I can see how you’d feel that way, if you look at Yale and feel like, “This program looks intense and a little intimidating, but in a way that will really help to propel my career forward,” and then you look at Brown and hear, “Oh, you’ll get to relax and have fun because this is the easy major that the athletes do!”
I don’t claim to know whether the Yale name, in and of itself, will meaningfully change your prospects, in your specific field of interest, compared to Brown. But I can understand why a person in your position would be looking for challenge, and while I don’t doubt that you could challenge yourself at Brown, I can understand feeling like the Yale program raises the bar for you, which is after all what this whole endeavor is about.
But, I’m really just doing “active listening” based on what you’ve said. I don’t have any specific knowledge of how accurate your impressions are - of the two schools, the academic programs, or the sector you hope to work in. Hopefully you can get some more feedback from people who have direct experience.
I will say, that Brown’s IR degree being “easier,” along with its open curriculum, would allow me to really stand out. If I work my tail off, show great interest and enthusiasm with Professors, this “easier” degree at maybe a slightly less prestigious (I’m really nitpicking here) could allow me to set myself up to really stand out. Vs at Yale, the competition and rigor might leave me in the middle of the road
Honestly, you’re overthinking this. You’re not deciding between Yale and community college.* You’re deciding between Yale and Brown. You will not find one school more difficult than the other. You will not find one school more prestigious than the other (though Yale might have slightly more name recognition among international employers). You will not find it easier to stand out relative to your peers at one school or another, because the students who get into these schools are peers with each other in terms of academics and achievements. And you won’t find one school better-resourced than the other across the board (maybe one devotes more to X and the other devotes more to Y, but overall, it’s going to be pretty much even). Go where you think you’ll be happiest for your undergraduate years, and where you think the program you’re interested in supports your interests. But don’t play the prestige game, because there is none to be played.
With no offense intended to community colleges. Really. But I think it’s fair to say there’s a gap between CC and Yale.
I think you can easily argue both sides of this debate. Would Yale make it harder to stand out, or would the high-octane peer group make for a “rising tide lifts all boats” scenario? You can learn a lot from a peer group where everyone is pushing themselves and one another. But you don’t want to get so bogged down in “competition” that it detracts from pursuing your particular passions and distinguishing yourself in those. As in most of life, both things can be true, and you have to figure out where the best balance is struck.
My two cents is you are overemphasizing institutional prestige, and underemphasizing personal performance, when it comes to future placement prospects. If you think there is a good chance you will be happier and do better in your program at Brown, that is way more important than what marginal institutional prestige advantage you think Yale might have (in my view).
IMO, saying that Yale will give more opportunities than Brown makes me think of the times my dad would drive 1/2 mile farther down the road to save a penny on gas.
You are nitpicking. Both of these schools are crazy good. Your opportunities will be equally good. Go where you like better.
Your situation and circumstances are uniquely yours so disclaimer in place.
I will however share per your request that my kid had a similar choice (Brown vs Harvard). He was methodical and introspective and chose Brown. He has never regretted that decision.
He had a wonderful experience on campus because he based his decision on “fit” and has found Brown’s reputation and alumni to be extremely helpful and supportive professionally.
Once again they are both great schools but I wouldn’t rule Brown out based on a perceived advantage that in practical terms hardly seems to exist.
As between Brown and Yale, your outcomes will be driven by your efforts not the name on top of the degree. Go where you feel you will do your best, which is going to be where you will be happier.
If you think you would be happier at Yale as a non-traditional student and you feel the school offers more opportunities your area of interest then Yale is the answer.
Both are amazing schools. Go with your gut and don’t look back.
OP- I’m an urban person and have lived in both Providence and New Haven. Brown has a geographic advantage over New Haven-- it sits on College Hill and abuts a few expensive neighborhoods, so you can live at Brown and not “see” poor people and not experience the challenges of urban living (which exist in Providence–they’re just not as in your face as in New Haven). So if the challenges of urban living (rich, middle class and poor people share the same streets and parks and common spaces) stresses you out, Brown will be a better fit for you. But Providence has its economic and social and health challenges as well- they are just easier to ignore when you are at Brown vs. Yale.
