<p>Actually there is a lot of stuff that you're saying which is untrue simply because you lack the knowledge of the history and development of these two universities.</p>
<p>The two reasons Brown has somewhat less funding is because students generally give far more to their graduate schools than undergraduate, across the board, without fail, and because Brown was a nationally well known and competitive school later in its history than many peers. Up until the 60s Brown was still populated almost entirely by Mid-Atlantic/New Englanders. This had a huge effect on it's ability to raise money. We actually have a fantastic investment portfolio that does quite well with the endowment, we just haven't had as much money for as long for the two reasons above with which to work.</p>
<p>It has nothing to do with alumni networks at all.</p>
<p>Look, Modest, we both have an affection for Brown, but <3 Billion is more than somewhat less funding when you are talking 10 Billion plus. I mentioned the founding dates for the two schools to indicate that they were founded, more or less, contemporaneously so they've had pretty much the same time to acquire an influential alumni network. Also, Princeton has always been a Middle Atlantic catchment area type school, overlapping with Brown on this score. Remember too, Princeton doesn't have professional schools of law, medicine, or business to syphon off graduate alumni donations. In fact, Brown had a medical school in the 19th century but discontinued it, and had the first undergraduate school of engineering in the country, so it has had more of an opportunity to garner graduate school alumni donations than Princeton. Princeton's alumni are just more loyal. Look Modest, I am not saying this makes Princeton a better educational experience. What I am saying is that most academically talented students these days are very conventional and mainstream. They are much in tune to material success. For that type of student, because of its alumni network, I believe Princeton is a better fit. My .02.</p>
<p>But again you're still assuming that because they were started at the same time that they somehow have had relevant and comparable paths to where they are today.</p>
<p>Princeton was a prominent, well known, national university before Brown. It's student body, while at the same size, is made up of a higher percentage of graduate students who, on the whole, even removing professional schools, give way more money to their school than undergraduates do.</p>
<p>These are facts that exist separate from founding and from location which attribute to why Princeton has amassed the wealth it has which has nothign to do with the spirit or tightness of their alumni network. Brown also has one of the highest rates of students who move on to humanitarian and non-for profit work. This doesn't weaken the connections or the pride of the network at all even though it decreases our endowment potential.</p>
<p>Finally, and rather importantly, several institutions at Princeton held prominence in the late 19th early 20th century that brought in particularly large amounts of money when Brown was still struggling and discussing the philosophy of what education should be for the "young man".</p>
<p>It's a different path, totally different history, neither of which has had an effect on the the quality of the alumni network but both of which has effected the make up of the alumni network. Most of these differences grew over 50 years ago, but the way the money is invested it's tremendously compounded in today's finances.</p>
<p>This has nothing to do with my affection for Brown-- you're just neglecting the fact that endowment today is hardly a reflection upon the strength of an alumni network since it's very largely effected by events over 50 years old.</p>
<p>Modest, we will just have to agree to disagree. Colt, I know that alumni donations are made primarily because of undergraduate affiliations. I was just taking the argument where Modest wanted to take it and assert that Princeton's alumni network tends to be tighter, whether you are talking about prior attendance at either the undergraduate or graduate level.</p>
<p>For all intents purposes, I would have to recommend Princeton (I realize this is a Brown board but still, I mean seriously...).</p>
<p>However, I would definitely make sure your son visits both campuses (as I have) before making this decision. Quite frankly, I'm charmed by Princeton's unique character and feeling, but others might find it "intimidating/too-preppy, etc...". Likewise, others might find Brown's atmosphere and open curriculum not to their liking, etc. as well. These decisions are huge, and are very personal, making it very difficult for us to make the choice. But we're here to help share our opinions, and ultimately it's up to your son. </p>
<p>Regardless, both Princeton and Brown are EXCELLENT institutions, and you should be proud as a mother that your son got into both. Congratulations, and the best of luck... I'm sure he'll make the right decision in the end.</p>