bostonc

Weasel: i said all along that "they don't...", and they can if they want. and other places are much more loose, which is my point that Princeton math is very selective or exclusive. Why this simple point does not make sense to you is beyond me.

Silly Puddy

Whaaaa...?

If anything, the math department here is known to be among the more welcoming and flexible to students. If you're passionate about learning the subject, it's a great open environment to do so. Challenging, definitely, (and not my cup of tea) but incredibly open.

As for the minimum-grade-of-C requirement, I think you're trying too hard to read between the lines. It's not so much meant to keep people out as much as to protect the interest of students. Chances are, if you're not getting a C, you're probably not going to be well served slugging through four years and end up without a job or post graduation opportunity. The department is asking you to take a deep breath, think about what you're doing, and start fresh.

In any case, bostonc, you've provided your one reason why "Princeton math is very selective or exclusive". Multiple current students - including a prospective math major - have given their reasons for why they feel it isn't. Let the OP decide.

Narcissa

MIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! or if you want to take it easy then go to princeton then ;]

Silly Puddy

To answer the OP's original question:

While I lead a pretty happy life on campus here at Princeton, and I think you can too, I'm under no illusion that's it's the only place where you can live a happy life. Here are the primary things you should consider:

1. You're obviously interested in a technical discipline, but there are a broad spectrum of personalities who are. Which type are you? Do you enjoy engineering hacks in your free time? Have a nerdy sense of humor? Code over the weekends? Or do you love math/science/engineering but prefer to have a circle of friends who enjoy philosophy and economics and don't understand the occasional XKCD joke? MIT might fit the former type and Princeton the latter. That's not to say each college serves one stereotype: I've been to some great parties at MIT, and Princeton sure has its share of religious Slashdot readers and people who practically live in the lab. But you'll certainly find a predominance of a particular type on each campus.

2. Perhaps more important, what kind of person do you want to be? Of the types of people above, I probably fit the nerdy humor/tech lover sort of person the most. I'd go as far as to say that I'd probably be, on the whole, more at home at MIT. But I don't think that personal growth necessarily happens in places where people are most comfortable. It's sometimes character building to face a broader world and an array of people different than yourself. The kids at Princeton and the kids are MIT are both plenty bright, but I wanted to taste more flavors of intelligence, and I think Princeton does better with this. Feel free to disagree with me on any point, but I think I make the point that "fit" is a more complicated concept than it may appear to be.

3. How certain are you that you want to be in a technical discipline? I've known people who came into Princeton pretty certain they were going to be physics majors who, today, are studying history. And these were heavy-duty math/sci guys before Princeton. The point I'm making is this: if you're absolutely certain you want to immerse yourself in math/science/engineering for four years and want to make that the focal point of your undergraduate education, it's quite possible (likely?) that MIT will serve your interests better. On the other hand, if you're iffy and open to the seductive powers of other disciplines or are simply unsure if you're willing to hack it in a difficult engineering environment (and I'll tell you, it can really get very, very difficult), Princeton leaves you with the best exit opportunities you'll find.

Good luck with your decision either way! It's hard to go wrong.

sunshine_breeze

Wow, thanks Silly Puddy and everyone else for your replies!

The Visionary

@Silly Puddy: What do you mean by saying that MIT has difficult engr environment? Are you implying a cut-throat environment?

cookiemom

You should check out this thread: Help!!! Princeton or MIT for possible Math/Physics major?

Silly Puddy

No, and I didn't mean to be unclear on this point. From what I've seen at Princeton and from what friends at MIT tell me, I'd say that there's a lot of collaboration at both colleges. Both are friendly academic environments; neither is "cut-throat".

What I was trying to say is that a math/science/engineering degree from any tough college will almost inevitably be very difficult - harder workload, tougher curves. I've known a number of people who would be cream of the crop math/science students in high school who decided that while they could pull off an math/science/engineering degree at Princeton, that the added difficulty wasn't worth it (and often, this went hand in hand with discovering some new discipline that they found really cool). I personally believe that if you do end up switching majors, Princeton might be the better place for this, both because of the breadth of strong departments as well as the markedly larger non-technical community.

TheMoment...I

I had the same choice to make, and I ultimately chose Princeton. I compared the classes, and I liked the physics at Princeton more. Also, I was offered research already, so I knew I wouldn't be losing anything to that matter by going to MIT.

...and Princeton was cheaper. =)

sunshine_breeze

I'm still undecided with only 9 days left. AH!

I went and visited both, realized that

1) I definitely want to do engineering.
2) I dislike parties.

Oh, and I am getting more money from Princeton.

Which college is has the smaller partying scene and has more things to do aside from that?

cc2

sunshine_breeze - Sound like you should go to MIT for the following reasons:
1) Coming out MIT, people will think you are good at engineering even you can major in music. Just think about how much time you can save during the rest of you life, assume you will have a long one, by just saying "MIT" instead of "Princeton, engineering major and Princeton's engineering is as good as MIT's........................".
2) MIT students have more places to go for parties off campus so there will be less parties on campus.
3) Since you don't really need the money from Princeton, the money can be given to some Princeton students who really need it and you can feel good by helping others.
4) After all these researches and posts, you are still undecided and that means you are going to regret your decision either way. There is no hope for you.

OldAlum

Sunshine_breeze: Here's a question. What made you realize after your visits that you wanted to do engineering? Was it a conversation with a professor or student? Where did this take place?

wtrbear

"4) After all these researches and posts, you are still undecided and that means you are going to regret your decision either way. There is no hope for you."

^That sentiment is a tad discouraging...
(BTW, I'm feeling *exactly* the same as miss sunshine - I want to do science hardcore, and I don't like parties - but I want to do biology...sigh)

cc2

"^That sentiment is a tad discouraging..."
OK. I'll say the same thing in a positive way - After all these researches and posts, you are still undecided and that means you are going to be just as happy either way. There is aways graduate school at the other school after all.

Happy now?

Alumother

You guys who are undecided, go to the parent's forum and look for an old post on jmmom on how to decide. It's really helpful.