<p>Re Columbia/Brown: Very strict core vs no requirements whatsoever, that’s usually one of the main reasons why people would apply to one but not the other. If you’re a fan of the Core, you can recreate such a curriculum at Brown, but the experience will definitely not be the same seeing as there is a very slim to zero chance that your peers will take the exact same classes, one of the reasons some people like the concept of a universal core so much (Chicago is much closer to Columbia in this regard, but you’re given choices of sequences within the requirements instead of a standard set of classes that absolutely everybody must take).</p>
<p>Anyway, I was admitted with a score of 650 on the Math section of the SAT, so that 670 will not be the death of you (single factors rarely are, unless it’s something like getting arrested). Considering that I put Economics as my second-choice major, this just shows that the university does not place a huge amount of weight on your intended major. What are you planning on doing this summer? Unless you would honestly enjoy writing those college essays, I recommend you take at least a few weeks off to relax and destress. That is in general, though, because as usual the U Chicago essays seem quite enjoyable in themselves and could provide for some entertainment :).</p>