<p>Well, sorry if this is a waste of your time, but I’m trying to decide where to go next semester. I’ve got a full ride at Rice University (awesome school, no doubt) and a good scholarship at Brown University (not too shabby), and I’ve just found out about being accepted to U Penn. Though I haven’t found out about F.Aid at Penn, I’m having enough trouble deciding between Rice and Brown. Though having been in Dallas for only five years, I think I’ve accepted the full punishment of Texas’ fickle, sizzling hot weather for whatever misdeed I committed; therefore, I’d love to go to the NorthEast for a change. However, I see the benefits in staying close to home, having a car, and not having to borrow money, all of which result from the generostity of Rice’s financial aid department. But, at Brown and U Penn, I’m sure I’ll meet awesome people, have a more flexible curriculum, and enjoy more previleges and opportunities brought about by the Ivy League reputation. Seeking for a well-rounded undergrat education, an awesome choral department, and a laid-back, friendly atmosphere, I’m still trying to find my best fit. Please help me. In return I’ll send you good thoughts and prayers in Vietnamese (a very rare gift, you might say).</p>
<p>what are you majoring in?</p>
<p>I don't really think you have to worry about reputation--ivy or not, Rice has a really good name. </p>
<p>would you prefer Brown/Rice over Penn regardless of the financial aid?</p>
<p>I'm a Pre-med major, for which I think any of those schools would be appropriate. I can't say for sure that I'll choose Rice/Brown over Penn for FAid.</p>
<p>well living in Maryland, which isnt even the North East, ill tell you that a except for the summer, the weather HERE sucks. It's cold, rainy and just plain nasty and Maryland is my some still considered the "South". The northeast's weather will not pleasantly surprise you unless youre insane. If the money is significant, then forget about the "Ivy reputation", you'll have more fun at Rice and the education is amazing. Remember, you decide the quality of education you receive, not the athletic conference your school is in. Brown is a LOT more flexible and attracts a fairly different population that does Penn. The student body is more liberal, tends to be overly politically correct sometimes(as you can see from the heated thread), contains, in my personal opinion, cooler kids than at any college i i know. The weather there is nice like 4-5 months a year, 3 of those coming when youre not there. It's an important decision, but go with your gut, and make sure not to have any regrets. You can't really go wrong with any one of those schools, and having a car in college = more girls/fun/freedom/flexibility, though you wont be needing one for transportation purposes at penn or brown.</p>
<p>either way you really really can't go wrong</p>
<p>also if you pick Rice, maybe I can get into Brown for the fall semester instead of spring : ) </p>
<p>ha ha just kidding. i don't really know how that works. </p>
<p>anyway, I'm going to agree with Bull MooseandSqrl. I've spent many many summers in Texas and I know that the heat seems unbearable...but you're going to have to be home for the worst of it regardless of whether you go to the Northeast or stay close-by since you'll probably be home for summer anyway. </p>
<p>And yeah, my first winter in NY was brutal. BUT, this is the way I see it: if you're already there, I mean what else can you really do. You complain a bit but then you get over it since it's not like you can do anything to change it. </p>
<p>I know a few people that went to Penn. They are definitely really talented, ambitious and friendly. I would think Brown's population is generally more easy-going but you meet cool people wherever you go. I also know a handful at Rice and they're equally nice and friendly. </p>
<p>Made a decision yet? You only have like..4 more days for Brown, if that.</p>
<p>The fact that you know I only have four days left to respond to Brown freaks me out a little, Red92. Are you also a transfer to Brown who got the letter on the same day that I did? Either that or you're psychic, which is cool. But out of all the kids from Brown, Penn, and Rice, who do you think are the coolest ones (from which school)?</p>
<p>haha well it's not that I'm psychic at all, but I think they sent all of the letters out in like a 2-day span so it's pretty likely that we got them on the same day. (I did apply to Brown as well and I got accepted for the spring) </p>
<p>I wouldn't be able to give you an accurate view of the school by describing the couple of kids I know that go to each. There are tons more people that I don't know so...couldn't help you out there. Plus, I think it's already pretty cool that you got into all three schools so you're reputation is definitely not on the line or anything. And like I said, you'll meet really great people at all three of the schools. </p>
<p>If money is an issue...then Rice seems awfully appealing. I've never been to the campus but having lived in TX myself for a few years I've heard the campus is beautiful. I've also been to Houston once or twice and there seemed plenty to do. </p>
<p>Providence is really artsy with RISD close-by and just the nature of the city--it seems to have that kind of vibe. There's lots of great shows if you're into going to concerts and some good art exhibits. I applied freshman year and my interviewer was talking about how the city has really cleaned up. It's pretty close to Boston but far enough away so that you don't have to rely on going to another city and hour or so away. </p>
<p>the reason I want to go to Brown is because they have the open curriculum where you can pretty much pick and choose your classes. I'm pretty sure I want to be a humanities major but I also want to take a few art classes and RISD and Brown have cross-registration. Also, I've been thinking about taking some finance classes just to have some practical knowledge since I may pursue a business-oriented job...humanities majors aren't really in high demand..haha. </p>
<p>as for you, you said you wanted to do pre-med which isn't a major but I'm assuming you meant you would major in sciences like biochem or something. If you know this is what you want to do for sure then I mean, academically, Rice is amazing with science too. Isn't that what they're known for ? I don't really know how Penn is with sciences. Brown is definitely great too since i think they have the med school. That aspect is really a toss-up. </p>
<p>philly is definitely a fun time too. I went there a few years ago with my family and there was a great museum and alot of other college kids since there's quite a few in the area. it's a really good school too, of course. </p>
<p>and socially, you're going to find really bright, nice kids everywhere. I noticed a bit of a difference between culture in the south and in the north but I also spent the past year in NYC which is notorious for being rude. (not exactly true but NYC is no providence or Philly) </p>
<p>it really just depends where you want to be...
