<p>Okay, i know the argument between Princeton and Yale have been debated to death, so this is not a Princeton vs. Yale question. At least in my mind, i am grouping them into the same category, the HYP. To be completely honest, i have kind of written off Yale, which is why im posting this thread in the Princeton section :), though of course i will go to Yale Bulldog and Princeton Preview. Either way, i would classify both as the traditional prestigious institutions. On the other hand, there is NYU Abu Dhabi. If this was regular NYU, i wouldn’t even be giving this a second thought, but its not. Im assuming many here don’t know much about NYU Abu Dhabi, so here is a little background. It’s essentially NYU’s world honor college, the first U.S. literal arts university outside the U.S. This is their first year ever, which makes it both scary and exciting. We could be making history, or become lost guinea pigs. Here is the official website: [NYU</a> Abu Dhabi University & College in UAE, New York University](<a href=“http://nyuad.nyu.edu/]NYU”>http://nyuad.nyu.edu/) if any of you care to check it out. A little bit about myself. I am kind of a risk-taker and international is my crowd. I love to travel and I dig urban living. Really, if only Yale and Princeton had cities to match their beautiful campuses…I like to view the world in global terms and dream of a unified world. In short, NYUAD appears to embody these ideals, but it is not yet established at all, and it could all just be hype. I guess, in a sense, my decision comes down to Established and prestigious vs. new and pioneering. I welcome any insights. Oh, and this should shed light on my worldview: “We must transcend the traditional loyalties of race and ethnicity, of boundaries and national sovereignty, in order to form a common humanity. rhetoric or the future? impossible or inevitable? That is the question that will define the future of human civilization.” I really need some professional opinion :)</p>
<p>I’m skeptical of NYU Abu Dhabi, to say the least. Certainly, offered a choice between NYUAD and any Ivy, I would choose the Ivy. NYU’s idea is interesting in theory, but its location and the fact that it’s brand-new are worrisome to me. </p>
<ol>
<li><p>Abu Dhabi is a really random place to open a college campus (especially of an American university, which would presumably serve many American students, who have been raised to American standards/ideals). It doesn’t really seem like an inspiring city, to be honest. It’s basically desert pumped up by oil dollars. There isn’t really a whole lot of culture or any specific attractions (besides the Middle East location, which makes sense if you are an Arabic/Middle Eastern Studies major, I suppose). It’s also not the most friendly city in terms of American college kids. Homosexuality/drinking/mild drug use is looked down on and often punished in the area. Abu Dhabi (full disclosure - I have never been there) doesn’t seem particularly urban or cosmopolitan to me, either. </p></li>
<li><p>NYU is marketing this as “the world’s first honors college” and all that, but this isn’t a tried-and-tested thing. Personally, I wouldn’t take risks with my college education. Since this is the first class, I would bow out. Nobody knows yet how NYUAD will be looked upon by employers/grad schools, etc. Why risk something so important? I would definitely suggest waiting to see how it’s received; I have a feeling it’s a lot of hype and not a lot of substance. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>In the US, HYP is the golden trio; I don’t think NYUAD has a prayer of ever being at par. In this case, I would absolutely go with the established. HYP select their classes very carefully, and they all have cosmopolitan student bodies, as well as significant numbers of international students. I don’t think you have to worry about homogeneity. Also, I think Y/P’s proximity to major East Coast cities (Boston, New York, DC) make it more urban than NYUAD necessarily might be. </p>
<p>If you think NYUAD is a good fit for you, by all means go for it. It’s definitely a unique opportunity, and I’m sure it’ll be a great experience for some. I’m not a college student, and I haven’t been to the NYUAD campus; I don’t know anything for sure. This is just my two cents!</p>
<p>hey i’m curious about your decision of princeton over yale. what are your specific reasons?</p>
<p>Well, Janeite, like i said before, i really don’t want to get into that argument, and truthfully i haven’t really written off Yale for good. I am going to go to the Bulldog Days and Princeton Preview. In short, Princeton is closer to NYC and Philly, and i really can’t survive without city life. And i have to perception, however right or wrong, that Princeton has this newer feel to it, that it is more suited for today’s world.</p>
<p>I’m obviously of the Princeton > Yale camp 
but I can’t imagine passing either up for NYU AD. NYU AD is just way too new and I’m not sure its worth taking a gamble on it. Maybe if there’s a big financial advantage to going to NYU but all else being equal, I would definitely go for P or Y.</p>
<p>“We must transcend the traditional loyalties of race and ethnicity, of boundaries and national sovereignty, in order to form a common humanity. rhetoric or the future? impossible or inevitable? That is the question that will define the future of human civilization.”
