<p>If this helps in 1998 when I applied I think Brown was 8 and Penn was 17. The point is that they are exactly the same level and choosing Penn for its "prestige" when in reality it has no more would be a tragedy. As for the Econ dept, it has nothing to so with undergrad. Grad schools could care less about graduate departmental rankings when they admit students, they look at the whole school.</p>
<p>Brown offers a much better community and lifestyle in my opinion. I'd choose it in a heartbeat.</p>