<p>tahoepine-</p>
<p>I find your observations about your visit to Princeton interesting; I pretty much felt the same way.</p>
<p>I visited Princeton for one day and a night during the fall, and then attended Preview last week and also found the atmosphere a little “heavy.” My choice this year was between Princeton and Yale and I actually expected Princeton to have a more light-hearted atmosphere – maybe because of the lack of professional schools, the suburban campus, eating clubs, etc. But I noticed, as you did, kind of a damp atmosphere. Students didn’t seem quite as enthusiastic about their experience and I didn’t find them quite as open or welcoming as the Yalies. My host at Yale was noticeably friendlier and and really went out of her way to make sure I got a broad view of what life was at Yale. Everyone at Yale was like that. There seemed to be less tension.</p>
<p>It was interesting, too, because the Yale Campus was pretty much in shock and mourning over the accidental death of a senior in a Chemistry tool shop.</p>
<p>Anyhow, I ultimately signed up for Yale, but not really because of this issue. It was just a gut thing. Good luck with whatever decision your child comes to!</p>