NYUAD is definitely for you! In my opinion, you should go for it, it’s certainly the only school that will help explore in depth your ideas and beliefs. Yale and Princeton are definitely amazing places to study,but there are other places that are just as great (NYUAD is probably among those, or at least will soon be)
Some points to clarify:</p>
<p>1- "Abu Dhabi is a really random place to open a college campus…It doesn’t really seem like an inspiring city, to be honest. It’s basically desert pumped up by oil dollars. There isn’t really a whole lot of culture or any specific attractions…Abu Dhabi (full disclosure - I have never been there) doesn’t seem particularly urban or cosmopolitan to me, either. "
Totally wrong, obviously you’ve never been there, google Abu Dhabi, check it out on wiki, look at some pics of the city, you’ll see that it IS inspiring, urban (very urban, much like Dubai, on a less extravagant scale), and you’ll also see that it’s definitely not a desert (by the way this kind of associations always makes me smile, Abu Dhabi=Desert and camels, China = Kung Fu,Australia = Kangaroo … lol). The city might not be the best place for everyone, but it’s certainly a friendly place that HAS its own culture, even though it’s a truly cosmopolitan city where one can note many other cultures (Emirati citizens make up only 19% of the local population, the remaining 81% is composed of asians, westerns and arabs.)</p>
<p>2- “NYU is marketing this as “the world’s first honors college” and all that, but this isn’t a tried-and-tested thing.”
True I agree, the school has yet to be tested. However, it is clear that NYU is making a conciderable effort to do things right. NYUAD might not be able to be at par with the HYP trio from its first year or second, but it has the potential to become as excellent as it establishes itself in the city as an elite school.</p>
<p>3- “HYP select their classes very carefully”
So does NYUAD I believe.</p>
<p>Chenkai37, go for what you feel is a good fit for you! Yale, Princeton, NYUAD, these are all great schools, go for what you like the most.</p>
<p>Haha thanks John, and don’t worry, i dont buy into stereotypes, which was why i visited Abu Dhabi (they flew us out on a candidate weekend), so i have a pretty good idea of what it is, and you are absolutely right. (We had to drive 2.5 hours just to get to the desert). And pimpdaddy, i certainly agree that going w. yale or princeton is the easier and safer thing to do, but it is the fact that NYUAD IS a completely new type of global college that captivates me. If this was their 2nd year, for example, it wouldn’t be that alluring. I guess some would call me self-absorbed or even delusional, but taking the path less traveled just seems appealing. I mean, how many people can say i was part of this experiment in establishing “a new paradigm in global education”? like 100 people. at the same time, it could all be marketing hype and not enough substance. Which is why my parents and all my relatives are in the HYP camp.</p>
<p>Oh, and on a relate note, studying abroad is very important to me, whereever i end up at. I love to travel. So, for people who are already at Princeton, how easy is it to study abroad? Both in the sense of fitting into your schedule and actually getting a spot. Like, do so many people apply for studying abroad that it’s hard to get a spot? And how generous is the fin aid for studying abroad both in the summer and during the academic year?</p>
<p>NYUAD offers up to 3 semesters abroad, paid by the government! And NYU has the most extensive study abroad programs all over the world: ex: Shanghai, Madrid, Tel Aviv, Prague, NYC, Paris, etc.</p>
<p>hmm interesting thread! Well chenkai37, I can infer from your post that you have an international vision of the world, love to travel, and have a pioneering mind. These factors make you a perfect match for NYUAD and vise versa. At NYUAD, you’ll benefit from the international aspect of the school, you’ll travel a lot (3 semesters abroad + regional trips (from greece to india lol), without ever being asked to spend a penny on this), and you’ll be intellectually challanged in an amosphear that no other school would be able to offer you.These were reasons why it would be a wise decision to attend NYUAD. On the other hand, there are also reasons to attend Princeton or Yale: People think going there would be safer, and think that NYUAD is a “marketing hype and not enough substance”.
