<p>Didn't see this matchup on the (wonderful) composite thread. Son is deciding between these two (and others).</p>
<p>Carleton has a core curriculum, while Brown has pretty much no core requirements. Carleton is also probably more easy-going. What is he planning to major in? That could be one of the deciding factors.</p>
<p>Brown-bigger school, probably more artsy, in a (rundown)city-the pool is a mess right now-Ivy and better known.More political than Carleton.
Carleton-in friendly neighborhood Northfield-no crime but the life centers around the college, great LAC, small, friendly and personal, strong environmental vibe, and no grad students, so no competition for research opportunities with the profs, who teach the actual classes.</p>
<p>He’s mainly a humanities guy - literatures in English and other languages - but also interested in bio, and (hopefully) open to any and all academic interests. Extremely hard working, yet at the same time extremely laid back, quiet, thoughtful, kind of a hippie, though not political as far as I can tell. Might be better off in a nurturing small-town LAC environment, though I might be thinking about the child I’ve raised up to now and not the young man he’ll be in one or two years…</p>
<ol>
<li><p>While Carleton’s graduation requirements are pretty thin, Brown’s are downright translucent.</p></li>
<li><p>Agree with OldbatesieDoc about differences in setting, but wouldn’t call Providence “rundown.” Thayer Street is a small strip but has some great hangouts. College Hill has a great historic vibe. Providence is at heart a small working class city that may not be very exciting, but made great strides pulling itself out of a longstanding funk when US manufacturing went the way of the dinosaur. </p></li>
<li><p>Carleton may be more “easy going” socially with a deserved reputation for being about as accepting and non judgmental as a college scene can get. But academically it will be more rigorous and challenging than Brown.</p></li>
<li><p>Lots of overlap between students. Lots of cross-apps. </p></li>
<li><p>Both student bodies very happy with their experiences. Carleton with somewhat tighter student bonding on campus persisting post grad.</p></li>
</ol>