<p>My oldest Daughter is a sophomore at Princeton. My youngest Daughter was just admitted and will be attending in the fall. D1- VERY serious student, valedictorian, stopped dancing her Junior Year of HS(started dancing when she was two, started dancing competitively at 7, winner of many state/national awards- soloist,duet,officer,team) to concentrate even more on school/testing- Princeton was her Dream School. D1 was fortunate enough to visit over 30 colleges during a three year period-feel in love with Princeton and set her heart on it. D1 resumed dancing her Senior Year, once the “stats” were set for College Applications. D1 WAS not as social as D2, who is also very good student, award-wining dancer. D1 did not want to join a sorority, she did audition for a Dance Company and made it. I was a bit worried about the Eating Clubs but I was reassured since there were sign-in clubs, and that everyone who wanted to join an Eating Club would have a place at one. D1 studied,danced,volunteered, “stayed in” 1st semester of her freshman year,and took care of her 3 other roommates when they wandered back in from The Street at 3-4 am. Second semester freshman year, she added The Street to her routine, lawnparties,stayed for Reunions- you name it. My shy,somewhat socially awkward bookworm has absolutely thrived at Princeton and is having the time of her life(also getting VERY good grades). </p>
<p>Despite D1’s growth and transformation, I was VERY surprised and a bit worried this Christmas when she told me that she had decided to bicker- no one wants their child to be disappointed or upset, even if it is a part of life and growing up. It was her decision, I bit my tongue , and nervously awaited the results with her father and D2. D2( who has visited and stayed with her sister 5-6 times over the last two years, and experienced Princeton on a “regular weekend”) was much less nervous than her father and I. Mom, they have to let her in- she knows EVERYONE (wow, D1 knows everyone-how amazing). Like a previous poster stated, she had been going to her prospective Eating Club with her friends- fellow Dance Company members, Princetonian Editors, GetSet volunteers, 2 of her 3 freshman room mates for over a year). Yes, she was accepted- so Happy. I will also add that she has friends in many other Eating Clubs- including the more exclusive Ivy and Cottage Clubs, and often attends functions there as well as sign-in clubs that other friends decided to join. She also has friends who are not in Eating Clubs- friends, are friends, no matter their Eating Club affiliation or lack thereof. Your children will figure it out for themselves if they want to bicker,sign-in or neither. In my opinion, the existence of the Eating Clubs should absolutely NOT be a reason not to apply to/attend Princeton. Something I thought that D1 would probably choose not to participate in 2 years ago has become a very important part of her life and college experience. D2 can’t wait for Princeton, and whether or not she decides to bicker,sign-in or neither will be totally up to her. She absolutely loves Princeton and cannot wait to join her Sister there in the Fall.</p>
<p>A bit of background information. We are from Texas, a suburb north of Houston. I grew up in the Midwest, was the first in my family to attend college (state flagship), put my self through UT Law School, corporate lawyer for 18 years,fortunate to be able to quit to be with My Daughters from their middle school years on- have never regretted it. My H went to Texas for undergrad and Law School. We are neither legacies nor elitists. We are believers in education and hard work. H and I have fallen in love with Princeton for so many reasons, not only because D1 is SO Happy there, but also because it is such a great educational opportunity, has such a beautiful, safe Campus and an amazing Alumni Network. I get misty-eyed everytime I visit D1, and I am still in disbelief that D1 and D2 will both be there next year, and marching in P-rades together for years to come! </p>
<p>Sorry for rambling. Please do not let the Eating Clubs sway your children’s decisions, everyone can belong if they choose to, and if they do not, they will not feel left out. Eating Clubs are unique to Princeton, but they are not what make Princeton unique and Specil- there are so MANY wonderful opportunities at Princeton!</p>