How important is going to the Princeton Preview?

opqpop
Mon, 06 Apr 2009 19:16:41 +0000

@stoplight

In that case, as long as you’re coming here, it’s perfectly fine to not come to the preview ;)

@Peytoncline

$35k is probably enough to get a free trip. Did you get your acceptance letter mailed to you yet, because they put in there a letter saying if you’re eligible for a free trip or not. It says something like “Our financial aid office has determined that your family would benefit from a fully subsidized trip to the preview program,” and then gives you information on what to do next. So I’d wait for that letter if you haven’t received it.

If you have received it and you weren’t eligible OR if you need to know now so you can buy your plane tickets earlier for whatever reason (cheaper prices, etc.), there are two options. The first is to email faoffice@princeton.edu and say something like…“My dad really wants me to go to Univ. of Arkansas, but I want to come to the preview to try and convince him to let me attend Princeton. He doesn’t want me to go to the preview because he feels the money needed for the trip is not worth it. Is there any way I could get my trip subsidized?” Just try to show them you want to go, but can’t because of the money. It’s also nice if you give them the hint that not going to the preview will likely cause you to attend another university. The second option is to call the office and say pretty much the same thing. (609) 258-3330 I believe.

By the way, going to Univ. of Arkansas just because your dad wants you to do it sounds like a big mistake to me. You alone should be able to decide where you want to go, not your dad. Going to the preview will of course help your dad get a better opinion of Princeton, which I highly recommend. Personally, I just don’t think the level of prestige is comparable at all between Univ. of Arkansas & Princeton. To me, it would only seem reasonable for you to go to Univ. of Arkansas if and only if YOU really wanted to do so.