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Reply 2
I hated New Jersey and I hate the architecture at Princeton. Things to think about are probably the eating clubs, sport, and breadth/depth. Both will be amazing academically, and have amazing reputations, so it's more down to cultural things and really your gut feeling.
since im nice heres the thread:
i think both you and the OP are doign CompSci (unless of course youre the same person)
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=294973&highlight=Cambridge
i think both you and the OP are doign CompSci (unless of course youre the same person)
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=294973&highlight=Cambridge
Reply 5
Cambridge will be cheaper (3,000GBP as apposed to 25,000GBP per year) if you are an EU citizen, and even if money is no object Cambridge is better accademically. There is no doubt that you will get better facilities at Princeton though but you do pay for them. Probably better to go to the top of the UK rather than the top 5 US. I have a friend who had the same choice, he chose Cambridge.
Reply 6
stonecontagion
Cambridge will be cheaper (3,000GBP as apposed to 25,000GBP per year) if you are an EU citizen, and even if money is no object Cambridge is better accademically. There is no doubt that you will get better facilities at Princeton though but you do pay for them. Probably better to go to the top of the UK rather than the top 5 US. I have a friend who had the same choice, he chose Cambridge.
Princeton is ranked #1 for undergraduate education in the US. So it is the top of the US.
Reply 7
Princeton is better than Cambridge academically. Cambridge is crumbling in terms of resources, too. You'd be so, so much better off at Princeton (and NJ IS nice. Diners! come on!)
Reply 8
Both are excellent universities and anyone holding an offer from either or both should be very proud of themselves.
I'm probably biased saying this but I think that Cambridge was ranked higher in the world league tables than Princeton so that might influence your opinion.
I don't know much about Computer Science at either institution except that I am aware that Cambridge has an international reputation for Computer Science and I think one of the scientists who invented the first computer (Charles Babbage?) studied at Peterhouse College. I'd say opt for Cambridge.
I'm probably biased saying this but I think that Cambridge was ranked higher in the world league tables than Princeton so that might influence your opinion.
I don't know much about Computer Science at either institution except that I am aware that Cambridge has an international reputation for Computer Science and I think one of the scientists who invented the first computer (Charles Babbage?) studied at Peterhouse College. I'd say opt for Cambridge.
Reply 9
New Jersey is a nice place though.
Reply 10
Both are prestigious so trying to compare reputations is pointless and incredibly stupid. It's like asking who's the poorest billionaire.
Your choice should come down to social life, academic departments, and where you think you will be happiest. Princeton does allow you more flexibility in terms of degree choice and will allow you to explore more academic areas- you don't have to commit to a degree right away. Princeton also probably has better resources and does focus quite a bit on undergraduates- there are less grad students there so more money is spent on the undergrad experience. But obviously the UK and the US are very different places, so I'd carefully consider where you think you'd be happiest, but also keep in mind that a new experience in an unfamiliar place will definitely broaden your perspective and is invaluable.
Your choice should come down to social life, academic departments, and where you think you will be happiest. Princeton does allow you more flexibility in terms of degree choice and will allow you to explore more academic areas- you don't have to commit to a degree right away. Princeton also probably has better resources and does focus quite a bit on undergraduates- there are less grad students there so more money is spent on the undergrad experience. But obviously the UK and the US are very different places, so I'd carefully consider where you think you'd be happiest, but also keep in mind that a new experience in an unfamiliar place will definitely broaden your perspective and is invaluable.
Reply 11
Go to Cam first, then get a full scholarship for Princeton after. Or vice versa.
Reply 12
Fidelis Oditah
Go to Cam first, then get a full scholarship for Princeton after. Or vice versa.
LOL that doesn't help things.
Reply 13
Of course it does.
It lets the OP see that if he is really in two minds that he can actually go to both. I don't know why people come on here with such banal questions anyway. They are both great institutions so the only divider is the course. Why would you apply to both if you didn't know which you'd prefer.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, the lack of sense from some people (who are seemingly intelligent) is astounding.
It lets the OP see that if he is really in two minds that he can actually go to both. I don't know why people come on here with such banal questions anyway. They are both great institutions so the only divider is the course. Why would you apply to both if you didn't know which you'd prefer.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, the lack of sense from some people (who are seemingly intelligent) is astounding.
Reply 14
Princeton's great. So far people on this thread haven't been spewing out the common misconceptions, but if you have specific questions feel free to contact me (I'm a current student).
Reply 15
CamRules
OP
I've said it before and I'll say it again, the lack of sense from some people (who are seemingly intelligent) is astounding.
Easy, boy.
Why would you apply to both if you didn't know which you'd prefer.
Because I didn't know that I'd get into either Cambridge or Princeton beforehand. In the states it's quite normal to apply to 5+ colleges.
mdog, I've read this thread on CC and even current Pton undergraduates admit that their computer department is rather unknown. What do you think?
Reply 16
I'm sorry I can't actually speak authoritatively on the relative strength of the CS department. I tend to stay far away from anything with 'science' in the title, though I have a few friends who are getting certificates in the department. Most anything I know is from their website, http://www.cs.princeton.edu/, though I'm sure you've found that yourself. I do know that Prof. Kernighan is a really nice guy and a dynamic lecturer, as his introductory course aimed at non-CS majors is very popular. Sorry I'm not more help. However, if you have any questions about any other aspects of Princeton I'm happy to try to answer those.
Reply 17
CamRules
OP
Don't worry. Well, I've heard that Princetonians are in general rather snobby. Of course that can only be a vast generalisation. However, do you find this to be somehow true?
Reply 19
Niccolo
I can see somebody's bitter...
Oh yes. But not only am i bitter, i'm telling the truth. I have it on v good authority from a DoS at Cambridge that, and i quote, "Cambridge is crumbling" and "they don't know what they're doing".
He also told me to "get out, go to America" (and this was even before my rejection!)
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