| Chicago is all about academics. It scores low on student popularity-type measures because of where the campus is located and the academic rigor. Chicago doesnt appear to care much about the types of non-academic criteria that make up a part of the USNWR statistics. Penn is not as academically demanding (except possibly for Wharton). Its high USNWR ranking is attributable to grubbing to the USNWR statistics. Among other things they are probably the best at manipulatng admissions rates through ED. The on-campus activities make it more social than Chicago but it suffers from the same surrounding area blight. Of the three, Brown's at the other extreme. The non-academic quality of life is higher and it always scores well with students on those (and for that reason has a relatively large number of applications and a relatively low admit rate). Academic reputation, not so much. |