Williams or Princeton?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Williams career network is amazing if your kid ends up going into banking/consulting (a lot of former premeds in those fields!). I would lean towards Williams of your kid will fit in there. I think it will be harder to get into ked school from Princeton.

If you’re looking for a career on Wall Street or in IB, Princeton will set you up better than Williams. Bigger school = bigger alumni network.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This isn't really a debate. Princeton is more prestigious and also has the best undergrad teaching environment of any Ivy. Williams, and most SLACs, are elite teaching environments, but don't have the general prestige of an Ivy League school.

Princeton would be the clear pick for me.

My genuine concern with Princeton is that it attracts a disproportionate number of people who prioritize prestige. That concern is not helped by Princeton's reputation for selective "eating clubs." YMMV.

My take is that if you're going to med school, it really doesn't matter which of these two amazing schools you pick. It's like deciding whether you want to do a two-hour drive in a Rolls Royce or a Ferrari. Both will take you to the same exact destination, and it's just a matter of personal preference as to which one you prefer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This isn't really a debate. Princeton is more prestigious and also has the best undergrad teaching environment of any Ivy. Williams, and most SLACs, are elite teaching environments, but don't have the general prestige of an Ivy League school.

Princeton would be the clear pick for me.

My genuine concern with Princeton is that it attracts a disproportionate number of people who prioritize prestige. That concern is not helped by Princeton's reputation for selective "eating clubs." YMMV.

My take is that if you're going to med school, it really doesn't matter which of these two amazing schools you pick. It's like deciding whether you want to do a two-hour drive in a Rolls Royce or a Ferrari. Both will take you to the same exact destination, and it's just a matter of personal preference as to which one you prefer.

When a school is ranked the top undergraduate university for 13 years running, of course it will attract prestige-seekers. Same with Williams, which has been the top-ranked SLAC for several years.

This does not detract, however, from the amazing opportunities available at Princeton. Only those who don’t really understand the eating club options and alternatives make a big deal out of them.

[Anonymous]

Has your child visited Williams? If not, they must. I thought I wouldn’t mind it and it was on my list, but an actual visit gave me the heebie jeebies due to the remoteness. If your child has visited both, what do they think? Me personally would pick Princeton, but I’m not your child and they will probably do well with either one.

[Anonymous]

What kind of question is this. Definitely Princeton. You don't need to major in STEM, it is better to get the premed courses and major in something else.

[Anonymous]

It's not just about the experience now. Where will he wish he had gone in 20 years? He's delusional if he thinks his future self would prefer to be a Williams grad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This isn't really a debate. Princeton is more prestigious and also has the best undergrad teaching environment of any Ivy. Williams, and most SLACs, are elite teaching environments, but don't have the general prestige of an Ivy League school.

Princeton would be the clear pick for me.

My genuine concern with Princeton is that it attracts a disproportionate number of people who prioritize prestige. That concern is not helped by Princeton's reputation for selective "eating clubs." YMMV.

My take is that if you're going to med school, it really doesn't matter which of these two amazing schools you pick. It's like deciding whether you want to do a two-hour drive in a Rolls Royce or a Ferrari. Both will take you to the same exact destination, and it's just a matter of personal preference as to which one you prefer.

When a school is ranked the top undergraduate university for 13 years running, of course it will attract prestige-seekers. Same with Williams, which has been the top-ranked SLAC for several years.

This does not detract, however, from the amazing opportunities available at Princeton. Only those who don’t really understand the eating club options and alternatives make a big deal out of them.

I agree that it doesn't detract from the opportunities at Princeton, which are vast. But it may affect school culture. My understanding is that Princetonians can only join the most exclusive eating clubs through a selective process and that they often cost $9k-$10k a year. Honestly, they're probably better in practice than on paper, but the more I read about them, the less I like.

