<p>How do the two programs compare?
Thanks</p>
<p>Ah! These were my top choices as well, and I'm going for neuroscience.</p>
<p>The undergrad neuroscience programs at both of these places are wonderful. For grad school, though, look to Columbia (but Brown's grad neuroscience program isn't far behind).</p>
<p>For grad, I'm looking at Columbia or Stanford in particular. But you'll get great opportunities at any of these 2 (3) schools.</p>
<p>Here's why I chose Brown:</p>
<p>I plan to concentrate in cognitive neuroscience. This doesn't exist at Columbia. Brown has a WHOLE LOT of flexibility in this area. Want to be more bio-based? You can take straight up neuroscience. Or would you prefer to focus on the psychological aspect? You can take cognitive science (not offered at columbia!!). Or you can be indecisive like me and go for cognitive neuroscience. ;)</p>
<p>Plus, I think being a science major at Columbia would be incredibly restrictive; after taking all the core courses and major requirements, there will be little time for exploration in other areas or studying abroad, unless you really want to kill yourself with work (which I hear sort of happens at Columbia...)</p>
<p><a href="http://www.cog.brown.edu/%5B/url%5D">http://www.cog.brown.edu/</a></p>
<p><a href="http://neuroscience.brown.edu/%5B/url%5D">http://neuroscience.brown.edu/</a></p>
<p>yay departmental pages</p>
<p>I'm still not really sure whether I'd rather focus on the psychological or biological aspects of neuroscience. I wonder if I should go with cognitive neuro over neuro...</p>
<p>I am more interested in the neuroscience aspect. I heard that even the pysch aspect of neuroscience at columbia is hard science oriented.</p>
<p>neuroscience at brown is pretty hard science oriented as well--the cocentration prerequisites include calculus, physics, and organic chemistry as "background"</p>
<p>the biggest advantage to brown neuroscience over columbia is the accessibility of the faculty--and not just any faculty. almost every member of the department is a rock star in some way. an undergrad cofounded cyberkinetics with John Donoghue, the company that is now making the first human brain/machine interfaces that allow paralyzed patients to control computer screens with their thoughts. an undergrad at brown helped discover LTD (you neuro buffs will know what i'm talking about) with Mark Bear. an undergrad helped David Berson discover the eye's third photoreceptor. </p>
<p>My undergrad senior thesis was directly advised by a nobel laureate.</p>
<p>Columbia also has great faculty but undergrads do not have the same kind of access. Eric Kandel is at Columbia but there are currently no undergrads in his lab.</p>
<p>Thanks, dcircle. I appreciate the informative response.</p>