A plethora of queries from all aspects----current students please reply!

Colleges & Universities A-Z Brown University
1

<p>How do dorms work? Do people normally visit other people at random? Does it get hot without any AC? What if you’re the quiet type any problems there?
Do people normally take notes in class? Or record lectures? Or type?
What is the most common laptop on campus? On the Brown’s computer site they mention that the best configuration includes Windows XP SP3, so don’t people use windows 7?
What’s the best cellphone carrier in the area, and is prepaid or contracts preferable?
Do students get robbed/mugged often?
Can I learn a completely new language from attending language classes, like from zero knowledge to be able to at least speak the language?
How should one compose their curriculum and course choices? Any limit or requirement per semester? What is the best way to go if you wish to fulfill premed requirements while majoring in perhaps neuroscience, minor in psychology, and take courses in programming, design, and maybe some other things? If bruno14 or someone like that could help here that would be great >.>b
What happens on the first day? Do we just go to class, is there a list of things to do? I mean I am absolutely clueless on what to do on the first day.
What are your favorite classes at Brown? A class so awesome that even if you are not majoring in the subject, you should partake just because of the professor?
I have received full aid. If I live with relatives near the campus, what happens to the dorm costs? Do I still get a meal plan? What is covered under the personal costs section of my aid package? And transport? And books? Does the aid package cover the costs for perhaps a laptop? I would have had to work to cover about 3000$ in costs from the aid package, but if I don’t stay in a dorm, does this mean with the reduction of the package, I no longer need to work?
How many days of break do we get a year? How does one initiate research opportunities? If I want to volunteer at the Alpert Medical school is that possible? Can I research if I am a freshman?
What times do classes normally occur? From Dawn till Dusk?
The facilities, such as the fitness center and the sports facilities are free for students right? How is the seating arrangement in class? Do people talk in class? Do they raise their hands?
Do brunonians get discounts in any shops around Providence?</p>

<p>I am quite unused to receiving an honor like this, and am so humbled by being accepted to an Ivy league, especially Brown, so spare me and help please!</p>

2

<p>As a parent, I can answer a couple of your questions. These are all really good questions, by the way, and I am sure others will be able to help with ones I don’t know. Some of the questions you have will probably have to wait until you’re on campus because they are normal logistical or cultural questions. You are definitely not alone in these, though, and I know it will all sort itself out as soon as you’re there. Many of your questions can be answered by combing through the brown.edu web site. So if you haven’t gone there, that is a place to also get lots of info. But I know what you mean, the culture and the written info can be quite different.</p>

<p>Dorms-- I don’t know the day to day. I’m a mom. I do know, though, that according to what we were told and we read, there is a requirement that undergrads live on campus for 6 semesters. However, juniors are given permission to live off campus, so go figure. It also says that students whose parents live close by can get permission to live at home. Don’t know about relatives though.</p>

<p>Meal Plan-- According the Brown Dining Services page (again, check the web site) and according to our experience, all first year students must be on a meal plan. This is actually a good idea. Who wants to deal with “hunting and gathering” the first year of college? It’s a good social experience and my daughter really liked the food. Not all students feel the same way, though.</p>

<p>Financial Aid-- Here’s what our experience was. Daughter received University Scholarship, which was basically a grant that covered a certain percentage of tuition and room and board. She also received a Federal Work Study grant which meant that she found an on-campus job and was paid the hourly wage. Whatever was left over from the grand total, we were billed and we paid. I don’t know how a full-ride works, that is, books, personal expenses, etc. The past two years my daughter lived off campus and was off the meal plan. The financial aid did not change. That is, it still included room and board grant money. The school figured that we still needed to pay this money, so, essentially, the tuition bill was further reduced to what felt like a very low number. However, that low number was really higher because apartment rent and grocery store bills still had to be paid. It really equaled out in the long run. I suppose it could have gone either way if she found an extraordinarily expensive apartment or ate in restaurants for every meal. But for us, it was pretty much the same.</p>

<p>Classes-- During the summer you will receive a lot of information about selecting classes: First Year Seminars, other special classes for first-years, advising, roommate questionnaire, etc. You will pre-register for your classes, some based on lotteries (FYS, art classes) some will have final registration based on AP/IB results that will come in later or placement exams that you will take in September on campus (language, science maybe, math maybe), some based on interest or curiosity. You will have access to the online course catalog and will have time to peruse it. When you get to campus you will have meetings with your dorm units, RA, and first year adviser who will further explain it, I’m sure. Then you (and the rest of the students) will have a two week shopping period that will allow you to try out different classes and see if you actually like what you pre-registered for or if you want to change to something else based on word of mouth or group interest, or just new thoughts. You will be allowed to change the courses you registered for during this shopping period according to a set schedule that you will learn about. This is a great opportunity, but can also be daunting. This is the part of Brown that some student find difficult because it’s the time when you are charting your own course. As you go through the years you will have advisers and friends and concentration (major) requirements that will dictate what courses you should/must take. There are no core or distribution requirements, as you know, and that can be overwhelming, but also, can be very exciting-- it’s what makes Brown University what it is. Class schedules are found in the online catalog and you can decide if you want to take class early or late in the day. Often there are multiple sections of classes so you can figure that out.</p>

<p>This was long, I know, but maybe I was of some help, from a parent’s point of view. Also, there could really be some information that does not match other students’ experiences. This is what my daughter found. Best of luck to you, and congratulations on this great opportunity.</p>