I also agree that Williams will certainly attract some prestige seekers. But I reckon it's far fewer than the HYP class of schools simply because Williams, despite its ranking among LACs, has less mainstream recognition.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This isn't really a debate. Princeton is more prestigious and also has the best undergrad teaching environment of any Ivy. Williams, and most SLACs, are elite teaching environments, but don't have the general prestige of an Ivy League school.

Princeton would be the clear pick for me.

My genuine concern with Princeton is that it attracts a disproportionate number of people who prioritize prestige. That concern is not helped by Princeton's reputation for selective "eating clubs." YMMV.

My take is that if you're going to med school, it really doesn't matter which of these two amazing schools you pick. It's like deciding whether you want to do a two-hour drive in a Rolls Royce or a Ferrari. Both will take you to the same exact destination, and it's just a matter of personal preference as to which one you prefer.

When a school is ranked the top undergraduate university for 13 years running, of course it will attract prestige-seekers. Same with Williams, which has been the top-ranked SLAC for several years.

This does not detract, however, from the amazing opportunities available at Princeton. Only those who don’t really understand the eating club options and alternatives make a big deal out of them.

I agree that it doesn't detract from the opportunities at Princeton, which are vast. But it may affect school culture. My understanding is that Princetonians can only join the most exclusive eating clubs through a selective process and that they often cost $9k-$10k a year. Honestly, they're probably better in practice than on paper, but the more I read about them, the less I like.

I also agree that Williams will certainly attract some prestige seekers. But I reckon it's far fewer than the HYP class of schools simply because Williams, despite its ranking among LACs, has less mainstream recognition.

That money goes towards eating in the eating club instead of the dining hall. It’s not that much more expensive to join Club and school applies any FA

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This isn't really a debate. Princeton is more prestigious and also has the best undergrad teaching environment of any Ivy. Williams, and most SLACs, are elite teaching environments, but don't have the general prestige of an Ivy League school.

Princeton would be the clear pick for me.

My genuine concern with Princeton is that it attracts a disproportionate number of people who prioritize prestige. That concern is not helped by Princeton's reputation for selective "eating clubs." YMMV.

My take is that if you're going to med school, it really doesn't matter which of these two amazing schools you pick. It's like deciding whether you want to do a two-hour drive in a Rolls Royce or a Ferrari. Both will take you to the same exact destination, and it's just a matter of personal preference as to which one you prefer.

When a school is ranked the top undergraduate university for 13 years running, of course it will attract prestige-seekers. Same with Williams, which has been the top-ranked SLAC for several years.

This does not detract, however, from the amazing opportunities available at Princeton. Only those who don’t really understand the eating club options and alternatives make a big deal out of them.

I agree that it doesn't detract from the opportunities at Princeton, which are vast. But it may affect school culture. My understanding is that Princetonians can only join the most exclusive eating clubs through a selective process and that they often cost $9k-$10k a year. Honestly, they're probably better in practice than on paper, but the more I read about them, the less I like.

I also agree that Williams will certainly attract some prestige seekers. But I reckon it's far fewer than the HYP class of schools simply because Williams, despite its ranking among LACs, has less mainstream recognition.

Whenever anyone goes on at length about the impact of the most exclusive eating clubs at Princeton on life there, it tells me they don’t really understand the environment there, because there are other eating clubs that are open to anyone, and several alternatives to the eating clubs. So there’s a fair amount of self-selection among students when it comes to deciding among those options.

I think both Princeton and Williams are great. I got into both and like to think I would been happy at either. For some, Williams would be the ideal place. Overall, I think for someone who might be on the fence Princeton is the safer bet and likely better choice since it’s larger and less isolated, and it’s more likely kids will find other students with similar interests.

[Anonymous]

My kid is at Princeton.
The opportunities and network are unbelievable.
Some eating clubs are selective and it’s a process that can be tough, but there are also very welcoming sign up ones that don’t require you to go through that process. If you do get in to the well known ones, again, it’s an amazing network.

