Simple, yet complex question for Classes 2013,14, and 15
Simple question to current Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors (though recent grads, PLEASE feel free to weigh in):
ARE YOU HAPPY AT PRINCETON? Why or why not?
(If you prefer to pm me your answer if uncomfortable posting publicly, please feel free to do so.)
I ask this as I can read all the "college admission" or "best college" books, or peruse HUNDREDS of random posts, but I think the BEST way to learn the current culture of a school is to ask current students. The more detailed an answer, the better!
These are your kids. What should I make of this? From Potential Princeton Parent
Hello - I decided to post this in the Parent's Section in the hope that some of you could please shed some light on what to make of something. I posted an important question (to me, and I'm sure to many other high school seniors & their parents!), and immediately got over 100 views within a view hours, but NOT A SINGLE PRINCETON STUDENT REPLIED! -- SEE FULL POST IN QUOTES BELOW..
WHY? Is it because these students are so self-involved that if the question didn't interest them, they just moved on? Too much trouble to even type, "Very happy", or "Miserable", even without an explanation?
Beyond understanding, I still have gotten zero answers - so I will appeal (plead?) to you, and ask: Are YOUR kids happy? (And why or why not?)
MY POST IN THE STUDENT'S FORUM:
"Simple, yet complex question for Classes 2013,14, and 15:
Simple question to current Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors (though recent grads, PLEASE feel free to weigh in):
ARE YOU HAPPY AT PRINCETON? Why or why not?
(If you prefer to pm me your answer if uncomfortable posting publicly, please feel free to do so.)
I ask this as I can read all the "college admission" or "best college" books, or peruse HUNDREDS of random posts, but I think the BEST way to learn the current culture of a school is to ask current students. The more detailed an answer, the better!
One of the reasons you haven't gotten an answer is that those Princeton students that are awake right now are busy with homework.
Anyway, I'm a '16er, so you might not care too much, but I'm having the time of my life - the students, the professors, the campus ... everything about Princeton is perfect. It's hard work (which is why I'm awake), but only a few weeks in, I can tell these next four years are going to be fantastic.
Hi Alex, thank you - but that IS sort of "scary" if only a few weeks in, most upperclassmen are already putting in "all-nighters" and/or have such poor time management skills that they are doing work at 3am-ish. Of course, if one is a "night owl" like myself, I understand.
Still, this post is now up to almost 400 views, and Alex is the ONLY student to say if they like Princeton? Perhaps that actually speaks VOLUMES about the school's student population ... I wonder if any Princeton Administrators ever peruse this site, and what they would think about this lack of either "enthusiasm" or "dissatisfaction" for the school, and/or the fact that only one student in 400 is willing to help out a family of a potential 2017 classmate... Actually, quite disheartening. (But again, thanks Alex!!!)
hsmom, please calm down. Appearances to the contrary, most Princeton students have school / sleep / social lives / things to do besides lurking on CC. Also, frankly your frantic tone and the way you've instantly jumped to conclusions is a turn-off to replying. Princeton administrators can see for themselves if the students are happy -- we live on campus, not on CC. (Though I'm sure that they sometimes check in here as well...)
Short answer: Yes! I am generally very happy here. So much better than high school. Then again, most places would be. Currently, I am actually unhappy, because I'm sick, but there you go.
Princeton has been great to me: great people, great classes, great opportunities, great fun, etc. It's a lot of work, too, and sometimes it's stressful. Sometimes I'm unhappy. But that's part of life.
Thanks tiger14 and mrscollege. Tiger14, I hope you feel better soon. I know it's never fun feeling ill - and especially while at college! (Just curious, if you were actually too sick to go to the cafeteria, does Princeton offer any sort of "bagged lunch" service? Don't laugh, even if Princeton doesn't, I know there are colleges that actually deliver food right to the rooms of sick students.)
No, we don't get wait staff to bring us food! :P Although the dining halls are really, really close to most dorms. And you can get friends to bring you to-go food. (Bag lunches do exist but you have to pick them up, actually...)
I agree with everything tiger14 said ... Princeton students have better things to do than CC, in fact I should be doing homework. Maybe that's why I had to stay up so late the other night ... they were right when they said to not procrastinate.
Hsmom, I don't think the way colleges feed the sick is a proper gauge of quality. Trust me, if your child enjoys intellectual stimulation, interesting people, and just about any extracurricular activity you can imagine - s/he will have a great time at Princeton. I have yet to find anyone who doesn't like it. Maybe instead of judging Princeton student happiness by CC, find some alumni or read the Prince.
Hsmom2013...
I am also a little scared.
You seem to be an extreme case of a "helicopter" mom.
I think you should just let your child live his/her life.
You should also take into account that typically in internet forums only 1% of viewers ever say anything - just look at any other of the college forums here. It's especially bad on CC forums like this where probably only 5% of viewers actually go to Princeton.
I originally sent the below post privately to respond to another poster, but having seen a few other comments, I will actually copy/past (most of it) publicly:
"Please give me the opportunity to respond and explain myself.
May I ask "why do I scare you?" My question re: lunch was inadvertent (ie: was not premeditated, but was merely in response to when another poster said he was sick, and one of the schools I visited told of these bag lunches they made if kids were too sick to eat in the dining hall, which as a parent, I thought were both nice, and smart to do (as it keeps one student from getting dozens sick by eating more isolated for a few days...) - especially if we are talking about the flu or something. So, what else might I have said that put you off? Please explain, preferably via pm. Thanks
I agree with alexcuad - but with the exception of online sites, how would you propose I find "actually Alum" to speak with? Neither my kinds nor I personally know any students who graduated from Princeton within the past 2 years. :-( If I did, I would be happy to speak to them directly.
If your child applies to P, s/he will be offered an alum interview (parents are not part of the interview).
If your child is accepted s/he can visit campus and stay overnight in a dorm on accepted student days.
Right now, you could take a campus tour, led by an actual student, and perhaps get some of your questions answered, but you'd most likely be part of a large group and would not want to monopolize the discussion.
I am exhausted by your scrutiny of something that, sadly, may not even be available to your child. Despite attempts by "actual students" and others to answer your questions, nothing seems to satisfy you and in your disappointment you come across as condemning of an entire institution. Seems to be a bit of overkill.
