<p>Both are good schools. Different weather. Similar student/faculty ratio. About the same number of undergrads. Vandy has 6300 undergrads vs 5900 at Brown. Vandy has 5700 grad students, whereas Brown only has about 2000 (if you include med students). </p>
<p>Most students live on campus at both schools. Lots to do. 300+ clubs and organizations at both schools. Both have great retention rates (97+%).</p>
<p>Vandy: 86% were in top 10% of their class. Brown: 96% of admitted students were in the top 10% of their class.</p>
<p>Vandy: 5% international vs. 10% at Brown (64 countries), 13% in Brown’s 2013 class. </p>
<p>Brown graduates:
35% pursue grad or professional study immediately, 60% within 5 yrs, 80% within 10 yrs.
Vandy graduates:
36% of recent graduate class plans to pursue grad school. I couldn’t find stats for 5/10 yrs out.</p>
<p>Brown consistently ranks among the top 5 colleges in the nation in the percentage of its applicants accepted to medical school. Of those who apply to law school, 92 to 95 percent are accepted to one of their top three choices; among business school applicants, the figure is nearly 100 percent. </p>
<p>Vanderbuilt is a traditional college system academically. Brown EXPECTS students to take an active interest in shaping their education. It is considered THEIR education. Students are given great freedom in choosing classes and grading options. Like traditional schools, Brown’s students MUST complete all the requirements for their program of study, but they don’t have core classes or distribution credits. They can choose the rest of their courses depending on their personal interests. They are encouraged to try out new interests and/or strengthen weak areas (credit/no credit classes are an option). This system is not desired nor appreciated by everyone. This system seems to work well because of the students’ attitudes toward learning. Brown seeks and accepts students who have shown they are self-motivated, independent learners who will make the most of their opportunities. Most students are hard working, self-driven students who collaborate (and don’t compete) with one another.</p>
<p>Another difference is campus atmosphere. Vandy’s website states there are 38 fraternity and sorority houses. "Greek life involves almost half of the campus…A lot of parents ask me about Greek life because they are worried their kids won’t have a good experience if they’re not a part of it.” Obviously Greek is a large part of the Vandy culture. This is definitely not the case at Brown. “9% of students belong to fraternities or sororities.”</p>