<p>I never banked on getting into my top choice schools and now I have an incredibly difficult decision to make. I'm looking to focus on global affairs and peace/justice studies and all three schools offer incredible opportunities for my intended field. I am also a very, very social person and want to enjoy the next four years to the fullest. Any advice on which schools have the best international relations curriculum and would provide a 'balanced' experience?</p>
<p>Thanks In Advance</p>
<p>p.s. A huge congrats to to everyone on all of their amazing college acceptances.</p>
<p>I would worry less about the specific curriculum since most students change their minds a few times and it would be a shame to enter one of these amazing institutions not open to other options. You should go to the admitted student days programs at all three schools and follow your heart.</p>
<p>I really appreciate the advice and will try to make it to atleast two of the admitted students weekends in the coming weeks. Hopefully, it will make the decision easier and not more complicated.</p>
<p>All 3 are great, and you’ll probably fall in love with whichever you go to, but they have very distinct campuses and personalities. Princeton is the most small-town and leafy, contrasted to Penn’s totally urban context. Princeton is maybe a tad more preppy and conservative, contrasted with Yale’s reputation as “the gay Ivy,” though I think the latter is overblown. Princeton is the smallest of the three (though the undergraduate student population is very similar to Yale’s), Penn the largest. In your areas of interest, you’re likely to find very rich offerings at any of the three. Best to visit each, if possible</p>
<p>I’m not even religious, but I probably chanted that alongside my fellow yalies for the first month straight of freshman year. Yale is really a special place. It’s hard to tell from the outside what exactly it’s like (and, surely, everyone has his or her own experience), but Yale is really an amazing place. Why, you ask? Why, in comparison to Princeton or Penn or even, God forbid Azkaban (oh I mean’t Harvard)?</p>
<p>It’s the fact that nearly everyone here is so excited, involved and interested in one another. Really, that’s the best way I can sum it up. The residential college system, as well, is really all it’s cracked up to be. I loved Yale as a school when I applied, but I really did expect to be surrounded by antisocial, fun-hating study-nuts. Now, there are definitely those, but it’s amazing how social and fun the campus is as well (and how often these study-nuts are super chill, fun people as well!)</p>
<p>The culture at Yale is something you just can’t understand till you get here, and since you have the chance, I’d say: jump at it!</p>
<p>I hope this helps. You really should come get a feel for the campus and spirit of the student body during Bulldog Days; it pretty much makes the decision for most people.</p>