Similar to Brown but Less Selective

D decided Brown is her “dream school.” What college do you think has a similar academic/campus/student vibe but is less selective? She wants to attend a school with an ABET accredited Biomedical engineering program.

Some schools on our radar: Union, University of Rochester, Boston University, Bucknell, University of Virginia, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Case Western, and Lehigh.

She has two ultimate safeties picked. Now were are looking to narrow down the best “would love to go there AND applying has better chances than the lottery” colleges.

Thanks, & aloha!

Wesleyan

If you haven’t searched CC yet, these may provide some suggestions. Brown is one of the most poular schools on these forums and has been discussed endlessly.

http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/807252-schools-like-brown-but-less-selective.html

http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/1027377-schools-like-brown.html

http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/brown-university/788089-matches-and-safeties-for-brown.html

http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/1072261-what-schools-are-similar-to-brown-but-easier-to-get-into.html

http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/496613-universities-similar-to-brown.html

http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/563867-schools-like-brown-but-easier-to-get-into.html

I know this does not have to do with the Brown situation. However, regarding the vibe and fit of campuses, I am not sure how someone could like both Bucknell and BU. They are very different in terms of campus style and such. It’s something to consider.

@warblersrule you are not only a Super Moderator but a mighty-fine Search Forum Finder. Thanks so much!

Union, Bucknell, UVA, and Lehigh have vastly different vibes than Brown. Much more preppy/conservative/fratty.

BU and UVA are huge; Brown has an LAC vibe. I don’t think the same student would love both. One of Brown’s strengths is a focus on undergraduate education.

Try Tufts or some of the more laid-back LACs mentioned in the threads linked above. University of Rochester is a good option.

Wesleyan isn’t ABET- it’s a 3+2 program. If the OP’s D is willing to do that, most of the competitive LACs can be considered.

@Qwerty568, your advice is exactly the help we need, thanks. She is a liberal/vegetarian/Humanist who happens to love engineering, so she is trying to avoid the preppy/conservative/fratty vibe. I didn’t have Tufts listed because it seems almost as selective as Brown. I think she could be happy in a larger university/city as long as she finds a “tribe,” so that’s not a deal-breaker.

Tufts is considerably less selective than Brown. Still a reach, of course. It has an ED II option if she is considering doing ED I at Brown. Maybe Tulane? About as many UG students as Brown. I am not certain if this school would be too far away for her, but they have lots of New England students and have a non-binding, vaguely rolling (you can find out your decision mere weeks after you send in the app) EA option. Great merit aid too. If she gets in early there she may be less worried about the regular decision round.

Case Western

My daughter loved Brown too, but decided to apply ed to Wesleyan, its a similar vibe and has a higher acceptance rate. Lehigh is known for one of the best engineering programs, and kids seem very happy there! Heres something to check out for student quotes and helpful if your planning a visit. http://www.daytripper365.com/collegetrips/2015/6/18/wesleyan http://www.daytripper365.com/collegetrips/2015/6/8/lehigh