When choosing the "perfect" college, students and parents must keep in mind that they will be there for approximately four years of their life; hence, it is very important to select a school that will fit both the needs of the student and the budget of the parent. Two prospective schools I have been considering are my dream school, Stanford University, and Princeton University. These schools are located on the west coast and east coast, respectively; but despite the differences, there are several similarities.

Located in Princeton, New Jersey, Princeton University is located on the east coast of the United States and is the fourth oldest university in America. The size of 500 acres is the area occupied by the nationally acclaimed university. Princeton University is comprised of over 4,600 undergraduate students and employs 792 full-time and 218 part-time faculty members, designating the student to teacher ration a mere 5:1. As the second...