Brown, Columbia, Amherst, or...?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Brown University
1

<p>I’m an international student from Beijing, China, interested in literature, language, anthropology, philosophy, cinema, writing, art history, etc. What I look for the most from college, i guess, are the possibilities and freedom of study. I have no intention to get down to the job market very soon (very likely that I’ll go to grad school), nor do I desire to pursue a specific academic/career path. I’m not too aggressive or ambitious, though I do feed on challenges and fresh ideas, and search for intellectual growth and artistic exploration. My problem is that I’m not committed enough, have no strict, set goals, constantly swinging. </p>

<p>The schools I’m considering attending are Columbia, Brown, Amherst. (The artistic vibe at Vassar and Wesleyan also attracts me so much, and the oh-so-beautiful Middlebury!) Given my nationality and my parents’ lack of recognition for LACs, I’m almost bound to choose an Ivy, but I’m not sure they are the best for me. So here I list some of the pros and cons I can find or think of, and sincerely ask for alum or peer advice. And please correct me if any of the following is false.</p>

<p>COLUMBIA
pro:

  1. Prestige
  2. NYC: the city that stirs and inspires me. Resources, fun, stimulation.
  3. Core: solid basis of “Western Canon”
    con:
  4. NYC: $$, major distraction
  5. Core: time-consuming, not very flexible, leaves little freedom for self-exploration, everyone takes the same courses
  6. More aggressive, competitive, over-achieving, pre-professional</p>

<p>Brown
pro:

  1. Open Curriculum: much freedom in course selection, less pressure, pass/fail classes that allow me to venture into unfamiliar disciplines.
  2. More laid-back, family-like, nurturing, happy
    con:
  3. Providence is not NYC, though it’s a nice place
  4. From what I heard, Brown’s academic reputation is slightly less celebrated (do correct me if it’s not true)</p>

<p>Amherst
pro:

  1. Open Curriculum: much freedom in course selection, less pressure, pass/fail classes that allow me to venture into unfamiliar disciplines.
  2. Small, serious, tight-knit, class interaction, personal attention
  3. Beautiful nature & peaceful, quiet lifestyle, which I’ve never tasted in my 18 years of life
    con:
  4. Lack of proximity to a major city
  5. Lack of name recognition in general public or in China, not that I care a lot, but my parents do consider it a problem.
  6. Cliquish, preppy, more homogeneous (please correct me)</p>

<p>I think it’s also worth mentioning that I haven’t yet gave up my UChicago WL. To me, UChicago is like a secluded ivory tower in Chicago, another great city. The Chicago core is also demanding but a lot more flexible, and the students are more nerdy than preppy, which is fine for me. The drawback, I guess, should be the terribly long winter and academic pressure, since I’ve suffered from depression and anxiety for quite a long period of time. Should I stay on WL?</p>

<p>BTW, I didn’t get any FA from either school, but odds are that I could receive some from need-blind Amherst, due to family financial changes next year. But I don’t think it’s possible with other colleges. </p>

<p>This decision is one of the most important so far in my life, and considering that I’m going abroad into a totally different culture and way of living, I must be very prudent.
Appreciate every comment and suggestion.</p>

2

<p>“2. From what I heard, Brown’s academic reputation is slightly less celebrated (do correct me if it’s not true)”</p>

<p>not true</p>

3

<p>For your interests (being as broad as they are), it sounds like you have a decision between Amherst and Brown. Don’t worry about name recognition, anyone who knows anything knows that Amherst is an absolutely amazing college, just as good as Brown. Both are going to have long winters, though. Maybe Amherst moreso than Brown. (Columbia can be pretty rough, too.) I’ve always thought that college is about having a new experience - not just the academics. If you’ve never experienced a more peaceful, nature-y existence, and if the quality of academics is equal to your other, more familiar choices, I’d say choose the nature experience. I’m recommending Amherst.</p>