well... you seem to have really liked Princeton, so I don't see why you should second guess yourself. Clearly, you seem to have been leaning toward Princeton from the start, considering that you took the time to go there over other schools. If nothing you saw shook your impression, than why not go with it?</p>
<p>One cannot be too careful for deciding the college. Maybe he wants to err on the side of caution * Murmuring litany from Orange Bible *</p>
<p>Tetrisman777:
[quote]
You're clearly in love with Princeton. I don't want the OP's concerns about his education to be manipulated and convoluted by your own blind allegiance to Princeton.
[/quote]
As I have said, Princeton is hot. I believe it is the best thing going when it comes to undergraduate education. (Yale is exemplary too, nodding to my dear friend rrosen ;)). That conclusion came from a lot of research of things that I think matter the most. I simply gave my 2 cents about it, just as you gave yours. That is what this place is for.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I get the feeling that no matter what the OP said, you'd bang out posts of every shape, color and variety explaining why Princeton is such a great match.
[/quote]
Now how in the world could you get this? The OP came right out and said she already KNOWS that the academics/ec's offered/professors/experience/etc...would likely be amazing. On paper, it all looks very good, and perhaps a very good match to my interests. This is what she already KNOWS about Princeton. Now what I am saying is that if you KNOW this without having it all come from some mushy emotion and air electricity, you are doing really well. It is my belief that at this phase the mind, more than anything else, needs to be fully engaged. WHY? Because feelings change. They were never designed to think with. But you go into a decision cerebrally, seeing the potential problems up front, then I think the chances are youll be satisfied way down the road even if your feelings change. You obviously like electricity in the air. That is a complete waste of electricity to me. But we can still have a beer and shoot the stuff. No problem.</p>
<p>
[quote]
You used one of you're posts to explain that Princeton is a great match becuase it potentially doesn't have anything that interests a prospective student and therefore will allow them to start their own clubs.
[/quote]
Oh now you know I didnt do this. I told the OP how I would approach Princeton if, like her, I KNEW it was amazing but did not have air electricity. I would put it in the likely column and then investigate other stuff. I would not allow a lack of a certain EC to push me away because to me that is a great opportunity to start something of my own. I would approach any school like this. But since the OP already KNOWS Princeton is amazing, I am saying she should approach it cerebrally right to the point where she commits.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Not only does that apply to EVERY school, but that is not how matches work, and you know that.
[/quote]
I sincerely dont know how matches work. I didnt think there was a formula to them. I am just telling how I would do the thing. And, you know, I am not saying my way is best. I am saying it makes sense to me at the moment, based on everything I can see. I think if you get too emotional, looking at the big grand library, you are likely to overlook facts that mean you cant conveniently access that library when you most need it. I am saying emotion really isnt that important at this phase of the thing. Keep your head about you right on down the line. If the emotion comes, great. But if everything is there in spades (as is the case with the OP), emotion ought not be a deal breaker. We are talking a school here.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I'm trying to seriously advise this prospective student, and you're saying "It's okay if you don't connect with Princeton, you can do you're own thing that no one else is doing. Isn't Princeton great!?"
[/quote]
Cmon guy. You should really try to deal with what I am really saying.</p>
<p>
[quote]
If my child was the OP getting this advice I would very, very upset. This is the OP's future. This is someone's future, and you're telling them to go to a school because you like it, even though they are emotionally underwhelmed by it.
[/quote]
No, I am saying that the I would approach a school that I KNOW is amazing in a certain cerebral way, rather than relying on emotion to make the decision. That sounds reasonable to me. It sounds better to me than the alternative that you are offering. But, you know, it is just my opinion. If your kid came here and read my opinion, dont be upset at me. Be upset at you.</p>
<p>
[quote]
And don't start railing about how biased I am against Princeton. I really am not. The OP knows themself better than anyone else, and they know deep down which school is the real match, not us.
