<p>A couple of thoughts – First, Midwestmom makes a tremendous point that is often overlooked – Brown’s (with its open curriculum) has a fundamentally different educational philosophy that many of the other colleges on your list. I think this is key (and in many ways more important tahn a visit, even).</p>
<p>Based on what you’ve written – I probably wouldn’t recommend MIT for you (though it’s a fantastic school). I think you’re likely to find it much less academically diverse than many of the other schools on your list. Ditto for RPI (or any ‘institute’). In my mind, Chicago may also fall into this category, though it wasn’t on the list of schools my D considered, so I know less first hand, and may be very wrong.</p>
<p>… ummmm was Dartmouth on your list? If not, worth consideration.</p>
<p>Otherwise, it’s a good starting list. Heavy on top 20 schools, but certainly enough realistic (match) and safety choices to be viable. </p>
<p>I think you have to visit a few places and begin to see what you like or don’t like.</p>