Brown University

BASIC FACTS

Brown University is located in Providence, Rhode Island and is the seventh oldest university in the U.S., established in 1764. It is ranked #7 in U.S. universities according to the Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education (2019), and #53 in Global universities according to Times Higher Education (2019). Brown has 6,580 undergraduate students and 2,255 postgraduate students.

HOUSING

Before arriving on campus, first-year students fill out a housing questionnaire, asking them about their living preferences, including what time they go to bed, what temperature they like the room, etc., which the Office of Residential Life uses to match them with a roommate. First-year students live in freshman only housing in either North or South campus. In the spring of freshman year, a housing lottery takes place for housing the following year. Students can form housing groups of up to 10 people, and the group is assigned a lottery number, which determines the order in which they are able to choose their housing. It is common for students in their last year to move off campus into houses/apartments that are in close proximity to the main campus.

ACADEMICS

Core Curriculum

Brown has a focus on liberal arts and encourages its students to study a broad spectrum of subjects. It has no core curriculum or distribution requirements that students must complete in order to graduate, giving students the freedom to shape their own education and to make their college curricula a reflection of their own interests and aspirations.

The only specific requirements are that all students must complete at least 30 courses in eight semesters, at least one concentration program, and demonstrate excellent skill in written English (this is done by taking two writing designated classes – one in the first two years of study, and one in the second two.

Grading

Students may choose to take courses for a letter grade or S/NC (Satisfactory/No Credit). Brown only awards full letter grades of A, B or C (without pluses or minuses) or S (for satisfactory). There is no grade of C, and failing grades are not recorded.

Popular Concentrations

Brown offers nearly 80 standard concentrations (majors) that lead to either the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science degree. Students also have the option of creating an independent concentration. The most popular concentrations are Biology, History, and International Relations. A full list of concentrations is available here.

Popular Classes

Brown offers nearly 2,000 courses in forty-five different departments. Students are able to create their own courses under the supervision of a faculty member, and take courses at the Rhode Island School of Design.

How to Register for Classes

Incoming first-year students are given an Academic Advisor, as well as a Peer Advisor (known as a Meiklejohn). Once students have declared their concentration, they are given a Concentration Advisor. Advisors are easily accessible to give course recommendations and help guide students through the Open Curriculum.

At the end of the previous semester (or during the summer for incoming first-year students), pre- registration opens. Students are able to register for five courses for the following semester, but this is not binding. During the first two weeks of the semester, students participate in a process called“Shopping Period”. Students are able to attend any class they want, helping them to comparedifferent classes and determine which will be the best fit for the upcoming semester. While students can come and leave when they want, they are still responsible for any work given during this time. Class reviews from previous years are available online. By the last day of Shopping Period, students must have registered for all their classes. Students typically take 4 classes each semester, although it is possible to take up to 5. Students are also able to audit a course, which allows them to take a course without receiving credit. These do not count toward academic standard of the 30 course requirements for graduation. Students can drop classes until the day before the final.

Honors/Thesis

Every concentration program allows eligible students to pursue honors in the concentration. Admission into honors is based on grades and an honors thesis proposal. Exceptional honors thesesmay be nominated for the Dean of the College’s Distinguished Senior Thesis Award.

Because the Brown curriculum places greater weight on the act of learning than on external marks of success, the University grants only one honor at commencement: magna cum laude. Thisdistinction is awarded to 20% of the graduating class and is based on the percentage of “A” gradesthat a student receives.

FINANCIAL AID AND COST OF ATTENDANCE

Brown’s financial aid is based entirely on need, not merit. It has a need-blind admission policy for allUS citizens and permanent residents, which means that a student’s ability to pay for their educationwill not be a factor in the admission decision. However, it is need-aware for international students.

Families with total parent earnings less than $60,000 are not required to make a parent contribution toward the cost of education. 43% of the Class of 2022 received a need-based scholarship, with the average reward being $50,108. Financial aid officers work closely with families to ensure that prospective students are able to attend and that cost is not a barrier, and the university iscommitted to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need for all four years. Brown’s Net Price Calculator can help applicants estimate their aid package and expected family contribution.

Applications for financial aid must be completed roughly one month after the Common App application. The College Scholarship Service (CSS) Profile must be completed, which requires information about family income, assets and expenses. After the CSS profile is submitted, students may be prompted to provide income tax forms or other material to support their application. US Citizens are also eligible for federal financial aid and must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

The Office of Financial Aid, the Bursar and the Loan Office are available to assist families withdeveloping a financing plan. Brown’s Installment Payment Plan (IPP) enables students and theirfamilies to make interest-free monthly instalments to cover each semester’s fees. There are also anumber of loan options, including Federal Student Loans, the Brown 20th Century Loan, and Private Student Loans. It is also possible to apply for outside scholarships in both in the US, and for international students, in their home country.

