Brown University vs. Washington University in St. Louis (Wash U)

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I'm deciding which school to ED to, and I'm really stuck! I would love any perspectives or opinions I can get!</p>

<p>I am interested in psychology and cognitive science, but am not going premed.</p>

<p>Here's where I am at right now:</p>

<p>Wash U Pros:
seemingly happy, friendly students
food
dorms
greek presence
PNP program
merit scholarships
more accessible from home (hour plane ride)
beautiful campus
ballet minor </p>

<p>Wash U Cons:
too many premeds? Just what I have heard, don't really know about this. Would love an insiders perspective
St. Louis
name recognition
too many Jewish people? Again, just what I have heard. Is this a dominating culture? I'm not Jewish. Do Jewish guys not date Jewish girls?
unattractive student body? Another rumor. When I visited, I didn't observe this, but what do you think?
lack of sports spirit</p>

<p>Brown Pros:
open curriculum
happy students
not a dominating race or religion
more even distribution of interests (not premed heavy)
name recognition
attractive student body (from what I have heard). This isn't super important, but just something that keeps coming up.
cognitive science major
period where you can test classes</p>

<p>Brown Cons:
food
dorms
further from home (4 hour plane ride)
very small greek presence
too many hippies? Another stereotype. What do you think?
too intellectual? Sometimes I don't like to be smart and academic all the time haha, if that makes sense. </p>

<p>PLEASE give me any help you can! I think I would be happy at either school, but I just really need to make a decision and I will greatly appreciate any input. Thanks! </p>

2

<p>Don’t apply ED if you don’t have a clear favorite. </p>

3

<p>I’m going to apply ED because I have such a hard time making decisions and I know even if I applied RD I would still never be 100% sure. So I’m just going to pick one and go with it! </p>

4

<p>Have you visited both? Have you finished your supplemental essays for Brown? Are they both affordable?</p>

5

<p>Yes, I visited both. I’m almost done with my Brown supplements. I might be able to get merit aid from Wash U, otherwise they are the same price</p>

6

<p>I’m in the exact same position. ED to WashU is MUCH more likely, which is the big draw for me because I just want to be done with the process already. But honestly, I’ve been to both schools and you cannot go wrong either way. Regarding your note about St. Louis being a con; I had the same belief until I visited. Clayton is an amazingly safe and fun city and is fairly separate from St. Louis, which is not a bad town either. </p>

<p>Also, from what I’ve seen, the student body is very attractive and not something to worry about.</p>

<p>Additionally, Brown is as Jewish as WashU is, but that shouldn’t be a con unless you just don’t like liberal people. Most Jews are liberal and pretty agnostic, so they won’t be in your face. </p>