I strongly agree with lefthandofdog. This forum is meant to help one get a general "feel" or gestalt of the school, but in no way is it meant to be authoritative or "absolute." This forum is not 20/20, 60 Minutes program, or a legal deposition...I really don't understand the nature of your questions regarding the fine "nuance" and minutiae of attending this institution or any other similar institutions...it is rather presumptuous to ask such questions when your "child" has not even been admitted to this institution...I hear a loud helicopter hovering...
First, specifically to lefthandofdog and gravitas2: That's odd - I don't recall writing a single "negative" comment re: Princeton! I think you are truly reading "tone" that was never intended! My only "disappointment", if you wish to deem it that, was with the lack of replies to some of my posts from current students.
Regardless of that, on the contrary to what a couple of you seem to think, I almost have to smile as if I had a dollar for every person to whom I've mentioned a positive comment re: Princeton, I'd be a VERY wealthy person, indeed.
I am not sure why you think inquiring about clothing, or housing, or one's "happiness" on campus, etc. is being negative. However, if some of my comments have come off as overly critical to Princeton or its students, I do wish to apologize. Perhaps I am "scrutinizing" as a way to play "devil's advocate" in order to learn the "whole" of Princeton, (good OR bad) rather than just the rosy picture often painted by fancy brochures, "public opinion", etc. Furthermore, my family has visited the campus, and it's a beautiful campus, but "culture" is much more than just Ivy buildings, and happy squirrels (anyone who has visited the campus hopefully gets that reference), and I was just trying to delve a bit deeper.
Lastly, if you followed my other posts, you will hopefully get that my questions re: clothes, etc. did have a logical and genuine basis.
(And I'd rather not signal anyone out specifically in such a public forum - even if only via a "username", but I will make an exception here by saying that lefthandofdog, while I acknowledge that you have offered some sincere advice, I also feel you have posted some rather harsh, (and frankly, undeserving) posts that seem to criticize me personally, rather than just being critical of my comments or questions. Yes, I realize that may seem like a fine line to you, but I feel it's an important line. In the future, especially since you don’t know me, I would ask you (as well as others) to please refrain from what feels like very personal affronts.)
lefthandofdog - I just viewed CC and noted your apology post directly before (rather than after) mine where I addressed some of your former comments. I'm a bit confused as to how that post wasn't seen on my computer last night before I posted; I noted there WERE some odd "malware" messages pertaining only to the CC site most of the day, but not sure how or why that would have affected the "order" of the messages. In any case, thank you - I fully accept your apology as well as your good wishes. "Good luck" regarding the admissions process is always welcomed!! :-)
Yes, sherpa, I had already acknowledged, "My only "disappointment", if you wish to deem it that, was with the lack of replies to some of my posts from current students" which was the basis for my subforum post, and was already discussed by both myself and other posters.
curious5 and Alumother, thank you very much for your posts. (And Alumother, I know how frustrating it can be to write some comments and lose the post!)
In terms of posters who are just seeking to be deliberately cantankerous, I would prefer to not respond to those sorts of comments on this thread any further, and just let their remarks "speak for themselves" in the eyes of other CC members. However, as a final comment regarding this on this thread, l would wholeheartedly agree with curious5's quote that I was "humble, apologetic, and complementary where it was called for."
If a poster chooses not to accept another poster's apologies or compliments, that is their prerogative.
