<p>There’s something that hasn’t been discussed much. The good part of the Street is that when there’s a party, everyone knows. No ■■■■■■■■ Facebook for mentions, no texting around, “Party?” Princeton kids just call going to the Street, “Going out.” Because, as has been mentioned, there are no bars and there is no city life. </p>
<p>Princeton’s campus is small. I can’t overemphasize the impact this has. There is little walking on anything that resembles a city street. The social atmosphere is decidedly friendly, if you show up on a regular day.</p>
<p>As I understand it, Yale offers a slightly gentler social environment, because the residential colleges have zero selectivity. Yale’s cocoon, if you will, is softer, despite the secret societies. Harvard, on the other hand, offers a slightly (opposite of gentler) set up. Harder to find parties, harder to host parties, houses offer less community than residential colleges, final clubs more selective than eating clubs.</p>
<p>All of this fits the dominant culture of the schools, and helps explicate the student stereotypes. Harvard - ambitious and somewhat hard-bitten, Princeton - hail fellow well met and somewhat conservative, Yale - artsy and a little high-strung.</p>
<p>Again, the students aren’t hard-wired to be all the same. Not in any way. But these are the perceived social cultures. I do think some students would be happy at any of these schools, others will thrive much more at one place than another. And again, physical location probably molds the culture more than anything else.</p>