Student Profile
Oogabooga
- Class: Sophomore
- Major: Neuroscience
- Gender: F
- High School: Public, suburban
- Transfer Student: N
Big Picture
Best thing about Brown has got to be the open curriculum, and the advising that comes along with it. Brown really does trust you to make decisions for yourself, but wants you to know that you're not entirely on your own. The advising is great, especially for first-year and if you would liek to change your advisor that can be easily arranged. Lots of interesting classes, as well, and youll find that students really aren't afraid to dabble in areas that they are not 100% familiar with. Another thing I'm very satisfied about Brown with is that the community is very close-knit. On your way to class, or even if you're just hanging out on the Main Green on a nice day doing reading, you'll run into tons of people you know. Campus is not too big (like a state school slash UPenn) and also not too small, like Amherst. Some complaints I have include: - More variety in food at the VDub (one of our dining halls) - Students not having card access to all of the residence halls
Academic Life
I'm a pre-med student at Brown, so I started off my freshman year taking lots of big lecture classes towards my pre-med reqs and for my major. While I enjoyed big lecture classes because I wasn't usually one to ask questions in class and therefore, didn't feel pressured to initiate any conversation, the downside is that the professors don't know your name, unless you go to him or her for outside help during office hours. I never really did that, until second semester for my Cell & Molecular Bio and Neurobio courses. However, classes do become smaller once you get into the higher level classes. Because Brown doesn't have any academic requirements (besides the ones towards your track / concentration), you're really free to explore. I really have a penchant for literature so second semester I took a Romantic Lit class and read King Arthur, Sir Gawain, and Chaucer, which I really did enjoy. You're free to audit classes as well, and last semseter I audited City Politics with Morone (so good-- totally recommended!) Students I found are generally not so much competitive amongst each other, but with themselves. Everyone is constantly striving to do their best, and seeing others aruond you being so motivated, you naturally want to be more motivated as well.
Student Body
No student feels out of place at Brown, and I seriously think there is something for everyone. It's so easy, especially during Orientation, to go up to a group of people with some friends and just introduce yourself. I met so many people that way and I get along great with them. One thing Brown students are NOT is arrogant. I can't guarantee that for all 6,000 undergrads, but the ones that I have met are very level-headed, and mature.
The Best Things
Very laid back administration, freedom for choosing classes, Thayer St. <3
The Worst Things
Finaid, the VDub being closed on weekend, and not having card access to friend's residence halls (esp if they live across campus!)
