MIT or Princeton for PhD in Architecture (History and Theory)?

[atm]

Hi,

just out of curiousity: how would you decide for a phd in architectural history and theory, MIT or Princeton?

[mmm35]

My choice came down to those two schools (but for engineering). I think it depends a lot on what sort of environment you are looking for as the schools are incredibly different. One school is an Intitute of Technology and the other school doesn't offer professional degrees as it wishes to focus on the pursuit of knowledge. One school is in a city and the other is in a smallish suburban town with fields and a forest preserve nearby. One school encourages its employees to start up businesses and the other (well I have no clue if it does).

You should compare research interests first and if that doesn't make your decision visit the schools because they are incredibly different.

[atm]

let me guess... you went to MIT?

i actually did visit, and liked princeton better, and also the research they focus on fits my area of interest more than MIT's. Only asking/doubting now because some of my academic advisors and friends said MIT was the better program in architecture - wondering what that might actually mean. I don't care about the city or anything, I really want the best education I can get, and I hope that Princeton will give it to me... in architecture they seem to have an air of fashionable innovation more than serious research (whereas MIT certainly has the serious attitude, but wants nothing to do with architectural practice...). anyone able to comment on that?

thanks...

[mmm35]

let me guess... you went to MIT?

Nope, Princeton I was slightly worried that MIT has the better overall name too, but you have to be true to yourself, you will be more successful where you feel most comfortable