Penn or Brown

<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>It sounds like you want to go to Penn. Great school, and a great fit for you apparently, so why not?</p>

<p>That’s definitely true. I was just looking for some pros, cons and opinions of both schools. I just want to make sure I am making the right decision.</p>

<p>You cannot be sure. That’s part of the fun of taking risks like going to college. On the other hand, you may attend a terrific school next year. </p>

<p>Is the cost to your family the same? does that matter to your family? Have you read any of the research of the people at either school in the social sciences? have you sat in on any of their classes? if you were to major in history, is history at penn or brown in the social sciences or the humanities? does that matter to you? do the social science profs at either school post their office hours outside their offices? how many hours a week do they offer? (You can look a lot of this up online.) </p>

<p>I don’t have a horse in this race, but I’ve spent lots of time on both campuses. For my money, Penn has more of an urban campus feel, perhaps because Philly is definitely not Providence. Brown also felt more liberal and, sometimes, academically silly, although those two characteristics are not related in any way. Penn is more preppy, sometimes taking itself too seriously. I hope you have a decision to make come March 27th, but you’re right to be trying to find the one that is for you.</p>

<p>The costs will be almost the same, although Penn has a slightly better offer. This will not take any part in my decision though.</p>

<p>I have spoken with many psychology students (I am most interested in psychology). When speaking to these students I also asked about the research opportunities. I have not yet read any of the research they did, this might indeed be a good thing to do. I was told by multiple students at both universities that there were many research opportunities and that they were able to fully develop themselves. At both schools the students were very excited about their own school. I also attended a few Psychology classes at both schools, and especially the ones at Penn were very impressive (Brown was good as well, but I think I liked the ones at Penn a little bit more). Brown on the other hand had a very impressive neuroscience class.</p>

<p>I got the chance to see a lot of both campuses and was able two stay at the campus for two nights at both schools. At Brown I stayed in the dorms with sophomores and at Penn I stayed in an off campus house with Juniors. Both visits were nice, but I liked the students and the visit at Penn a little bit more. I felt like I was in the right place, and I liked the campus a lot as well. </p>

<p>Both school were amazing and on the academic side I think I can’t really go wrong. I am just trying to find out which one will be the right place for me.</p>

<p>well, you’ve had a fairly good experience of each school. you can however check out some of the things I or others mention.</p>

<p>If your feel more comfortable at Penn, go there. It is simple. You can’t make a bad choice between these schools.</p>

<p>Does anyone know how the students are at both schools? I might have spoken to some nice students but maybe I just got lucky. </p>

<p>You are essentially choosing between two cities, Philly and Providence rather than Upenn and Brown. Both universities are Ivy leagues, as you already know with great academic reputation and research facilities. There is however no comparison between Philly and Providence. If you want to enjoy life being a student, go to Philly. </p>

<p>Here is an interesting clip describing the how and why of Brown’s curriculum - he talks a little bit about undergrad research: </p>

<p><a href=“TEDxBrownUniversity - Kenneth Miller - What Makes the Brown University Curriculum Unique? - YouTube”>TEDxBrownUniversity - Kenneth Miller - What Makes the Brown University Curriculum Unique? - YouTube;

<p>I’m curious how you are in both, aren’t they both only ED acceptances as of this point or do you have some special circumstance like 2 likely letters?</p>

<p>I guess you have to go with your gut at some point. You will have to get over that you will have to give up something at one for the other .</p>

<p>I have one likely letter and I have an offer for a second one. The only thing is I need to commit if I want the second one. So it basically comes down that I have to choose between the two schools. I either keep the likely I already have, or I commit to the other one.</p>