<p>So, I'm choosing between Harvard and Princeton. I am, personally, happy with Harvard, but the only qualms my friends/teachers have -- and, really, the only sizable difference I have been able to see between the two -- is that Princeton professors actually teach the majority of courses.</p>
<p>Here's what I feel: you probably only take courses with TF's the first one or two years, depending on your courses. TF's and professors are, in any case, only supplements (albeit the best ones) to books, and a bad one can, at worst, simply motivate a few frosh into creating a study group (Community, anyone?). The only courses I really have any concerns about are calculus (secret lover in my life) and science courses, anyway. Incidentally, I would probably end up doing whatever comes after BC - multivariable or vector or whatever it is, and maybe some other fun ones like number theory, etc. anyway.</p>
<p>Professors at Harvard teach the majority of courses too. TFs lead “sections,” which are weekly discussion groups that act as supplements to the lectures professors give. It would be nearly impossible to go through the first year at Harvard, let alone the first two, without ever being taught by a professor.</p>
<p>Where is this “TFs teach all the classes at Harvard” myth coming from? I’ve been hanging around this message board for far too long, and this is the first time I’ve really seen it pop up (and with a vengeance!).</p>
<p>@TemperTantrum - Where did you get this impression? I’m curious!</p>
<p>Between the two schools I think academic differences are basically irrelevant, except in terms of how they relate to your own personality. I ended up choosing Princeton over Harvard not so much because the professors teach more courses, but because I fit better at Princeton. I think at Harvard one has to be slightly more aggressive in seeking attention from faculty and getting research opportunities. For many students, this isn’t a problem, and Harvard students find it perfectly easy to interact with professors during office hours. But I know I am easily intimidated and might have trouble with this, at least as an undergrad. At Princeton, I can say from experience that one does not even have to go to office hours to be known - even in an intro class (though a small one) the professors know a good deal about each of the students. Though this was not a major factor in my decision, I think the friendly, cozy atmosphere which fosters this kind of student-faculty relationship was part of the reason that I felt more comfortable at Princeton. But this is very personal, and I know several people going to Harvard who I don’t think would be as happy at Princeton.</p>