I think my U of Chicago bound DD just got off Brown's waiting list. Any debate?

[Anonymous]

Brown, no question. My sibling went there and loved it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wonder at your thought process to be applying to these two schools, unless your DD is a serious mathematician (they both have outstanding math faculties/programs), but she's leaning to the "more fun Ivy" so that's unlikely. On almost every other metric these two are diametrically opposed and cater to students with significant differences in outlook and objectives. If you haven't taken the time & effort to make a visit to both campuses and interact with the professors and students in your anticipated area of studies, do it before making this decision - or just go with Brown. The "investment" return comes from the commitment and effort of your student and not the school - if she pulls B-s in a non-STEM or a "studies" discipline she'll be a barrista or a low level gov't employee even with a degree from either school. Want real "value"? Go to the Honors college at the Public U that specializes in the discipline you want and work HARD.

She has been accepted into two of the most prestigious institutions on the planet. No need for cow college reverse snobbery.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder at your thought process to be applying to these two schools, unless your DD is a serious mathematician (they both have outstanding math faculties/programs), but she's leaning to the "more fun Ivy" so that's unlikely. On almost every other metric these two are diametrically opposed and cater to students with significant differences in outlook and objectives. If you haven't taken the time & effort to make a visit to both campuses and interact with the professors and students in your anticipated area of studies, do it before making this decision - or just go with Brown. The "investment" return comes from the commitment and effort of your student and not the school - if she pulls B-s in a non-STEM or a "studies" discipline she'll be a barrista or a low level gov't employee even with a degree from either school. Want real "value"? Go to the Honors college at the Public U that specializes in the discipline you want and work HARD.

She has been accepted into two of the most prestigious institutions on the planet. No need for cow college reverse snobbery.

+1. And in terms of value, I went to an Ivy rather than a public school because with financial aid it was cheaper than public university for me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Chicago, not even a contest.

Why? In what ways is Chicago better? Just seems to be a grind for the sake of being a grind. It's not like you grind your tail off there and are rewarded with a 100K job. It's a grind for the same caliber, same comp jobs every kid at a top 30 college gets.

[Anonymous]

Since it is a toss up, use setting as a litmus test here. Providence and Chicago are two very different places!

[Anonymous]

Chicago has a core program requirement.
Brown has an open-curriculum program.

Generally, students at open-curriculum schools are happier, not having to take so many required distribution courses.

[Anonymous]

U Chicago grad here - I would choose Brown.

[Anonymous]

The reverse side of not having required core courses is that students at open-curriculum generally take courses they are passionate about. This is consistent with reports that Brown students generally are really happy about being there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Since it is a toss up, use setting as a litmus test here. Providence and Chicago are two very different places!

Geography is interesting. Both are a little out of the way. But U of C's south side Chicago location ? the Chicago everything thinks of. And while half of Providence is slummy, it's on the Acela line, so quick hops to Boston and NYC. And the Atlantic ocean.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Since it is a toss up, use setting as a litmus test here. Providence and Chicago are two very different places!

Geography is interesting. Both are a little out of the way. But U of C's south side Chicago location ? the Chicago everything thinks of. And while half of Providence is slummy, it's on the Acela line, so quick hops to Boston and NYC. And the Atlantic ocean.

=/=*

[Anonymous]

Unless she wants to go into academia or research, I would choose Brown. Everyone I know who went there loved it, whereas Chicago is a mixed bag (but no doubt, an excellent school).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What field and how does she feel about the Core?

What does any teen think of the Core? Whether excited for or fearful of it, they all just regurgitate something they read about it. Ooooh the Core... so broad, intense and demanding. Gimme a break, it's only undergrad.

My kid had a strong opinion one way. At the same age, I would also have had a strong opinion — the opposite one.

DC wanted a Core for two (or three) reasons:
Didn’t want to be in an environment where there were the STEM kids and the non-STEM kids and ne’er the twain shall meet. Wanted lots of kids who bridged both and to be in a situation where everyone was expected to be interested in/able to understand basics in other fields. Wanted to be broadly educated and to be in a college where that was encouraged/required rather than penalized. (sowouldn’t feel guilty about/like a slacker for taking an arts course rather than another elective within the major).

I would have thought “to hell with that — I’m tired of being forced to take some of everything. I want to focus on the subjects I like and ignore the rest and I don’t give a damn what my classmates are doing. I’d rather be in courses with kids who are there by choice not because they are required to be.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Since it is a toss up, use setting as a litmus test here. Providence and Chicago are two very different places!

Geography is interesting. Both are a little out of the way. But U of C's south side Chicago location ? the Chicago everything thinks of. And while half of Providence is slummy, it's on the Acela line, so quick hops to Boston and NYC. And the Atlantic ocean.

Easy walk to the lake in Chicago. And lots of bus/subway connections to downtown as well as special weekend shuttles from campus to the South Loop. Don’t know Providence, so not comparing, but UChicago really is in/of Chicago (which has lots of different neighborhoods). DC frequently goes all over the city (Wicker Park, Chinatown, Andersonville, Mag Mile, museums, etc) using bus/subway pass (included in tuition). Uber, and campus shuttle.

[Anonymous]

Bottom line is let her decide. Both are great options. Costs are probably similar. She has to live with her decision; you don’t. Let her start out adulthood deciding what she wants vs. doing what you think is best.

[Anonymous]

Opposite. Brown is far too wacky liberal these days. You don't get a solid liberal arts education because you can take any progressive silly course you like. Chicago has always been the leader in the great books schools, along with columbia and has a more earnest conservative lean. If you child is at all interested in econ, I would definitely pick Chicago.