<p>I understand that there are most likely many threads similar to this one, but I wanted to get some sort of personal feedback on my own situation. I recently visited both Yale and Princeton, and going into the experience, I had the hope that visiting both campuses would mark one or the other as the place for me. Unfortunately, as you might have guessed, I came out exactly where I started: undecided. There are aspects of both universities which I admire, and I am having trouble elevating one or the other as my top choice. As a bit of side note about myself, I am a rising senior from central North Carolina interested in studying International Relations with extensive coursework in economics and philosophy as well.</p>
<p>At Yale, I found the residential college system to be beyond comparison. The community that seems to thrive at the college as a result of the residential system is beyond reproach. The sense of belonging and happiness with which the residential system seemed to animate the students is somewhat beyond words, at least for me. The students at Yale seemed to be very approachable, and above all, content. The architecture of the campus was beautiful and I enjoyed the vibrancy which New Haven brought to the campus. I could definitely see myself studying at the Sterling Memorial Library, picking up a cup of coffee from the Blue State Coffee Shop, or perusing through primary source documents at the Beinecke Library. The idea of a "Shopping Period" for classes seemed to me to be very innovative and attractive as well as allowing for flexible course selection. I also found the idea of the Ethics, Politics, and Economics major to be quite interesting. The fact that the Yale Daily News would take the time and effort to prepare an issue especially for incoming freshmen also struck a positive chord with me. The sense of community and shared experience that I received from Yale speaks volumes about the student quality of life as well as the quality of the educational program at the university. The only negative points I feel obligated to make about Yale are that the areas of New Haven not directly surrounding the campus looked to be less than desirable, although I must stress that I did not see the entire city nor explore it in depth. Yale's campus also seemed to be somewhat spread out for my tastes, and the city did seem a bit intrusive at times. I also worry that Yale, although an institution of high caliber, is traditionally known for its strength in the humanities and classics and might not necessarily cater to students more oriented towards the social sciences, such as myself. In addition, I was slightly disappointed when the admissions counselor noted that Yale does not take into account home equity when calculating a student's financial aid package.</p>
<p>At Princeton, I felt that a sense of collegiate solidarity and quiet scholarship pervaded the campus. Indeed, if anything, I felt the campus was superior to Yale's because of its enclosure from the outside city, although it lacked some of the vibrancy of Yale's urban campus. The architecture was equally gorgeous, if more suburban in nature. I enjoyed the Frist Center, with its quirky quotes and sayings about Princeton as well as its inviting atmosphere. During the information session, I was taken aback when the admissions counselor noted that Nobel Prize winners often teach introductory courses in their disciplines, which I independently verified by looking through the past year's undergraduate bulletin. Following the information session, the admissions counselor also pointed out Albert Einstein's former classroom to my group, a detail which resounded with me as to the quality of the institution and struck me with a sense of identification with the university. Throughout the Orange Key tour, I noted the guide's repeated emphasis on Princeton's focus on undergraduate education, a quality which endeared me to the school. The satisfaction of current and former undergraduates with the education they received at Princeton was also quite apparent during the tour. To my knowledge, Princeton has the highest percentage of alumni contributions in the nation, a testament to the quality of a Princeton education. It was touching when the tour guide noted that the spouses of deceased alumni often walk during the annual P-rade in place of their husbands or wives. When my tour group was taken into to the University Chapel, I felt a sense of sublime awe. The interior of the building was literally one of the most spectacular pieces of architecture I have ever seen. On an academic note, the dynamism of the Woodrow Wilson School and the strength of the economics department were definite positives for me. I especially cherished the thought of policy seminars and task forces during my junior year, if accepted to the WWS. Overall, the atmosphere on campus seemed to be more relaxed, if less vibrant and lively, than that of Yale. The drawbacks of a Princeton education also concern me, however. Princeton's policy of grade deflation is somewhat concerning, if not a deal breaker. My tour guide stated that it is not too much of an issue, as it does not make for a competitive atmosphere and that if one works hard, it is not impossible to get an A. Nevertheless, I am not sure I do well with the thought of being graded on a Bell Curve. In comparison with Yale, I got the impression that the "residential colleges" are lacking. At Princeton, I got the sense that the colleges do not knit the student body together in as tight a community as those at Yale. Perhaps that lack of community is countered by the eating clubs, but I was not as impressed with the sense of community at Princeton as I was at Yale. In addition, excluding the area immediately surrounding the Princeton campus, the town seemed to be largely residential and not conducive to outside excursions. While Princeton certainly does not share many of the urban problems of New Haven, it also did not seem to possess many of the benefits which an urban environment brings to a college campus.</p>
<p>I enjoyed many of the idiosyncratic traditions of both universities and felt that either institution would be a wonderful place to spend four years of my life. Indeed, I could picture myself at both universities, and in truth, I feel I would be happy at either institution. However, only one would hold the promise of greater marginal happiness as well as a curriculum that best fits my needs, wants, and aspirations. It is not, perhaps, that I am uncomfortable with the idea that I was attracted both universities equally, but for practical reasons, I feel I do need a top choice. If anyone from Yale, Princeton, or otherwise could elaborate on some of the more subtle nuances of either university as well as which might be a better fit for me, I would greatly appreciate it. If it makes a difference, I am an only child whose parents would rather him stay closer to home than not. Thanks for the advice!</p>