oldtimeyfan

We just came back from a college visit tour with junior DD, and I think we made a mistake in visiting Brown U. first, which is a real reach for her. How attractive the campus is makes a big difference to DD, and I'm afraid that more admission-likely schools who have her intended major will come up short in that department. Brown is lovely in an old-Ivy-campus way. Are there non-Ivy-League schools east of the Mississippi and north of Georgia that are not liberal arts colleges (she wants to major in molecular bio, biotech or bioengineering) that are attractive in that way?

bruno14

What are her stats? And what other schools was she looking at?

Honestly, Brown's got a pretty campus, but the city of Providence isn't much to look at. And I'm saying that as a Brown student. Does she want somewhere more urban or with access to a city, or farther out? If she likes nature, the Amherst-area colleges are gorgeous.

bgamerica

UNC is spectacular, I'm convinced its the nicest campus anywhere, and it meets your requirements. Excellent education.
Duke is nice too.

hornetdad

University of Delaware has a beautiful campus. And I say that as a Brown grad. Oh, and Providence is MUCH nicer than it was 30 years ago!

wayneandgarth

Look at U of Michigan. Tops in bio and engineering (and most any field should she change directions), not as selective as Brown (although increaingly more selective) and a beautiful campus.

skibum4

Notre Dame and Northwestern both have beautiful campuses in very different ways.

oldtimeyfan

Okay, then. Let's work down from Duke and Northwestern, since they are as reach-y as Brown. Any others? Thanks for the ideas offered so far.

Lisam128

Oldest d went to see brown and had the same reaction. She fell in love with the campus and didn't mind providence. Only problem was it didnt love her back! She later saw washu and said it even topped brown. She has been happily at unc chapel hill for the last 3 years. It's tough to get in oos though--admission capped at 17%. It has been a good experience academically with their honors program. It has a nice downtown and you can't beat the weather. Good luck!

tk21769

The USA has many beautiful colleges that are less selective than Brown.
In fact, I've never seen Brown listed among the most beautiful campuses.
Most selective private schools were founded before 1900. Typically they have an old core of collegiate gothic, red brick Georgian, or other traditional architecture along with grassy, tree-lined quadrangles. Public universities often are newer, bigger, and more dominated by modern concrete buildings.

For those majors, Johns Hopkins is excellent. It has a beautiful campus and is somewhat less selective than Brown.

Would she consider a women's college? Check out Bryn Mawr just for the beautiful campus (Bryn Mawr College | Campus), Smith, or Barnard (which is part of Columbia University). These are LACs, but all have affiliations with other nearby schools to widen the course offerings. They are all significantly less selective than Brown.

goldenboy8784

UNC-Chapel Hill is one of the best values in higher education in the U.S. Check out UVA as well.

2331clk

Pretty campuses, northeast or south, non-lac, less selective than Brown-->Lehigh, Lafayette (large lac), Bucknell, Colgate, Holy Cross, Boston College, URichmond, URochester, Wake Forest, Villanova

oops just saw intended major...not sure which of these are best for bio/biotech

serenity11

prettiest school hands down- University of Richmond. excellent science programs for undergrads- check out IQS program.

boiledegg

Kenyon College! On almost every "Most Beautiful" college campuses list!

par72

Holy Cross and Tufts. HC has beautiful campus.

spanky12

I'd check out Tufts. Maybe William and Mary.