Princeton University Top Questions

Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!

Garland

The senior thesis is a keystone of your last year of college. The shared experience brings people together and give you a chance to explore an academic area you really care about or are interested in.

kaya

Because it's financial aid system is so great, I've had the opportunity to meet many different people from dispirate walks of life. I really believe that Princeton U gives people opportunities - and also gives students the chance to open their eyes to the truth that lies beyond the safe walls of home.

Tenley

At Princeton University, in addition to lectutes we also had time with 10 or so other students to study with the professor or the graduate student professor's assitant to spend one hour speaking and talking about the subject matter. This is an opportunity many other colleges do not provide! At the University of Phoenix, where I currently attend gard school, the professor is availale 24/7 via email to answer your specific questions and disucss elements of the course with you.

Carrie

Compared to other schools, Princeton University excels in both academics and athletics. Furthermore, the opportunities available at Princeton are astounding. Within a single week, you can listen to an open lecture given by a popular neuroscientist, attend classes and sporting events, meet a famous actress and playwright as well as meet 20 students, each from unique backgrounds with their own experiences to draw from on campus. And with all of these opportunities, for students who participate in varsity athletics, there is a balance between academics and athletics, providing the athletes with adequate time to pursue the multitude of enriching experiences.

Annie

Although Princeton is not in a bustling city and most students just stay on campus all the time, there is never a shortage of things to do at Princeton. There are numerous shows to see, lectures to attend, new activities to try out, even parties to have fun at. One day a famous comedian may perform while the next day the U.N. Secretary General and the Turkish Prime Minister may give speeches (I've gone to all 3). Everyone is so involved, so even though the campus is really small, you never notice it.

Katherine

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Tara

The environment in general stands out: students thirst to learn more and are eager to get to know each other, the faculty sincerely cares and motivates the students, and there is a tangible energy that fills the campus. It's the kind of place where you wake up and do a million things or else you feel like you're being lazy.

Sarah

Princeton is definitely its own orange bubble.

Henry

It was #1 in the nation and has the most amazing professors, TAs, and student body.

Mackenzie

Princeton University students express their opinions on eating clubs, Proposition 8, and grade deflation.

Tim

The professors are top experts in their field (in my department) and funds are well allocated to academics.

Garrett

Research focus for undergraduates, including high requirements for senior thesis or independent work.

Ryan

If you're very civic-minded or want to go to school to learn how to save the world, you're probably better off going to school in a major city. Like I said this is la-la land. Overall, an incredible place to get an undergraduate degree, and you will have the privilege of meeting some amazing people, some of whom will be your friends for life. Don't expect fun to come knocking on your door, but do expect to see a lot of weird things.

Emily

I've come across as overwhelmingly positive about Princeton in this survey, and I feel bad for not having given you, dear reader, a balanced perspective. I certainly did have a difficult first few weeks here, before I made some friends and started to find some niches in Princeton society that fit me well. I actually started seeing a shrink, I was that miserable, if it gives you any indication. However, I think that was down to me, not to Princeton. I work hard to dispel people's stereotypes about my university because I fervently believe that they *are* untrue. I've seen firsthand the administration's gargantuan efforts to make Princeton a place where everyone feels welcome, and I definitely respect that. Furthermore, whatever you say about the rich, the preppy, the fratty, it's probably true--but that doesn't mean that all those folks aren't smart, either. You have to be smart to be here, or else you'd crack under the workload. I feel constantly worried that my best isn't good enough here, but I think everyone does. You're constantly surrounded by intelligence in every possible sense of the word, no matter what that intelligence does with its Saturday nights. I'm only a quarter of the way through my freshman year, but I plan to get a damn good four years out of this place.

Benjamin

Social Scene - "Eating Clubs" instead of Fraternities/Sororities - Both more and less inclusive options. Top professors in almost every single department. Strong pride. Senior thesis requirement - one of the only schools that requires significant independent work of every student.

Ryan

To be completely honest, I was miserable at Princeton for the first year and a half or so. I got a bit unlucky with my roommate match, and none of the extracurriculars I tried really clicked with me. I did eventually find "my place," but I always felt a bit like a fish out of water. It was still a privilege to go there, and I would probably go there again if I could go back in time -- but only probably, not certainly. And certainly not if I hadn't had such a great experience with my department. The university as a whole just wasn't a great match for this California girl who came up through the public school system. I'm the laid-back type -- I sometimes wear my slippers to class. I also like to push the superficial envelope sometimes, just for fun -- keeping my paint-covered art-class clothes on all day because I like the way the colors look on my shirt, or wearing a blue wig to reunions just to offset the ubiquitous orange. I prefer to be in a place where that sort of thing isn't all that unusual, and frankly, that's not Princeton. The looks my friend (also in a wig) and I got at reunions ranged from simple surprise to "why are you ruining my day?" Not particularly impressive. Still, it's a gorgeous school, one of the few well-known places left where it's safe to walk alone at 3 a.m., the faculty are generally approachable, and the academic rigor is second to none. And the students as a whole tend to love Princeton; I am the exception rather than the rule.

