<p>So putting aside my stats and “chances of getting in,” I was wondering if I could get some advice on which school I should apply early to for admittance into the class of 2017. The three that I’ve found myself most taken with are Stanford, Columbia, and Brown.</p>
<p>A little bit about myself to give some perspective…</p>
<p>-I love traveling and being around people of different cultures/backgrounds. It’s definitely important for me to go to a school with a significant international population.
-I’m pretty into sports and hope to play club soccer and tennis.
-My prospective majors are international relations, political science, biology, and/or neuroscience (i know all three of these schools offer one or more of these in some form or another so that’s not TOO much of an issue).
-I hope to be able to double major with a social science and biological science or at least do a social science major with a pre-med track
-I do enjoy being in a city-like environment, but I feel like I can put that wish aside until grad school if I have to.
-I want to be part of an intellectual environment (which I’m sure I would get at any of these schools) but also want to have a good social life and be able to go out without feeling too stressed about it. </p>
<p>So, if you guys could give me your opinions on which school you think I should go for and why, I would really appreciate it! Thanks so much.</p>
<p>Just from reading all of your preferences, I’d say go with Brown or Stanford. I think Columbia is a great school, but it can be overwhelming as an undergrad. Because of the Core and your major requirement, you will likely be stressed out. However, I think Stanford has more of a sports and greek presences than Brown, so if that’s what you like go with Stanford. I think Stanford EA is more selective than Brown ED. Generally, Brown has a 20% acceptance rate for ED. I’m not sure about Stanford’s rates. Academically, they are both great schools. </p>
<p>Now, if I was you I would look more into the undergraduate experience at Brown and Stanford. Also, you should look at size. Brown has a smaller student body and campus compared to Stanford.</p>
<p>Brown is ED, not EA, so you would not be applying there ED unless you had already decided it was definitely where you want to go. Try to get a chance to look into all of the schools, visit if you can, and think on it more.</p>
<p>Honestly if you’re genuinely confused and definitely want to apply early, go for Stanford EA. It’s non-binding unlike the other 2 so at least you can change your mind. I agree with fireandrain though - the research you do in the next 5 months will probably sway your mind towards or away from any of these choices. Brown and Columbia have radically different academic philosophies and Stanford is somewhere in the middle so I think you should take some time off to understand what approach to academics you are inclined toward before making any sort of commitment.</p>
<p>@booyou-I have visited all three schools and researched them pretty thoroughly so I know what kind of approaches to academics I’m dealing with. The problem is that I keep going back and forth about what I think I want out of my experience. NYC seems incredibly enticing to me, but I really did enjoy the feel of Providence when I was at Brown. At the same time, I thought Stanford had the most incredible campus. </p>
<p>My academic interests are varied enough to enjoy the core at Columbia, but I can also see myself enjoying the flexibility of Brown for the same reason. In short, I think I can see myself at all three schools, but the idea of choosing one of their early programs seems like a good idea to me because of the (potential) boost it might give me. Because I’m so indecisive, I was hoping I would be able to find a little outside perspective to sway me in one direction or another.</p>