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

[Anonymous]

She's working at a summer camp and said her Brown admissions rep has emailed her twice this weekend to set up a Monday morning phone call. Does this warrant family debate? She's been to Brown for a summer camp and enjoyed it. She also did the Chicago admit student events and enjoyed it. I think her instinct will be choosing the more fun Ivy, but her father and I think the more serious of the two (Chicago) might be a better investment.

[Anonymous]

Theyate very, very, very different schools. Both are excellent.


Choose the one which is the better fit. I suspect this will be an easy decision.

[Anonymous]

Agreed

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agreed

Yup.

Same prestige, so pick by fit.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

What field and how does she feel about the Core?

[Anonymous]

FWIW, as a parent I’ve been blown away by UChicago’s undergrad resources and intellectual environment. And I graduated from 2 HYPS, taught at another t15 and started my grad training at Cal, so this is not my first exposure to elite schools). I can’t imagine a better school for my DC at this point.

But your DC has to want it — Chicago will mean a lot more work and a lower GPA than Brown. It’s a real firing on all cylinders kind of environment. And by that I mean to there are so many different, exciting, challenging opportunities both in and outside the classroom and such a diverse collection of people that DC has to carve out downtime.

[Anonymous]

It's so late for this. How does she feel about it? I would think that she already spent the last month getting ready to move to Chicago. Is she even excited about the change in plans?

[Anonymous]

Brown is an Ivy, more brand power, more fun, better East coast location, 100x better looking dating pool, and her GPA will be at least 0.5 points higher. Chicago is a miserable safety for Ivy rejects.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Brown is an Ivy, more brand power, more fun, better East coast location, 100x better looking dating pool, and her GPA will be at least 0.5 points higher. Chicago is a miserable safety for Ivy rejects.

+1

Go for fun in undergrad. She will be successful either way.

[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.

The days of applying based on "fit" are long gone in an age of single digit acceptance rates. Smart kids apply to 6-12 of their favorite in the top 20 and thank heavens if they get into 1.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

Brown. 110%

[Anonymous]

Chicago, not even a contest.

[Anonymous]

Brown. UChicago is miserable for undergrad.