Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For premed, I'd be very careful. GPA matters much more than undergrad institution for med school admissions. I know Princeton is quite rigorous academically(from firsthand experience).
I'm not as well informed about Williams.

All this said, outside of rigor, Princeton's quality of teaching and the beauty of the campus are absolutely exceptional. For what it's worth, I have seen even weak students succeed in premed by majoring in sociology, english, or anthropology and taking premed STEM requirements at Rutgers during summers. At Princeton, molecular biology and chemistry are both very rigorously graded and filled with gunners - so be careful those(the easier major + Rutgers trick is a little known work around).

This trick was well known when I went 30 years ago!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Two recent grads of family friends both wanted med school -the Princeton grad with good but not perfect grades ended up at Pitt - the Virginia Tech grad with slightly better grades ended up at Penn…as others have stated grades matter more than school if this is your track.

Penn is one of the best med schools

Anonymous wrote:The posts here would suggest that all kids who attend Princeton struggle and regret that choice. My child was admitted early and also got into another highly selective school RD, so he has talked to a number of very recent graduates about the experience. I can say with confidence that at least some kids who go to Princeton really love the place. Its resources in terms of contact with faculty is also extraordinary, and its alumni network is also a very strong resource.

It’s also a very serious academic environment, and I hear that majoring in STEM there isn’t easy. But I also understand kids can major in many subjects and still be premed successfully. My kid isn’t premed, though, so this isn’t a subject I know well.

Does that mean Princeton is the obvious choice for everybody and always better? Absolutely not. But it would be also wrong to suggest that prestige is the only thing the school has going for it.

Anonymous wrote:How is this even a question? it's princeton.

Anonymous wrote:

Personally, I would much rather be treated by a physician who worked hard at a Princeton and truly earned their spot at a medical school than someone who ended up at a medical school, even though they weren’t as well qualified, simply because their college was inflating grades to placate its students.

This comment is ridiculous. I have a kid in med school now. No one gets into med school just because their undergrad might have inflated GPAs. They still have to do well on the MCAT, have research, complete lengthy applications with essays and personal statement, and interview. Only roughly 50% of med school applicants are accepted each cycle. All this to support - I wouldn’t be worried about where my doctor went to undergrad! And FWIW, my kid went to an HYP, so this is not sour grapes.

Personally, I would much rather be treated by a physician who worked hard at a Princeton and truly earned their spot at a medical school than someone who ended up at a medical school, even though they weren’t as well qualified, simply because their college was inflating grades to placate its students.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Princeton has KNOWN grade deflation. This contributes to their grinder culture and unhappiness among the students.

Needing to keep a high GPA for med school entry nowadays is IMPERATIVE and totally agree that Williams might be the better option. This does not mean one is lazy or wants the easy path. It’s just reality of med school admissions. Worse today but still true back in my day. Cultivating close relationships with professors and mentors for letters of rec would also be easier at Williams than Princeton.

Signed, A Physician

The grade deflation policy at Princeton ended years ago. There just isn’t the rampant grade inflation that exists at some other schools.

The grade inflation at some schools creates its own set of problems. Students melt down over any grade less than an A, and in many cases they channel most of their efforts into activities outside the classroom, since they see that as the only way to distinguish themselves from their peers.

Personally, I would much rather be treated by a physician who worked hard at a Princeton and truly earned their spot at a medical school than someone who ended up at a medical school, even though they weren’t as well qualified, simply because their college was inflating grades to placate its students.

Doctors have to pass medical boards and complete a residency and internship. Why would it matter how hard someone worked as an undergrad?

For that matter, when is the last time anyone checked where any doctor went to undergrad. You might as well also makes sure they went to a HS that didn’t grade inflate to help them get into Princeton.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Princeton has KNOWN grade deflation. This contributes to their grinder culture and unhappiness among the students.

Needing to keep a high GPA for med school entry nowadays is IMPERATIVE and totally agree that Williams might be the better option. This does not mean one is lazy or wants the easy path. It’s just reality of med school admissions. Worse today but still true back in my day. Cultivating close relationships with professors and mentors for letters of rec would also be easier at Williams than Princeton.

Signed, A Physician

The grade deflation policy at Princeton ended years ago. There just isn’t the rampant grade inflation that exists at some other schools.

The grade inflation at some schools creates its own set of problems. Students melt down over any grade less than an A, and in many cases they channel most of their efforts into activities outside the classroom, since they see that as the only way to distinguish themselves from their peers.

Personally, I would much rather be treated by a physician who worked hard at a Princeton and truly earned their spot at a medical school than someone who ended up at a medical school, even though they weren’t as well qualified, simply because their college was inflating grades to placate its students.

Anonymous wrote:Princeton has KNOWN grade deflation. This contributes to their grinder culture and unhappiness among the students.

Needing to keep a high GPA for med school entry nowadays is IMPERATIVE and totally agree that Williams might be the better option. This does not mean one is lazy or wants the easy path. It’s just reality of med school admissions. Worse today but still true back in my day. Cultivating close relationships with professors and mentors for letters of rec would also be easier at Williams than Princeton.

Signed, A Physician

Anonymous wrote:For premed, I'd be very careful. GPA matters much more than undergrad institution for med school admissions. I know Princeton is quite rigorous academically(from firsthand experience).
I'm not as well informed about Williams.

All this said, outside of rigor, Princeton's quality of teaching and the beauty of the campus are absolutely exceptional. For what it's worth, I have seen even weak students succeed in premed by majoring in sociology, english, or anthropology and taking premed STEM requirements at Rutgers during summers. At Princeton, molecular biology and chemistry are both very rigorously graded and filled with gunners - so be careful those(the easier major + Rutgers trick is a little known work around).

Anonymous wrote:Nothing is more off putting than the Princeton proponent who keeps insisting “it opens more doors.” To many, these two schools are equally prestigious. People live in the real world, not the pages of US News.