Seems odd to narrow it down to those two schools given how different they are.

Anonymous wrote:I'd look at the differences in the curriculum (distribution requirements, different colleges at NW), more grad students at NW (although they both have med schools)-- Brown tries to be undergrad-focused.

For engineering I think NW probably has an edge, but not sure same is true for biological sciences (although a lot of those rankings are done based on grad students/research).

Especially since Brown does not have an engineering school.

OP, both ranked plenty high. I'd fly out to both and decide. The feel at the two schools is different.

Brown, like Northwestern, has PhD programs in bio. This isn't a LAC vs. major research university type comparison. Both schools are research universities that are known for their strong undergrad programs.

I'd look at the differences in the curriculum (distribution requirements, different colleges at NW), more grad students at NW (although they both have med schools)-- Brown tries to be undergrad-focused.

For engineering I think NW probably has an edge, but not sure same is true for biological sciences (although a lot of those rankings are done based on grad students/research).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Brown has superior STEM offerings; Northwestern isn't really known for the sciences.

This is a joke, right? I happen to personally know engineering professors (and graduates) from Northwestern and they are well regarded in their fields. I don't know any engineers from Brown.

Northwestern's ranking in bio is higher than Brown's (26 vs. 34 acc to USNWR). Brown does have a good rep for pre-med (if that's why OP's DC is interested in a bio major). Might be a function of higher GPAs. Northwestern has a direct admit BA/MD program, but, not surprisingly, applicants need really exceptional credentials to get in.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Makes sense to think it through beforehand. If he wants Northwestern, odds are that applying ED is crucial.

Wouldn't this also be true of Brown if it turns out to be his first choice? Or does applying ED give one less of an advantage at Brown than it does at Northwestern?

Yes and yes. Brown ED vs RD rates = 21.9 vs 6.5
Northwestern ED vs RD rates = 25.7 vs. 7.2
Also, Northwestern (more than Brown) really doesn't want to be treated as a safety school -- so high stats kids in particular need to pledge their love early. By contrast, Brown expects to pick up high stats kids in the RD round (e.g. kids whose SCEA bid was unsuccessful and who would now be delighted with a "lesser" Ivy).

Anonymous wrote:Brown has superior STEM offerings; Northwestern isn't really known for the sciences.

This is a joke, right? I happen to personally know engineering professors (and graduates) from Northwestern and they are well regarded in their fields. I don't know any engineers from Brown.

Anonymous wrote:Makes sense to think it through beforehand. If he wants Northwestern, odds are that applying ED is crucial.

Wouldn't this also be true of Brown if it turns out to be his first choice? Or does applying ED give one less of an advantage at Brown than it does at Northwestern?

Anonymous wrote:How about he gets into both, or even one, and then we can discuss

+1

Even a kid who is a top student with excellent SAT scores & impressive extracurriculars is far from guaranteed admittance into both of these schools (unless perhaps he has a major hook -- i.e. Brown has a building named after one set of grandparents & Northwestern has a building named after the other). I'm really not trying to be snarky here, OP -- just realistic!

Honestly, you're not going to get any truly useful feedback without providing more information. What in particular does your DS like about each of these two schools? What are his GPA, class rank, & SAT scores scores like? What about extra curriculars? Does he have any "hooks" that might give him a bit of an edge in admissions (first generation college student, underrepresented minority, etc)? What kind of kid is he, personality wise, & what kinds of things is he interested in outside of school? Once we know these kinds of details, we might be able to provide some insight into whether or not Brown &/of Northwestern would be a good fit & also be able to recommend some other schools for him to look into.

Brown has superior STEM offerings; Northwestern isn't really known for the sciences.

Makes sense to think it through beforehand. If he wants Northwestern, odds are that applying ED is crucial.

How about he gets into both, or even one, and then we can discuss

My sibling did premed at Brown and was really happy there. She goes back every few years and donates. She/we had no social connections. Most people I know were very happy there. Its one of the more down to earth Ivy's.

Having taught at Northwestern, I'd feel quite positively about a child of mine attending the school. The undergrads were bright, driven, seemed well adjusted and generally less neurotic than the students at, say, U Chicago.

Brown... eh. I know a lot of people who attended Brown. It seems like a great place if you've already got social connections; I'll just leave it at that.

My DS wants to study bio or something in the sciences, has narrowed it down to Brown and NU. Would appreciate any first hand pro/cons.