I applied ED to Brown this year, and I honestly can’t believe how you are trying to make a decision that would be binding between these two schools–they are so different! I can’t imagine going to Columbia. I would be miserable with that Core Curriculum! If you like the open curriculum, then choose Brown. If you are still torn between the two, then apply to both of them in the regular decision round. Don’t force yourself to apply ED to one of them if you’re not 1000% sure. There’s nothing that says you have to apply ED anywhere!