Brown Vs. Princeton

Colleges and Universities A-Z Brown University
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<p>eep.</p>

<p>I have a problem. A good problem, but a dilemma nonetheless.</p>

<p>I got into Princeton, Brown, and Stanford. Although i haven’t visited stanford yet, i have visited Princeton and Brown…problem is, i really like them both.</p>

<p>Princeton seems rather more quiet/less “fun”/less…diverse, perhaps? More work. But, it’s BEAUTIFUL (that may be shallow, but it’s important to me), and does have amazing studies and opportunities for when you graduate … and the name.</p>

<p>At Brown, people seem more out there (in a good way), and they have the open curriculum…which is really, really good. But, i rather dislike the campus, and it’s FREEZING. Not cool.</p>

<p>Brown seems to have the personality edge, while Princeton has the logistical edge…However, i only spent one night at princeton and couldn’t stay over at Brown, so I am not perfectly informed. There’s probably a lot i’m missing, including amazingly interesting students at Princeton and every kind of weirdness at Brown.</p>

<p>Any ideas? Other reasons? I wish i could combine both schools!</p>

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<p>Uh, I think the weather is largely equivalent.</p>

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<p>I liked Princeton too, by the way. </p>

<p>I would say the % of clubby, preppy, & well-heeled is slightly higher at Princeton, and the % of artsy, mellow, & innovative is slightly higher at Brown. Of course both exist both places.</p>

<p>One fairly subtle but palpable difference is that Princeton was an all-male institution that opened up to women, whereas Brown long had a female counterpart in adjacent Pembroke College, and the schools were merged. There is thus a coed 'history' going way back at Brown, and consequently a bit less of that country club, old-boys-network feeling.</p>

<p>The bigger difference is open curriculum, which-- if it appeals to you-- is unbeatable.</p>

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<p>the biggest difference is by far the open curriculum, and I think that is the most important factor. For me at least, the level of enjoyment of my classes directly affects my overall attitude. Being in classes I don't want to be in will generally make me more irratable unhappy, etc. Brown solves that issue. Princeton's requirements are quite loose though.</p>

<p>Socially i'd say Princeton has the more consistent scene, the eating clubs are open every thursday night, and they're fun. The biggest issue I have with Brown's social scene is that it's not consistent. What I mean is that at other schools of this size, you'll have like 1 or 2 big parties every night of every weekend. At Brown, you'll have like 1 weekend of no big parties, the next weekend will have 4 each night, and the weekend after that will have 1 each night. It's nice if your schedule happens to coincide with this such that the weekend with no parties is one where you have a lot of work, but in fact for me it is turning to be the opposite last weekend I had no work and no parties, these next two weekends I have lots of work and lots of parties. Oh well.</p>

<p>Princeton also definitely has more preppy kids. It felt pretty much just like my high school (which is in fact why I applied early to Pton, however I am extremely happy here) Brown seems to be a little more eclectic.</p>

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<p>i<em>wanna</em>be, </p>

<p>It did not used to be that way... When off-campus housing was more available, there were lots of off-campus parties every weekend and always at least a few were thrown by people you knew. Of course the drinking age was also 18 then.</p>

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<p>Weet - tough luck! (kidding of course) Though the decision may seem overwhelming right now, take comfort in knowing that either way, you'll end up at a fine, fine place.</p>

<p>Another thing to consider.. While Brown is naturally recognized from the outside eye as a vibrant, artsy community (and undoubtedly is, don't read me wrong), I think Princeton's art culture may fly under the radar some. The school just received a $101 million alum. endowment dedicated solely to enhancing the arts. Slue of interesting articles that will elaborate--<a href="http://www.dailyprincetonian.com/archives/2006/03/30/arts/"&gt;http://www.dailyprincetonian.com/archives/2006/03/30/arts/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>The open curriculum isn't for everyone, and seems fit for the independent, entrepreneur-esque types. Hence, a lot of Brown grads end up dabbling in the business world and many go on to be quite successful entrepreneurs. That said, Princeton is in a league of its own when it comes to alumni-networking and such. Terribly cliche (but in this case, mightily accurate), it will, at the very least, "open up a world of doors" come job-search time.</p>

<p>I know a Princeton alum who, having that education in his back pocket, felt confident enough to pursue an acting career (he was a physics major...) in NYC for a few years. It didn't work out (white-coated, beaker-holding lead roles were either scarce or filled in hollywood at the time, I guess). Moral of story: He ended up meeting another Princeton grad, interviewing at his firm, and landing the job on the spot. Nothing beats connections.</p>

<p>Phew, this was long-winded. And a bit scatter-brained, so you'll have to both a) forgive me, and b) pick and choose what you wish to read/consider. Regardless, GOOD LUCK. </p>

<p>Fun, knowledge, and bad weather permeate both places--cheers!</p>

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<p>The weather is pretty much the same at both campuses. You may have just had bad luck visiting Brown.</p>

<p>The opportunities you have once you graduate will be the same as well. The general public knows the name "Princeton" more than "Brown," but people who will be hiring you or admitting you to grad school will know both schools and their strengths.</p>

<p>If the name means that much to you, go to Princeton.
If the style of the campus means that much to you, go to Princeton.</p>

<p>But if you feel like Brown students are really a better match for you... then come here.</p>

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<p>One of my best friends goes to Princeton. He loves it. I've visited him there a few times. The campus is indeed very beautiful, and it seems like they're always doing a bunch of construction, which I guess is a good sign. The thing that was really off-putting about Pton was that everyone seemed the same to me. Then again, I went to my friend's frat and eating club, so I guess I was looking at only a small subset of the population, and that subset tends to be pretty similar at all colleges.</p>

