Princeton University Top Questions

What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?

John

In my opinion, the worst thing about Princeton is the workload. Classes tend to either have a lot of required readings, assign long papers, or have challenging problem sets. If a student wants to earn good grades here, he or she has no option but to keep up with the workload. This is especially true since the administration has implemented policies to reverse grade inflation and ensure that high grades reflect true excellence.

kaya

Probably the location - New Jersey has bad weather sometimes.

Jin

The worst aspect of Princeton University is its location. Although Princeton is a very small and charming suburb, it is neither a college town nor a large city. Off campus housing is prohibitively expensive and there is a lack of social venues off campus. To find more similar aged peers, students have to travel one and a half hours north to New York or south to Philadelphia. Thus most students often cloister themselves off on campus and never leave the University unless it?s necessary.

Jacqueline

Personally, I think the worst thing about Princeton is that it doesn't allow double majors. There are so many things I'm interested in and want to study and sometimes I wish Princeton allowed its students to concentrate in more than one area. However, this policy has the best interest of the student in mind: Princeton wants us to focus in excelling in one area instead of being spread too thin. If it were up to me, I would be a professional student and acquire about 4 or 5 degrees.

Robert

Worst thing? I can't even think of anything... possibly having finals after winter break (European style)

Maya

I have found my college experience to be incredible thus far. The only thing I would have to complain about would be the cafeteria food, however thats such a small price to pay for the incredible education and experience I am gettinig.

Madison

Obsession with success.

Brittany

The student body is very racially and ethnically diverse but sometimes people segregate themselves into social groups that somewhat undo the admissions office's efforts.

Zahava

The way eating clubs divide upper- and under-classmen and the way the interactive social activities happen in eating clubs and at parties, while the other fun things to do (like going to see student performances) are not that interactive.

Andrea

The school breaks are timed awkwardly. We are never off when other students have break.

Briana

The worst thing about Princeton would be the amount of money it costs to attend. If you do not qualify for much financial aid it can be a huge burden on you and your parents to come up with the money to pay for your education. Loans may seem reasonable but just remember that you will be paying them back for many years after you graduate. I suggest finding as much outside money, via grants and scholarships, as you possibly can

Joshua

Not enough free time outside of school work

Katharine

Princeton has the largest endowment of any college in the country and they still won't buy two-ply for the bathrooms. This may sound like I'm joking, but seriously, this bothered me quite frequently, and I honestly can't think of anything else bad to say.

Sonya

NA

Alana

There are a number of cultural clubs/groups on campus which can increase the likelihood that certain cultural groups will hang out mostly with members of their own race/ethnicity (this is not a blanket statement, however--plenty of people from different cultures are great friends and share in new experiences). Also, personally, I like the eating clubs but there are downsides to these party houses. Even though one certainly is not pressured to drink if he or she goes to one, the eating clubs seem to separate friends who drink from those who do not.