<p>I’m posting this on both Brown and Columbia, and I know that they’re completely different schools. </p>
<p>They seem to be totally opposite (considering their curriculums), but i seem to be stuck between the two. They’re both amazing schools, and i was hoping to get feedback and what you guys think are some pro’s and con’s of both schools. </p>
<p>I’m completely undecided on my major, but i lean toward the humanities, rather than math and sciences. I LOVE the idea of an open curriculum since i have a lot of diverse interests and I want to test out different things. However, i can also see the benefits of a core curriculum, by giving me a good foundation for testing out new classes. I’ve also heard that the core is impossibly difficult though.</p>
<p>Also…what are your thoughts on applying ED to either of these schools? I’ve heard that applying ED (especially to columbia) increases your chance of getting in? does the same hold true for brown? (I know that isn’t the POINT of ED haha. But still…) </p>
<p>Thanks so much for your time!!</p>
<p>It’s worth considering that the Open Curriculum and a core to give you variety are not mutually exclusive. modestmelody has mentioned that 98% of Brown students take at least 2 courses in each of math/science, social science, and humanities. Not as restrictive a core as the one at Columbia, but hardly an attempt to get out of taking math and science for the rest of one’s life.</p>
<p>If you don’t know which school to apply ED to, you shouldn’t be applying ED. While the acceptance rates for ED may be higher, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re more likely to get in early than not. The pool may be stronger, but what’s important to consider are the recruited athletes who bump up the numbers. I don’t have any exact numbers, but I’m inclined to believe that a student who applies regular has a chance very similar to if she had applied early with the same credentials.</p>
<p>There are some threads further down in the forum about this, as you’re hardly the first one to have this question. Those would probably answer your question more accurately than I could summarize their answers.</p>
<p>Good luck with the college admissions process!</p>