[/quote]
I dont care how biased you are against Princeton (and you are biased against the school. Everybody sees it.). I think it is just fine to develop biases against things. Its crazy how people have biases all over the place about EVERYTHING, and yet we wont allow each other to talk clearly about being biased.</p>
<p>You know what? I was walking around a little town at night, trying to blow some time when a female jogger went by. She was obviously plum worn out, and appeared to be lost. Yet here I am now behind hera big guy dark area at night. I saw the whole thing unfolding and knew exactly what this woman was feeling. She had a bias against me. Why? Because I am a guy. She knew that 99% of rapes are committed by guys against gals. Her bias was justified. I knew it was justified. So I just yelled Dont worry! Youre safe. Ill just stay here until you get your breath. Sure enough, she was lost. And she came straight to me asking for directions. Once I gave her good enough reason, she was willing to let go of her biases. So I have no problem with your biases, as long as you have a really good reason to have them, and as long as you are willing to let them go if presented reasons for it.</p>
<p>I dont know why you are biased against Princeton. I dont really care at the moment. I assume you have good reasons for it. If so, then it is quite alright to have them in my opinion. No one should force you to say only good things about a school when you really believe the school has serious problems.</p>
<p>drosselmeier, your generous heart never ceases to amaze. I myself am often too willing to kick the small-minded in their agendas and therefore your patient point-by-point responses might some day influence me to look mercifully upon those whose clouded sight drives them to mislead,..but I doubt it.</p>
<p>Thanks rorosen for your very kind words. I dont think you are too willing to kick anything. In fact, you have a way of getting the job done without kicking. That David and Goliath admonishment you gave me was hilarious, and yet I didnt feel a kick. It was more like a firm nudge with your foot. That took some real skill. LOL</p>
<p>Icargirl / (and APDoolittle):</p>
<p>
[quote]
Well... you seem to have really liked Princeton, so I don't see why you should second guess yourself. Clearly, you seem to have been leaning toward Princeton from the start, considering that you took the time to go there over other schools. If nothing you saw shook your impression, than why not go with it?
[/quote]
APDoolittle seems to be suffering from something I have seen in my own kid and that is really understandable. Lets say you are faced with a choice between what in my opinion are the two greatest undergrad schools in the country, Yale and Princeton (others may think differently about these choices, but whatever they are, they are the greatest in the mind of the chooser). You know you can just spin around and randomly choose one of these schools and basically, when it comes to quality, youve chosen six of one, a half dozen of the other.</p>
<p>The problem is, the schools are not identical. They each present some difference that at one time may be really fine and that at another may be not so fine. What you really want is to have BOTH. But you cant. You gotta choose, and by choosing you are losing the school you did not choose and that you really wanted. You know, young folks like you and APDoolittle and many here are really special. You folks arent like everybody else. You are pushing hard for everything you get. So when you get these choices, you feel the loss of the choice more acutely than most people because youve paid for it in blood and sweat and tears.</p>
<p>This is another reason I say use your head when you make the choice because you are gonna lose something when you do. You may as well lose after some really clear thinking. Then, as rara_avis here has wisely said</p>
<p>Just make your decision and don't look back...</p>
<p>Thanks Drosselmeier, I appreciate your input. I also thank you for the compliments.</p>
<p>Yes, opportunity costs hurt, both in the economic world as well as in everyday, personal life.</p>
<p>We all make choices that eliminate endless possibilities. With each choice, we take a slowly narrowing path, leaving behind alternative routes, some bridges uncrossed, and some sights unseen. As the clock ticks, the second hand shaves an infinite amount of possibilities away; opportunities are forgone, and gradations of life are ignored and untasted.</p>
<p>So... once you think of it that way, you just come to accept the fact that inherent in decision making are sacrifices. In my case, checking no on some schools' response cards really hurt. It hurt especially considering how hard I worked, as Drosselmeier astutely pointed out, to get accepted at these places!</p>
<p>But, with all that said and done, I did arrive at my final decision.</p>
<p>I'm going to Princeton this fall!</p>
<p>Good luck to those of you still making last-minute decisions (especially those of the toughest kind). How successfully you'll pull through, is entirely up to you; and the other schools will survive without you, just as you will thrive in your ultimate choice (ideally)! Later ;)</p>
<p>-Jon :)</p>