princeton vs yale?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A Princeton degree means more than a Yale degree right now. Yale relaxed its rigor and fell behind in most STEM fields.

All the Ivy schools except Princeton and Cornell have fallen behind in most STEM fields, especially engineering. But someone with a Yale degree is still getting a look everywhere. And a softer, kinder school might be a better place for this student. Student satisfaction is very high at Yale. Whereas Princeton is really known as a stressful, grind school these days. No one is giving up opportunities by going to Yale. It's just that their STEM and engineering grads are more likely to end up in finance and consulting, rather than in fields that actually build and make things.

Calling Princeton a stressful, grind school is largely a narrative spun by people at other schools who are surprised that Princeton ended up excelling both at STEM and other liberal arts disciplines. In general, STEM fields are more demanding for undergraduates, so it’s true that STEM students at Princeton and Cornell may have to work harder than history or English majors at Yale, but then the same can be said for STEM students at MIT, Purdue, and Georgia Tech. It says more about the field of study than the institution.

Otherwise, Princeton and Yale have more in common than differences, although Princeton has a greater undergraduate focus and is in an upscale town rather than a run-down smaller city.

I went there and it felt like a grind at times; from everything I hear it’s more of a grind now. Some of this might be that Princeton feels like a (lovely) bubble so it’s harder to maintain perspective.

The suicides at Princeton over the last several years are tragic and while the causes are complex, I’m sure, they seem like a sign something is wrong. The school needs to do more and take some responsibility.

[Anonymous]

Residential college system at Yale was more appealing to me than eating clubs at Princeton but your daughter may feel the opposite.

[Anonymous]

It’s very difficult to transfer to a different residential college at Yale if you end up at one that doesn’t appeal to you for whatever reason.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pp here. saw your info. No idea what SPIA is (and I went to Princeton), but, For cs, Princeton over Yale.

I would say CS at Yale beats SPIA at Princeton for STEM.

Anyone applying to SPIA etc shouldn't worry about CS rigor at Yale - it's certainly a much better CS education than SPIA at Princeton

SPIA is the school of public and international affairs, a very well known high ranking program. It was renamed which is probably why you don’t know what it is but many do. Not sure why CS is being compared to SPIA. Many will say CS at Princeton is better than CS at Yale.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Residential college system at Yale was more appealing to me than eating clubs at Princeton but your daughter may feel the opposite.

Princeton does have a residential college system. It is one of the reasons why I like Princeton. Eating clubs are only for juniors and seniors. Also, a student does not have to join an eating club if they don't want to. I know many students who go independent, join co-ops, or who remain on the university dining plan. There are many options for upperclassmen. They are not forced to join an eating club. When you enter Princeton first year students are automatically placed into a particular residential college and they can't join eating clubs anyway.

As a parent of a recent Yale graduate (2025) and a current student (sophomore) at Princeton. I have a better insight on the specifics of both institutions. The OP can't go wrong with either school. They are both similar in many ways, however I think Princeton is the better option for STEM majors. I don't think a student would be at a disadvantage at either Yale or Princeton. They are phenomenal institutions. It really boils down to major, the structure of the programs and where the student wants to reside. The resources, job placement, internship placement, and research opportunities at both schools are amazing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s very difficult to transfer to a different residential college at Yale if you end up at one that doesn’t appeal to you for whatever reason.

Not really. Most students don't do this, but if you do want to switch, the process is not complicated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Residential college system at Yale was more appealing to me than eating clubs at Princeton but your daughter may feel the opposite.

+1000 from another Yalie

The residential colleges are randomly assigned, you don't have to apply like a fraternity - which turned me off of the eating clubs

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s very difficult to transfer to a different residential college at Yale if you end up at one that doesn’t appeal to you for whatever reason.

Not really. Most students don't do this, but if you do want to switch, the process is not complicated.

+1

The vast majority do not switch colleges, but I know a few who did no problem. I never heard of anyone who wanted to switch and could not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Residential college system at Yale was more appealing to me than eating clubs at Princeton but your daughter may feel the opposite.

+1000 from another Yalie

The residential colleges are randomly assigned, you don't have to apply like a fraternity - which turned me off of the eating clubs

Yale has all sorts of selective clubs, including the infamous "secret societies"; if anything, they are more overtly exclusive than Princeton eating clubs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Residential college system at Yale was more appealing to me than eating clubs at Princeton but your daughter may feel the opposite.

+1000 from another Yalie

The residential colleges are randomly assigned, you don't have to apply like a fraternity - which turned me off of the eating clubs

Yale has all sorts of selective clubs, including the infamous "secret societies"; if anything, they are more overtly exclusive than Princeton eating clubs.

Comparing the exclusionary nature of certain organizations at Princeton and Yale is not going to yield anything wildly significantly different. They are both going to have plenty of gears oiled by connections like every other elite institution in this country. Take your pick of wine over the other but that is not going to be the best area to try to differentiate the two.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Residential college system at Yale was more appealing to me than eating clubs at Princeton but your daughter may feel the opposite.

+1000 from another Yalie

The residential colleges are randomly assigned, you don't have to apply like a fraternity - which turned me off of the eating clubs

Yale has all sorts of selective clubs, including the infamous "secret societies"; if anything, they are more overtly exclusive than Princeton eating clubs.

Comparing the exclusionary nature of certain organizations at Princeton and Yale is not going to yield anything wildly significantly different. They are both going to have plenty of gears oiled by connections like every other elite institution in this country. Take your pick of wine over the other but that is not going to be the best area to try to differentiate the two.

One over the other ..not wine*. Even if the corruption does sometimes drive one to want to drink.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pp here. saw your info. No idea what SPIA is (and I went to Princeton), but, For cs, Princeton over Yale.

I would say CS at Yale beats SPIA at Princeton for STEM.

Anyone applying to SPIA etc shouldn't worry about CS rigor at Yale - it's certainly a much better CS education than SPIA at Princeton

SPIA is the school of public and international affairs, a very well known high ranking program. It was renamed which is probably why you don’t know what it is but many do. Not sure why CS is being compared to SPIA. Many will say CS at Princeton is better than CS at Yale.

Because OP's kid is choosing between SPIA at P vs CS+Econ at Yale. CS rigor is not a priority for this kids.

[Anonymous]

*kid

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pp here. saw your info. No idea what SPIA is (and I went to Princeton), but, For cs, Princeton over Yale.

I would say CS at Yale beats SPIA at Princeton for STEM.

Anyone applying to SPIA etc shouldn't worry about CS rigor at Yale - it's certainly a much better CS education than SPIA at Princeton

SPIA is the school of public and international affairs, a very well known high ranking program. It was renamed which is probably why you don’t know what it is but many do. Not sure why CS is being compared to SPIA. Many will say CS at Princeton is better than CS at Yale.

Because OP's kid is choosing between SPIA at P vs CS+Econ at Yale. CS rigor is not a priority for this kids.

.

Oh, that is odd. Why not the Jackson school at Yale which is the SPIA equivalent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Residential college system at Yale was more appealing to me than eating clubs at Princeton but your daughter may feel the opposite.

+1000 from another Yalie

The residential colleges are randomly assigned, you don't have to apply like a fraternity - which turned me off of the eating clubs

Yale has all sorts of selective clubs, including the infamous "secret societies"; if anything, they are more overtly exclusive than Princeton eating clubs.

Half the eating clubs are sign in, meaning anyone can sign up. It’s really a non issue and it starts junior year. I know plenty of Princeton grads who weren’t in a club… they chose to be independent or in coops. All freshmen and sophomores eat in dining halls and that’s plenty of time to find friends. It’s the least of my concerns.