<p>I guess I was in a great position. </p>
<p>I had been accepted at Harvard and Princeton for a PhD. Harvard was my first choice, probably because I had been there, knew the people and liked it.</p>
<p>However, my departments do not offer rotations, and I knew who I would be working with. For various reasons, I felt my POI at Princeton would just be better for me (the research was very similar in both groups) and I accepted the offer there.</p>
<p>But now I am starting to regret it. Everywhere on the internet and CC I keep reading comments such as “Princeton for undergrad, Harvard for post-grad”, “Princeton social life is next to none for grads since they cannot attend eating clubs” and just generally how much better Harvard is. </p>
<p>Is it true? Is Princeton really that bad? Is anyone here attending?</p>
<p>Any comment is welcomed!</p>
<p>No, Princeton is not bad. Graduate school is bad for social life in general – you won’t have the inclination or the time to party the way undergrads do – but Princeton tends to have close-knit departments. If your department is TOO small, you can join the graduate student government, and they have a lot of events. If you live in the Graduate College (the dorm-like housing for graduate students), you’ll have a dining hall, pub, and pool room in the building. In fact, if you live in any of the graduate student housing, you’ll find a ready-made community, although, of course, you have to introduce into it. You’ll be invited to mixers (where you meet alumni and other graduate students in your broader field), reunions (huge two day party), and other events. </p>
<p>The only reason people say “Princeton for undergrad, Harvard for grad” is because Princeton is seen as being more undergraduate-friendly and Harvard offers more diverse graduate programs, including law, business, and medical schools, which Princeton does not. But both are fine for both – and it all depends on what you are looking for.</p>
<p>You’ll love Princeton. Trust me.</p>