So the equation is pretty simple: following yourself and what you seem to like the most (what excites you the most), or following what other people think you should like the most 
You choose.</p>
<p>Hey Adam, thanks for your insights. I was just wondering if you personally are going to NYUAD? My main concern is that when i apply for grad school, would the admit officers pick a princeton, or in general, an ivy league grad over an nyuad grad. And, academically, how much of an edge does princeton have on nyuad?</p>
<p>No problem chenkai37. Well, no I’m not going there, but I wish I was :p. The concept of this new school just interests me. And according to my little research, academics at NYUAD seem to be at par with any other top school, the list of courses offered in 2010-2011 is admirably well designed, and the professors are of the same kind you’d find in other top institutions. I don’t know much about Princeton’s academics, but they must be excellent too! And for grad school, you’ll have an advantage as an NYUAD student for NYU grad schools (such as NYU Law which is 5th in the nation, NYU Stern school of business 11th) if you do well in NYUAD you’ll be able to go there with a scholarship that covers full tuition. For other grad schools, admission people don’t really care of what school you went to (actually it might be even more interesting for them that u were an NYUAD student, it gives you a more special background, and as you said earlier: “how many people can say i was part of this experiment in establishing “a new paradigm in global education”? like 100 people” ) basically, if you’re an amazing student, with great scores and a high GPA, motivated and with enough potential to excel, they’ll pick you, regardless of where u went for college (statistics show that Ivy schools send more kids to good grad schools, but this doesn’t mean that grad schools prefer Ivy kids, it simply shows that some the good students they’re looking for happen to go to Ivy schools. To make things clearer: A kid from X college with amazing stats is much more likely to go to a great grad school than a kid from harvard with a miserable GPA is)</p>
<p>yah…i know what you mean, the whole association does not mean correlation thing. I was wondering more as in if both kids had the same stats, like would people just perceive a princeton grad to be more educated and more intelligent? and would that prestige and name-recognition play a factor in both grad school and the job market? i know im not the type of guy that cares that much about jobs, but i gotta be able to support my family before going out to change the world, u no, ;)</p>
<p>for grad schools, the same stats = the same chances. And of course you’ll be able to suport your family lol, when you’ll graduate, NYUAD would definitely be recognized as a school that provides its students with a top education. And you’ll get an NYU degree, so in the worst case you’ll have the same status as a NYU student, and NYU, well everybody knows NYU lol (it’s definitely not the X college I mentionned :p) . You know, just don’t worry about making a living, you’ll be more than able to do that (and perhaps much much more than that if you work in the UAE lol, they have some crazy salaries for educated people, I even heard that some big companies there pay grad school for their promising young employees ) Just don’t worry about that!</p>
<p>Haha, yeah. I’ve been talking to some of my teachers, and essentially the question comed down to: the best undergraduate education in the world vs. the most unique college experience in the world. Of course, at both places, the academics will be strong and the study abroad opportunities will make for a very international education, so im not necesarily sacrificing one for the other, its just one’s known for the academics, and the other the experience. Academics will be strong at NYUAD, but its not gonna be near Princeton’s vigor/intensity, and though Princeton offers study abroad programs, it’s not gonna be anywhere close to the experience of studying abroad essentially all 4 years. Damn…Guess i will have to figure out what’s the most important to me, but i honestly dont know…</p>
<p>Chenkai37 I admire your guts but question your wisdom.</p>
<p>In Princeton you know the education opportunities that are available. NYU Abu Dhabi is still recruiting faculty. One major terrorist incident and the program could be in trouble. It would be an easy decision for me to choose to attend a university with 11 Nobel Prize winners over a university that is still trying to recruit a faculty. </p>
<p>I have known people that have worked in Saudi Arabia for an oil company. To get people to live in Saudi Arabia the oil companies are required to pay large bonuses; Americans do not want to live there and live by restrictive Islamic law. Think carefully before you are committed to an environment that you may not like; it is not NYC or Philadelphia.</p>
