<p>I was very fortunate to be accepted into these 2 great universities, and I'm leaning toward UofC for now. I would like to submit my deposit by the end of the weekend. I'm planning to major in econ, math, chem or physics and ultimately would like to go into quantitative trading, like finance or hedge fund. </p>
<p>Here are my thoughts after visiting these two schools on admitted student days:
1) Academics: Edge to UofC in any of these fields.
2) Setting: Draw. UofC has a very vibrant campus, and the city of Chicago is pretty awesome too. For some reason, though, I just felt "more at home" at Brown, but can't necessarily articulate why.
3) Career Placement: Edge to UofC. As of late, it seems that more investment banking, private equity, and hedge funds have been recruiting UofC students more and more. How is Brown in that regard?
4) Overall Prestige: roughly the same, though I suspect UofC is respected a little more in the finance/business world. </p>
<p>Any other thoughts? Extra input would be greatly appreciated. </p>
<p>Also, how are the odds for the Princeton and Wharton-Penn waiting lists? I've heard that there's a ~2% acceptance rate for each. Am I right? </p>
<p>I would say UofC. I was in a similar situation where the “feeling” countered the on paper pros of each school. In the end, the disadvantaged of attending the school I got that feeling at ended up eliminating it from my list. Though, they are both great schools and you will get an amazing education at both. As for WL, I wouldn’t count on it. I don’t know about Princeton but virtually everyone who gets into Wharton attends so not many get accepted off WL.</p>
<p>For those taking an Econ-Math-Chem/Physics route to quantitative finance, I think the two schools are pretty close, but can understand if a preference is stated for Chicago.</p>
<p>For those going the Applied Math route, I think Brown is the tops.</p>
<p>I’m planning on submitting my deposit for Chicago with my parents before I sleep tonight. Any other thoughts that might make me switch to Brown? </p>
<p>I would not say Chicago will have an edge over Brown in academics, they are equal in quality. It is a decision of where to live for the next four years and your feeling of the people in the school counts.</p>
<p>I think UChicago can be more demanding and cut throat than Brown. But Im sure you are a smart student. So, take the challenge and go with UChicago. Good luck!</p>
<p>My friend who goes to UChicago says that the students are self-deprecating and that the workload really isn’t that much harder than, say, Columbia or Penn. In other words, you can make your schedule as easy or as hard as you want. Is that really true?</p>
<p>I am not sure about Penn, but I know Columbia is as cut-throat as UChicago. So if your friend told you that, I guess he is right. But Brown is very very laid back. I dont know if you can still take everything pass fail, but Brown is one of the most laid back top schools I know. So it’s a polar opposite of Columbia. </p>
<p>Isn’t the difference between the academic settings of these two schools enough to help you make this decision? The Core vs the open curriculum. Quarter system vs semester system.</p>
<p>Don’t think too much, really. If you feel one is school was more of a “home” (i.e a better fit), go for it. You would not be making the “wrong” decision. There isn’t a bad decision in your case.</p>
<p>I understand that UChicago has a core. And I know Brown’s open curriculum. I guess the point I want to make, is that it is not an either/or situation.</p>
<p>By this I mean, any student can take the equivalent of the courses that comprise the Chicago core at Brown. The only difference is that at Chicago a rule book tells you that you must take those courses, and at Brown you may choose them for yourself if that is what you want. </p>
<p>I guess we could discuss for each course that comprises the Chicago core whether the Chicago or Brown version of the course is “better”, but I don’t think there would end up being much difference…</p>
<p>I am always perplexed when applicants choose Chicago (or Columbia) over Brown primarily because of the core. Of course there may be other reasons for preferring those fine schools over Brown, but the core should not be one of them. You can have the core at Brown too if you want. Completely up to you.</p>
<p>You can’t have the core at Brown. You might be able to take somewhat similar classes but that’s not what the core “does.” It’s not about one individual’s choosing to take particular classes but about the whole student body studying the same texts. Those provide shared knowledge and spark debates between students all through their college careers.</p>