Princeton is an extremely welcoming school with excellent professors, students, and faculty members. I am wrapping up my first semester here, and I have had the time of my life...I really wish that time would just slow down and I could be here for the rest of my life. It's a work hard, party hard kind of place.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
No set formula will get you in, though there are a number that will keep you out. Your SAT's don't have to be perfect, but ideally they will be above 30. You don't have to have straight A's, but if you go to a second rate public school like I did...you kind of do. On the other hand, if you submit an application, your chances of admission go up infinitely; and if you get accepted here, there is absolutely no reason not to matriculate. Princeton is hands down the most undergraduate-focused of the big three Ivies, and that certainly played a large role in my decision-making process, as it should in yours.
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
Somewhat contrary to what I said above, if you absolutely hate doing work, don't come here. Don't do that to yourself. On the other hand, if you like learning, and you want to be intellectually stimulated by interaction with one of the brightest student bodies in the nation and a legion of brilliant professors...come to Princeton. I guarantee, you won't regret it. Oh, and don't cheat. We have an honor code.
Describe the dorm life at your college.
Compared to dorms at, say, WashU, Princeton dorms are no good. On the other hand, Princeton dorms compare very favorably with dorms at state schools and most private colleges. So, while I am giving them a 3, be aware that it is a 3 in relation to the best dorms that I have seen rather than to the national median. Also, there are newer dorms at Princeton that are quite nice, but they are few in number.
Describe the food and dining at your college.
The food here is very good. It is served buffet style so that once you are in the dining hall, you can eat as much as you please, and there is always a good variety of choices. There are 4 major dining halls for undergraduates (5 counting the grad college), which are all open to all students for every meal, and which all serve different kinds of food. Menus vary, but can be checked online. Also, get the unlimited plan. Then you can eat all the food, swipe in as many times as you want, guest people in, and get free food at the campus center for late meal when you aren't eating regular meals.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
Financial aid here is really good. I am paying essentially nothing for the privilege of attending this wonderful university.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
All of them.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
You want it, it's there. If by some dark sorcery it isn't, you can get a grant.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
Greek life at Princeton exists, but is marginal. Instead, we have eating clubs.
How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?
Princeton is really, really safe. This means both that A) crime doesn't happen and B) that if crime were to happen, campus safety would be on it immediately in order to alleviate their typical state of boredom.
Princeton is an extremely welcoming school with excellent professors, students, and faculty members. I am wrapping up my first semester here, and I have had the time of my life...I really wish that time would just slow down and I could be here for the rest of my life. It's a work hard, party hard kind of place.
No set formula will get you in, though there are a number that will keep you out. Your SAT's don't have to be perfect, but ideally they will be above 30. You don't have to have straight A's, but if you go to a second rate public school like I did...you kind of do. On the other hand, if you submit an application, your chances of admission go up infinitely; and if you get accepted here, there is absolutely no reason not to matriculate. Princeton is hands down the most undergraduate-focused of the big three Ivies, and that certainly played a large role in my decision-making process, as it should in yours.
Somewhat contrary to what I said above, if you absolutely hate doing work, don't come here. Don't do that to yourself. On the other hand, if you like learning, and you want to be intellectually stimulated by interaction with one of the brightest student bodies in the nation and a legion of brilliant professors...come to Princeton. I guarantee, you won't regret it. Oh, and don't cheat. We have an honor code.
Compared to dorms at, say, WashU, Princeton dorms are no good. On the other hand, Princeton dorms compare very favorably with dorms at state schools and most private colleges. So, while I am giving them a 3, be aware that it is a 3 in relation to the best dorms that I have seen rather than to the national median. Also, there are newer dorms at Princeton that are quite nice, but they are few in number.
The food here is very good. It is served buffet style so that once you are in the dining hall, you can eat as much as you please, and there is always a good variety of choices. There are 4 major dining halls for undergraduates (5 counting the grad college), which are all open to all students for every meal, and which all serve different kinds of food. Menus vary, but can be checked online. Also, get the unlimited plan. Then you can eat all the food, swipe in as many times as you want, guest people in, and get free food at the campus center for late meal when you aren't eating regular meals.
Financial aid here is really good. I am paying essentially nothing for the privilege of attending this wonderful university.
All of them.
You want it, it's there. If by some dark sorcery it isn't, you can get a grant.
Greek life at Princeton exists, but is marginal. Instead, we have eating clubs.
Princeton is really, really safe. This means both that A) crime doesn't happen and B) that if crime were to happen, campus safety would be on it immediately in order to alleviate their typical state of boredom.