<p>I would check out AdamJones’ facts before I accepted them as true. Students should select Princeton not because of prestige, name recognition or reputation but because of the education that is available. Check the student faculty ratio (5:1 at Princeton), the number of Nobel Prize winners on the faculty (11 at Princeton), the class size (precepts have about 12 students), the number of courses lead by a grad student (none at Princeton.) Adam is suggesting that studying with leading scholars and some of the best research facilities in the world will not better prepare you for graduate school. The WSJ reports that Princeton is in the top three schools in the country for sending students to the elite medical, law, and business schools. NYU is not in the top 50 according to the WSJ.</p>
<p>If you want an international experience apply to the Bridge year program and spend next year in a foreign country. Pick a major at Princeton where you can study abroad for a semester or year. Chenkai37 you have not stated a major so it is hard to describe the specific study abroad opportunities. Recently the university has offered Princeton in Spain, Princeton in Beijing, and Princeton in St. Petersburg. The university sponsors an International Internship Program for students that want a summer internship abroad. The university found me a paid job in Europe after my junior year. The university teaches 17 foreign languages. There are language tables in the dining halls so you can practice speaking a foreign language. If you are interested in the Arab cultures the university has students study at American University of Cairo. The Princeton Department of Near Eastern Studies is world famous. After graduation you can apply to live abroad through Princeton in Asia, Princeton-in-Beijing, Princeton in Japan, or Princeton-in-Africa.</p>
<p>The Princeton study abroad program is not as loose as many schools. The university works with selected universities such as Oxford and the American University of Cairo to ensure the quality of the education and the safety of the student.</p>
<p>If you are interested in working abroad after graduation the Princeton name recognition is an advantage. Foreigners have heard of HYP and a few other schools. The heads of government and industry want their children to be educated at HYP. For example, the former Saudi Arabia foreign minister Prince Saud al-Faisal, was educated at Princeton. There are Princeton alumni clubs all around the world including I expect, Abu Dhabi.</p>
<p>The admitted student for the class of 2014 are citizens from 64 countries. You can gain some international perspective without leaving the campus!</p>
<p>Visit the campus and visit with the folks in the Office of International Programs. Determine how you can study abroad by attending Princeton and make an informed decision. An education at Princeton is as unique and personalized as you chose to make it.</p>
<p>PtonAlumnus, Thanks for your insights and details about Princeton University. Based on your name, im assuming you graduated from Princeton? I am not exactly sure what my exact major will be, but i am interested in anything international and especially business. I want to start my own MNC someday. And so, i am also extremely attracted to the wooldrow wilson school, as international business is so intertwined with glocal politics nowadays. at the same time, i don’t want to give up the nerdy part of me that’s good at math and science, and so i might pursue a minor in engineering? I am checking out Princeton’s curriculum, but based on my intended areas of study and my interests, are there certain major(s) you would recommend me check out?</p>
<p>You mentioned that Princeton’s study abroad program might not be as extensive as some of the other universities, but that’s cool because those schools/sites are the places im interested in going anyways. My concern is how easy/hard it is to go study abroad. Are there policy limits on how many times/how long you can study abroad for example. Or maybe they can only send a certain number of students to a program each semester/year, and so many people will not get a chance to study abroad? I hope you know what im asking.</p>
<p>and thanks again</p>
<p>Chenkai37, Princeton encourages students to plan their courses to meet their goals. Both engineering and the Woodrow Wilson School have many required courses. A few students combine both areas by majoring in engineering and enrolling in a certificate program in the Woodrow Wilson School. You could major in Woodrow Wilson and enroll in Engineering and Management Systems. The Program in Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy in the WWS would be another way to study engineering and international studies. Economics, Finance, and Operations Research and Financial Engineering are other options to explore. However, the more programs you complete the more difficult it will be to go abroad since foreign universities will not offer the required courses. Yes, life requires trade offs and decisions. It is easiest to study abroad if you are a language major doing research on original manuscripts only available in European libraries.</p>
