A Proposal: ‘Princeton West’

Might Princeton consider establishing another Princeton — call it “Princeton West,” perhaps? Resources and faculty could be shared between the two campuses, but admissions would be on rather different bases. Princeton West would aim to admit an “average” class — some very able, some moderately able, some not too able — reflecting an average American high school. It could be balanced to reflect the varieties of the American population and talents.

Princeton West would be, I think, an excellent academic and social contribution, demonstrating how much a difference a Princeton education makes on all sorts of people, not just on the most favored. It would also be a wonderful way to make Princeton as a whole less elitist and more in the service of everyone. And, of course, such a Princeton West would be good for the collective Princeton soul!