<p>I would strongly recommend Brown for your son. I'm not going to lie, I would recommend it for most. But that's not blind adoration, that's reasoned love for the school. </p>
<p>I first want to address how PingherHues thinks Brown students look out for each other less, and what that has to do with an endowment. Not to flog a dead horse, but Brown has plenty of money. Once you're in the billions you're okay :)</p>
<p>Also, Brown did just change its financial aid policy so the packages could be similar if not the same. </p>
<p>Anyways, here's the real stuff: </p>
<p>Your son has to ask himself what kind of curriculum he wants. Does he want to be very self directed and take lots of courses in many different subjects? Or does he want a more regimented and subject-specific curriculum, that requires intense Junior Papers and Theses? While there are no minors at Brown, many double major. Few double major at Princeton because it would require two theses, although they have many minor and certificate programs. I didn't apply to Princeton because I didn't want the regimented curriculum that comes with the JP and that kind of thesis (I say that kind because many students elect to do a thesis here at Brown. However, I think it is different because it is often a choice and not a requirement). </p>
<p>I'm really kind of laughing by your question about the scary smart people. You know they'd be at Princeton. But Brown? Well the answer is yes, of course! Brown too is one of the most selective schools in the country, only a few percentage points away from Princeton. Don't let the "HYP" acronym fool you, Brown too is a exceptional. So yes, Brown is FILLED with scary smart people. However, they are often laid back about it. Until they raise their hand in class, and you just go "woah!!" I went to Tulane my freshman year and this simply was not the case. Yes, I ran into my share of utterly brilliant people, but I also ran into those who asked the professor where that school of thought was located. When I got to Brown, I had quite a crisis of confidence because I had spent my life so far being hot $hit. Here, everyone is hot $hit. So I know exactly what you are referring too. </p>
<p>A professor at Brown once said to a seminar I was in "If you're truly a Brown student, and I think most students are, are true "Brown students" then you are really interested in and critically engaged in what you are doing and not just going through the motions" (or something like that).
And yeah. Completely. He said this at a non-credit January program I was doing (January@Brown) where people voluntarily take a course, not for credit, but to learn something new and cool. That's Brown. Is that your son?</p>
<p>Princeton is a lot more conservative, a lot more up tight than Brown (I've heard). I've heard it described as very WASPy. I hear the eating clubs can be kind of exclusive. But this is hearsay. </p>
<p>What I do know Brown is very laid back, but there are all kinds of social circles here. I think I would describe a lot of kids here as "cool nerds," they'll have fun and be really interesting cool kids but then ask them about Joyce or how suborbitals work and they won't shut up. </p>
<p>Another thing I love about Brown is the support network. You do have to go look for it, it won't come to you. But if you want it it's there. I'll tell you another story. I work with one dean who's just fantastic. One day I was coming out of health services (now that is less than fantastic) with a broken nose, a scrip for a catscan, and the instructions "NO RUGBY!" I was feeling less than chipper as the dean walked by. I wasn't really feeling like having a conversation, so I looked away. She bends down, gets right up in my face, and says "hello" (in a very friendly way). I was like "Hi dean hansen...." Later I get home and look up my email and there's one from her saying i didn't have "an on top of things" look and she wanted to talk. I mean they wont' let you slip through the cracks if ya try. And she's just amazing in every other regard too. Each advisor only has like 10 students, too. I don't know what the system is at Princeton, but the one at Brown is impressive and it makes a difference. While I'm not gonna like, my advisor kinda can scare the crap out of me, (she's also my coach!) she will really really go to bat for me and help me out when I need. Which is often. </p>
<p>Other good things about Brown. I dunno. I can't say enough. I love the people here. I click with just about everyone. I'm not kidding you'd be hard pressed to find someone I really don't like. I just found I out I may have a really serious health problem, and I just have a laundry list of people I need to tell. And everyone I've told has been infinitely helpful and supportive. I dunno that's Brown to me. It's a caring and fun intellectual community.</p>