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

Princeton no brainer if STEM. Yale sucks big time in STEM.

Yes, Princeton is a small town, but NYC and Philly are both an hour and a bit train ride away (75 min NYC, 70 min Philly). Also, there are some nice rural areas around Princeton to hike and walk around. Because Princeton Township is not a rowdy happening place, there’s a rich campus life.

PP you don’t say which STEM field your daughter intends to study. Engineering and CS are tough tough tough majors at Princeton. Bio, Chem, Physics, Math are competitive in varying degrees but more manageable.

Princeton is more undergrad education-focused. It’s also a better resourced institution than Yale. Per capita, it has the biggest endowment of any US university. $$$ to support research, travel, and free tutoring. Access to profs who are superstars in their field. Smaller numbers of students in the entering class and smaller school overall. Some will like that others won’t.

The alumni network is more enthusiastic and loyal than Yale’s. It’s not about reunions. It’s about people who will open professional doors for you because you’re a Tiger. Sorry, but ask any Yalie who’s seen the Princeton alumni network at work, and they’ll concede that.

Anonymous wrote:After Yale engineering, he might end up in finance.

Can you elaborate? Versus that of Princeton?

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.

Mine also looked at both. Mine much preferred New Haven to suburban Princeton. But Princeton is a pretty town if a little dull. You can't go wrong with either choice

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 agree with this. Please visit both places and have your DC make the final decision. Mine is headed to Princeton, and we went to Princeton's Preview last week. For the discerning (and full pay) parent, Princeton would be a serious contender. I can be a skeptic, but I felt that Princeton was very straightfoward with who they are... they are not ones to sugarcoat anything which I appreciate. People were very kind (if those kind of first impressions matter). I loved the undergraduate focus... so many resources for the undergrads. Kids who would thrive there are those who love learning for the sake of learning. Student center was bustling. Senator Andy Kim was on campus, and we were able to get away and hear him speak. I was impressed by the students who were very engaged and asked him questions. I'm sure Yale is wonderful too!

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.

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.

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

yale seems like a better community, but wow, new haven sucks.

After Yale engineering, he might end up in finance.

They were my kid's top 2 choices and did not get in. I'd go with yale. A kinder place.

Anonymous wrote:If your DS wants to study STEM Princeton. Otherwise, which one they like. (Yale engineering is brand new and not there yet, Princeton has great engineering among the Ivys). Both have stellar reputations so don’t worry about those at this point. Good luck! Congrats to your son.

Not helpful to OP but DCUM frequently seems to misunderstand STEM. STEM is not just engineering; it also includes natural sciences which are strong at Yale.

Princeton is a real grind. I think at any of these schools, there's support if you seek it out, but are they really set up for day to day support? I dont think so. I do think kids set up their own support systems via study groups etc. Sometimes that's even better, but your kid has to seek that out

Anonymous wrote:DD is in same boat between Princeton and Yale, except she is in STEM field. She also has not ruled out GTech/Duke.

She is bright, but is a bit unfocused/disorganized (mild ADHD diagnosis but never received accommodations in high school) and worried about support structure at these colleges.

This post is a year old, and I did not want to re-open a new post asking between Princeton and Yale again, but would love to hear thoughts from parents whose kids have attended these schools (especially for a child in STEM) to understand the support system.

What kind of supports does she need? Does she have any mental health issues?

My guess is that if she’s been admitted she’ll be ok at either. Princeton is extremely intense academically and although smaller I don’t know if it’s actually more supportive- they aren’t the same thing.