Undergraduate Focus?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Princeton University
1

<p>I'm starting at Princeton this fall as a graduate student. I'm extremely excited, but one thing about Princeton is bothering me. I keep hearing they focus sooo much on undergraduate education. Now, I take this as meaning two things, one of which I like and the other I don't.</p>

<p>First, Princeton, unlike lots of major universities, doesn't have a business, medical, or law school. Thus, other unis must allocate money and lots of resources to these schools while Princeton doesn't. I have no problem with this and I understand how this situation could be construed as Pton having a ugrad focus.</p>

<p>Second, "ugrad focus" could mean that grad students are second class citizens. It could mean that research isn't well funded or that professors would rather focus on ugrads and teaching rather than advising. It could also mean that grad students aren't really considered part of the campus culture. (Of course, at every campus, the ugrad and grad are pretty seperate.) Finally, I'd hate to think that people look down on grad students because they decided to go to Pton for grad school, despite Pton having a reputation for ugrad focus. </p>

<p>Any thoughts from current students? I keep telling myself that the great Richard Feynman (probably the greatest American physicist of the 20th century) went to Pton for grad school after ugrad at MIT.</p>

2

<p>As an undergrad, I can't really tell you much about funding, advising, etc. But since graduate students are such a critical component in Princeton's research machine, it seems doubtful that any of these things would be an issue. </p>

<p>Unlike undergrads, grad students are not guaranteed housing. On-campus grad housing is also much farther away than undergrad housing. For more on housing issues affecting grad students, see Cost</a>, space issues burden graduate student housing - The Daily Princetonian and Keep</a> grad students off the street - The Daily Princetonian</p>

<p>
[quote]
It could also mean that grad students aren't really considered part of the campus culture.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>This really gets at the heart of the problem. Undergrads and grad students interact very little outside of precept. Undergrads often stereotype grad students as being sketchy and unable to speak English. Incidents such as this</a> one reinforce the stereotype. The Prince published a special</a> report on the grad school this spring that might be of interest.</p>

3

<p>Lmfao @ at the article with that graduate guy...</p>

<p>Anyways, um, Princeton is a great school, you'll be fine.</p>