Now before you all start yelling about US News Rankings and such, I would like to clarify this discussion’s title. The differences in the quality of each school are so astronomically small it’s laughable, so my aim is to determine which school is the best fit for my personality, interests, and future goals. I plan on majoring in political science and have a love of theatre. I prefer smaller schools that are in a semi-urban or small town area. I’m very socially liberal, but despise what the PC movement has become. I’m not big on frats (I know Princeton has the eating clubs), but could see myself going to a few parties. However, I prefer social gatherings with friends. I would like to see some diversity in the student body, but a ton isn’t necessary. You can check my other posts for my stats and other interests and preferences. Thanks!
Yale has more quirky fun personality, more truly inventive and creative. New Haven has a lot more to offer than the town of Princeton IMO. Theater is developed at Yale Rep and at other theaters and moves to Broadway. Museums. Better restaurants. The original pizza in the US. The original hamburger. Amazing Italian neighborhood. Easier commuter line to NYC (no change from Dinky to main line). Princeton looks like it was invented by Laura Ashley. Think Switzerland vs Italy. Both are nice. But which would you prefer for arts and food?
Princeton is probably the most undergrad-focused of HYPSM and really is so among all elite private universities. Dartmouth gives it a run for its money in that regard, which is a compliment to Princeton IMO.
There is no Law, Business, or Med school at Princeton. Thus, the undergrads really do get more of the spoils and focus than at many other top U’s. It’s not quite a LAC in that respect, but it’s probably not far off. The undergrads apparently are the stars of the show at Princeton.
Yale does have outstanding professional schools. I think in some ways, it can be helpful to undergrads to take some classes with grad students in high-level courses: they tend to have more experience and knowledge and that can rub off on the undergrad in teamwork, group discussions, even just regular classroom discussion.
so I can see more grad students as both a pro and a con. You just have to decide for yourself.
(it’s not like there are no grad students at Princeton; just relatively fewer.)
I think some basic differences are these:
Yale's residential colleges vs. Princeton's eating clubs. Note that some eating clubs are open; they don't all require bicker.
Yale likely has a slight edge in the humanities, while Princeton likely has the edge in STEM. Both are superb in the social sciences and (obviously) all-around.
Crime statistics -- New Haven has the rep for being unsafe in parts. I'm not sure the same can be said about Princeton. Balancing that is the better cultural scene and food in New Haven.
If it's important for you to spend time in the nearby metropolitan areas, Yale has slightly better access to NYC and Boston. Princeton has access to NYC and Philly and points south.
Both are great. You’re being very smart to base this on fit.
Remember to look into graduation requirements and how easy it is to both declare a major and to transfer out of it – lots of students change their minds.
By car, you can get to Midtown Manhattan, Brooklyn and Staten Island faster from Princeton than you can from New Haven. Princeton is only one hour by car from downtown Philadelphia.
New Haven has one of the highest violent crime rates in the country, Princeton has virtually no violent crime.
PLENTY of liberals/liberalism at Princeton, being slightly less liberal than Yale doesn’t make Princeton a conservative institution.
If you’re planning to drive to midtown Manhattan, perhaps Princeton would be better. If you’re going to take the train, like virtually everybody else, then Yale is a bit more convenient. The urban crime issue is largely a red herring for Yale students, although Princeton is probably better if that concerns you a lot. Personally, I would suggest Princeton for STEM and Yale for humanities, and especially for somebody interested in theater.
I think the main difference is one of tone, which is pretty easy to see if you visit both campuses.
Agree with the comments above. You should also read up on the schools (and others you are considering) in some of the good college guide books as they can help give you a flavor for the schools as well. You can probably find the books at the library, your HS guidance dept. etc. Fiske is my favorite but I also like Princeton Review and Insiders Guide. Visit if you can – nothing replaces seeing a school firsthand.
According to both Google Maps and Bing Maps, the travel time by train to Midtown Manhattan is about 15 minutes less from Princeton than Yale. That would make train travel from Princeton “a bit more convenient” than from Yale.
