<p>OP:
academically you’ll do fine at either place
socially you’ll do fine at either place (altho I think of Columbia, not Princeton, whenI hear “political activism”)</p>
<p>the main difference is the setting</p>
<p>Columbia = campus within a major urban environment; it is a defined campus, but you’re right in the city; easy transportation; easy to be distracted by all that NYC has to offer</p>
<p>Princeton = rural campus, with access to NYC or Phillie (about an hour); small upscale shops nearby; mainstream stores (Target etc) are accessible but not within walking distance</p>
<p>So, the question is: Do you want to be in a pretty setting, secluded from the world (ie, Princeton), or do you want to be within walking distance of an urban world???</p>