I can’t stop agonizing over this decision and so any input would be extremely helpful. I’m really torn between Amherst College and Brown University. I am potentially looking into studying environmental science (for which Brown has a major and for which I would have to design my own major at Amherst). Nonetheless, I’m not really sure what I want to study, so this isn’t really a make or break factor. Amherst would cost $4,700 a year and Brown would cost $6,500, both with no loans. Amherst is slightly farther from me. I really like Amherst’s smaller size and how it is closer to nature, which really helps me when I get really stressed. Nonetheless, I think I’d find more people like me at Brown. The athlete/non-athlete divide makes me a little apprehensive about Amherst because I am not athletic. Nonetheless, Amherst has a much higher per student endowment than Brown and so if my financial situation changes in the future I would feel more secure with Amherst given their reputation for giving great financial aid.
I think at this point I am somewhat driving myself insane with speculations, so any help in deciding would be great
Tough decision, but a nice one to have. My D is at Amherst but also applied to Brown (and she spent two summers there in HS).
Is the $1800/year difference meaningful for your family? If it is, closely examine the costs included and not included - travel, residence options, meal plans, books, going out on weekends, etc. The difference may be greater or smaller.
The athlete thing is what it is in NESCAC, my D is not one and has an active social life that includes athletes and non-athletes. Brown has athletes too (though a smaller % of the student body), and also has Greek organizations, Amherst doesn’t.
Yes Brown is in the city and Amherst is in a large college town (*obviously UMass makes the big difference there) with country very accessible (bike and walking paths, nature reserve etc all adjacent to campus). You’d have to go out of Providence to get that.
I don’t think you should worry about Brown and continued financial aid there. That should be secure.
Why do you think Brown would have more people like you? Is it the athlete thing or something else?
Congrats btw on 2 great options!
@OHMomof2 Thank you so much for your input! Both are relatively close to me (Brown is an hour away and Amherst is 2.5 hours away) so travel costs shouldn’t be too big of a factor. Nonetheless, I would feel guilty paying upwards of $10,000 more over four years (given any potential fluctuations in price) for a college that has similar academic opportunities but inferior dorms and overall endowment for students. As for the athlete thing, that’s really reassuring that your daughter has had a positive experience in relation to social life at Amherst… I have heard from several students that the divide is something that they dislike about the school, but that it doesn’t have to have a negative effect on their individual happiness. In terms of visiting, yes! I have been to both a few times. I felt more comfortable at Amherst, but that may have been because it was a beautiful day and the size is more in my comfort zone, out of which I am afraid to go. I walked for a while through the wildlife sanctuary and felt really happy there.
I feel like I’d be happier saying that I go to Amherst, but this may be because I would fear people would judge me for picking Brown over Amherst just because it is an ivy, which would not at all be the case. Was the decision as hard one for your D? Is she happy with her choice of Amherst? Also, thank you for looking into that! That is reassuring that Amherst has the option of studying geology and its intersection with environmental science.
@wisteria100 Thank you very much!! The reason I am worried about the price is change is because my grandmother is in the later stages of Alzheimer’s and the inheritance may hike up the price more at Brown than at Amherst… This is somewhat hypothetical, though. As for the people there, I just felt like the people at Brown were friendlier towards me overall. Also, while I know Amherst is also progressive, I got the impression that students at Brown are more comfortable being themselves.
D stopped thinking “what might have been” if she’d made a different choice pretty soon after she got there - maybe second semester
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I feel like I'd be happier saying that I go to Amherst, but this may be because I would fear people would judge me for picking Brown over Amherst just because it is an ivy,
I felt more comfortable at Amherst
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Listen to your gut. And try not to worry about what other people might say.
Or, a popular piece of advice on this forum is to flip a coin and see how you feel about the result.
You’re looking at two very good schools that have a lot in common, and some differences. You’ve visited. You’ve thought about your major. You have some financial considerations but not huge ones.
Again, check the costs and estimates they are putting in your COA - cost of attendance - that can vary. Books, travel, “misc” - those #s can vary a lot. What are you expected to contribute each year as a student? What are the billed costs and might they go up/down if you choose a single dorm or different meal plan? Can student health insurance be waived by your parents’ plan and if not, will the school cover that? That can be almost $2k/year. What if books cost more than you expect? (I admit I ask these because I know the answers for Amherst, I do not know them for Brown).
Hi! Sorry for going off CC for a while! I chose Brown very last minute and not without regret. I’m still not certain about my decision, but I’m hoping for the best.
@Rachel129 Enjoy and don’t look back. Both are great schools and there really is not a “wrong” decision to be made. Commit your heart fully to the school you chose and move on!
