<p>I think both JHS and Alumother have it right. JHS is certainly correct in pointing out that many potential applicants find the ‘idea’ of the Eating Clubs unattractive and may not apply to Princeton for that reason. Alumother points out that after the passage of time (and after having experienced the clubs as a student) she has changed her mind and now sees them as a positive.</p>
<p>I think the point to be made here is that the ‘idea’ of the Eating Clubs is very different from today’s ‘reality’. The stereotypes of the clubs (as repeated by those who have never experienced them while a student) are certainly negative. The reality, as experienced by Princeton students of today is startlingly different. </p>
<p>See: </p>
<p>[Multimedia</a> Presentation on the Eating Clubs at Princeton](<a href=“http://www.princeton.edu/admission/multimedia/player/?id=4792]Multimedia”>http://www.princeton.edu/admission/multimedia/player/?id=4792)</p>
<p>[Princeton</a> University | Eating Clubs](<a href=“http://www.princeton.edu/admission/whatsdistinctive/experience/eating_clubs/]Princeton”>http://www.princeton.edu/admission/whatsdistinctive/experience/eating_clubs/)</p>
<p>To be fair, the negative stereotypes were, at one time, deserved. Thirty or forty years ago, the clubs were exclusive and bicker was a much uglier process. That was a long time ago and the clubs have been in a process of transformation for decades. All of them are now coed and half of them are completely open to any student who wants to join. Even those that still use the bicker process have internal rules they refer to as “positive bicker”. During the club meetings when potential new applicants are considered for membership, no current club member is allowed to say demeaning things about any applicant. Only positive statements are allowed. Silence is taken as a lack of support for that candidate.</p>
<p>Every alumnus, alumna and current Princeton student who has participated by commenting on the CC boards has probably addressed this issue. I have many times and a quick search on CC will bring up those threads. I didn’t belong to a club but had a great time at all of them. It’s easy to get passes to the parties whether or not you belong to the club giving the party.</p>