Brown University

Brown is an awesome place, and I don't think I could be happier anywhere else. The open curriculum lets you take classes in various disciplines that you may not have gotten a chance to explore at other schools. The math department is amazing. The department is very encouraging to students who seek advanced coursework (I know many sophomores and juniors taking graduate level courses). The professors are excellent and care very much about the success of their students.

3rd Year Female -- Class 2011

Education Quality: A+, Campus Maintenance: A-

You really can study anything here. There are lots of very cool people (as at any other school); everyone here was super competitive in high school but comes here ready to delve into things that interest them. That said, there is a lot of responsibility with the open curriculum; I have screwed myself over before. Fortunately, there are ever more resources for undergraduates developed to prevent this.

People who attend Brown and complain about being left in the cold in regards to advising are simply lazy, though. People here are nothing if not helpful. You must show initiative to get their attention.

I had a rough start to my first year, what with a strange roommate and a social scene I didn't totally understand. In truth, much of the weekend revolves around alcohol (and weed to some extent), and while there are numerous other things do to on a Saturday night, I didn't really want to do any of them. In time, however, I found friends who have my same values and desires, and we entertain ourselves enough.

Also: Providence is a cool city. Much great shopping, a good arts scene, and only an hour commuter rail ride from Boston (which is easy to do, easier than most will tell you). However, bring rain boots. It rains a lot here.

I know this sounds critical, but it takes a sunny day on the main green when a Klezmer band is playing to hundreds of students sprawled around, studying, tossing frisbees, and exuding happiness. There is good reason they call this the happiest college in America. We get the best education (I do not doubt this, and I have friends at all the other top schools), the best peers, and a pretty bangin environs in which to experience each other.You would be stupid to not attend Brown if you could.

1st Year Female -- Class 2013

Individual Value: A+, Useful Schoolwork: B+

Positive: People (students/professors) will be genuinely interested in your ideas, you are treated like an adult, you have opportunities to explore academics across departments, faculty is easily accessible and in tune with general student needs, curriculum offers incredible selection of courses -- interdisciplinary topics I had never heard of before reaching Brown.

Negative: The sense of community does not feel strong to me -- I have felt lonely here on multiple occasions before joining specific social clubs (i.e. like ballroom dancing). The administration has a lot of room to improve. It does help students when they are in great need (ie. personal problems/psychological), but at other times leaves students stranded due to lack of advising. I felt the administration didn't participate in any mentoring of students (the same regarding professors)-- and dealt with students on a client-business level. With so many options at Brown, it is too bad there are not enough support services to answer student questions and to provide guidance when it is asked for.My best advice: build a support group by making connections with other students both in your department classes and through several student groups. This actually can take work at Brown even though the overall population is friendly. Also, do not hesitate to use the available student support resources -- know that you are expected to take a lot of initiative -- but sometimes this extends to helping yourself out of difficult situations by seeking out resources.

3rd Year Female -- Class 2010

Scholastic Success: A+, Individual Value: B