<p>Ok. I've gotten into both schools. I know there are a plethora of comparisons between the two schools, but I was looking for a more unique comparison based on my interests and worries. </p>
<p>I want to go into neuroscience....but I'm also interested government...or maybe literature. (I'm a wreck...I know).</p>
<p>I'm also concerned about grad school. I have recently heard about Harvard undergrads who just can't seem to get into good undergrad schools like the Law and Medical Schools at Harvard, Columbia, Yale, etc (due to the competition, grading system, etc). I know grad school is a ways away, but I just need to know. I dont want to got to a school for four years and end up less able to go to a grad school of my choice.</p>
<p>I love Brown's open curriculum && liberal environment, but I won't be able to visit it. People try to put Brown down sometimes, but I think the academics are just as great as any other ivy. I NEED to know about Providence (what is there to do in the city...atmosphere...social life...different opportunities, etc). Will the lack of +/- set me back when it comes to applying for grad school/jobs/internships? </p>
<p>I love Harvard's atmosphere. Harvard square was great. I also like the housing system. I thought Harvard students were snobby and intimidating. I visited and saw the exact opposite. I'm worried, however, about having a good social life while balancing academics. And the environment seems stressful to a certain degree. I know Harvard isn't a school that will hold your hand along the way, but is it really that hard to get in touch will professors? & lastly, I've heard about grade deflation...</p>
<p>Can anyone speak on these issues?
I have also posted this thread in the Brown forum</p>
<p>Plenty of Harvard undergrads make it to top grad schools in their chosen field/discipline. Don’t worry too much about that…
Also, do realize that the list vossron linked to is of PhDs. A good number of Harvard College alum get terminal degrees in the professions–i.e. JDs, MDs or MBAs–which are obviously not counted when tallying the number of PhDs.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t worry about the grad school perspective. My senior at Harvard has classmates who have been accepted to Harvard Medical School, Harvard Law School, and a host of other terrific graduate programs.</p>
<p>Total BS about the supposed disadvantage in Harvard’s professional schools. My HLS class was about 15% Harvard College graduates, and the admit rate for my college class applying to HLS and its peers was three times the overall admit rate.</p>
<p>It is not hard to get in touch with professors; you just have to be pro-active about it.</p>
<p>“Our graduates enjoy an extraordinarily high rate of success receiving job offers and admission to graduate and professional schools. Resident tutors in each of the 12 Houses assist students applying to graduate schools and fellowship programs. In fact, Harvard is almost always the best-represented undergraduate institution at Harvard’s graduate schools.”</p>
<p>^^^ Wow. I thought I’d heard all the bizarre stereotypes that were out there about Harvard, but “Harvard grads are disadvantaged in their post-college lives by their affiliation with the place” is a new one for me! :)</p>
<p>I don’t think you should simply write off the idea of being somewhat disadvantaged by going to Harvard in terms of grad schools. I don’t think honeyjay is saying that merely being connected to Harvard is a disadvantage, which is of course not true, but that it’s more difficult to stand out at Harvard. It’s all relative. Compare Harvard and a strong state school. If you were to graduate at the top of your state school class compared to the middle of your Harvard class, it is plausible that you would be more attractive to grad/professional schools. However, if you were to graduate at the top of both classes, given the extracurricular opportunities and summer options available as well as the prestige of the Harvard name, going to Harvard would be a distinct advantage. </p>
<p>My opinion is that - other things equal - attending Harvard is an advantage at the end of the day, but the general premise of the idea is worth some thought.</p>
<p>Where are you getting your information? Both Brown and Harvard are notorious for grade inflation.</p>
<p>Back to the point of your original post, the schools are very different. I would never advise someone to choose between the two of the without visiting both.</p>