<p>^okay that's supposed to say "me why" not "my"- oops! </p>
<p>Okay. So I got accepted to Washu for next year, and in the last few months I've really fallen in love with it. Right now I'm pretty sure it's my top choice. But I applied Early Decision to Brown and got deferred. I hear back from Brown tomorrow, but I think that even if I get in I will still go to WashU. I'm trying to weigh any possible pros and cons that I've missed, but most of my friends are all going to state schools and only heard about WashU through me so they are not helpful to bounce off of. So what's your guys' opinion. Why is WashU better than Brown?</p>
<p>We can’t really tell you anything different what the website can and what the many many posts have said…all the people on here obviously love WashU and think it’s a great school. All you can do is try to visit and ask yourself what you’re asking us.</p>
<p>And btw, it seems like you’re using the Brown name as a bias just because your friends haven’t heard of it…WashU is actually ranked 4 spots higher than Brown.</p>
<p>^ The USNews rankings aren’t completely worthless, but they’re also blown way out of proportion. Brown will have more recognition nationwide and probably globally, but if you’re getting lots of merit money from WashU, then take it. If you’re getting lots of need-based grants from Brown, I’d say take that. Also depends on what you’re going to study and what kind of environment you want. Brown has the whole open curriculum thing going on if you’re into that, but WashU has its legitimate merits. This is a difficult situation, so don’t overlook anything.</p>
<p>I have been debating my love for WashU and possible acceptances at Ivies - but here I always have to catch myself. Nothing is confirmed until tomorrow afternoon, so don’t worry about problems that may not be present!</p>
<p>Being in Rhode Island, we know lots of people that have gone and go to Brown. They love it. The people that go to Wash U love it. Providence is pretty nice now, and Brown is in a neat area. Wash U is more of a classic campus, and I was born and raised in St. Louis and know the Wash U area is really really nice. What a wonderful dilemma you are in! Just visit both if you haven’t already, stay 2 days at each shadowing someone, and try and decide where you feel more comfortable. That’s all you can really do I think.</p>
<p>Brown can be a bit funky. I have a friend who is a professor there who advised me that Brown really wasn’t for my kid (who he had known since childhood.) But it depends on the type of environment you’re looking for. Brown also has lowest endowment of the Ivies and significantly lower than Wash U. They are famous for taking celebrity kids who might donate large amounts down the road.</p>
<p>I agree with jimb7 that brown is quite unique. Requirements are quite different and loose, grading really different, etc. That is why I would recommend visiting and shadowing and see if it is for you.</p>