<p>As I said in the heading, I'm deciding between Princeton with a concentration in the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs and Yale with a major in Ethics, Politics, and Economics. I visited both during their preview/bulldog weekends. I liked Yale's atmosphere better because at Princeton, the whole campus seemed to be shut down and so quiet; granted the "preppy and pretentious" stereotype was not so, but I'm still not so sure about the eating clubs. Also, Yale students seemed to be more eager about their school and their passions and activities on campus and were willing to answer our questions. I don't know if it was the way Princeton preview was set up, but I didn't see much of the students and none of them seem too interested in us either. However, I still cannot let Princeton go because I feel that academically, it is the stronger option, whether it be the Woodrow Wilson School or the cool things I've heard about the senior thesis. So many adults in my life have basically said that Princeton might get me farther in life or that it would be the school they would choose. Obviously, I don't want to let other their opinions take over my decision, but it certainly influences it. Help?</p>
<p>Honestly, the differences in academic strength between Princeton and Yale are negligible… You obviously personally prefer Yale and I would encourage you to act according to your own preferences.</p>
<p>Go where you want, where you can afford. Don’t worry about minor, inessential differences.</p>
<p>This is the EXACT decision I was faced with. Were you at Bulldog Days? You should send me a PM to see if we met.</p>
<p>I felt the same way you did about Bulldog days. The way Yale set things up just made it easier to make friends and meet everyone around you. I really don’t see the difference in the undergraduate education the two schools offer, in terms of caliber. The biggest difference, in my opinion, is that Woodrow Wilson is very policy-based, while EP&E is less focused on Policy and offers a more Humanities and Business-based side.</p>
<p>I met a lot of great people from both EP&E programs and the Woodrow Wilson school. What would scare me about Woody Woo (if my interest was more politics-based, as I’m actually more oriented around business) is that if you don’t get in, a non-Woody Woo politics degree at Princeton strikes me as inferior. On the other hand, a non EP&E Political Science major at Yale isn’t really inferior–its just more focused on Political Science than the Business or Humanities side that EP&E offers.</p>
<p>I made my decision easily for Yale. I love the spirit associated with the Residential College system and I felt like students were much more open and relaxed at Yale. Keep in mind, when the center of Social Life is a set of Eating Clubs which bicker, students are going to be less inclined to express themselves for better or worse. The beauty of the Residential College system is that upon entrance to Yale, you immediately have a family of people that you share a proud connection with. Everyone feels their Residential College is the most fun and has the best people. And they’re never forced to choose whether someone outside the College is worthy to join–as they are at Bicker Eating Clubs at Princeton.</p>
<p>Without sounding cocky or full of myself, I think I’m a pretty social guy and getting into a Bicker Club wouldn’t be that difficult for me. But I think it’s a more pleasant environment to live an work in when nobody has to worry about it. The best way I could describe my impression on it is that its a family-like experience at Yale. Hopefully I was able to describe my feelings about the two systems in an effective way you could relate to, because it sounds like you had a similar impression to how I did.</p>
<p>I accepted my spot in Yale’s class Saturday. So that’s my perspective on it, and that was my choice. I should point out that I find these schools to have very little difference in terms of academics–they’re both phenomenal–and I was most focused on the living experience and relationships I’d be able to make.</p>
<p>My D had the same choice and was advised by someone with personal knowledge of PoliSci at both places that Yale undergrad was better, even commented that Yale was a more intellectually rigorous environment than Princeton. I’m not sure how valid that is, considering it is just one person’s opinion. In the end, though, what mattered most for my D was not the academic differences but the much more exciting social scene at Yale. She confirmed her acceptance of Yale’s offer on Friday and has been happy as a clam about it. Good luck with your decision.</p>
<p>Keep in mind, and look it up if you haven’t heard about it yet… the Jackson Institute for Global Affairs is starting next year at Yale.</p>