<p>So I know that, beyond the open curriculum, the two schools are pretty different, but after visiting, I am totally and completely in love with both of them. I’ve yet to apply, but was planning on applying Early Decision to one of the two. Can anyone give me any advice?</p>
<p>If I may ask: What kind of a person are you? What kind of a college experience are you looking for?</p>
<p>What would really help would be to create a side-by-side list of pros and cons of each school.</p>
<p>IMO, Amherst > Brown [period]</p>
<p>unless Brown offers a major you're interested in which Amherst doesn't</p>
<p>LordJeff, please elaborate</p>
<p>Amherst does a better job at teaching interdisciplinary courses; the departments are small enough that different faculty still talk to one another from the perspective of their own disciplines. At Brown, the departments, no matter how interdisciplinary they sound, pretty much speak in their own language and mostly to each other (their Mass Media and Cmmunications Department is a glaring example of this.) At the end of four years, the average Brownie has a conglomeration of courses that don't really add up to very much outside of their major. At Amherst you have a genuine education.</p>
<p>Endowment per Student (as of 2006): Amherst $820,800 vs Brown $285,187</p>
<p>That's one of the most important differences, I'd say.</p>
<p>The more I read the Amherst threads, the more I'm convinced DS has made a great choice for his academic future. Thanks for the feedback.</p>
<p>I'm primarily interested in the humanities, and absolutely love Amherst. The one big "pro" I see going for Brown is quality of life. I just feel like Brownies are happier. Is this an incorrect statement, or am I just playing wayyy too much into glaring surface-level perceptions?</p>
<p>I think students at Amherst are extremely happy. I've not heard anything to the contrary. Why do you believe that they arent?</p>
<p>Not necessarily unhappy...but Amherst is very intense, and everywhere you read about Brown they always cite student happiness as a huge factor in their decision to be at Brown. So I've never heard that Amherst students are unhappy, but I'm a pretty extroverted guy, and I'm just worried that at Amherst it'll be all work and no play. I'm sure this is untrue but I just need some reassurance hahaha</p>
<p>My daughter just finished her first year at Amherst. Yes, it's definitely academically intense. But, you would expect this at a college of its stature. But, I understand students work hard but party hard. Students do have lots of fun and extra-curricular activities. My sense is that there are parties all the time.</p>
<p>I actually think Amherst strikes a very good work-life balance. Readings/problem sets/essays/tests are difficult enough to be challenging, but not so much that they will take over your life. Except during finals, but that will be true at any school.</p>
<p>Not to drag on Brown, but my impression is that Brown students are happy because they're not asked to work very hard. Amherst professors demand your best. You still have plenty of time to enjoy yourself -- we just have a more equal balance of work and play.</p>
<p>Also, I know my impression on Brown was influenced by its listing in the Princeton Review guide to colleges: it consistently ranks high on the "Happiest Students" list.</p>