Brown, UPenn, or even stay at UCLA?! Please help

Transfer Students
1

<p>Hello College Confidentialers,</p>

<p>I am a sophomore at UCLA pursuing a biology major and accounting minor. I am deciding to transfer to another College of Arts and Sciences school as a junior next fall because I am not entirely satisfied with UCLA. I am not having the worst time here, but also not the best time. The school is too big, its hard to meet people, my social life isn’t as good as I want it to be, counselors suck here, and there are limits on the number of classes you can take before graduating. I am deciding mainly between Brown and the University of Pennsylvania, but I also have acceptances from the University of Chicago and Washington University in St. Louis. I am having the hardest time deciding where I should transfer, and even if I should transfer at all. My main concern is assimilating myself into the school and finding my niche there as a junior transfer. Your honest feedback as to where you think I’d “fit in,” or info about transfer life at any of the schools aforementioned would be invaluable.</p>

<p>Things that I am looking for in the school I want to transfer-
• Prestige
• Ability to cross-register in different schools like the school of business, architecture, etc etc (I know Washington University in SL lets you do that)
• A campus that’s not too big (24,000) and not too small (3,000)
• I don’t mind preppy
• Fun social life that is balanced with academics
• Ease in ability to change majors
• High counselor to student ratio
• Low key frat scene but cool and interesting people that are just as outgoing and willing to do spontaneous activities</p>

<p>UPenn Pros:
Prestige, ability to take classes through Wharton business school</p>

<p>UPenn Cons:
People are apparently very arrogant, huge frat scene</p>

<p>Brown Pros:
Down to earth people, academic exploration, new curriculum, pass/no pass grading, very intimate counseling experience</p>

<p>Brown Cons:
No business school, 6,000 people meaning I could suffocate, less prestigious</p>

2

<p>I would say do a little more homework if your decisions are coming down to generalizations such as students at Penn are "very arrogant" and Brown as having "down to earth people". There are going to be jerks and nice people wherever you go. There are nearly 10,000 undergrads at Penn and 6,000 at Brown. You'll find friends to hang out with. Whether or not you assimilate depends on how much of an effort you are willing to make to be friendly and outgoing.</p>

<p>You do seem to like Brown a bit more though, just by your post.</p>

3

<p>Because I am really considering business, going to UPenn allows me to take those classes without being in Wharton. Brown does not have this option. But i guess what it comes down to is the people... from what i've heard i dont think anyone doesnt like brown, which is very appealing. As for Upenn, i hear is heavily dominated by the frat scene and most of the social scene revolves around these parties, whereas i would prefer smaller gatherings, going out to bars, etc.</p>

4

<p>most people think brown is more presitgious than penn by a large margin</p>

<ul>
<li>given the choice between brown and penn, two thirds of students pick brown (as reported in the New York Times)
The</a> New York Times > Week in Review > Image > Collegiate Matchups: Predicting Student Choices</li>
</ul>

<p>-the Consus Group has compiled all existing rankings into a common one, listing brown 8th and penn 11th
The</a> Consus Group: Composite College and University Rankings (2007) : The Consus Group Rankings</p>

<ul>
<li>brown is, and always has been, more selective and difficult to get into than penn
Ivy</a> League College Admissions Facts and Statistics</li>
</ul>

5

<p>Commerce</a>, Organizations, and Entrepreneurship</p>

<p>At Brown...</p>