<p>Hi all! I have to choose between Penn and Brown and I could use some advice. I visited both and I liked both schools very much. I did feel more comfortable at Penn and really liked the students. I got to visit some classes at both schools and those were pretty much equal. I am probably going to major somewhere in the social sciences. At this moment, I think my choice would be to go to Penn. Any thought on this? I could really use some help in this choice. Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>I don’t know how you have this choice already, but if you really do, congratulations!</p>
<p>They are two wonderful universities with great undergraduate programs. Their similarities far outweigh their differences. Except for a uniquely strong department here or there, there isn’t likely to be any really compelling reason to choose one over the other. So any old reason will do – or no reason at all. You can flip a coin, or read tarot cards. You can decide whether brown stuff looks better on you than navy and red. You can see how far each is from your parents, and decide whether that’s a good thing or a bad thing. They are all legitimate ways to choose, because you will be fine either way.</p>
<p>I actually disagree with the above. In my opinion there are a few key differences.
With Brown, it is to my knowledge that the education there is a lot more exploratory and intellectually curious. Not saying that Penn isn’t either of the two; it’s just that Penn is undeniably pre-professional. Although some deny this, it’s hard to compare Penn and Brown and come to the conclusion that Penn isn’t more practical/future-focused than Brown. Also, Brown is a much smaller school, student body wise. I think each class at Brown is ~1200 kids, while at Penn it’s ~2400. And if you’re looking to have fun during college, it seems that Penn has a much better social life and its proximity to Center City Philadelphia has its perks.</p>
<p>I’ll be a Freshman at Wharton next year; hope to see you! :)</p>
<p>Penn is ~2,400 per class; Brown seems to be ~1,500 (although a few years ago it was somewhat bigger, I was surprised to see it below 1,650). Penn feels way more massive than that compared to Brown, but that’s in large part because it has 5+ times more graduate and professional students, Drexel next door (Brown has RISD, but Drexel is bigger), three hospitals on campus, plus University City Science Center and Wistar Institute.</p>
<p>Penn has a lot of students in relatively focused, pre-professional programs (Wharton, nursing, engineering) and Brown fewer, but it would be silly to think that Brown doesn’t have an enormous contingent of high-achieving students with a pre-professional focus. The formal structures and rules of the two undergraduate programs differ a lot more than the actual interests and curriculums of their respective students.</p>
<p>Brown is closer to the central part of Providence than Penn is to Center City Philadelphia, although the difference doesn’t matter much – they are both close enough to be close and far enough to be a little separate. Philadelphia has a lot more going on than Providence, but Providence is surprisingly vibrant and nice (a change from what was the case 20 years ago), and Boston is very accessible, too (as is New York from Penn, but it’s about twice as far as Boston from Brown). I’m all for Philadelphia over Providence, but even committed cosmopolitan city people can enjoy their college years in Providence fine.</p>
<p>I’m not saying there aren’t real differences between Brown and Penn. Of course there are. They just aren’t “key” differences. A kid who instinctively likes one over the other shouldn’t feel insecure about following his gut.</p>
<p>I am interested in this. What would be examples of “key” differences? Open vs. core curriculum? Pre-professional vs. non-vocational emphasis? Location adjacent to a city with a population of about 1.5 million vs. a city with a population of about 178 thousand? Relative emphasis on graduate programs? Greek life? High-rise dorms? One undergraduate college vs four with separate admission?</p>
<p>I am more familiar with Brown than Penn. I think there are significant differences between the schools. I don’t think the OP or anyone else in this thread is exhibiting insecurity about anything</p>
<p>Thanks for the replies! To come back to the question how it is possible that I have this choice already, I have received a likely letter from one of the schools, and could receive another one from the other school if I decide to commit. Basically I have to choose between keeping the likely letter I already have, or commit to the other school and get an likely letter from them. </p>
<p>Both schools have its perks and so far Penn is winning this battle. Penn is in Philadelphia, which is definitely a pro. Also, as said before, I felt better at Penn during my visit. I had a better connection with the students and I really enjoyed my visit. I also enjoyed my visit to Brown, but a little less (It was still very nice though). Brown on the other hand has a stronger athletics department than Penn, which definitely matters to me. </p>
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HUH? Since when? And what, exactly, do you mean by that?</p>
<p>Exactly, What do u mean?</p>
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</p>
<p>So either Penn or Brown has told you that you could receive a letter saying you are a likely admittee if you give an unconditional acceptance now to a conditional offer in the future.</p>
<p>This is a tactic I had not heard of before. Talk about yield management tools!</p>
<p>Separately, Penn traditionally has had more success in varsity sports, across-the-board, than Brown, so I also question the statement that Brown has a stronger athletics department than Penn. Maybe you are referring to a specific varsity sport? Or maybe intramurals? Grateful for your clarification.</p>
<p>Sorry about that, I should have been a little bit more specific. Brown is doing better in the varsity sport I am intending to do in college. This would mean I would probably get better support and better teammates at Brown. </p>
<p>I think it’s a pretty logical tactic they are using. They want to know that the people they are supporting in admissions also really go to their school. They only have a few spots available for support at admissions and if they give away a spot to someone that is probably not going to attend, they would prefer giving it to another recruit that, even though he might be less good, is definitely coming to their school. </p>
<p>Oh, so you are talking about athletic slots at the Admissions Office. Athletic slots/likelies are a whole different ballgame from academic likelies. Thanks for clarifying that</p>
<p>Most athletic slots at the Ivies are taken in the ED/EA round. You are lucky to have two schools with available slots this late in RD. I would say if your head or your heart cannot help you choose between the two, go to the place where it seems the coaches want you more/are showing you the most love</p>