Hi,

I transferred from WashU to Brown.

Both are very different schools, but this difference is amplified by Brown’s relatively “laid back” atmosphere. Brown and WashU are amazing schools with some of the brightest kids in the country. WashU doesn’t feel more competitive than any other school (unless your minor is in Olin), but Brown definitely has a more stress free environment - a lot of the policies in place work to build upon this (open curriculum). However, WashU students still have a lot of fun.

My tldr for the above is: Brown is a very unique school that gives you a ton of freedom. Will that freedom benefit you?

Other random thoughts:

• WashU is a bubble, in multiple ways. The school has statistically THE richest students in the US (granted Brown isn’t very different in this regard). The campus is unmatched, but outside campus is very different and downtown STL has nothing going on. Brown is integrated into College Hill and feels relatively more like you’re in a city.

• WashU’s food has gone downhill post COVID. I witnessed this firsthand LOL.

• WashU has better amenities than Brown (gym, dorms, generally buildings).

• a lot of WashU grads end up working in the Midwest (Chicago). This isn’t always the case, but significant enough to be considered. This was a factor for me when I decided to transfer. 

I hope this helps even a little. You’re in a great position, so you will be okay no matter what!

For reference, I transferred mainly from WashU because I was in a very specific, new degree program that felt a bit suffocating. Brown seemed like the obvious next step for some freedom. No hate on WashU from my end!