Hannah

A Princeton student describes his favorite movie, class, and free time activity.

Hannah

A Princeton student describes her favorite movie, class, and free time activity.

Hannah

A Princeton student describes his favorite movie, class, and free time activity.

Hannah

A Princeton student describes his favorite movie, class, and free time activity.

Hannah

A Princeton student describes her favorite movie, class, and free time activity.

Hannah

A Princeton student describes his favorite movie, class, and free time activity.

Matthew

It has a very unique culture and set of traditions that take some getting used to but are great .

Mary

Um. We're number one! We rock! Yet we are all humble, normal kids who just like to learn and have fun.

Jessie

This is an interview with Lauren, who majored in Near Eastern Studies.

Jim

Princeton makes you work hard and grade deflation does kind of exist. But if you work hard, you'll be fine. The diversity is a little overwhelming but you get used to seeing every kind of person ever all the time.

Gene

Despite anything I said above, I love Princeton and would never trade it for the world! I honestly don't think I would've been this happy anywhere else. I am so sad about graduating.

Andy

dont stress if you dont get in. choosing a college isnt that big of a deal, lets be serious. if you go to princeton or a second tier school or community college, dont focus too much on where exactly you are but what youre doing with your time. but if you get in, come here.

Sean

Princeton sports are fun!

Brendan

The college experience is all about finding yourself -- finding what your interested in, making friends, thinking about careers, falling in love, staying up 'til 2am when you have an exam the next morning. Sure, Princeton will offer you all of that, but you have to be ready to put a lot of hard work into your classes and into your friendships to really be rewarded.

Blake

Princeton is not an educational institution. Professors are too concerned with their research to interact with students. Ask Shirley Tilghman why she doesn't go tuition free? Dirt poor kids already get full aid and rich kids don't need it. Princeton is fucking the middle class basically, which just goes to show the logic they use with respect to the students. Princeton's current endowment is $16 billion. Supporting all tutitions would cost the university $250 million a year. Do you know what the returns are on the endowment? Near 20{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c}. Thats $3.2 billion in returns. Even if you index the endowment, it would still earn on average $1.2 billion a year. What are they using that money for? Does it not make sense to attract the best and the brightest in order to get the greatest return on human captial in the future? Apparently, Princeton does not value the intellect of the middle class, or it would offer a tuition free education for everyone. Fucking pricks.

Michael

Nope. Princeton is great, especially the care towards people who need financial aid. The stress can be high, but hey, it's time to learn, and it's college. It's a work hard, play hard attitude. Now, I'm going out to party a bit. Cause it's tuesday night. And that's what I do on tuesdays. I also dont capitalize the word tuesday.

Josh

Don't come here if you can't stand the cold, because it's cold!... a lot!

Andy

Overall, Princeton isn't too bad, but I definitely think it's a place I'll appreciate a lot more after I graduate.

Alex

No further comments.

Daver

The Eating Clubs: Do not fear them. They are great. You get good food, great and often really creative parties, and a chance to get to know a smaller and more manageable group of people. This third thing is hard to grasp before you're in a club, but it's fantastic.

Devin

nope

Royce

I absolutely love Princeton. It's a place where students work hard and play hard. People are serious about the studies but are also overall just great people. I will never forget my conversations here.

Jake

Princeton is a really fun place, but it is what you make it. If you want to study in your room 24/7 and get straight A's, you can. If you want to go out and drink every night, you can do that too. There are so many groups to get involved with on campus. If you put yourself out there, you will definitely make a ton of friends and find your niche on campus.

Kai

I was vegan and had a lot of trouble meeting my nutritional requirements in college, especially when I was restricted by a dining hall meal plan during the first two years of college. I supplemented my diet with groceries that I bought from a local, organic store called Wild Oats (I think the store is now called something else..), which was about a 15 min walk from campus. Unfortunately, it was very expensive, especially since I had to buy speciality soy products like soymilk, soy yogurt, etc. Though I tried to send comments to the dining hall about including more well balanced vegan meals, they were not very responsive and did not change the food that they offered. I tried an eating club my junior year and though they was more flexible than the dining hall was, it still did not offer me what I needed nutritionally. Therefore, I ended up going independent my senior year and found that to be the best option overall. I personally enjoyed it because I had a lot of other friends that were independent, however, it could be socially isolating if most of your friends are in eating clubs.

Tom

Dei Sub Numine Viget

Caroline

Once you graduate from Princeton, you quickly realize that other alumni will automatically feel a sense of camaraderie toward you because of your shared experiences. This can be especially useful when it comes to career moves...

Madison

Princeton is the best, absolutely the best.

Hannah

Advice to future Princetonians... Be proud of the silly traditions and the (sometimes hideous) orange decor...Princeton alumni certainly are as thousands descend on campus for reunions every year. Try out all the unique things Princeton has to offer: run naked through the Woody Woo fountain, get a Heartstop from Hoagie Haven, have a meal at every club on the Street, take a class Pass/Fail about something you know nothing about.