As someone who has lived in New Haven, both near and far from the Yale area, for my entire life: If you’re smart, it’s REALLY not that dangerous of a place. Don’t walk around alone at night in sparsely populated areas, keep valuables out of sight, don’t be a jerk to anyone, and you’re fine. A lot of the violence in New Haven is gang-related and doesn’t involve outsiders, as well as occuring in areas where a Yale student most likely wouldn’t be in for any reason in the first place.
For poli sci and theater, I’d put my vote in for Yale, but you couldn’t go wrong with either school.
Princeton has an exceptional politics department, as well as the Woodrow Wilson school, which is world-renowned. And, to give you a slightly different take on theater, Princeton is in the process of developing its Arts Neighborhood (to be completed in 2017) and has put enormous resources into the arts. McCarter Theatre is on campus and while Yale has a well-deserved reputation for theater, Princeton is catching up. Moreover, if you are interested in performing, directing or being part of the theater scene, at Princeton you will have enormous opportunities. Because it attracts fewer theater enthusiasts than Yale, it is less competitive to get cast in and direct plays, become a board member of organizations and generally get involved in the theater scene. The Lewis Center of the Arts has attracted a number of exceptional artists, including John Doyle, Paul Muldoon, John Rando and Vince Di Mura and the school has given numerous students grants for theater projects.
Both are great schools, but I think that the Princeton theater scene sometimes gets short shrift in these threads. I suggest you investigate it in greater detail - you might be happily surprised.
Here’s a snapshot of some theater at Yale over the last couple of years (there are some other shows that aren’t included): http://yaledramacoalition.org/shows
Most of these shows are entirely produced and directed by students.
Princeton is a lovely place, really. But given your interests, I think Yale might be a better fit (Did I mention I’m totally biased?). Here’s why:
— While Princeton has Woody Woo, I would argue that Yale’s political network is stronger. Yale is second only to Harvard its it count of both presidential and Supreme Court alumni; On a more current note, three out of the last four presidents have been Yale alums (and I have a feeling that fraction will soon rise to 4/5 ) and 1 out of every 10 sitting senators has studied there. Also, remember that at Yale you’d have access to courses taught at Yale Law, America’s most selective and finest — by almost all measures — school of law.
— Yale is very, very good at respecting the word “and.” You can double major, or design a curricular track that fuses interests and cross-pollinates disciplines. Princeton is much more rigid. You cannot double major and self-developed majors are off-limits, a philosophy favoring the logical connective “or.” Yale would almost certainly be more accommodating of a joint academic interest like poly sci and theatre, if you’re interested in exploring the later in the classroom context.
— The Yale Political Union is a vibrant, dynamic force on campus that has no cultural analogue at Princeton or really anywhere else. Parties span conservative and liberal ideologies and alumni include statesmen like John Kerry, scholars like Akhil Amar, and political journalists like William F. Buckley. Look into it if you’re interested.
— Yale theatre is, objectively, the bomb.com. It’s pretty much unparalleled.
— The cultural feel is a little freer, a little less preppy, and a little happier. I touched on this here already, though not in relation to Princeton specifically: http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/comment/19834089/#Comment_19834089
— And a requisite petty reason: If you’re thinking of working internationally, the Yale name will get you further. While Yale and Princeton carry about equal weight in the states, Yale is significantly more well known abroad (although, admittedly, if this is your main metric you might want to look into Harvard over Y & P).
In the end Yale and Princeton are both wonderful options. It’s a tough call, and the key really is fit: Visit the two and see where you find your people. For me, that place was New Haven, but for plenty of others it’s Princeton.
Best of luck, and don’t forget to apply to a few safeties (UMich, Rochester, Ohio, and GW might be some to consider as they’re all strong in your field of choice).
) and 1 out of every 10 sitting senators has studied there. Also, remember that at Yale you’d have access to courses taught at Yale Law, America’s most selective and finest — by almost all measures — school of law.