The two pillars of Princeton: Eating clubs and b-ball

	Pete Carill and his Princeton offense pulled off one of the most historic NCAA tourney upsets when they beat UCLA in 1996. John W. McDonough/ SI

AFTER 2 A.M.: Hoagie Haven. Despite rumors of sanctions by New Jersey health inspection, the Haven continues to serve up delectable greasy late night food. We recommend the Fat Lady, a cheesesteak with mozzarella sticks and french fries.

MUST-PLAY: Robopound, Princeton's unique team drinking game. It's a quirky combination of quarters and flip-cup.

DOSE OF CULTURE: The Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs is highly regarded throughout the country, and each year it plays host to distinguished lecturers and a myriad of public events. On Sept. 30, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice gave the keynote address at the school's kick-off event.

RULE #17: While the Michigan Wolverines get all the glory for their snazzy-looking football helmets, it was Princeton Coach Herbert O. (Fritz) Crisler who designed it. Why? So his quarterback could easily identify receivers downfield. When Crisler left Princeton for Michigan in 1938, he brought the design with him.

BIG THREE TITLE: If Princeton defeats both Harvard and Yale in football, the university holds a giant celebratory bonfire on campus. The class of 1995 was the last group to witness the event.

THE BEGINNING OF FOOTBALL: The first intercollegiate football game was played in 1869 between Princeton and Rutgers. Rutgers came away with the thrilling 6-4 victory over the Tigers.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR: Yassar El Halaby's squash matches: While the Penn-Princeton game is Princeton's sporting event of the year, this year men's squash star, Yassar El Halaby, takes the prize away from Tigers basketball. Halaby dominates the traditionally WASPy sport and enters this fall attempting to win his fourth NCAA individual squash championship.

ONLY AT PRINCETON: Frats and sororities exist at Princeton, but it's the Eating Club tradition that sets the school apart (and gives it the rep for being elitist). A student attempts to join an eating club at the end of his or her sophomore year. There are 10 in all, five of which require its members to "bicker" to join. For the duration of their junior and senior years students will eat their meals at the Eating Club. Of course, the clubs are more than a step up from cafeteria life. In fact, the Eating Clubs are mansions lining Prospect Street and act as the main cog of campus social life, hosting parties and various events throughout the year. Each club, of course, comes with its own stereotype. The five clubs students must "bicker" for membership are the Ivy (the "Northern money" club and the only one that continues the tradition of being waited on at dinner), the Cottage (Southern money, and draws its membership from football, baseball, soccer and hockey players), the Tiger Inn (the Animal House of the group, drawing upon fraternities), the Cap and Gown (full athletes as well), and the Tower Club (sometimes referred to as the "tool shed," it's an eclectic combination of Woodrow Wilson students and performers).

PACK YOUR: Copy of This Side of Paradise by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald was an alum, and the book will give you an insight into the history and traditions at Princeton.

RITE OF PASSAGE: Before graduation Princeton students must complete the "Prospect 10": consuming one beer at each of Princeton's Eating Clubs during a night out.

Check out No. 4 DARTMOUTH