The decision regarding the choice of College is a significant life event for any student. At that point, the country’s youth are sharpening their axes to cut the tree of their career, and a good university or College acts as the sharpening stone. Here we will discuss the two most prestigious universities in the world, in which students from all over the world aspire to study, Yale University and Princeton University. Founded in the early (1701) and mid (1746) 18th century, respectively, Yale and Princeton contribute much prestige to American history. We can safely state that both universities are excellent indeed at their establishments. Unfortunately, it is not feasible for one to study simultaneously at both universities. So let’s dive deep into a constructive comparison as to which university would be best suited for a student’s dream and goal. Let’s check which is the better option Yale University or Princeton University.
Selection Process
The selection process at Yale and Princeton are more or less similar. Both the colleges expect an excellent GPA, ideally above 3.9. The only difference between the two is Princeton requires two SAT subject recommendations, whereas Yale does not specify any number but recommends and evaluates SAT scores. ACT is also acceptable in the case of both colleges. We must submit admission essays to both universities, but We can safely infer that Princeton has a more inclination on SAT scores according to past acceptances. Students aspiring to be accepted should focus on both the creative and academic aspects to be on the safer side and increase their acceptance probability.
Acceptance Rate
The acceptance rate at Princeton is lower than that of yale. Yale accepts around 6 to 6.5% of their total application, whereas the acceptance rate in the case of Princeton is 5 to 5.5% of the total application. However, there is a reason for this. On the one hand, Yale offers more courses than Princeton does. On the other hand, Princeton has noticed a rise in its applications. Also, the undergraduate student capacity of Yale is higher than that of Princeton.
Tuition Fees
Previously, we discussed that Princeton’s application is higher than Yale’s. Princeton University is a tad bit more affordable than Yale University. When the whole course is concerned, then the average tuition fees of Princeton university stand at around $71,000. In contrast, Yale stands at around $74,000, which is quite a bit of money if we consider that the majority of the students will have to take up student loans for their courses.
Financial Aid
Both the universities very generously provide financial aid for their students, and affordability on the student’s part is never an issue that is considered during the admission process. Whereas Yale provides almost 61% of the students with financial aid, the average lies at $13,000, whereas Princeton provides 61% of its students with financial aid, averaging $56,000. Princeton’s application hike has another reason for its generous financial aid system.
Faculty
As expected in both the universities, Faculty are world-class, including 21 Nobel laureates under Princeton’s belt as Faculty, Yale coming close with nine as their staff. Faculties also include, in both these institutions, Pulitzer prize winners, Turing Award Winners, and numerous Rhode scholars.
Programs Offered
Previously we mentioned that Yale offers more Programmes than Princeton. Yale offers 80 majors, ranging from arts to astrophysics and engineering to theater studies. You name it, and Yale seems to have that program. On the other hand, Princeton has a more robust set of programs with 37 majors in their curriculum. It also vastly covers all the main subjects that are mostly preferred by aspiring students, along with various certifying courses that students can partake in. Princeton can be called a much more traditional school, and Yale is usually known for its contemporary teaching methods.
Campus
Campus lives in Princeton and Yale are pretty different. Princeton University is situated in a city similar to its name with a 31,000 population. Yale is in New Haven, populated by a staggering 130,000 people. Yale has a large campus, but it mainly consists of different buildings belonging to various departments, including its 14 residential colleges. Princeton, however, stands on a vast land of 600 acres. Moreover, both the campuses are situated in the north-eastern part of the country, where We can enjoy a chilling winter and a long spring.
Accommodation
Students at Yale are allotted the designated housing according to the course they chose and enrolled in among the 14 residential colleges. Yale offers a contemporary campus life that includes seminars and community and other exciting facilities for its students to partake in. On the other hand, Princeton has a more traditional dorm system where most of the first-year students are instructed to stay, and a minimal number of students live off-campus. Both the campuses have state-of-the-art facilities and high-end security for the safety of their students.
Ranking
In terms of ranking Princeton consistently comes a tad bit higher than Yale.
U.S News Ranking placed Princeton first, whereas Yale fifth in 2020.
Times ranked Princeton university Sixth whereas it positioned Yale as Eleventh.
Notable Alumni
Princeton university
Yale University
- James Maddison
- Woodrow Wilson
- Aaron Burr
- Jeff Bezos
- Michelle Obama;
and many more
- William Howard Taft
- George W. Bush
- Bill Clinton
- Hillary Clinton
- Jodie Foster;
and many more
Conclusion
Finally, to conclude an aspiring student’s decision if they were to make their decision based on this piece of writing is that if both the colleges offer the course one is aspiring to study, Princeton has an old charm and heritage to it. In contrast, Yale is much in competition with the modern times to upgrade itself. If one wants a city life, they should opt for Yale. However, Princeton offers a semi-urban experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I get into Princeton with a below 3.8 GPA?
It is advisable to keep your GPA above 3.8 by following the trend in the admission process. Still, exceptions can be made by the College, so focus on the other elements of the selection like your admissions essay and SAT scores.
- Am I eligible for a scholarship if I perform exceptionally well in academics?
Unfortunately, neither of the colleges offers merit-based scholarships, but if you are financially needy, you will surely get the required aid.
- What are the ExtraCurricular Activities I should participate in to get into Yale?
Participate in anything you are passionate about, which is not mutually exclusive to your course and adds value to your chosen program.
- Which College among these two is better?
Both the institutions are an example on their own, so if you are selected in both, first of all, congratulations, and second of all, you will have a fulfilling experience whether you choose to attend either of the universities.
