So up until Ivy Day (did not expect to get into any ivies) I had been deciding between UCLA and UCSB, and there was never a clear winner. My admission to Princeton totally threw a monkey wrench in my decision making though! Being admitted still feels like a mistake (did an admission officer spill coffee or something and accidentally moved the mouse too far and misclicked?? I’ll never know).
My current passion is in Chemical Engineering and I plan to perhaps branch to materials engineering, though psychology, finance, econ, or accounting are total possibilities too.
I value comfort and intellectual growth equally, which is why this decision is so hard for me. I know that I’ll be comfortable at UCSB or UCLA based on my visits there. The people I have met at UCSB are especially AMAZING. They are like family. I will be less comfortable at Princeton since it’s so far from home in Cali and probably a different academic environment. BUT, I am so excited about studying at Princeton! Everything about it excites me. I’m so thrilled to learn from some of the most brilliant minds and to grow intellectually from that. At the same time though, I’m worried that I’ll be totally out of my element; what I have done in high school isn’t anything special, and perhaps I might be extra stressed at the Ivy. I don’t mind if I don’t make all A’s because I plan to go to learn and not for the numbers, but at the same time I’m not confident that I won’t be miserable due to the fact that I’d be far from home, a smaller fish in a huge pond, etc. etc.
I’m planning to go to Princeton Preview though, so maybe that might help ease my worries.
@Kiatirie what excellent choices you have. Our son is Princeton class of 2020, he applied as ChemE, but at Princeton Preview he attended an ORFE class and loved it. He is from Austin, TX (and originally from S.F. Bay Area) and wasn’t thinking about going back east for school. Once he was admitted SCEA, we toured the school. He really fell in love.
My advice is to attend Princeton Preview and be open to going to school back east. You’ll know pretty quickly if Princeton “feels right”. While UCs are great schools, Princeton has far more resources and a really excellent focus on undergrad teaching. It was scary for him to go to school so far away from home, but he has really grown in so many more ways than if he had taken the “safer” options of staying in Texas (Rice, UT Austin, etc…)
While Princeton isn’t for everyone, I’d ask you to approach this amazing opportunity with an open mind.
You have amazing choices! If you think you would be happy at Princeton go for it! But, if you think you would happier on the west coast with your UCs then go for that. I think you will get an amazing education at any of these schools, they are all challenging and all have good reps. Personally, UCLA would be my go to because it is extremely competitive yet also on the west coast where I think life is calmer there and it doesn’t get too cold. But this is not my decision.
Maybe make a pro and con list? I know so ordinary to do but could definitely focus on what you’re looking for. List things that you would like in a school and hopefully it will direct you to your school hope this helps.
Princeton is the smallest pond, but with somewhat bigger other fish (though UCLA and UCSB fish are still pretty big, particularly in the engineering parts of the ponds).
One potential advantage of Princeton is that changing major is likely to be easier if you do want decide that you want a different engineering major.
Net price of each school, and how much does it matter to you and your parents (particularly if loans are needed)?
@psywar Totally agreed. My son is applying Cheme this year. He attended engineering tour and fell in love with the program with taking humanities classes. Do you mind sharing your son experience so far with Cheme program? Also, what certificate program does your son choose? Thanks!
@Chemeng102 son was admitted ChemE but on Princeton Preview day fell in love with ORFE. So he didn’t take any ChemE classes, the few people he does know in the program say it is very difficult, but rewarding.
@psywar “Very difficult” at Princeton would scare me… " Hopefully, my son will overcome it if he gets accepted. Can I PM you to get advice on the application of CHEME?
hope this helps.