<p>Hi everyone. I was accepted into Brown RD, and UChicago EA, and I am on the fence as to which one to choose. I am thinking of a math or econ major. I am doing both accepted students days next week. Any opinions? Thanks!</p>
<p>Based on what I’ve heard about Brown and UChi, they are so different. I don’t really understand why someone would seriously apply to both. UChi is rumored to be extremely cutthroat (someone on the Brown '15 FB group for admitted students remarked that a popular phrase to sum up UChi is that if you’re not supposed to have a number of hours of sleep per night higher than your GPA…). If you thrive in a kind of environment described that way and you’re not looking for a relaxed academic environment, choose UChi.
If you want academic flexibility and prestige, choose Brown…</p>
<p>I do understand why someone would apply to both - there are many factors to consider in the application process and there are similarities between these colleges. Congrats on two incredible acceptances. I think you are wise to visit both schools to get a feel for both. Not sure about the majors but those can change anyway so evaulate that accordingly. I got the impression Chicago would be harder for a student given the quarter system, requirements and intensity of the students. They may or may not deter you, though. From what I know, Brown is a gentler academic environment with many advisors to help, ability to change a class to P/F if needed, etc.</p>
<p>The reason University of Chicago is known as the school “where fun goes to die” is because Brown University steals all their fun. :D</p>
<p>First of all, congrats on the two acceptances. You’re lucky to be making this decision. </p>
<p>I can speak from the perspective of a young person who has spent a lot of time on the UChicago campus. Almost all of my friends’ parents are professors there and many of them live in Hyde Park so I spend a lot of time around, as well as use many of their facilities. As expected, the facilities and education are unlike any other. But, the stereotypes are stereotypes for a reason. UChicago simply does not feel like it has a lot of life. Obviously I’m not on campus 11 oclock on Fridays, but for all the time I am, there is little to no atmosphere. I have toured there and took summer courses, and I am not claiming to know the college like an undergrad would, but from what I’ve experienced, Brown is the clear choice.</p>
<p>I think this college choice is one of the most interesting, because these schools are similar in a lot of ways but different in so many as well. More than anything, I think it boils down to whether you want the mandatory exposure of the Core or the ability to focus (or alternately, try your hand at a lot of different things) of the Open Curriculum. Consider too the strengths of the departments you’re interested in; they may be quite different, depending on your interests.</p>
<p>So I went to ADOCH earlier this week and absolutely LOVED it!!! And, I hated UChicago, and ended up leaving early because the kids were very very weird. Brown University Class of 2015!!!</p>
<p>OP: Math/Econ at uchicago>>>>that at Brown.
Econ at uchicago is one of the best (if not the current best) in the country.
I have spoken to many many current students at Brown and they said that the only math department at Brown that is worth mentioning is the applied math department.</p>
<p>S applied to both and was accepted at both. Because he has varied interests and is very well rounded, strong in math, sciences, and the humanities, he felt that there were many similarities between the 2 schools. In his case, the decision came down to Chicago vs. Providence. Whether UChicago likes to admit it or not the school does border a rough section of the city. A little rougher than he was ready for at 18 years old. While there is crime in Providence, by taking reasonable precautions, he’s done fine. Providence is the perfect size for him and College Hill is an ideal location. He also likes the fact that he’s less than an hour away from Boston and a convenient train ride to New York and even Washington DC. He figures that if he still wants to go to Chicago, he’ll apply when he goes to grad school.</p>
<p>@perfectpixie - The quality of Brown’s math department depends on the level you enter at. The courses up to an including linear algebra are generally poorly taught. The upper level courses vary by professor - some are incredible, others mediocre, and a few are atrocious. Brown’s math department is best for one entering at the upper level and planning to take graduate courses; from that standpoint, it’s a very strong department. This is obviously not typical, though, and I’d warn those planning to study math that they may have some poor professors. I’ve heard mostly good things about UChicago’s math program, though it did drive away some of my friends who wanted to be math majors; math at UChicago is very abstract and not everyone is ready to enter at that level. If you are, I’ve heard it’s a wonderful choice.</p>
<p>If applied math is what you want (numbers rather than abstract proofs), the applied math department at Brown is wonderful except for statistics. APMA vs. Math is a distinction that not everyone knows to make during calculus, since they don’t really split until then.</p>
<p>Just as a clarification, by weird I mean they were very very academically driven and motivated. I just couldn’t see myself being that hardcore. They just didn’t mesh with my personality</p>