<p>At this point I'm sure everyone has had just about enough of these [college choice A] vs. [college choice b] threads. And understandably so, since they are everywhere! BUT (always the big but..)</p>
<p>I'm a HS senior and I am completely stuck. For the longest time, I had my heart set on Princeton. I still do I suppose, only recently, I got into/visited Duke.. and had similar I-love-this-place sentiments. If I list a couple of my own pros/cons.. could you guys give me a hand? I know the best and most accurate advice tends to come from the students themselves.</p>
<p>PRINCETON:
Pros- amazing campus, proximity to NYC, quaint town/Palmer Square, best profs in the country, undergrad focus, prestige, minimal segregation btw athletes and non, sibling goes here, would play a sport if i go..
Cons- too much of an emphasis on eating clubs? (hate to go on stereotypes, but its all i have), hard-core drinking?, insane work load?, jersey is beat, cold weather</p>
<p>DUKE:
Pros- campus designed by same man who did pton, NC is a happenin' place, WEATHER, school spirit, somewhat easier courseload, wouldnt play a sport, family lives close (~1hr)
Cons- athletes (ahem JJ) are glorified, self-segregation, separation of fresh/upperclassmen on campus, tainted rep (damn powerhungry media)</p>
<p>Just like we say in any other Princeton vs <em>insert college here</em> thread- its up to you to decide what you want. We can't tell you whats good for you so its up to you to decide. You should know that stereotypes are just stereotypes and shouldn't be the basis of any opinion. </p>
<p>Maybe you should read the hundreds of thousands of other similar threads about the same topic and don't expect anyone to explain the same **** over and over again ... Go do your reading and then ask questions.</p>
<p>I don't understand why you say all you have to go on re Princeton is stereotypes when you also say your sibling is a student there.</p>
<p>It is very understandable to want to attend a school close to home. There is, as you undoubtedly know, no shortage of Southerners at Princeton.</p>
<p>I know Duke's architecture was modeled on Princeton's. Princeton was not designed by one person, though. There are buildings by many famous architects. A new one is going up by Frank Gehry. There is a lovely variety. </p>
<p>There are hard-core drinkers at both schools. Can't speak for Duke but I can also tell you there are plenty at Princeton, male and female, who don't fit that description at all and have very lively, non-nerdy social lives nonetheless. </p>
<p>The weather on the Princeton campus is in the high 60s F today, if I am not mistaken. You get more variety there. And the glorious fall...</p>
<p>Yes, the work load is heavy but many students find time to be extensively involved in extracurriculars, sports, social organizations, etc. Princeton is a socially intense and alive campus. School spirit, broadly defined, is DEFINITELY not lacking; au contraire, students seem to be crazy about the place.</p>
<p>Yep, school spirit is one of the big reasons Princeton stood out as top in my mind. Everyone who goes to Princeton absolutely loves the place and has enormous loyalty to it.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Maybe you should read the hundreds of thousands of other similar threads about the same topic and don't expect anyone to explain the same **** over and over again ... Go do your reading and then ask questions.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Kjoodles.. if you are personally annoyed, or irritated, [or perhaps you're just unpleasent by nature?] by this thread, then by all means.. do not read or reply to it. I was simply looking for additional insight, not hostility. I have done my fair share of reading without your commissioning me to do so, as I would hope most high seniors have on the schools they may attend. If you are a current student at Princeton, I suppose I will give you a command then too (even the playing field).. add yourself to the con list.</p>
<p>Moving right along.. I appreciate the additional posts. Concise and informative. Thank you!</p>
<p>duke has warmer weather. while a fine school, it is, in all other ways, just princeton lite. as for princeton, i strongly suggest that you visit on admit weekend to test your stereotypes about the place. i suspect most will fade quickly away after. good luck!</p>
<p>No, Kjoodles is just an Aussie who's been on holiday since December, and he's bored outta his mind. Forgive him. ;)</p>
<p>I think a courseload is what you make it. Academics at both schools is top-notch, and I don't think your courseload at either university will be different enough from the other to make much of a difference in choosing a school -- with the possible exception of the Princeton senior thesis, of course.</p>
<p>Geez mate, if all you have to go for is a bunch of stereotypes, well pardon me for thinking you haven't done any research. The question I tried to emphasise was that you need to decide what YOU want. Do you rather have the academics and prestige of Princeton or do you rather live somewhere closer to home and with warmer weather?</p>
<p>Have you visited both places? Just like anywhere else- there are harder and easier courses for you to choose from. I hear the HUM sequence or Integrated Sci are both extremely time consuming. And yes I am commissioning you to do more research- we can't tell you where you'll feel most comfortable so I hope you'll visit and decide which is the better fit for you.</p>
<p>i picked princeton over duke for a couple of reasons:
1.superior financial aid (no loan, plus the adjustment they made)
2.beautiful campus
3.type of people i'd meet and the connections
4.academic focus on undergrads</p>
<p>hard-core drinking is prevalent at both schools, and if you don't like it you don't have to do it. Also, I didn't really care about the eating club (I don't know if I'm gonna join or not) but if you don't like it, I'm sure there'll be many more people who don't like it.</p>
<p>There are a number of threads discussing the eating clubs, but it's notable that Princeton has started implementing four-year colleges, and that likely means that the eating clubs will be waning by the time we even begin to consider joining them.</p>
<p>I also agree that Princeton's school spirit is not to be matched. The number of alumni that attend the annual P-rade is amazing!</p>
<p>And the drinking is not any worse than anywhere else. :)</p>
<p>Hahaha ... I love how playing a sport is a pro for Princeton and NOT playing a sport is a pro for Duke ... a bit confused, eh?</p>
<p>If you really see a lighter work load as a great pro, then I doubt Princeton is for you. All of the kids I know who went to or go to Princeton work insanely hard, and they love it. They have to, or they'd burn out in no time. If you aren't really looking forward to spending most of your time learning, if you don't get excited thinking about the academic opportunities and hard work ahead of you, Princeton probably isn't the best choice.</p>
<p>That said, it's of course up to you to make the best choice. Good luck!</p>