I can’t imagine two elite schools that are more different from each other than Brown and UChicago. What attracted you to each one?
So many differences between the two:
-
Academic experience: Chicago has an intense academic experience whereas Brown is laid back
-
Core: UChicago mandates a core. While you have options on the specific topics you study (unlike Columbia where everything is set), you will spend about a third of your classes in the core.
-
Quarter vs semester: Chicago has a quarter system and 4 classes per quarter is typical, so up to 48 courses in all. At Brown, 4 classes per semester, so 32 courses in all. So despite the UChicago core, you have plenty of classes for your major and other interests. Many UChicago students double major without a problem.
-
Politics: While all elite schools tilt left politically, Chicago is at the moderate end whereas Brown is quite liberal
-
Free speech: UChicago emphasizes free speech on campus, including ideas you may disagree with. Brown less so.
-
City size: UChicago is in a suburb of one of the country’s largest cities. Brown is in the center of a small city.
-
Prestige: UChicago has less lay person prestige than Brown, which has the advantage of being in the Ivy League. Professionally, UChicago may hold a slight edge.
Backing up, both universities are excellent, but you are right that UChicago is considered to have a better math program.
My daughter is finishing up at UChicago this year, and she has loved the place. She was obviously a great student in high school, but also the type of person who would coast whenever she could. UChicago’s workload was a fit for her because she realized how much she could actually accomplish, and she felt great about it. But it’s not for everyone.