<p>There are very few limits on the number of students that can take a particular course or have a plan of study that is enhanced by studying abroad. For example, I believe Princeton has an exchange with Oxford for engineering study but few other universities offer engineering courses with the rigor required by Princeton. The engineering school has professors from foreign countries who conduct engineering projects in their native countries. Depending on your engineering major there may be foreign experiences available through the engineering school. It may be easier to work abroad with a Woody Woo major since the school is about international relations.</p>
<p>Engineering, Woodrow Wilson, and study abroad will be difficult to pull off because a student can only take a limited number of courses. The difficulty of studying abroad is dependent on your interest, your selected courses, and research area. For example engineering courses with required science labs will be more difficult to find abroad. However, if you selected to conduct research within the WWS’s Institutions for Fragile States it would be easier to justify study at Oxford and in a foreign country.</p>
<p>Preview weekend is your opportunity to talk to Office of International Programs to gain current information on study abroad opportunities for Woody Woo majors. Princeton teaches some classes in foreign countries; the courses are constantly changing based on student and professor interest. Students that study abroad are required to complete the university requirements of a junior research paper and a senior thesis. To complete your major requirements you would need to find a research topic in a country that interests you and find a faculty member to supervise your research. Generally, this is not difficult.</p>
<p>A Princeton education is what you make of it. The university has the financial resources to support study abroad in other world class universities. The limits are your ability to meet your major requirements; students are able to do so with planning and determination.</p>
<p>From what you are saying Pton, it sounds like i am being way too ambitious with my plans. It seems as if it would be better if i pursued less academically (I can always go back for a degree in engineering later, i guess), so i can take full advantage of the experience. I feel like if i try to study all of this at once, i will just overwhelm myself, not to mention the fact that it appears i won’t be able to fit in the study abroad and international experience part of the equation. And plus, there’s always grad school right?</p>
<p>Although, let say i want to study all those fields and still fit in my study abroad programs, would there be a way to stay at princeton for an extra year, so that i finish my undergraduate in five years instead of four? That seems a lot more relaxing and i feel i would comfortably incorporate everything i want into my undergraduate experience. I am not talking about the bridge program, which affords no credits in any courses (i think), and so would not really help me in attaining my goals.</p>
<p>And i am definitely going to try and get all my questions and concerns addressed while im at Princeton. That’s why im going to visit, both to clarify some lingering quesitons, and to get that human contact, which admittedly i’ve only had at nyuad so far, so that might be giving me a biased view, as i already feel contacted to some people there, both students and teachers. This feeling of attachment, of course, does not yet exist for Princeton, but that could all change. I guess i will be in a better position to judge and make a more informed decision after princeton preview. We will see if I get that “feeling”. you know, that sense that “this is home”.</p>
<p>Honestly, Pton, you have been very helpful and gracious with your time and expertise. For that, i must thank you again. Just wondering what you studied and what you are doing now, if you don’t mind sharing that.</p>
<p>Unlike many state schools where students take 5 or 6 years to graduate because courses that they are required to take are filled Princeton has perhaps a 95% 4 year graduation rate. Princeton is supportive of international study, gap years, but not a fifth year. </p>
<p>The president of Princeton, Shirley Tilghman taught school in Africa after graduation. She considers her foreign experience a important part of her maturity and gaining an new perspective on the world. She is very supportive of international experiences; she started the gap year Bridge program. She wants all students to have a world view in looking at problems and possible solutions.</p>
<p>You say that the Bridge program will not help you achieve your goals. What are your goals? My summer job in Europe helped me see our country from the European perspective. Understanding new cultures and beliefs are the most important part of international travel. Why do you need to obtain credit for the experience?</p>
<p>You are making progress in making choices. Go to Preview, ask questions, talk to engineering majors and Woody Woo majors. Gain more information about your choices. Relax and take a deep breath. Spring time at Princeton is magnificent. Walk through the halls that George Washington walked. Go to Fine Hall and realize the greatest mathematicians in the world have walked through the same halls. Enjoy the beauty of the campus.</p>
<p>I studied engineering. I managed computer centers in two different industries. I am now retired.</p>