How do Emory and Brown compare in student support?

For a student who wants support to be visible, structured, and easy to access during the transition to college, Emory has the edge. Emory’s Center for Student Success Programs coordinates academic coaching, tutoring, and support for students navigating academic difficulty, while its undergraduate advising structure gives students defined points of contact. Brown offers substantial support too, but its open curriculum gives students more freedom and also requires more self-direction in planning an academic path.

Academically, Emory tends to feel more scaffolded. Students can use course-based help, peer tutoring, success coaching, accessibility services, and advising through their school or program, which can be especially reassuring for someone adjusting to demanding pre-health, business, or STEM coursework. At Brown, students have faculty advisers, College deans, peer advisers, and academic resources, but the absence of general education requirements means students must take greater initiative in building a coherent plan and seeking guidance early.

For personal and mental-health support, both campuses provide counseling, health services, disability accommodations, identity-based centers, and residential staff. Brown’s College Dean system is a notable strength: deans can be important advocates for personal, academic, and leave-related concerns. Emory also has Counseling and Psychological Services, student case-management resources, and a well-developed network of support offices.

The transition experience differs most in day-to-day structure. Brown’s first-year community includes residential peer leaders and strong student-led communities, but students often shape their own support network. Emory’s orientation, advising, residence-life programming, and centralized success resources may make it easier to know where to turn before a problem becomes serious.