<p>I got into both Columbia and Brown, much to my surprise, and now I have no idea which to pick. I'm a white girl from a suburb of NYC (across the Hudson from Westchester) who is interested in mainly Physical Science, but also History and Political Science. Anyone like to weigh in on why one school is better than the other, in terms of academics, social scene, or overall atmosphere?</p>
<p>I would say Columbia, but I was waitlisted from Brown so I guess I’m a little bias</p>
<p>Columbia for sure</p>
<p>Columbia, definitely. More opportunities, more everything.</p>
<p>Hard to say one is better than the other, they are both great schools with very different approaches. Columbia has a much more structured curriculum while at Brown you make your own. I think it has more to do with personality. You can’t go wrong with either one. Congratulations.</p>
<p>echo crls, can’t go wrong with either.</p>
<p>i will add one thing - whereas columbia’s curriculum is more ‘structured’ the actual number of opportunities at columbia far exceed those that are offered at Brown (and most universities). it is a duality that i think you need to keep in mind - because what columbia will do is give you a and your peers a set of common tools, discussion points through the core, and then unleash you wild in the academic sphere and the campus and city life. </p>
<p>too often the columbia v. brown thing is reduced to - oh brown is open, columbia is not. which is far too simplistic. as i’ve argued in the past, brown is able to be open without it devolving into cacophony (they have fewer majors, departments, and providence as a city never really competes with campus life) an open curriculum can work there. columbia gives you a common ground and sends you out. </p>
<p>there are some differences in culture - both are probably more on the liberal end of the spectrum, columbia is not at all pretentious if even it is very intense culture (brought forth by the fast paced nyc lifestyle), and a lot of students feel they are a fit at both places, but often for different reasons.</p>
<p>if i were decide i’d still choose columbia. but i like the idea of unbounded opportunity.</p>
<p>It’s pretty funny, I’m in the exact same situation. I’ve been expecting to go to Brown all throughout high school as a legacy, and now I’ve gotten into Columbia as well. Personally, I’m leaning towards Columbia. NYC is a huge draw, and the school really succeeds in all areas. The open curriculum is interesting, but I’ve heard some people had a great time, while others (my father included) were sort of set adrift without any sort of guide, although I hear it’s different now with better advising.</p>
<p>You should definitely go to Brown. Think about it this way: Columbia has the core, but at Brown, you can make your own core.</p>
<p>This is a funny choice considering the curriculums are exact opposites.</p>
<p>in my biased opinion, brown is the greatest place on earth</p>
<p>interestingly… before i applied my top choice kept switching between columbia and brown. i am undecided and even though both schools have polar opposite curriculums, they would both allow me to branch out and see what i would like to do with my life. unfortunately, brown didnt accept me.</p>
<p>I’m more laid back… so i would have chosen Brown over Columbia.</p>
<p>As I was waitlisted at Columbia and admitted to Brown, I would say Brown :)</p>
<p>Columbia one of the best schools, and closer to home. win win</p>
<p>I also was admitted to both Columbia and Brown. I am a theater major. They both have great programs, but which program would better prepare me for a career as an actress? I was also admitted to NYU Tisch which I am also seriously considering, but I am having trouble making decisions. Any help would be extraordinarily appreciated!! Thank you!</p>
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<p>Columbia might have the edge for those 3 areas, but it honestly will not make a significant difference to your undergrad education, because Brown has great profs and smart students as well, so you will be challenged and have tons of opportunities academics-wise either way. In terms of social scene and atmosphere, it truly is different strokes for different folks, so what do you look for and hope to avoid in college?</p>
<p>@HannahKailey</p>
<p>I know Brown and Columbia have excellent theater program (Haha Emma Watson?), but NYU Tisch is probably much better. I looked into Tisch’s film program and if that was what I was doing, I would be there in a heartbeat. It is much more specialized than Columbia or Brown and I would assume theater is the same way.</p>
<p>WARNING! trf1021 is a Columbia waitlistee who is trying to get accepted students to turn down Columbia so that he is more likely to get admitted, he was rejected at a bunch of different ivies and Columbia’s probably the best he has left:</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/896071-ivy-selective-school-rd-results-2014-comparison-summary-3.html#post1064496857[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/896071-ivy-selective-school-rd-results-2014-comparison-summary-3.html#post1064496857</a></p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/yale-university/894258-official-yale-class-2014-rd-results-thread-3.html#post1064496778[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/yale-university/894258-official-yale-class-2014-rd-results-thread-3.html#post1064496778</a></p>
<p>a direct quote: "if you know anyone who got into Columbia, TELL THEM NOT TO GO! "</p>
<p>Columbia is a real school. Go there.</p>
<p>Imo, Columbia.</p>
<p>But then again, it’s where you would be happier:)</p>
<p>@confidentialcoll, That really is my honest opinion. I looked into Tisch for film and I really do think it is better for a theater major.</p>