<p>Hey guys, 2015 hopeful here looking through his college list, and one thing seems to be sticking out: does it make sense to apply to both Brown and Columbia?</p>
<p>The two universities’ curriculums, Core and Open, seem to be diametrically opposed to each other, so maybe it wouldn’t make sense. On the other hand, it seems to me that they’re more similar than they may appear in that both are rooted in an intellectual curiosity promoted by the respective schools. Note that in my case, I am an all-out history/politics/humanities buff that plans on going to law school and <em>gasp</em> become a politician, so if I were to be at liberty to make my own Open Curriculum courseload, it would be somewhat like Columbia’s own humanities-heavy Core (the one or two science courses aside).</p>
<p>I was just talking this through with my counselor, and it seemed like I hadn’t completely thought it through applying to both colleges. Does it make sense? How different really is the intellectualism among students in both schools? And which system would fit me best, as someone who, although intellectually curious and willing to dabble in other fields, still roughly does know what he wants to study (History/Political Science/Philosophy) before a career in politics.</p>
<p>Thank you for your time, looking forward to responses. :)</p>
<p>I think it makes sense. A lot can change between January 1st and May 1st. You’re keeping all of your options open and you can decide which one you like better if you are admitted to both.</p>
<p>I think either school could work since they both encourage exploring other disciplines (whether its mandatory or optional it’s still encouraged at both).</p>
<p>True, so in that sense, are the two systems really just different ways to express the intellectual curiosity that marks both schools? And how else are student attitudes different in that sense, particularly in terms of political views?</p>
<p>There are so many factors when you evaluate schools that it can look contradictory to have two schools on your list that are different on one dimension, but they still both might be good schools for you. My son really like U of Chicago despite the core, for example. And, of course, any applicant might not get into any specific school.</p>
<p>People will say it makes no sense, but you seem to have reasonably thought it out. My daughter applied to UChi where there is a rigorous core as well as Brown. She was looking at the calibur of the school and the intellectual students reputations. But she is certainly glad she choose Brown. In some ways she likely went too math/science heavy, but she was forced to do so to some extent. Early, she was exploring possible major in Physics, later, she had to spend all her units to get her CS major done. I think it would have been nice to have a more rounded education, but she says she got that on her own and through attending so many visiting speakers lectures.</p>
<p>It definitely makes sense. I applied to both and was accepted. I chose Brown, but I certainly liked Columbia as well. They are both excellent schools that value producing well-rounded individuals.</p>