<p>my elder sister had to choose between the three 2 years back and she chose amherst. what would you choose and why ? and dont just say brown coz u go there… realistically.</p>
<p>what do you plan on studying?</p>
<p>dunno… film, art history, math, politics… havent decided</p>
<p>Then it sounds like Brown would be the best option, seeing as the open curriculum would allow you to take courses on all those subjects, if you chose to do so. </p>
<p>But it also depends on what kind of atmosphere, location, you’re looking for. I mean, there is quite a difference between Williamstown (hope I spelled that right) and Providence. Do you want to live in the city, or the mountains? They are all fantastic schools, though…</p>
<p>I’m confused, are you applying to these three schools?</p>
<p>Amherst has an open curriculum, too.</p>
<p>I liked Amherst a lot for its artsy and academic (but laid-back) culture, law/social justice programs, and politically active campus. Its physical campus is really nice, too. Although the school’s size limits its academic resources, I understand that the Five College Consortium (Hampshire, UMass, Mt. Holyoke, Smith, Amherst) significantly expands them. Moreover, students are actually able to use this consortium because of proximity, scheduling, and transportation. I didn’t end up applying because I decided that it was too small and isolated (I grew up in a city), but sometimes I regret my decision. It’s a fantastic school, but, like any place, it appeals only to a certain crowd.</p>
<p>I don’t know much about Williams. It’s very rural, boasts a good math program, and tends to attract “outdoorsy,” athletic students. Everyone I know there loves it.</p>
<p>Obviously, I’m biased because I’m at Brown, but all three schools should serve you well academically (especially in those departments). Williams has distribution requirements (which don’t seem too heavy) in lieu of an open curriculum. However, they have distinct cultures, not to mention that two are small colleges, and one is a mid-sized university…</p>
<p>
Realistically you’d better apply to all three and then pray to the god of your choice that your writing and focus improve a helluva lot.
Your use of the rare word (rare in the younger generation) “elder” suggests that you’re an older ■■■■■.
If you’re a young ■■■■■, your unhelpful omission of applicant status (2014?, 2015?), unhelpful omission of what you’re looking for in a school, unhelpful statement "dunno … havent decided " – all tell me you aren’t acute enough to get into any of these three hyper-selective schools.
So good luck to you, mate.</p>
<p>I was in the same boat as your sister last year. I’ll start out by saying that I didn’t get the chance to visit Williams during their Admitted Students Weekend, but from what I know about the school, it’s very strong academically. As a matter of fact, all three schools are so I won’t dwell too much on that. To tell you the truth, the whole sports and jock culture was a major turn-off for Williams. Of course I had heard about it before I applied, but after doing more research after getting in, I soon realized how much of a misfit I’d be if I went. To Williams’ defense, though, their financial aid package was third best out of all the schools I applied to–Amherst’s was second best (Both of which were better than Brown’s package–but in no way am I complaining about what Brown offered. Williams and Amherst are smaller so that says a lot.).</p>
<p>I did get a chance to visit Amherst and I absoultely loved it! The campus was beautiful, food was great, the other prospective students were awesome, the staff was nice. The decision not to attend came down to the overall social scene. When I stepped foot on campus, I felt as if I had walked into a Calvin Klein magazine—needless to say, I felt under-dressed. Also, Amherst (and Williams for that matter) are huge sports schools and BIG rivials–my goodness, the administration would not stop talking about how much they “hate” the other (at the time) “number one ranked LAC up north.” That kind of rubbed me the wrong way. I didn’t really understand why the administration had to continue to mention how prestigious the school is. We got it already! Haha, lame reason, yes, but who really cares about rankings?! Another reason why I did not chose Amherst was because of the surrounding town. In short, it’s pretty isolated and there’s not much to do. It’s a quaint little town (think rows of brown brick buildings and little shops along one or two long stretches of road), but I knew I’d get bored of it after a while. Lastly (and this is from my own personal experience), I didn’t really feel the comradery between the African American students on campus. The ones that I “tried” talking to seemed quite haughty and old-hat. As awful as that probably sounds, I just didn’t feel like there was a black community on the campus. To Amherst’s credit though, the campus community did feel very open as a whole (despite the major jock presence and HUGE frat/drinking scene—yes, that was a big turnoff…actually, while I was there, I stayed in the dorm notorious for drinking and partying…let’s just say the kids didn’t disappoint. Not really my thing, so it was a negative in my book).</p>
<p>Basically, I chose Brown (after getting in off the waitlist) mainly for the open curriculum and for all the opposit reasons I listed above about why I didn’t choose Amherst and Williams. Brown just clicked for me—it was a strange (but awesome) feeling that I just can’t put into words. It just felt right. I didn’t have to force myself to think whether or not I’d fit in or if I would like it or if I would mesh well with the community and town—everything just felt right. (No regrets thus far! I’m sooooo happy and proud to be a Brunonian! 
) I really think your decision will come down to fit—and that “funny feeling” of just knowing something is right when you visit. All schools are strong–it’s just such a personal choice that can’t be expressed or persuaded on a a college discussion board. Best of luck!</p>
<p>tnedifnocegelloc, that’s a little harsh.</p>
<p>yes, to flat-out deny a student based solely off two of his or her posts on an online forum is truly stupid and unnecessary.</p>
<p>
First Law of the Digital World: “cr<em>freak” is letters on a screen (rather than a 17-year-old person) until “cr</em>freak” offers minimal evidence in support of what “cr<em>freak” purports to be, namely, a serious applicant to three hyperselective colleges – and “cr</em>freak” did not rise to that threshold of believability.
Reread the OP, please:
“dont just say brown coz u go there”
Impressively genuine, eh?
And worth your heartfelt defense, “eastbound”?
To repeat myself: "unhelpful omission of applicant status (2014?, 2015?), unhelpful omission of what you’re looking for in a school, unhelpful statement ‘dunno … havent decided’ "
Now if YOU want to take “cr_freak” in hand, “eastbound,” you’re welcome to him, her, or it.</p>
<p>haha, tnedifnocegblahblahihatemylife is probably a top school reject from from an underachieving family… so dont take him/her too seriously… let him/her vent and feel better. </p>
<p>but in any case, to clear ur doubts :
- i feel that “creatng a profile” is a complete waste of time and so u do not see a “2014” next to my name.
- Im from a british school where we are taught british english where we spell color as colour, program as programme and say elder rather than older. if u feel that correct usage of a word shows u a persons age… u are clearly stupid and mistaken.
- I have applied to all the schools i mentioned but i did not ask u what is best for ME, rather what YOU would choose… thus i did not feel nececcary to put up a whole bio data.
- the reason i said “dont just say brown coz u go there” was because this is the brown forum and most of the ppl here will be biased. I want proper reasons not answers u get in many X vs Y threads like “i chose X because X rocks !”. you seem to be unimpressively stupid “,eh ?”
- I dont know what i want to major in because i have more than one interest, this is one of the reasons why i prefer a liberal arts institution. They will allow me to explore all my interests. You are probably too narrow minded to understand that.
- You probably do not have any advice to give since you were either rejected at the aforementioned schools or were so dumb that u dint see any point in applying.
- You sound like u had a fight in school, got beaten up but mommy wasnt interested in listening to her lame kid cry so ur complaining here.</p>
<p>thanks to everyone else. please feel free to continue puting in ur answers.</p>