<p>I had my heart set on Brown for a long time, and I was ultimately rejected this year. I was both absolutely miserable and shocked at the decision. </p>
<p>I have a question. I've been accepted to some great schools like UChicago, Wellesley, Berkeley, Georgetown, WUSTL, etc. </p>
<p>But I've also been accepted to the University of Florida Honors Program. I'm pretty sure that this program is VERY selective as I know two kids who were accepted to Brown, but not accepted to the Honors Program at UF. </p>
<p>The honors program invites 4 percent of UF applicants, and then later accepts around half of those invited to apply. So ultimately a 2 percent acceptance rate. I think most of these kids are ivy quality. </p>
<p>If I'm still keen on attending Brown next year...Will it look better for me to transfer out of a highly competive Honors program at UF or a school, as good as for example, UofC?</p>
<p>And please don't attack me, I know I might have a wonderful time whereever I decide to go, and then I won't want to go to Brown anywmore. But I'm asking this now, to be safe, so I can make the correct decision for next year. </p>
<p>I would go where the financial situation is best. If you got decent aid to UChicago and it won’t cost you much more than UF, go there.</p>
<p>And I know you just said it, but once you get there you’ll forget all about Brown So I would choose your school based on spending four years there, not based on which will get you into Brown.</p>
<p>It also depends on the opportunities available. At some upper tier schools, you may have to fight with others for great opportunities (especially if you are not the “best”). At honors colleges, you have a leg up. But, it totally depends on the experience YOU want to have. For example, I don’t like some honors programs because they lack flexibility or for other reasons. Not all honors programs are created equally. What matters most is which program you will enjoy and reap benefits from.</p>
<p>I think that where you go for your first year is much less important than what you do while there.</p>
<p>Any one of those schools will be good for you to go to your first year. You need to go somewhere you will be comfortable – not only for your first year, because you will spend an entire year there, but also for the next four years on the chance that you do not get accepted for transfer admissions to Brown (that’s a very real possibility – there are very few transfer slots at Ivy League schools. No one leaves!)</p>
<p>What is more important is that you perform strongly during your first year – high GPA, get involved in some activities, and get close to some professors who can write you recommendation letters about your outstanding work. Where can you do that? And where can you go that it would be easy for you to transfer your credits and move yourself from that school to Brown?</p>
<p>And where can you go that if you don’t get into Brown – please recognize that this chance is very high – you’ll have a blast there and won’t regret going?</p>
<p>I am biased because I went to a small women’s LAC for undergrad, so Wellesley would be the top choice on that list. Georgetown would likely be second because I absolutely love the area (DC is a great city, and the Georgetown area is beautiful!). Both are awesome, highly ranked schools and have good programs in the kinds of areas I was interested in when I was in high school (social sciences).</p>
<p>State if finances are a concern for your family/you. By a concern, I mean excessive loans that they/you won’t be able to pay out of pocket.</p>
<p>Are you a resident of Florida? What exactly are the benefits of the Honors Program(scholarship money?)</p>
<p>PS Considering that Brown’s transfer admissions is I believe lower than freshman admissions, your chances don’t increase just because you come out of X school. There are schools that offer the exact same thing if not more than Brown(excluding exact location, and the category of an “Ivy League”) ie Amherst, Vassar, Wesleyan etc.</p>
<p>PS 2- just because your heart was set on brown for a long time, doesn’t mean your heart will change, just look at divorce statistics or follow any serious relationships you or olders have been in. Sucks when you break up, but you get over it and find a “new” love even if you’ve been in love with your “old” love for 2-20 years!</p>
<p>UF Honors Program = Berkeley = Chicago = WUSL = Brown</p>
<p>However, if you want to major in engineering or computer science, you should go to Berkeley as it is the much better school for those programs than all the rest in your list. If you want to major in economics, Chicago. I don’t know why you like Brown, but it’s not really that great especially when your other options are just as prestigious, if not even more so.</p>
<p>I’d take UF honors and would never look back for that decision. Unless you can really afford it, then take Berkeley. But if you’re Asian, go to Chicago or WUSL.</p>
<p>The UF Honors students may very well be on par with students at Ivy caliber schools, but the school itself is not. UF is a good school, but it doesn’t compare to the other schools you mentioned. If money isn’t too big of an issue for you, do not chose UF.</p>
<p>I would say to make your decision based on two things. First off go where you get the most money seeing as you might transfer out anyway. Secondly, go where you think you might actually enjoy youself. If you like Brown you are probably creative so UChicago, or Wellesley might be good matches for you.</p>
<p>If money is not an issue, Florida would be my last choice if you’re planning a career in something like business. Employers are not going to parse your resume and note that the honors program is highly selective, the are going to browse your resume and what will jump out is the name of your college. Also, fewer employers will recruit for top jobs there.</p>
:mad: [/attack]</p>
So I would choose your school based on spending four years there, not based on which will get you into Brown.</p>