Curiosity13

I am a senior trying to decide between Harvard or Princeton for SCEA. I have spent time on both campuses and have to say I truly enjoyed and felt comfortable at both despite their differences. I am planning to major/concentrate in East Asian Studies (emphasis China) and have seen only older commentary on CC about EAS at these schools. Can anyone speak to the strengths of EAS at either, particularly the China track? While I know both schools are SUPER-reaches for anyone, please assume I have the baseline credentials and a solid Mandarin foundation. Thanks very much! I will post same in Harvard's forum....

Curiosity13

Thanks so much, CP. This in-the-trenches info is exactly what I am looking for -- even if you aren't actually concentrating in EAS. Hoping to hear from more of you out there!

CannedPineapple

I can't say too much about Harvard's EAS program, but I can say this for Princeton's. I am NOT an EAS major in any way, but I have taken Chinese courses in the department. While rigorous, I couldn't believe how phenomenal the program was; in just one year, I've learned about ten times as much as I did in 3 years in high school. I won't continue with a page of praising, but I intended to just stop at second year (to pass the language requirement). However, the department impressed me so much that I am continuing chinese (no longer for any distribution requirement). I have several friends who have also recommended non-language EAS courses.

To attempt a comparison to Harvard, I did a quick google and found this article. It's a bit outdated (like 10 years old), so I can't expect to make a fair argument from it, but nonetheless, here it is:
Ranking the Concentrations | FM | The Harvard Crimson

PtonAlumnus

You should learn about the Princeton in Asia (PIA) Fellowship Program. The program was founded in 1898 and has placed graduates in jobs in Asia for over 100 years. PIA is one of the oldest and most respected programs placing students in Asia. While this fellowship program is open to graduates from other universities, even Harvard, the contacts of the PIA staff and alumni might benefit Princeton undergraduates. Here is a link to PIA. Princeton In Asia

Curiosity13

Thank you for the PIA info! Wow, not many EAS majors lurking here, huh? Anyone other Princeton folks wish to weigh in? Thanks very much in advance.

henhao71

bump!
bump!
what about "safeties"? in EAS

tiger14

I've heard great things about Princeton's EAS, but I have no idea how it relates to other schools. Also, there aren't that many EAS majors, so presumably very few of them even know what CC is.