Princeton University
Reviews

Wow

I love the whole scene at Princeton, probably because of the diversity of the student body. You have people from around the world, rich and poor, all beautiful in their own way. I cannot judge someone on their looks alone, and everyone here has something that makes them unique and attractive.

Magical

My time at Princeton was and probably will be the most amazing and formational time of my life. It was like living in a magical land where everything was beautiful and easy, but that was rich rich rich with academics and innovative thinkers and interesting people to meet and things to do. I can't even really begin to explain it, but my children will be going there.

Fall and Spring

are the best seasons here. Campus is beautiful. Some snow in the winter--also beautiful.

Butler

Butler has the best dorms I've ever seen on a college campus. I live in a suite with three other people, and we have A/C, heat, hardwood floors, and a bathroom to ourselves. No cockroaches.

Great Financial Aid Program

The loan free program has allowed me to attend college so far without taking out any loans. They are pretty generous if you ask them to be.

N/A

As a freshman I really can't speak personally on this subject. Upperclassmen that I know have interned with companies like Facebook, Time/Warner and the Boston Red Sox. I am currently looking into some internship opportunities for the summer.

There If You Need Them

I think the party scene at Princeton is great. In my short time here I haven't witnessed any campus police involvement. Most students are expected to act responsibly and all freshman are required to complete an alcohol education program. Drug use is not tolerated.

Financial Aid

Princeton has the best financial aid in the world.

Printing on Campus

Printing on campus is free so there is no need for a personal printer.

Varies Some

The facilities vary, depending on what it is. For example, newer libraries are great, while Firestone clearly needs some updating (it's under renovations now). Overall, it's a beautiful campus, and the facilities are nice

Excellent Level of Diversity

There are students of many different nationalities, ethnicities, locations and cultural backgrounds here at Princeton. Students commonly interact with others from different backgrounds, and I have learned a lot about cultures other than my own during my time here.

Unless You Are Caught Cheating, Pretty Hard to Get in Trouble

The penalty for cheating is very very strict--even small instances of plagiarism or copying a homework problem can get you suspended for a year or even expelled. Otherwise, just be careful; lay low if you're trying to serve to minors and don't drink outside and you're good.

Ice Cream Great...But Lots of Expensive Places

So many wonderful ice cream options (it's a big deal amongst students which is your favorite place).

If you just need ot grab food, Wawa is the go-to place. Hoagie Haven a bit of a walk but famously awesome.

In general, Princeton has lots of great options if you want to go out for a fancy dinner or get a treat, but not much for cheap food. Only 'fast' food is Subway or Panera. Fortunately most people are on dining plans and only go out for special occasions anyway.

Computers

Computer labs are available around campus 24/7, and I've never had a problem finding a computer except maybe during exam times. Most people carry around laptops, so it's not really a problem. The computers themselves generally are up-to-date and run well, plus we have the added bonus of the H: drive, which you can access from any campus computer, or your laptop.

Printers are out of commission sometimes, but you can usually find one that works nearby. More importantly, printing is free as long as you don't go over the absurdly high quota.

For the Most Part, Tons of Flexibility and Options

As an engineer, my process with dealing with majors is quite different from the majority of the students here. Even though I am a sophomore, I have already declared my major, and since I knew what I wanted to do before arriving, it was not a problem for me. But if you want to be an engineer, or are even considering an engineering major, make sure you are in the BSE program, or at least taking the prerequisites the very first semester. It is not difficult to switch out of engineering; nearly impossible to switch into it.

Tons of Different Backgrounds

Yes there is a lot of representation from upper class white kids and studious asians, stereotypical to an ivy league school. But every day I am amazed by the interesting people I have met on campus; I've met a computer-programming musician from the Middle East, an athlete drafted by a professional team who decided to complete an electrical engineering degree before he turns pro, and a small-town farmer who happens to speak three languages. This mixture of people from so many unique backgrounds is a huge reason why I love this school so much.

TON to Do...If You're Willing to Make the Trek

What I love about Princeton is that it is a very small town, but has access to New York and Philadelphia, both an hour away. The town itself is very safe, but there are very little activities to do, even heading to a Target or a grocery store requires a car. Furthermore, the local residents, called "townies," do not have the best of relationships with the students.

No Parking on Campus Till You're a Junior

Freshmen and Sophomores aren't allocated any on-campus parking space. Juniors and Seniors must pay a fee to be allowed to park on campus.

Eating Clubs and Room Parties

The nightlife is very dependent on your own personal preferences. The main scene is Prospect Street, or "the Street," where all the eating clubs are. There are 10 eating clubs currently open and each has a distinctive atmosphere and membership. I think Princeton gets a terrible rap as being elitist because of these eating clubs, but I've found that they are much more inclusive than I once believed. Freshmen and sophomores often throw room parties if they can't get passes to an eating club, though many clubs don't require passes at all and are thus most populated by freshman on a night out. Some of the eating clubs are deemed more exclusive because most of the people in them are on sports teams or are in certain sororities/fraternities, thus they're only exclusive insofar as you need to be in one of those groups to get in. My club is filled with theater kids, the debate team, Woody Woo majors, and surprisingly, mechanical aerospace engineers. Certain clubs are dominated by Asians, others by whites, others by Asians and Indians, etc. The one demographic that is really missing from the eating club scene is the black community, and I can't speak for why that is. I did gospel choir my freshman year and I know most of those students weren't interested because of the importance of alcohol at the parties. But the school is really trying hard to make the street open to everyone regardless of religious persuasion, financial ability, race, etc., and I think it's only going to get more inclusive down the road. There isn't much going on in the town of Princeton in terms of bar life, but seniors go to Triumph a lot, which is essentially a beer garden. One thing I will say is the school and public safety are excellent about keeping students safe. They don't care if you're underage and drinking, but they care that you get help if you need it.

Coming from Cali, I Like It.

It's cold during the winter, but fall and spring are absolutely gorgeous. And the first bout of snow is magical, but it wears a little when there is still snow in March. It's fun to have different seasons though.

Good

princeton has a great financial aid system and most of my friends are very satisfied

There If You Want Them - No Pressure Otherwise

Besides drinking, I'd say the next favorite drug activity is smoking pot, yet it's only really visible if you chose to be in the crowd that uses. Hard drugs are rarely ever seen around campus, and those who use them tend to do so very much in private. There isn't really any peer pressure to do any drugs, or even to drink for that matter. Princeton takes a good stance towards drinking on campus, as you cannot get in trouble for drinking in a dorm room (even if you're underage) as long as nothing above 30 proof is present in the room.

Academic Calendar Sucks

The academic calendar allows for a fall break, so you're home when none of your friends are home. Then we only get a two week Christmas Break to study for a two week final period and then a one week intersession. So while you're worrying over finals while opening Christmas presents, you're also wondering why they don't just combine the week-long intersession with Christmas break to give you three weeks off.

Other than that the teachers seem very eager to help any students out. The food is really great. The party scene is a bit monotonous. The football team isn't a great one. However, the people you meet here (students and faculty) are the most amazing and interesting people you will ever meet.

Student Center & Libraries

Our main student center offers great food, multiple study spots, lots of places to hang out and a number of free events. The student centers located in each of the dorms are a good place to get some work done and on weekends spend some time with friends.

The libraries on campus are great. There are so many to choose from so you never get bored going to just one. If you like natural lighting, there's a library for you, if you prefer complete silence, there's a library for you.

You Just Gotta Love It

Even though the work is incredibly hard sometimes, they really take care of you at Princeton once you get in. The sense of community is incredible-once you are in, you are in, and people will do everything they can to help you succeed.