<p>Ok. I’ve gotten into both schools. I know there are a plethora of comparisons between the two schools, but I was looking for a more unique comparison based on my interests and worries. </p>
<p>I want to go into neuroscience…but I’m also interested government…or maybe literature. (I’m a wreck…I know).</p>
<p>I’m also concerned about grad school. I have recently heard about Harvard undergrads who just can’t seem to get into good undergrad schools like the Law and Medical Schools at Harvard, Columbia, Yale, etc (due to the competition, grading system, etc). I know grad school is a ways away, but I just need to know. I dont want to got to a school for four years and end up less able to go to a grad school of my choice.</p>
<p>I love Brown’s open curriculum && liberal environment, but I won’t be able to visit it. People try to put Brown down sometimes, but I think the academics are just as great as any other ivy. I NEED to know about Providence (what is there to do in the city…atmosphere…social life…different opportunities, etc). Will the lack of +/- set me back when it comes to applying for grad school/jobs/internships? </p>
<p>I love Harvard’s atmosphere. Harvard square was great. I also like the housing system. I thought Harvard students were snobby and intimidating. I visited and saw the exact opposite. I’m worried, however, about having a good social life while balancing academics. And the environment seems stressful to a certain degree. I know Harvard isn’t a school that will hold your hand along the way, but is it really that hard to get in touch will professors? & lastly, I’ve heard about grade deflation…</p>
<p>Can anyone speak on these issues?
I have also posted this thread in the harvard forum</p>
<p>you would do yourself a favor by reading past posts on this forum. you’ve posted questions that have recently been answered which shows you may not have done much reading yet (a big no-no on forums). spend some quality hours reading threads on here. there is also a search function where you can select to search this forum specifically. people ask the same questions year to year, no surprise!</p>
This question can be answered from this recent thread: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/brown-university/906824-lack.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/brown-university/906824-lack.html</a>
The short answer is it doesn’t seem to have any tangible effect either way. Other parts of the Open Curriculum might if you use them contrary to their intention (taking courses in the field you’re planning to go to grad school for S/NC would not look good, for instance), but there’s no data to support the idea that the lack of a + or - hurts grad school admissions, and I’d imagine the same would be true of most/all employers. Chances are you wouldn’t want to work for someone who holds the Open Curriculum in that much contempt anyways, if you truly buy into the theory.</p>
<p>I can’t speak to Harvard…I didn’t apply because I didn’t like the area personally. I’m not sure how many here could give a solid comparison between the two. From that standpoint, as wolfmanjack said, the best you could probably do is read some recent posts on these topics (Providence hasn’t changed that much in my 2 years, so those threads are still quite relevant. If you have any further questions about Brown or Providence after that, I’d be glad to answer them, whether here or through PM.</p>
<p>Honestly the main reason to choose Brown over Harvard is if you feel it’s a better fit for you, but since you seem to have likes and dislikes with both schools I would say Harvard would be the most obvious choice. I think you’re overthinking the whole grad school admissions thing because both will get you to where you want to go. It’s just that you’ll have slightly better opportunities with Harvard.</p>