<p>Brown's main draw for most people is the open curriculum. I don't think I could live without it. It's really the best thing ever to happen to me. I <3 it.</p>

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<p>SBMom, I did know that. I am pledging a fraternity on campus, and in fact our last meeting was discussing greek history at Brown, so I know all about the movement of greek houses on campus and the wriston pact and all that.</p>

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<p>This is cross-posted on the Princeton board as well--some might want to check it out. I thought them extremely informative.</p>

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<p>Princeton I think has about a dozen distribution requirements and a junior paper and a thesis requirement. At Brown you could do a thesis if you wanted to but the requirement certainly isn't carved in stone.</p>

<p>Princeton also has the eating club scene which is (to some) more constraining socially. Similarly, Princeton is a suburban setting and while there was a Burger King, a movie theater and Hoagie Heaven, Providence is far more of an urban local.</p>

<p>For an illustration of the social scene differences, Off the top of my head, Brown has a cooking house, an art house, an interfaith house, greek life, substance free housing and a tae-kwon do house.</p>

<p>No college anywhere at any time has ever been perfect. With that caveat in mind, I have to say that I couldn't be more convinced that Brown is/was the right place for me. Students have a great relationship with a quite helpful college administration.</p>

<p>PM me if you have any more specific questions</p>

<p>Best</p>

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<p>fredmurtz2's post is great and mostly accurate, but I want to add a couple clarifications.</p>

<p>While Brown as a whole does not require a senior thesis, some smaller departments do require you to do a senior thesis for their concentration (example: Development Studies: <a href="http://www.brown.edu/Administration/Registrar/Concentration/Concentrations-28.htm)%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.brown.edu/Administration/Registrar/Concentration/Concentrations-28.htm)&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p>

<p>Brown does not have a Tae-Kwon Do house. It was proposed this year, but the proposal was withdrawn. Cooking House, however, did propose and was accepted, and so will begin as a residential community this coming Fall. A few more program houses and special interest housing at Brown: Harambee House (African / African-American culture), Tech House, Quiet Hall, Spanish House, French House, International House, Environmental House, and several independent Brown-affiliated co-ops. For more information on Program Houses: <a href="http://reslife.brown.edu/program_housing.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://reslife.brown.edu/program_housing.html&lt;/a>
and Special Interest housing: <a href="http://reslife.brown.edu/special_interest_housing.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://reslife.brown.edu/special_interest_housing.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

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<p>weetstreet14 , another thing you may want to consider is the academic flexiblity in terms of exploring multiple passions in depth. 20% of Brown students double concentrate, and that number is much, much lower at Princeton due to heftier requirements. If you're considering a double major, Brown has an edge in this regard.</p>

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<p>I apologize for my incorrect statements and thank you for fixing them.</p>

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<p>When I looked at Princeton, You could get a certificate in some area studies generally. But, I don't think they let you double-major at Princeton although the difference is probably a semantic.</p>

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<p>Ditto cassadie hk. Alumni loyalty at Princeton is scary. I don't know of any other alumni who have as much attcahment and devotion to their alma mater as Princeton alums. Alumni loyalty at other Ivies, save Dartmouth, ranges from so-so to laughable. Alabama and Auburn (Auburn's slogan: Alabama by birth, Auburn by the grace of God) may be the closest thing. Princeton alums take care of their own. Be prepared to be worked to death at Princeton. There will be many joyless days, but you'll be proud of your final product. Less stress - go to Brown. Brown is more survivable with less strain.</p>

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<p>the alumni loyalty at princeton is scary...almost cult like, especially when they do their fight song. it's actually one of the things that put me off about the school. there's nothing wrong with school pride, but princeton takes this to an extreme--needed social reforms are slow moving because people have a hard time being critical, and they associate w/ each other to the exclusion of the outside world. </p>

<p>brown alums are very enthusiastic as well, but its much more in our culture to shun preconstructed fraternity</p>

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<p>Mmm, I think labeling the loyalty as "cult- or fraternity-like" is both unfair and untrue. And additionally, it comes off with an air of resentment (jealously perhaps), even if that's not necessarily the case. No accusations, just observations.</p>

<p>Perhaps you're gathering this from the reunions, and the earliest classes of Princeton. It was, afterall, an all-male school in its primary years.. and thus these alums could very well share a strong, frat-brother like bond. I have rarely heard of this fact being offputting, but hey, to each his own. Likewise, I HAVE heard, numerous times, that one of the best aspect of being a Princeton grad is the annual reunions. One big sea of black-and-orange. One big mass of satisfied, nostalgic graduates. One big party. One great weekend.</p>

<p>At any rate, all of those I've spoken with who have attended Brown have mostly wonderful things to say. Chris Berman is an alum, and I'm sure he'd be the first to tell you.</p>

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<p>not resentment, but admitedly a little bit of jealousy...princeton's alum giving rate is unparalleled and this has a lot to do with princeton alums' willingness to suit up in orange and black and do the fight song (complete w/ accompanying hand motions). brown alums have a fight song they love too but would never parade around in identical outfits singing it while doing coordinated salutes. it's a stark and legitimate difference in cultures</p>

<p>academically, princeton is superb. obviously the cultural differences between the two schools are what differentiate them the most.</p>

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<p>Heck, the Brown Band itself doesn't parade around in identical outfits!</p>