In collaboration with the physics department, the 'Prince' has obtained a copy of the Princeton Review's "Insider's Guide to the Colleges," 2010 Edition. Choice excerpts have been reprinted below.
Extracurriculars
"The once-vibrant extracurricular community at Princeton (rumored in 2004 to have more groups than any college save for Ohio State) collapsed in 2005 with the institution of anti-grade-inflation policies. 'With As capped at only 35 percent of the grades handed out, you no longer have time to play three intramural sports, write for the [Daily] Prince[tonian], run the premed society, star in an Intime show, feed refugees in Trenton and do experimental cancer research with a group of friends,' said Taylor Winthrop '06. 'You've actually got to go to lectures now. I think it's a real shame.' Some a capella singing groups persisted on a limited schedule, with 'Arch Sings' (concerts in campus archways) only held once every three weeks, instead of biweekly, as before."
Social Life
". . . five of the clubs are selective, five admit members by lottery, one club, Campus, recently decided to stop admitting members entirely —- to 'provide us with a stable, consistent membership base among varying year-to-year interest,' said a spokesman."
Admissions
"Continued concerns over oversubscription of the five largest majors (economics, politics, history, English and Public Policy) prompted Dean of the College Nancy Malkiel to set quotas on admissions to those departments. Current students say that "putting one of these on your application is like writing 'Hose me' in your essay." That application essay is, incidentally, much less of a burden since Princeton switched to the Common Application, sparking a hue and cry from students and alums who saw the move as eroding Princeton's uniqueness. "It's not as though we sacrificed anything special by ditching the old application. Do you think we actually read the hodgepodge section? There's no difference between filling the old form and checking the box for 'School 2672' on the Common Application, other than that you'll save lots of time," explained Dean of Admission Janet Rapelye. "We want to appeal to the kind of student who'd never heard of Princeton until they saw the Common Application, or who thought it too much of a burden to actually fill out another form. We need more of those students."
Athletics
". . . Despite the popularity of athletics, students are relatively unhealthy — last year, a outbreak of bubonic plague sent 600 to the infirmary just before exams. The University, however, believes that campus diseases shouldn't dissuade students from applying. 'It's nothing, really. in 2002, it was 400 people getting pink eye. In 2004, three or four eating clubs got food poisoning,' explained Daniel Silverman, director of the university's health services department, suppressing a hacking cough. 'It's all part of the cycle.'"
Residential Life
"Princetonians speak highly of the University's legendary Fire Code. Responding to concerns that hired inspectors were unable to police the University's 5,100 (soon to be 7,100, under the newly released Wythes Plan 2.0) undergraduates, the University in 2006 began to requires all incoming students to pledge not just to refrain from Fire Code violations, but to report all suspected violations — from the use of unauthorized appliances, to hanging posters on egress doors — to a member of the Fire Committee, a student-run judiciary tasked with suspending and expelling those convicted of violations.
" 'Sure, it may seem a bit harsh to get your roommate expelled for owning an unlicensed hair dryer or putting a post-it on his door,' said William Young '09, "but that kind of stuff could get us all killed.' " Joseph Barillari is a computer science major from North Canton, Ohio. he can be reached at jbarilla@princeton.edu.
Read More
The CPUC must not gut its Judicial Committee
Bill HewittEnding the Judicial Committee’s jurisdiction over initial complaints would embolden abuses of power, allowing the administration to evade accountability for University rule violations without the pressure of student and faculty authority.
Ending the Judicial Committee’s jurisdiction over initial complaints would embolden abuses of power, allowing the administration to evade accountability for University rule violations without the pressure of student and faculty authority.
Princeton, let’s adopt a digital prox
Jorge ReyesTo prevent pointless replacement and lockout charges, maximize convenience, and create better access to meals and facilities, Princeton should follow the precedent set by some of its peers and adopt a digital prox system.
To prevent pointless replacement and lockout charges, maximize convenience, and create better access to meals and facilities, Princeton should follow the precedent set by some of its peers and adopt a digital prox system.
What is a Princeton degree really for?
Joel IbabaoSo what, in the end, is a Princeton degree really for? I take a more moderate view: Students should prioritize earning potential — unless they feel irresistibly called to something else.
So what, in the end, is a Princeton degree really for? I take a more moderate view: Students should prioritize earning potential — unless they feel irresistibly called to something else.