I think both universities will offer you tremendous opportunities both intellectually and professionally. So you can’t go wrong. But if you have a clear preference for one vs. the other from a lifestyle perspective- and it sounds as though you do- make a choice and don’t look back.
I consciously chose a more “immersive” experience when I was at Brown. I had jobs in the actual city working with non-students; I volunteered for an organization that wasn’t university affiliated; one year I lived off-campus in a part of town that was considered more diverse than the rest of College Hill. Those are choices though, and many of my classmates had very little interaction with the city (other than the Amtrak station for trips to Boston or NY). But for sure Brown allows for less interaction with the actual city than Yale does-- you get to choose.
That is such a great analogy. I visited a couple hypermiling forums back in the day, and while some of it was useful, there were some people who were doing flat out dangerous things to squeeze out a tiny additional margin, for no obvious practical purpose, just bragging rights.
To me, going to a college where you may not be as happy and might not thrive is a real danger to avoid if possible. And the individual benefits you could plausibly get simply from matriculating at an institution with a marginal reputational advantage are simply not on an equivalent scale such as to be able to offset that danger.
It just seemed to me from your description that Brown gave you that gut feeling. I have been on both campuses (Yale and Brown) and would unwaveringly choose Brown for the same reasons you verbalized. The University, Providence and the surrounding area are fabulous places to spend a few years and I don’t think perceived ranking or whatever should trump your gut. Also, it sounds like you feel that you could shine a little more at Brown. That perception alone will give you confidence. Go shine!
This isn’t really a thing. A college doesn’t “open doors” in the way you are assuming. Yes, one college might have more contacts, name recognition, canned opportunities, etc., than another, in the short term, but the college doesn’t open the door for you. You have to do that.
In the longterm, as others have said, Yale will absolutely not be opening more doors. Your longterm opportunities will be 100% based on your work, research, accomplishments, and contacts since graduation.
So-called “prestigious” schools sometimes get a bad rap on College Confidential. There are posters who will say that it is all what you do and the college doesn’t matter. I am not at all at that extreme. Some colleges will have more opportunities than others, but once you are out of college it does become far closer to that mindset, as what you do matters far, far more than where you went.
You are 26 and understand your field, so I won’t issue any opinion on the choice between Brown and Yale. It’s an embarrassment of riches! But please take the idea that the Yale name will be “opening doors” for you for the rest of your life. That’s not reality at all.
Trust that employers are going to be more interested in your career experiences than the name of your college. By the time you earn your degree, you will be in your late 20’s. Experience matters, regardless of where you go to college. Any one who matters knows of Brown.
Your focus on prestige is misplaced. Brown is prestigious. Most people who attend Yale are normal humans who are not famous or excessively wealthy. I know four Yale grads who live normal lives, just like we all do. They are not special.
Doors may open if you attend either college, but getting through the door and then offered a seat at the dinner table will depend on you and your experience, especially as an older graduate. If Joe Smith has an amazing resume and attended Podunk State U, he will probably get the job over someone with a less impressive resume. My point is that you should focus on continuing to build your skills as you complete your degree.
I may be an outlier and am definitely NOT looking to start a debate but at least among my group of international friends (mostly in the business world), Yale is the better known university (it is revered by many) internationally.
I’d still say go where you feel you will be comfortable and happy and that both schools can get you where you want to go – but in a tiebreaker, I’d opt for Yale.
My own experience as a DOJ attorney, who sometimes was cold calling companies internationally, was that, “My name is NUM, and I represent the United States,” was usually enough to get their attention. My college (which happened to be Yale) never came up.
I guess my point is institutions do matter sometimes, but I think in most professions these days it is usually not your college that really matters.
I would agree that representing the US will get anyone’s attention. IMO a person’s college background and achievements can help with a first job - after that work experience and accomplishments will be paramount.
Again, I do not wish to debate as everyone will have different experiences and personal contacts. FWIW my international contacts are primarily in the business and educational arenas.
And as I said, Brown can certainly get the OP anywhere professionally.
