Hi

We are in a similar position with two world-class top 10 schools (can't say because I'd doxx my kid).

My DH and I have basically decided to more or less sit out this one and leave it all to the kid. We can advise her on things like what is a better reputation, or stronger job placement, but that is only if she asks. We want the decision to be as close to 100% hers as possible.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

If you really want a top CS program, you'd do CS at Princeton, not Yale, but it's very demanding

Been there, done that. It’s way too theoretical, very disconnected from the real world. Lots of “rigor” for very little real world skill building.

+1

If your kid wants to do CS, neither Yale nor Princeton is a good choice.

Princeton is top 10 for CS.

Well, the Princeton CS grad I was responding to clearly did not feel that the training had any real world relevance even if Princeton is rated top 10 for CS.

Nonsense.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

If you really want a top CS program, you'd do CS at Princeton, not Yale, but it's very demanding

Been there, done that. It’s way too theoretical, very disconnected from the real world. Lots of “rigor” for very little real world skill building.

+1

If your kid wants to do CS, neither Yale nor Princeton is a good choice.

Princeton is top 10 for CS.

Well, the Princeton CS grad I was responding to clearly did not feel that the training had any real world relevance even if Princeton is rated top 10 for CS.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

If you really want a top CS program, you'd do CS at Princeton, not Yale, but it's very demanding

Been there, done that. It’s way too theoretical, very disconnected from the real world. Lots of “rigor” for very little real world skill building.

+1

If your kid wants to do CS, neither Yale nor Princeton is a good choice.

Princeton is top 10 for CS.

Anonymous wrote:

If you really want a top CS program, you'd do CS at Princeton, not Yale, but it's very demanding

Been there, done that. It’s way too theoretical, very disconnected from the real world. Lots of “rigor” for very little real world skill building.

OP's son is apparently interested in SPIA at Princeton, which is very connected to the real world. It's a nice mix - you study real world problems and have a lot of travel opportunities but also have a beautiful campus the rest of the time.

Anonymous wrote:

If you really want a top CS program, you'd do CS at Princeton, not Yale, but it's very demanding

Been there, done that. It’s way too theoretical, very disconnected from the real world. Lots of “rigor” for very little real world skill building.

+1

If your kid wants to do CS, neither Yale nor Princeton is a good choice.

If you really want a top CS program, you'd do CS at Princeton, not Yale, but it's very demanding

Been there, done that. It’s way too theoretical, very disconnected from the real world. Lots of “rigor” for very little real world skill building.

Princeton, because Reunions at Princeton blow Yale reunions out of the water. Twenty plus years since graduation, going to Princeton Reunions every May or June is always the most fun I have all year.

I'd go with the public affairs program at Princeton over a CS major at Yale. SPIA is fantastic.

If you really want a top CS program, you'd do CS at Princeton, not Yale, but it's very demanding.

On the other hand, if I were looking at an English or History major, I'd pick Yale.

I work for a company that hires heavily from Ivy + colleges and have hired and worked with many Yalies and Princeton grads over the years. Every single person who went to Yale loved it and treasured their experience there. The Princeton experience seemed more mixed.

But I agree what others have said - you need to let your kid pick this one.

Anonymous wrote:Google “Yale students screaming at Christakis” for an insight into the culture at Yale.

Oh stop, that was a single event 8 years ago and gives one zero insight into the "culture at yale"

Princeton SPIA (School of Public and International Affairs) has great research and travel opportunities for undergraduates in that program - and while students work hard it’s not as demanding as CS or some of the engineering majors.

I do like the four-year residential college system at Yale, but the location in New Haven is a negative for many.

Google “Yale students screaming at Christakis” for an insight into the culture at Yale.

Let your child choose this one

There was a thread on Princeton and suicides recently and many about the pressure culture.