<p>I applied ED to Princeton because it was my first choice school. But, I realized that I don't have good stats to get in. So, I thought of other colleges to apply. Then, I decided to apply to Brown, and after researching on it, I love that school. But, I don't want to be "disloyal" to Princeton, especially when I get in. </p>
<p>How do the two compare academically? Social life? Campus and dorms? Faculty? Science Department?</p>
<p>you contradict yourself marvelously</p>
<p>Argh, I am so confused!</p>
<p>LoL. i seriously laughed at OP</p>
<p>Stop being a jerk, Joe. You're not funny.</p>
<p>You guys are lame. Just answer his question if you can. </p>
<p>"How do the two [Princeton, Brown] compare academically? Social life? Campus and dorms? Faculty? Science Department?"</p>
<p>If you get into Princeton ... well there's nuthin to worry about. You should know enough about Princeton already to apply ED so do yourself a favour and go to the Brown board and look for info there.</p>
<p>I hear Brown has no core curriculum and every subject can be taken on a Pass/Fail basis.</p>
<p>Do you like Princeton or Brown more?</p>
<p>brown students are very happy, pton students are normal in the happiness department :D</p>
<p>You'll probably get in PTON.</p>
<p>Brown and Columbia are at opposite extremes among the Ivies in terms of approaches to curriculum. Brown bases its approach to learning on the work of John Dewey and believes that the person who knows best what would be of most value to a student to learn is the student. Brown also believes that learning is a process and students need freedom to challenge themselves intellectually without fears regarding grading. Thus Brown has no core curriculum because it wants all students to choose their own courses, with faculty guidance, and take ownership of their learning. In theory, a student who loved computer science could take every single one of their courses in that area, although the students faculty advisor would strongly encourage greater exploration.<br>
Columbia, on the other hand, believes that there is a core body of knowledge, primarily but not exclusively based on the thinking of the great minds of the Western canon, that every person who is to be considered well-educated should know. Therefore, Columbia has all students take the same core curriculum for two years. Princeton is somewhat in the middle in that it requires students to take a broad range of courses in distribution areas, but also leaves room for electives and allows a limited number of classes to be taken pass/fail. Brown de-emphasizes grades and focuses on written feedback from professors; Princeton very much believes that grades give students important feedback and spur students to do their best. Princeton places a great deal of emphasis on writing and research and has mandatory junior papers and a capstone senior thesis. Brown is considered among the most liberal and artsy of the Ivies; Princeton among the more conservative with strong programs in both the liberal arts and the hard sciences, particularly engineering. Whether those reputations will actually manifest themselves in how you experience campus life is something I dont feel qualified to answer. My guess is almost any student who would be accepted to both colleges would be happy at either one. I think both have a wide range of students but that if you are very much into doing your own thing or into progressive causes you might find more such people at Brown, and if you are generally socially conservative or career oriented you may find more such people at Princeton.</p>
<p>And this is one of the reasons I like CC so much. You have people that truly know what they're talking about. THanks Pdaddy.</p>
<p>I wonder if Byerly's gonna jump into this thread and write something about Harvard again...</p>
<p>However, the student body at these schools is similar high calibre.</p>
<p>As an alum interviewer for Brown with a child at Princeton, I can tell you that Ruth Simmons is scrambling to increase Brown's endowment, number of courses, number of professors, etc., and has recently added freshman seminars like Princeton's. Students at Brown are very happy, and I far prefer their admin's adult attitude toward grades. However, Princeton students are also very happy and the availability of funding for travel, very big-name professors, special programs, and internships at Princeton can't be denied. Brown has traditionally produced very interesting, creative, even quirky alums, while Princeton's were more traditional, but that has changed quite a bit in recent years. Both are schools with a strong focus on undergrads. The residential college system and the Street create a more centralized social life at Princeton.</p>
<p>Does Brown have any famous departments? ie. Stanford's Physics Lab is well-known, Yale and Harvard have excellent law programs, etc...</p>
<p>Great Medical school. Also, better undergraduate focus than HYS.</p>
<p>What's the medical program like at Princeton? I know it's not as good as that of Stanford and Harvard, but is it halfway-decent?</p>
<p>Princeton doesn't have a medical school or law school to the best of my knowledge.</p>
<p>You are correct mensa. Princeton has no law school or medical school. However, they do send lots of kids to those professions and get good placement.</p>
<p>"Does Brown have any famous departments? ie. Stanford's Physics Lab is well-known, Yale and Harvard have excellent law programs, etc..."</p>
<p>As an undergrad, does this really matter?</p>
<p>Brown has a nice Eqyptology dept. The only one on this side of the pond, but then again you have to be interested in it. And it isn't the best.. If you want Archaeology in general go to Chicago or Philadelphia... But if all you grave is the Pyramides then you sure are Rhode Island bound!</p>