Yale vs. Princeton

<p>"You will fall in love with Yale".... I'm sure there are a ton of people in love with Princeton. Just noting that you're posting on the yale board.</p>

<p>This seems superficial, but if you read comments from students, college guides, etc., students generally don't have anything glaring to complain about at Yale. Whether or not it is truely so, there is a student perception at Princeton that it is a bit snobby. I have not run across commentary like this from Yalies, and most of the things they complain about are common to most universities, like crowded gyms or what not. People seem highly satisfied with the intabgibles of Yale. </p>

<p>I know that's a dumb measure of anything, but student perception is important!</p>

<p>Anyone familiar with Directed Studies at Yale? I got a letter yesterday saying that I didn't have to apply if I wanted in, but I had never before contemplated applying. Now, despite being a math and science person, I have become very interested.</p>

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<p>Now Ihavehope13, you know that this statement has been drawn totally from your imagination, which, by the way, seems overly active. I think you’ve already been unmasked here:</p>

<p><a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/1060148039-post17.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/1060148039-post17.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>I hope you’ll quit pretending. Your motives are clear. Offer students your opinions and experiences in regard to Yale, which you clearly know well and try to avoid demeaning other schools with these exaggerated and false statements. Yale’s a great school but its cause is not aided by this kind of behavior. It’s also not up to the standards of CC to pretend you’re an applicant when your own previous posts have made it clear you are not.</p>

<p>To my Yale friends--this kind of posting appears from 'new' posters every year at this time. Let's all try to police this together. Are there some Yale alumni here on the board who will join me?</p>

<p>That Princeton breeds people like PtonGrad2000 is almost enough to make me want to go there. That I visited Princeton puts me over the top.</p>

<p>Go to Yale. As they say, "Harvard sucks and Princeton doesn't matter"</p>

<p>I'd take Princeton easy. And PtonGrad2000 wrote the BESt post I've ever read on this site, entitled "Of All the Things I've Learned...."</p>

<p>I enjoyed his post about what he learned at Princeton, regardless of my feelings of his smear campaign against me. Honestly, I think there is little to do in making this choice other than simply visiting campus. My visits told me a lot... I'm going to keep an open mind when I visit Princeton later this month for the Preview, though. You apparently cannot get good nonpartisan commentary on a board like this because school loyalty is so strong- I feel the polarizing effect coming out in my comments about my visits and interactions with schools I've considered as well, and it seems easy to forget that Yale and Princeton are REAL places that are much different than however they are portrayed by people online.</p>

<p>I'm in the same boat. I just got back from Princeton Preview yesterday and the general vibe I picked up was that Princeton is a very competitive place, especially in the math department. However, I don't know whether a more relaxed environment (Yale) or a competitive environment (Princeton) is more conducive to learning.</p>

<p>I think some people thrive under competition and get soft in a more lax environment, while a less competitive environment might really help some people to relax and explore while a competitive environment would shut them down. I have met people who would fit one or the other descriptions. I am not sure which category I fit into, however...</p>

<p>I'm in the same boat as well and I, too attended Princeton Preview. I'm planning on going into journalism (and am very interested in politics and international relations).</p>

<p>I think I'd probably deal better with a less competitive but still rigorous campus. What would be the better place for me?</p>

<p>A lot of people say Yale is less competitive, but really generalizations are not always indicative of reality. Check out Yale, too, and see if that is what you're looking for. I got a very "chill" vibe when I visited. I am still waiting to see Princeton to determine what the atmosphere is like there.</p>

<p>I'd say we are competitive, but more against ourselves than against each other. All of the top schools will be smack full of very driven and passionate people -- it's not as if you will be lacking in rigor at either of your choices, but Yale might be better if you prefer to collaborate, motivate yourself, and have the room to explore and goof off a little. </p>

<p>Some people need the competitive atmosphere of Harvard or Princeton to stay motivated, others don't, but remember that what worked for you in high school doesn't necessarily hold true for college. I thought Yale would make me a slacker for sure, but it's turned out awesome. And it makes for a better community feel.</p>