My son is deciding between Brown and BU with trustee (full tuition) scholarship and Kilachand Honors College. He is thinking of majoring in physics (astrophysics) and international relations. How are these programs and how available are research and internship opportunities?
I don’t know about physics/IR specifically, but generally speaking no school has better undergrad research opportunities than Brown. Minimal grad school + abundant funding specifically for undergrads to do research = very easy to find undergrad research. I include IR in that because I had friends who, in addition to the obvious scientific research opportunities, got UTRAs (https://www.brown.edu/academics/college/fellowships/utra/) to do history, philosophy, or econ research so I assume it’s just as easy for IR.
I go to Brown; my best friend goes to BU and is in Kilachand. You’ll get good academics at both, but the feel couldn’t be more different. BU is huge; Brown is medium. BU doesn’t really have much of a campus; Brown has a very traditional one. Double-majoring would almost certainly be easier at Brown, and he’d probably be less stressed there as well.
That being said, BU is academically strong, has great study abroad programs, and is a real bargain with a full scholarship. I’d have him visit both, if possible, and see what his gut says.
Thanks @SpringAwake15 and @iwannabe_Brown. We went to BU’s accepted students day last week and he will go to ADOCH this week. Then it’s decision time.
My daughter goes to Brown. One major she is considering is Physics or maybe Applied Math. She LOVES Brown. She was debating between Brown or U Rochester (with a half-scholarship). We chose Brown, because we felt it was strong in all the possible disciplines; Rochester seemed strong in Physics but Math seemed less strong.
She is just finishing her Freshman year. She wanted to do Astronomy research this summer. She had an opportunity to do research this summer with a professor at Brown. But, then she also applied to various REU programs (research experience for Undergraduates) and got 2 offers for internships doing Astronomy/Astro PHysics research at 2 different universities. We didn’t know how likely it was that she would get an REU internship, that’s why she spoke to a professor and had (as a fallback) the research-at-Brown option for this summer. She is a quiet, shy person. I was surprised and delighted that she actually asked a professor about research opportunities for the summer!
We love Brown. It is rigorous, but not cut throat or competitive. It’s students vs. the material. Not students vs. students. It’s a very happy place. I feel like she’s in safe place. If you want to know anything more, let me know!