Wha? I might just be because I’m Canadian, but I applied to a school that was only one of 3 that offered a degree in my field (only admits 30 students), and I got in. I didn’t go (my field values experience and skill far more than certification, so I’m in a diploma program at home instead where I can save tens of thousands of dollars). I also applied to a provincial university, and got in.
If you have above a 90 average (I don’t know what that is in GPA, around 4.0+?) you can basically go wherever you want, and I have a feeling most Dopers applying for university can match that.
In this article, Malcolm Gladwell talks about how much less stressful the Canadian college admissions process is than the American one. I have a 93 GPA (give or take a few hundredths of a point), which is, by the way, not particularly stellar. In my class of 90 or so students at a competitive school, I rate about the 20th. This article from the Christian Science monitor, about the decisions being made in University of Pennsylvania admissions office around early decision time, should give you some insight into how ridiculously competitive Ivy League (and all well-regarded college) admissions are.
No, Thomas Sweets started down Nassau Street towards Harrison, before it moved to Palmer Square. When our daughter was a baby, it was the first place she recognized - she used to point to it and go “mmmm.”
For the OP - a reason to go to a school like Princeton is that they make sure you get what you need for an education. In many state schools, classes fill up. The faculty/student ratio is good enough that you can talk to famous profs. You often hae the flexibility to change classes, or majors, or to take cool classes just because you want to. My daughter, who went to the University of Chicago and majored in economics and psychology, took cuneiform.
The other reasons given are good also.
Find a professor in the department you’d want to know, and say that one reason to go would be the chance to do an undergrad thesis with him. It would at least show you researched the place.
I don’t know if you’re right about that. It’s been in New Brunswick for as long as I remember. More than 20 years. I met the owner there. Not saying you are wrong but you might be.
One thing the OP didn’t mention, is cost not a factor? I recently read that next year it will cost $42,000 a year to go to Princeton.
We moved to Princeton in September 1980, and found Thomas’s pretty quickly. I remember people at work who lived near New Brunswick going to the one there after it opened.
I believe the original location burned down. Oreo or strawberry mix-ins - yumm. (That was the first place I had these.) They also sold very good candy - does the current location do that still?
For what it’s worth, my sister went to Princeton and LOVED it. One of her best friends was a Forbe. Crazy. There’s a lot of partying, and everyone has to join an eating club, both of which can be good or bad depending on your take.
She did have to take out loans, but the Princeton ones let you reduce the amount you owe if you work for certain non-profit-y type places; she got a lot taken off teaching in underprivileged schools in New York City.
I refused to go to even apply to an Ivy League school for several reasons, not the least of which was pissing off my mom (I was a snot-nosed punk back then, not like now). I opted for small liberal-arts schools, and ended up at Pomona College…
And I love me some Thomas Sweet. I used to work in Princeton, right across the street from it. On special occasions, the boss would buy us all ice cream. And when I visit my fiance at Rutgers, we go to Stuff Yer Face for bolis and beer, then head next door for some Thomas Sweet… Man, this is actually making me miss my old home state…
A friend of mine’s nephew turned down a full ride at Princeton (he is starting work on a Chem PHD) to go to Berkely. When asked why he said, “Good enough school and the weather is better.”
You don’t have to join an eating club, although it has been said that joining one is of the things that make the Princeton experience unique. You can opt to be independent.
Seriously, go with “because I want to study public policy and Princetown has one of the best departments”.
This shows:
-you are aware of the school’s strengths
-you have researched what school might be best for you
-you care about getting a good education more than the social life
Interviewers want to hear that you are applying for a reason. They want to know that you know something about the school and are applying for more than the name and connections. If your reasons impressed me, they should impress an interviewer.
Hoagie Haven yes, Victors, no. (The only pizza worth having in Princeton is Contes, anyway) Never heard of Athenian. Maybe you mean Zorbas?
I just heard the Annex is closing. They are making it into some swank Italian place. This makes me sad. To tell the truth, Princeton is overrated for its restaurants. They aren’t very good and are too expensive. I’d much rather go to New Brunswick. Over the past few years things have really improved.
There are rumors of getting rid of the Wa AND the dinky. All to make room for a big arts complex. I’ll miss them.
My dad went to Princeton, and still loves it. He and my mom remember seeing Einstein riding his bike around town.
I’ve been on campus several times. I applied for undergraduate admission in the early '80s but didn’t make it (nor did my sister, who blames Brooke Shields for taking “her” spot that year). From what I’ve seen, Princeton U. has a tremendously strong and distinguished faculty, a highly intelligent and motivated student body, beautiful campus, distinguished history, and cachet and prestige out the whazoo.
:eek: There was an Athenian in my day (late 80s); down the hill from The Grotto (RIP–the same waitresses served my father when he attended in the 60s)
…
Same here.