Visit Report by AnotherAlice (Member since March 30 2006 with 2 posts) Visit Date - October 2004
Visit to Princeton University in October 2004 by AnotherAlice (Parent of Student, HS Class of 2005)
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.
Princeton University Campus:
Friendliness/Courtesy of Students: 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 -
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 -
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 -
Very clean, inside and out.
Dormitories: 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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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.
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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.
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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.