<p>After conducting a full college search I have come to the conclusion that I would be extremely happy at either Yale or Princeton. However, I am concerned about the student body. Are students helpful (competition)? Is the majority of the student population stuck up or extremely preppy? Is there as much diversity as Yale or MIT? Thanks for answering my questions. Also do I have a chance at Princeton? Please refer to:
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=191804%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=191804</a>
for post of stats.</p>
<p>I saw your stats. I'm surprised you don't have Princeton in the list of schools you are applying for :) I generally don't evaluate stats, so I will go ahead to your next question.</p>
<p>I finished my first year at Princeton. When you say diversity, do you mean racial diversity? I would suspect that Princeton does not have as much racial diversity as Harvard or Yale, simply because of this "reputation" it has acquired as an elitist school. In terms of socio-economic diversity, Princeton has plenty. They offer the best financial aid packages, and this attracts many intelligent low-income students. There is also a diversity of interests at Princeton. Unlike MIT, Princeton does not focus on one subject only. They have a fantastic physics department. They also have an amazing math department and a renowned economics department. </p>
<p>Much of the student body is preppy, but they are not elitist. Please realize, the two do not usually overlap. If you go to lawn parties, you will see blooming pastels everywhere...shirts, shorts, you name it. But students will willingly talk to you and will be friendly on the most part.</p>
<p>I would say, pick whatever school you get into :) If you have a choice, pick Princeton. It is much better rounded than Yale (Princeton is better at Yale in nearly all sciences, in math, physics, and probably in economics...Yale's arts are better, but Princeton just got a one-hundred million dollar grant).</p>
<p>Princeton's racial composition is very similar to other top schools. So for the most part, what you might see at Yale is what you'll see at Princeton. Hopefully you have visited both schools (or are planning to), which should give you a somewhat better idea of what the two schools' student bodies are like. From my experience, Princeton students have been incredibly friendly, helpful, fun, and mind-blowingly intelligent. That said, Princeton's and Yale's student bodies are pretty similar, so it's all about what feels right for you. Good luck this next year with the admissions process :)</p>