STUDENT LIFE

Clubs

There are over 400 student organizations at Brown that are formed and run by students. This covers a wide spectrum of interests from the arts (Brown has the most acapella groups per capita), tomedia (Brown’s newspaper, the Brown Daily Herald, was formed in 1891), and service. A full list of student organizations can be found here.

Sororities and Fraternities

There are 11 Greek houses, including six fraternities, four sororities and one co-ed house. There are also program houses organized by themes, including Buxton International House, Technology

House, and Social Action House. There are also three student cooperative houses that run a vegetarian co-op for the larger community.

Sports

Brown is part of the Ivy League conference and competes in 38 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCSS) Division I (the highest level) sports. For students that are not able to make the time commitment to varsity sports, there are also club and intramural sports teams. Club teams are more competitive, play against other schools and sometimes require try-outs to join. Intramural teams are much more relaxed, and little experience is required.

Facilities on Campus

There are nearly a dozen eateries across campus, including two large dining halls (the Sharpe Refectory and Verney Woolley Dining Hall) and a variety of smaller eateries.

All students have access to the Nelson Fitness Center, which has a 10,000 square foot multi-purpose fitness loft with over 85 exercise machines, 3 exercise studios, and a social space in the lobby that includes a café. Next to the Fitness Center is the Katherine Moran Coleman Aquatics Center, which includes a 56 meter pool and diving pool. The pool is open for recreational swimming at various times during the day. There are also tennis courts, squash courts, and more available for recreational use.

The Stephen Robert ’62 Campus Center serves as one of the major hubs of campus life. It housestwo cafes – The Blue Room and The Underground -, The Campus Market where students can buy food, toiletries and school supplies, the LGBTQ Center, as well as several offices.

Surrounding area: Thayer Street runs through Brown’s campus and has lots of shops and restaurantsthat are very popular with students. Wickenden Street and Wayland Square are also nearby.

Brown is located on College Hill, which is a 10-15 minute walk from Downtown Providence, where there are many restaurants, concert venues and coffee shops. In 2012, Providence was ranked the #1 food city in the U.S., and the Federal Hill neighbourhood is particularly known for its Italian restaurants.

There is a train station 15 minutes by foot from campus, where it is possible to get the train to Boston (40 minutes) and New York (3.5 hours).

Nightlife

There are some clubs downtown that are frequented by Brown students (Colosseum, Ulta), but most prefer to stay on campus. When it comes to parties, there is something for everyone. Fraternities and sports houses hold larger parties, but it is also not uncommon to have a small gathering in your room with some friends.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications to Brown are submitted online via the Common Application, where students must fill out the general application, as well as the Brown supplemental essays. The application fee is $75. Fee waivers are available on request. The application requires a transcript, school report, midyear school report, counsellor recommendation and two teacher recommendations. Either SAT or ACT scores will be accepted (with or without writing). Two SAT Subject Tests are recommended, but not required. It is also encouraged to submit a graded paper from an English or Humanities class. Applicants receive access to the Brown Applicant Portal, where they will have the option of submitting a 2-minute personal video portfolio or opt-in for an alumni interview. Brown accepts Early Decision applications, wherein acceptance is binding. The deadline for early decision is November 1st, and the deadline for regular decision is January 1st.

OTHER

Study Abroad

Brown students are able to study away from Brown, either abroad or at another U.S. institution. Programs may be summer, fall, spring, or full-academic-year. The Office of International Programs offers a number of study abroad programs, and students are also able to petition to receive transfer credit from other programs that do not work in collaboration with Brown. Students are able to meet with study abroad advisors who can help them plan their study abroad.

WORK

Jobs available both on and off campus can be found through the Student Employment website. Minimum wage for on-campus jobs is $10.60 (2018-19) and is paid bi-weekly.

International Student Office and Life

International Student Life

15% of undergraduate students are international. The Global Brown Center for International Students provides support to international students and coordinates events to foster an inclusive community. International students must attend International Orientation prior to regular orientation, where they will learn about the opportunities and challenges of coming to Brown as an international student, including academic expectations, campus life, immigration and visa policies, and transition to life in the United States.

Visa

International students will be mailed an immigration form from Brown following their acceptance. This is required to apply for an F1 or J1 visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Students must completethe DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application and pay the visa application fee. Following this, students must schedule an interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

OPT/CPT

Optional Practical Training (OPT) allows international students with an F1 visa to work up to 12 month in relation to their concentration (STEM fields are eligible for a 24 month extension). OPT can be completed both before or after graduation.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) allows international students with an F1 to gain practical experience directly related to their concentration through employment, paid or unpaid internships, or co-op education. It must be completed before graduation.

First Generation and Low-Income Resources

The First-Generation College and Low-Income Student Center (FLi Center) provides a space for first- generation college students and students from low income backgrounds. The center provides numerous resources, including opportunities to meet other U-FLi students, and advising support.

All information provided by Brown University and its students.