<p>The thread title basically says it all. My top two choices are Yale and Brown, Brown being my first and Yale second. I was wondering if you all would compare the two and state some differences that you find significant and whatnot :).</p>
<p>Yale: has a very friendly atmosphere, awesome residential system, a lot of resources, many activities for students, and a good support. It’s not super cut throat and there is plenty to do.
Brown: You are more free to explore and do what you want. The students are also pretty laid back, but the residential system is nothing like Yale’s. Since they are on a pass/fail system then I don’t think it’s as competitive amongst the students. The pass/fail could also be a great way to branch out and try new things even if you don’t know anything about the subject. </p>
<p>I really compare schools based on if they have the major I want. I want to study creative writing and so schools that have the program is a huge deal for me. Yale gets a plus when it comes to their creative writing program because it’s tied into the English major degree which also goes in depth with journalism, poetry, etc. while still concentrating on creative writing. I think that Brown offers creative writing as an MFA.</p>
<p>I think that opinions vary and that it depends on who you are and your personality. So one persons experience or thoughts on both schools could be influenced by a multitude of things. Just follow your heart and what feels like a great fit for you.</p>
<p>Thanks :). I see you’re interested in creative writing, something I’m very passionate about. There are other things I’m passionate about as well, such as mathematics, law, the arts and whatnot. I have diverse interests and would love to be able to go farther in all of them and feel Brown would offer me the greatest chance at this, and so that is why Brown is my first choice as opposed to Yale at the moment.</p>
<p>When you say the residential system at Yale is awesome compared to Brown’s what do you mean by this? Could you give an example if possible?</p>
<p>If you’re familiar with the residential college system at Yale, you’ll know that from day one, it infuses all yalies with a tremendous loyalty to their residential college and ultimately, Yale itself. The passion and enthusiasm of the typical Yale student – mainly due to the affiliation to one of the 12 residential colleges – sets it apart. Yale and Brown were my nos. 1 & 2. In the end, the almost rabid love that the students felt about Yale propelled it to the top of my list. I never regretted my decision (although would have been very honored to go to Brown – felt guilt pangs went I sent the “no-thank you” card back to Brown)</p>
<p>Guide to selecting between 2 colleges:</p>
<ol>
<li>Get into both.</li>
<li>Visit both.</li>
<li>Choose one.</li>
</ol>
<p>FYI 95% of students do not get past step 1.</p>
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<p>Yes, but many students on CC get into Ivies, and many get into than one, so given the context, this thread is pretty valid.</p>
<p>Brown lost a lot of appeal to me after I got in. It’s a great school, just the atmosphere and intellectual vibe of the university wasn’t for me. </p>
<p>Also, and I say this objectively, Yale is the best school in the world. So…</p>
<p>I think the most pragmatic approach is to apply to top schools widely (though not indiscriminately–few will find both Dartmouth and UPenn appealing) and avoid picking favorites until April 1.</p>
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<p>For whatever reason, after Yale, Dartmouth and Penn are my two favorites lol. Completely opposite schools.</p>
<p>^Why would you say they’re completely opposite? (I haven’t visited either or heard first hand accounts so can’t really tell.)</p>
<p>^Well, I think it’s mainly location. Dartmouth is in the middle of nowhere and completely isolated. The town appears to be nothing more than a street. (That’s one thing I loved about it–it really felt like you would get the “college experience.”)</p>
<p>Penn, on the other hand, is almost as urban as it gets (busy streets, loud noises, etc.). Although, I will say once you’re walking down Locust Walk you can hardly tell it’s in a city; it’s quite serene.</p>
<p>If you take location out, both schools obviously have great and comparable academics.</p>
<p>Dartmouth and Yale are tied for my first choice, followed by Brown and Wesleyan tied for 3rd. It’s not at all weird to like both Dartmouth and Yale.</p>
<p>While Brown students have the option to take courses S/NC ("pass/fail’), few use it in courses important to their concentrations and many do not use it at all. It is there to encourage students to try something they are unsure of, to broaden their learning. </p>
<p>In concentrations where there is a lot of competition, there is a lot of competition at Brown same as anywhere else. There is nothing laid back about Brown premeds. </p>
<p>Yale’s residential system has “houses” which become a community for the students. I’ll let Yalies elaborate on their experiences.</p>
<p>Brown has dorms. There is a freshman quad to which all first years are consigned—everyone likes to make fun of it but you do get the chance to meet a lot of people and most make lasting friends during that year because you are with the entire freshman class. An advantage to it is the proximity to the center of the campus so no big walks to many classes, dining hall, etc (when the sleet and snowbanks of winter arrive you do appreciate this). </p>
<p>In the following years, you and a friend or group of friends use a lottery system to apply for rooms/suites in other dorms, same as at many other universities. Renting an off campus apt is possible but Brown discourages it—the neighborhood does not want to be taken over by Brown students. It’s a nuisance, too–the landlords are a pain.</p>
<p>Parents of really wealthy students sometimes buy condos for them in town.</p>
<p>Brown has frats in which the members live, but they are all in Brown owned buildings that are really dorms. Brown created these in response to the situation that arose when the WW II Vets came in under the GI Bill in the late 40s & early 50s. There were a lot of apts & rooming houses in the area surrounding the Univ and the chaos that ensued was unbearable to a university which was also housing 18 year old boys & girls who had just gotten out of high school. Hence high iron fencing surrounding the property and housing office looming overe fraternity row. </p>
<p>Academically it sounds like you would be comfortable in either school. I agree with others, visit both – if you are accepted at both, take advantage of those admitted-student weekends and get a better feel for each. I think it is a good idea to visit schools in midwinter while classes are in session and sit in on some of them, talk to students in the majors you are interested in, eat lunch in the dining hall and watch the interactions of the students there, talk to people you meet in the lunchroom, etc.</p>
<p>I’ve come to ask myself the same question:
if I am hypothetically accepted at both places (which is a veryyyyy big if 
), which one will I choose?</p>
<p>I was wondering if there is a difference in reputation between the two unis. I had a gut feeling that Yale was a bit more prestigious than Brown, but that might just be me. What d’you guys think?</p>
<p>Yale is a bit more prestigious than Brown but that’s a poor reason to attend Yale over Brown. You should visit the two and make up your own mind.</p>
<p>I won’t base my decision on that fact (if I’m accepted to both haha), but it’s still interesting to know that Yale is regarded as more prestigious.</p>
<p>I’ve already visited both of them, and loved them both. Brown’s campus is just… superawesome. Yale’s is really beautiful but it felt slightly weird on campus - the atmosphere wasn’t great (but I think it’s because I visited during the summer - I’ve talked to a few alums who say there is a great ambiance on campus).</p>
<p>For mid-upper income families, FA is more generous at Y, although if you are admitted to both, B will match Ys offer.</p>
<p>^Yes, and if you are an international applicant then FA at Yale will definitely be better than at Brown.</p>
<p>But if you do decide to go professional school post-college, this wsj analysis suggests that Yale feeds into the very top schools at nearly 3 times the rate that Brown does-</p>
<p><a href=“WSJ in Higher Education | Trusted News & Real-World Insights”>WSJ in Higher Education | Trusted News & Real-World Insights;