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Princeton University Visit Report by AnotherAlice

Visit to Princeton University in October 2004 by AnotherAlice
(Parent of Student, HS Class of 2005)
(Member since March 30 2006 with 2 posts)
 
2 of 2 people found this visit report helpful

Visit Activities:


Admissions Interview: Yes - Conducted in hometown by a Princeton alumna

Information Session: Yes - Parents only attended (student was attending a class with a current Princeton student who was from the same high school). Very small info session (<10>), informal and informative.

Campus Tour: Yes - Tour was conducted by a sophomore whose father had graduated from Princeton. She was very gungho and familiar with campus, having been to reunions most of her life.

Classroom Visit: Yes - Daughter knew a Princeton junior from hometown, so she e-mailed and arranged to attend a class. So sleepy from college touring, she fell asleep. Fortunately it was a slide lecture and no lights on.

Campus:


Friendliness/Courtesy of Students:
4 - Very Good
4 - Very Good
Students we approached were helpful, gave good directions. I got the impression that many were a little bored by being scrutinized by prospective students with parental units in tow.


Friendliness/Courtesy of Staff:
5 - Excellent
5 - Excellent
The guy manning the information desk in the administration building was quite friendly. Campus cop gave me a lift up campus when I asked for directions to the nearest restroom.


Appearance of Campus:
5 - Excellent
5 - Excellent
Beautiful! Despite its reputation as the epitome of Gothic architecture, Princeton has buildings in many styles. The new Whitman dorms will be spectacular; the ugly 70s dorms are being torn down.


Building/Facilities Maintenance/Cleanliness:
5 - Excellent
5 - Excellent
Very clean, inside and out.


Dormitories:
4 - Very Good
4 - Very Good
The room we saw in a gothic-style dorm was fairly good sized. Also saw a huge suite in one of the Wilson dorms, which was run down but adequate.


Security/Safety:
5 - Excellent
5 - Excellent
Campus security seemed to be around. The usual callbox system was in evidence as well. Princeton environs seems very safe.


Overall Campus Impression:
4 - Very Good
4 - Very Good
Nice campus, but not as unified as I expected. Most buildings are within an easy walk, but some--the engineering quad-- are a hike away.

Off-Campus:


Area Immediately Around Campus:
4 - Very Good
4 - Very Good
Pretty upscale shops right in Princeton near the university, but Route 1 has Target, Bed Bath and Beyond, Whole Foods...all the usual suspects if your wallet is not quite so fat.


City/Town/Community:
4 - Very Good
4 - Very Good
Princeton is charming, but Route 1 is pretty much strip mall territory. Princeton's close to NYC; students can get heavily discounted package of B-way show tickets and bus fare for about $25.

Campus Visit Notes for Princeton University


Visit Description:

Walking around Princeton campus early in the fall...What's not to like?

Hotel/Lodging Recommendations or Comments:

Stayed at Best Western down Route 1. Cheap but definitely the bare necessities.

Dining/Restaurant Recommendations or Comments:

Masala (sp?) Indian restaurant was great.