<p>OP,</p>
<p>My son (a junior) and I (mom) visited Princeton and Penn a few weeks ago. We are a blue collar, middle class homeschooling family. We were at Princeton on March 30/April 1st and it snowed and rained that day. (We are from the finest city in the world here in So. Cal; <em>I</em> think people are crazy to want to live in cold but my son finds it refreshing) We had contacts on campus and we both stayed in dorms; I stayed in a girl’s dorm with one of our friends and he stayed in the boys dorm across the hall. We didn’t do an “official” tour; rather, our two friends, a young lady and a young man, took us around, allowed us to eat all the meals there, and spend virtually all day with us on Friday. I did a session with admissions while my son wandered around with his friends and we ended the evening at the Princeton Evangelical Fellowship which was such a wonderful way to end the day.</p>
<p>Comparing Princeton to Penn, I came up with a word for each campus. At Penn, the word that came to mind was “spirit”, at Princeton, the word that came to mind was “purpose”.</p>
<p>My son felt the slightest bit more affinity to Penn but he was sure he could be happy at both places. I think the reason he felt a little more affinity towards Penn is the reason you’re describing. There is a more “purposeful” (serious?) feel at Princeton and my son is a laid back Californian. However, he realizes that this is a very good thing and it would be a good challenge for him to be with other fun but strong, steady, highly intellegent young people who are serious about contributing to society.</p>
<p>I think the other thing that caused my son to like Penn a tiny bit more was that Philly reminded him of Pittsburgh which he really likes. We come from a big city and he’s kind of used to the bustle. Again, though, he could get very used to the smaller town feel of Princeton and he said as much. I was overwhelmed by Penn at first because it just felt weird to be on a campus in the middle of downtown. I much preferred Princeton but I did find Penn quite charming after we got to know it a little better. (Sorry I can’t comment on Stanford as I’ve never been)</p>
<p>The food at Princeton is <strong>amazing</strong> (I could see a freshman gaining weight except that you walk everywhere and burn it off). The campus is breathtaking (and I reminded our young friends not to take that for granted), and of course, the academics are world renowned.</p>
<p>Our young friends were gracious, kind, and all the other students we met through them were gracious and kind, as well. We were there on a Thursday night and while the dorm rooms where we stayed were quiet (students keep very unique hours; some stay up much of the night and nap during the day; others try to sleep “normal” hours; boys had wii in their room), we could hear a Thursday night party going on in the 8 man suite above us. So, I would say, there are parties happening if you want them and there are quieter dorms if you don’t. Our friends are both just very nice, gentle “purposeful” people and they both seem to enjoy Princeton very much.</p>
<p>My son also sat in on two classes-math and physics-and enjoyed each one. He particularly found the linear algebra teacher to be funny. :-)</p>
<p>Yes, I would say there is wealth everywhere you go at Princeton but it isn’t flaunted in the least. Both of our friends’ parents are doctors (my husband is a driver) but they were wearing jeans and tennies. Almost all the kids I saw were very down to earth.</p>
<p>HTH a little with your decision.</p>