<p>I am thinking about applying to either Brown or Columbia as a high reach school - what are some of the biggest differences between these schools? What are their strong suits, what is the diff between the students, the campus, etc? I already know about the cities so just wondering about the other stuff. Thanks!</p>
<p>For staters, at Brown, we have the Open Curriculum in which there are no requirements of any kind outside your major. Also, you can take an unlimited number of courses s/nc (satisfactory/no credit). At Columbia, there is the Core Curriculum which takes most of your first two years to complete. Columbia is also a much more urban school, being in the largest city in the country and all vs. a city of 200,000 people. Don't get me wrong, Providence still has stuff to offer, but nothing like NY. At Columbia, NY really is your campus (aside from the quad); Brown has a much more traditional college campus (many parts of campus look like your stereotypical New England school). I can't say a lot about Columbia students, but Brown students are incredibly diverse in all ways (believe it or not) and it is a great environment for learning (very little competition). Everyone at Brown has something different to offer, and it is a truely amazing place. If you have a chance, I would suggest doing an overnight at both schools in the fall. My overnight at Brown is what made me want to come here. I hope that helps some.</p>
<p>Columbia is famous for having the most prominent core curriculum in the country. Brown is famous for having no core curriculum at all.</p>
<p>personally, i would go w. Columbia, it has one of the most prestigious names in the business..</p>
<p>They are like opposites</p>
<p>Of course, I was considering both and I like Columbia personally, just based on the campus and NYC</p>
<p>Prestige is irrelevant here. It should not be a factor in your decision. Visit the campuses and see which one you like more.</p>
<p>brown: very liberal and kinda out there.
columbia: maybe a tad quircky, idk, but a very urban campus, nice mix of everything...and core btw..</p>
<p>Dude...we aren't as "out there" as our reputation. Yet, Brown is a truly unique and amazing place. No school is for everybody though, so visit. Don't go off of my opinion or anybody else's but your own.</p>
<p>Columbia is relatively small. Only 1000 students per class. Then again, that's the size of my high school.</p>
<p>The admissions officer (for my region, nonetheless) who conducted our info session at Columbia was really cocky. He kept saying, "If you aren't ______, then you don't belong at Columbia." The campus is small, too. But you can go anywhere in Manhattan in about ten minutes or less.</p>
<p>I would have to agree about the admission officer at Columbia. She was not a good public speaker, she wasn't friendly, and she literally told people not to apply if they don't think they can get in. I didn't like the school very much, since it seemed very graduate focused. Of course, based on what I have heard about Brown, I doubt it is for me as well.</p>
<p>um, Penn has one of the meanest undergrad admissions offices out there...call them up, they think they are god's gift.</p>
<p>They were nice when I called to ask for my password again. :confused:</p>
<p>Cornell, Duke, and Dartmouth ppl were SOOOOOO nice. I gotta send them gifts.</p>
<p>Emory fin. aid office practically yelled at me to fill out my forms.</p>
<p>I have to say that I disagree with your comments about Columbia admissions officers. A former one is an extremely good friend of mine and the one I had during my application process last year was very receptive, open, informative and honest. She described the school as it is.</p>
<p>The Core is unlike any other curriculum in the nation. Take a look at it online and you get an understanding as to how incredibly diverse and well rounded it makes you. It is a big part of campus life and academics at Columbia, but it is an experience unlike any other.</p>
<p>Columbia College is the smallest undergraduate Ivy college at a class size of ~1,000 students. The student:faculty average is 7:1 and the attention you get from actual professors is impressive for such a large university with graduate students.</p>
<p>Personally, I did not enjoy Brown, but that is a personal opinion. 4 students from my grade are going there next year and they all love it. Depends on the kind of environment you want for college.</p>
<p>I didn't attack all admissions officers. I attacked the one that is going to be reviewing my application. Yeah, I consider myself a smart kid. (Joke).</p>
<p>Maybe he'll end up appreciating what I said because, after all, every single Columbia student speaks his/her mind and absolutely nobody there is quiet or reserved in any way. Argh, he was really full of it.</p>
<p>Yeah. I think I know who you are talking about. I got a sour taste when I went for my tour because I had an extremely arrogant adcom. I think you have to take all of it with a grain of salt.</p>
<p>No one is reserved at Columbia and in fact that is what is great about it.</p>