You cannot pass up the opportunity for Princeton. Even if it means a slightly less prestigious medical school, it’s worth it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had this choice years ago and went w/ Williams. I loved the small classes and one on one access to professors even at entry level classes. I also loved being able to take some classes completely unrelated to my major. I ended up changing my major from what I intended and was so glad I wasn’t stuck in a particular track. I went into banking in ny, and the Williams alum network was amazing. Between that and the career center, I had my pick of great jobs beginning with internships after sophomore year.
I don’t think you can go wrong with either choice so focus on where he’ll have the best quality of life. Williams was intense but not a pressure cooker or stressful.

I had a somewhat similar experience and chose between Pomona and a non-HYP Ivy (1st choice was Princeton, I got WL but never offered a spot). Went with Pomona and likewise loved the small class sizes, getting to know professors (I housesat for a couple of them), taking diverse classes to pursue non-major interests, and also got very involved in campus/residential life programs. The smaller community feel was the right fit for me, but we diverge on the job/alum/internship side... it's been a helpful resource at times, but not as strong of a benefit as I would have liked. That said, my career has been very SLAC ranging from programming to operations to finance to policy to data science, with lots of fun detours along the way. It's been a choose-your-own-adventure path, with a few moments of feeling lost/uncertain earlier on, and not quite as financially lucrative as if I'd taken a more traditional career route and/or maybe had a strong career/alum network, but in the end I'm very happy with the journey and outcomes.

Your kid has two really strong options OP, and probably can't go wrong either way unless there's some sort of culture/interest misfit between one of the schools and your kid that you haven't yet uncovered.

[Anonymous]

Even if it means a slightly less prestigious medical school, it’s worth it.

I watched high school valedictorians with 1550+ SATs completely burn out of premed at Princeton or end up going to really low tier med schools. A doctor from Podunk U med school is a Podunk U doctor (not a “Princeton man/woman”).

That said, premed is still doable if you’re smart enough to take an “easy major”. The students I saw crash and burn did hardcore STEM(chemistry, biology etc.). Also if your kid eventually wants IB/PE/HF and know how to fit in with the country club crowd Princeton can be a gateway to absolutely mind-blowing wealth(I’m talking seven figure incomes before 30).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Even if it means a slightly less prestigious medical school, it’s worth it.

I watched high school valedictorians with 1550+ SATs completely burn out of premed at Princeton or end up going to really low tier med schools. A doctor from Podunk U med school is a Podunk U doctor (not a “Princeton man/woman”).

That said, premed is still doable if you’re smart enough to take an “easy major”. The students I saw crash and burn did hardcore STEM(chemistry, biology etc.). Also if your kid eventually wants IB/PE/HF and know how to fit in with the country club crowd Princeton can be a gateway to absolutely mind-blowing wealth(I’m talking seven figure incomes before 30).

In general people pay more attention to undergraduate degrees than where people attended med school. It’s understood there are a limited number of slots in medical school and as long you get into an accredited school it’s admired.

So, yes, a Princeton man or woman is always a Princeton man or woman.

[Anonymous]

. If you do get in to the well known ones, again, it’s an amazing network.

What does that mean? The popularity of of each club changes over time

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Even if it means a slightly less prestigious medical school, it’s worth it.

I watched high school valedictorians with 1550+ SATs completely burn out of premed at Princeton or end up going to really low tier med schools. A doctor from Podunk U med school is a Podunk U doctor (not a “Princeton man/woman”).

That said, premed is still doable if you’re smart enough to take an “easy major”. The students I saw crash and burn did hardcore STEM(chemistry, biology etc.). Also if your kid eventually wants IB/PE/HF and know how to fit in with the country club crowd Princeton can be a gateway to absolutely mind-blowing wealth(I’m talking seven figure incomes before 30).

I don’t think it matters, the grading in all the premed prerequisites (chem sequence, calc, physics) at Princeton is very harsh.