haha sorry for the length of the post. it ended up being kind of pointless.</p>
<p>Thank you all for having given great advice and having brought up really good points to be considered. I've made my decision and am content with the place I'll be for the rest of my college years. Gratzia, everybody.</p>
<p>so what did you pick? lol</p>
<p>Seriously, you can't post like this and not tell us the decision!</p>
<p>I didn't want to disappoint those who expected a different result. So I hoped this question wouldn't come up. I knew it was foolish of me to hope so, but definitely worth a try. Anyway, if you must know, I have officially declined a full ride to Rice University, the Thomas Eliot Scholarship to Washington University, and University of Pennsylvania (from whom I haven't found out about F.Aid) to accept Brown's offer of admission and its fairly competitive scholarship. At Brown I think I'll have more opportunities to become well-rounded, to develop more diverse interests, and to grow into a unique individual. As a person who would like to take risks and get out of his shell to explore other parts of the world, I decided to leave Texas - my comfort zone - for a place I've never been to. My family are supportive of my decision, and that's important. But mostly it's my support I was seeking. Again, thank you all very much.</p>
<p>Yes, I was going to say that you should pick either Brown or Rice and NOT Upenn. Personally, I would advise my kids to go to Penn IF they wanted to attend Wharton. Penn tends to be too theoretical and not practical in its education, and this is from two of Penn's deans. Brown is an awesome choice with its lack of core requirements and artsy RISD neighbor. Lots of fun things to do and see.</p>
<p>However, if you are going into debt to attend Brown, you might want to reconsider RIce. Yes, you probably will like Brown better and Providence better than Houston. However, a free ride is unbeatable especially if from a great school like Rice.</p>
<p>Awesome! Best of luck.</p>
<p>Taxguy, I thank you for your concern about the financial aspect. I would say that my decision to attend Brown is bittersweet. Bitter because I had to decline a full ride offer to Rice, but sweet because I figured out that I value personal development and freedom of choice over money. It seems like I am financially irresponsible. But trust me, I'm not. However, there are experiences that money can't buy, and for me this is one of them. Please have a little faith me. I think I can make it worthwhile. And finally, with the help of Brown University Scholarship, federal grant and outside scholarships, I'll borrow about 4 or 5 grams from federal-funded student loans, which means I don't have to pay the interest till I graduate. So hopefully it won't be too bad. I'm very very pleasantly surprised by the level of concern everyone has shown. Such awesome people, you included.</p>
<p>looks like we'll be seeing you in the fall! congrats</p>
<p>Thank you, and see you in September.</p>
<p>I wasn't involved in this thread, but I couldn't help but notice you totally diss my town in your profile. And I must applaud you for that, because I despise it too. I can't wait to leave! Yay for Texans heading east! Congrats on your decision, and I'm sure you'll love Brown :)</p>
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Penn tends to be too theoretical and not practical in its education, and this is from two of Penn's deans.
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<p>I hope you're kidding or just mixed it up. Penn usually gets criticized for being TOO focused on practicality and not focused enough on more vague intellectual theory...just to clear it up.</p>
<p>Penn makes a great non-wharton college btw. hey, so does brown. how strange</p>
<p>Yeah... Penn is known as being one of the most pre-professional and least intellectual ivies, and that's one of the reasons I didn't apply. </p>
<p>Hahaha... I don't want a practical education! I want a liberal arts education that has little relevance to the real world but makes me happy anyway!</p>
<p>Hey JohnnyK,
Did you apply to Brown in high school? Just wondering why you were hanging around the Brown thread when you go to Penn (Sorry; that last sentence sounded like it was meant to be criticizing, but it's really not! :) ).</p>