I've been researching universities lately and narrowed down my top choices to Brown and Cornell. Can anyone share their insights or experiences on the differences between these two schools, especially in terms of academic culture, social life, campus vibe, and opportunities around? I'm feeling a bit stressed about making the decision, so I would appreciate any help!
9 months ago
Congratulations on narrowing down your top choices to Brown and Cornell! Both schools are prestigious institutions, but there are definitely some notable differences between them that you may want to consider.
Academic Culture: Brown is known for its open curriculum, which means there are minimal general education requirements. This allows for more freedom and flexibility in choosing your classes. Students often take classes purely out of interest, leading to a more collaborative and less competitive environment. On the other hand, Cornell has more structured programs with specific requirements for each major, and is known for having a more competitive, somewhat pre-professional atmosphere.
Social Life: Brown is frequently regarded as having a laid-back and inclusive social scene. With a diverse student body, various events and clubs are available, to align with students' various interests and foster an open-minded environment. Meanwhile, Cornell is fairly large and decentralized. It consists of several colleges, each with its own distinct culture. Social life can vary depending on the college you're in, but overall, there is a wide range of activities and organizations to choose from, and also a more vibrant off-campus social scene than you might find at Brown, as many students live off campus as early as their sophom*ore year.
Campus Vibe: Brown's campus is located in Providence, Rhode Island, which has a charming, historic yet urban feel. The campus is relatively compact, which makes it easy to navigate and creates a tight-knit community. Cornell's campus is in Ithaca, New York, which is more rural and boasts stunning natural surroundings like gorges and lakes. The campus is quite large and spans a significant area, so getting around can be a hike and lead you developing the famous "Cornell Calves," but it gives students access to beautiful outdoor spaces.
Opportunities: Both Brown and Cornell offer outstanding resources for their students. Brown's open curriculum allows students more freedom to explore different paths and possibly combine disciplines, enabling creativity and innovation. Because Cornell is larger, though, it might provide more opportunities in terms of research, internships, and networks. Additionally, if you're looking into specific programs, Cornell is particularly strong in engineering, architecture, and hotel management, while Brown is strong in liberal arts.
Ultimately, you should think about your personality and what kind of academic and social environment you prefer. Both Brown and Cornell have their unique qualities, and understanding what matters most to you may help you make the best decision. Visiting the campuses and connecting with current students can also give you valuable insights that could aid in your decision-making.
Good luck, and trust that you'll make the best choice for yourself!
9 months ago
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Brown's open curriculum allows students more freedom to explore different paths and possibly combine disciplines, enabling creativity and innovation. Because Cornell is larger, though, it might provide more opportunities in terms of research, internships, and networks.
Is Cornell the easiest ivy to get into? ›
Cornell is both the biggest Ivy and the “easiest” to get in with an overall 10.6% admission rate for the class of 2023. Below is a listing by school of admission rates. Note there are schools harder to get into than some or all of the Ivy League colleges.
Why do people choose Cornell University? ›
From business to electrical engineering, from American history to hotel management, at Cornell students have the freedom to explore and study what interests them most. They live and learn amongst the more than 14,000 undergraduates from across the U.S. and 120 countries around the world.
Is Cornell not prestigious? ›
Cornell University is indeed a prestigious institution, and its status as an Ivy League school adds to its recognition and reputation. However, it's important to remember that prestige can often be subjective and might vary depending on the specific field of study or the circle you are in.
Is Brown University a good choice? ›
Brown University's ranking in the 2024 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, #9.
Is Cornell or Brown harder to get into? ›
Differences between Brown University and Cornell University
| Brown University | Cornell University |
|---|
| Average SAT Scores | 1370 - 1560 | 1330 - 1530 |
| Acceptance Rate | 9 | 15 |
| Location | One Prospect Street | 300 Day Hall |
| City Name | Providence | Ithaca |
4 more rowsWhat is the least 'snobby' Ivy League? - Quora. A2A. The correct answer is almost certainly Cornell.
Is Cornell really worth it? ›
Is it worth it to go to Cornell University? Like all selective universities, Cornell boasts a strong alumni network and big earning potential for grads. That said, Cornell is not considered one of the best value Ivy League schools, as its tuition is the most expensive.
What kind of students get into Cornell? ›
With a GPA of 4.07, Cornell requires you to be at the top of your class. You'll need nearly straight A's in all your classes to compete with other applicants. Furthermore, you should be taking hard classes - AP or IB courses - to show that college-level academics is a breeze.
What subject is Cornell best known for? ›
Cornell University offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs, but it's perhaps best known for engineering, biology, agriculture, architecture, and hotel administration.
Yes, Brown University is an Ivy League institution. Brown was founded in 1764 and is the seventh-oldest institution of higher education in the United States. It was originally called the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.
Is Dartmouth or Cornell more prestigious? ›
Which College Holds Greater Prestige: Cornell or Dartmouth? Both Cornell and Dartmouth are prestigious Ivy League schools. The perceived prestige may vary, and it depends on individual perspectives, academic programs, and professional fields. There's no definitive answer, as prestige is subjective.
Is Duke or Cornell harder to get into? ›
Which school is easier to get into? If you're looking at acceptance rate alone, then Duke University is more difficult to get into. However, each college is looking to fill its incoming class with a variety of students with different strengths, backgrounds, etc.
Why is Brown University so popular? ›
Brown's academic excellence is rooted in a student-centered model of learning. The Open Curriculum is a flexible but rigorous approach to education that pushes students to be creative thinkers, intellectual risk-takers and entrepreneurial problem-solvers.
Is Brown the happiest ivy? ›
Brown is ranked as one of the happiest colleges in general, not just of Ivies, by CollegeVine Blog in its article “Which Ivy is right for you?” It's also fair to say that this article may be a little biased in Brown's favor, but qualitative surveys can have useful insight.
Why is Brown University ranked so high? ›
From U.S. News and World Report to Forbes and Princeton Review, Brown placed among top universities based on its distinctive student experience, high-impact teaching and research, and inclusive community.
What is the easiest little ivy to get into? ›
Which Little Ivy Is Easiest to Get Into? The Little Ivy that is easiest to get into, based on acceptance rates, is Lafayette College, which has a relatively high acceptance rate. However, it's important to note that acceptance rates can change over time.
What is the easiest public ivy to get into? ›
Purdue and Rutgers are great choices if you're looking to attend a top Public Ivy but don't have the GPA and test scores to get into the most competitive schools.
Is Cornell or Dartmouth easier to get into? ›
Cornell vs Dartmouth Application Overview
| Cornell | Dartmouth |
|---|
| Acceptance Rate (2026) | 6.9% (Class of 2026) | 6% (Class of 2027) |
| Application Method | Common Application | Common Application |
4 more rowsJun 13, 2023
Cornell is one of the biggest Ivies: Alongside Columbia, Harvard, and Penn, Cornell is one of the larger Ivy League schools with a total student enrollment of over 20,000.
