<p>What exactly is the difference between the two, and does it matter which you choose on the app? Please help!</p>
<p>AB is for liberal arts majors
ScB is for most science majors (chem, bio, physics, etc)</p>
<p>In re your second question: It does not matter what you put on the app at all. No one will have any idea what you chose when you eventually get to Brown.</p>
<p>That said, there are differences in what you have to submit for the two choices, so if you have a strong science background and can benefit from the extra rec/essay/whatever, then that might play a part in your choice.</p>
<p>When I was filling out my application for the academic interests, I saw that Biology was both an AB option as well as a Sc.B option. There has to be a difference between them just like there is a difference b/t the two Biology degrees. More competition?</p>
<p>Obviously there's a difference. I think all majors have both AB and ScB (at least all the science related ones - i don't see you can get an ScB in literature, but anyway). To complete ScB you just have some extra requirements (like courses or senior thesis).
As for admission purposes, it should make no difference what you put in, unless, like mgcsinc said, you can benefit from the extra essay. But I don't think there is one for biology anyway. It's hard to see how the choice can influence your chances, if at all. Most likely it is best to simply select what fits in best with the rest of the app.</p>
<p>Most science concentrations have both, you cannot get a Sc.B. in a humanities course of study (and only a few social sciences offer them, they're they more experimental ones).</p>
<p>ScBs average 18-20 courses, ABs average 12-14 courses. ScBs nearly always include a year of research for credit, mandatory.</p>
<p>In the sciences, the AB is typically the ScB degree minus research and elective courses in your subject area.</p>
<p>It doesn't matter on your app other than the ScB, and not for biology, does require an extra essay that can help, as others have mentioned.</p>
<p>Neuroscience doesn't have the extra essay either and it is only Sc.B. That's what I put down as my intended major. Thanks for the clarification!</p>
<p>The extra essay is physical sciences.</p>
<p>Just to clarify in case there is any confusion: you do not apply to a program at Brown, you apply to the school. There is not competition for a set number of specific slots in a particular 'program' - the competition is for a set number of slots in the entire incoming class.</p>