3

<p>Hey, congratulations!</p>

<p>However, there are a lot of threads here on dorms, so you should search for those. Some of your other questions are more specific, though, and I can try to help.</p>

<ol>
<li>People do visit each other frequently in dorms. I’ve explained some of the card access issues on one of my housing threads. Search for that. But freshman year, you will have card access (meaning you can use your swipe card to enter) freshmen dorms near yours. You can also call a friend to let you in; Brown doesn’t leave security guards at dorm entrances or make guests sign in. Only one dorm (New Dorm/Vartan Gregorian Quad) has AC, but you can get a fan for the early fall and late spring. Also, check out Brown’s housing form. They designate a few floors in freshmen dorms as “Quiet Floors,” for people who don’t want to live in a noisy atmosphere. But even regular housing doesn’t have to be loud.</li>
<li>Some people take notes, others use laptops. I don’t think people typically record lectures, but it’s not unheard of.</li>
<li>Verizon or ATT are preferred. But some people use TMobile. Everyone has a different opinion. See what makes most sense for you and your family. Also, there isn’t a lot of crime on campus, but people will steal laptops from time to time. As long as you lock your door (and perhaps get a laptop lock), you will be fine. LOCK YOUR DOOR.</li>
<li>Yes, there are intro level classes for many different languages. You’ll receive a course catalogue soon.</li>
<li>You take 4-5 courses per semester. 4 is typical. Some courses (music electives, especially) will count as half-credit. You can’t minor at Brown, but there is overlap between Neuro and Psych requirements/electives, so you can get experience in both. You will have various advisors (specifically, a first year faculty advisor and a student advisor, a Meiklejohn, to help you pick classes). There is also a premed advisor.</li>
<li>Orientation starts four days before classes begin. There will be some mandatory meetings, a lot of fun activities, and plenty of time to move in and hang out. You’ll also meet with your advisor, etc. to pick and register for class. The first day of classes is the Wednesday after Orientation begins. Then, yes, you go to class and eventually to convocation (walking through the Van Wickle Gates!).</li>
<li>Oh, that’s a hard question. I’m partial to cogsci/psych/neuro classes, but I’ve really enjoyed the education department, too.</li>
<li>Talk to the Financial Aid office about that. They can help us more than we can.</li>
<li>Break = 1 day off in October, 3 days (plus weekend) for Thanksgiving in November, 5.5 weeks for winter break, two days off in February, and a week off in March. For research opportunities, talk to professors. I can’t emphasize that enough. Also, check the Job Board (on the financial aid website)––sometimes research positions are posted there. I don’t know about the Med School––ask someone doing premed.</li>
<li>Most classes run from 9-3 on MWF and 9-4 on TTh, but there are evening seminars, too.</li>
<li>Yes, all the gyms, etc. are free for student use. You can take classes for a small fee.</li>
<li>Lectures may be in an actual lecture hall (i.e. auditorium), a room with a lot of desks, or some other configuration. Seminars may be around a table, or desks might be arranged in another orientation. People typically talk in class, especially in smaller classes. Most professors encourage questions, at the very least. You’ll also probably have section, where you will meet with a TA and some other students for a smaller, collaborative discussion.</li>
<li>Yes, especially those on Thayer. You’ll get more information about this at orientation.</li>
</ol>

4

<p>Yikes…I’ll see what I can do to help.</p>

<p>Brown’s dorms are accessible by your ID - you’ll have access to your own dorm and those that connect directly to it (for ease of access). Otherwise, you’d have to be let in by someone in the dorm you want to visit. Lots of such visiting occurs, though. Dorms are mostly co-ed by room, meaning that most floors contain both males and females, and they tend not to be separated into different sides of the floor. Some housing is gender neutral, meaning males and females can live together.</p>

<p>Supposedly New Dorm has air conditioning, but the other dorms don’t (as far as I know). Hot really depends on what you’re used to. I’m from MA and used to a house whose temperature is normally set to 66-68 degrees, so I find the heating in all of the dorms to be oppressive during winter. Most people don’t mind the temperature except at the very start of the fall and the very end of the spring.</p>

<p>Many people take notes, occasionally by computer. It’s extremely uncommon to tape lectures, and, although RI law technically permits you to do this (I did have to look it up…it’s illegal in my state without permission), you should always ask permission before doing this out of respect for the professor.</p>

<p>Macs are probably slightly more common on campus than PCs…I think Dells are fairly common for PCs because the bookstore services them. Ignore the computing website…it’s laughably out of date. Vista and Windows 7 are much more common than XP.</p>

<p>AT&T and Verizon both work well on campus (I don’t know about other carriers). The plan that’s best really depends on how you plan to use your phone and your family’s situation.</p>

<p>Students get mugged/robbed occasionally. Much of the time, this occurs when they’re wandering on side roads alone after midnight. Brown has services like SafeWalk and SafeRide - make use of these and/or a friend to walk with you, and you’ll reduce the chances of being mugged significantly.</p>

<p>You can learn to speak a new language from no knowledge by taking classes here. Most intro classes meet 6 hours a week (twice the amount of time as most non-lab courses for the same amount of credit, so as a pre-med, be wary about over-committing yourself, especially as a freshman). The requirement to go abroad tends to be between 3 and 5 semesters or study, so you should aim for this if you want speaking knowledge, though you should be aware that some people get much more out of the classes than others do.</p>

<p>You are limited to 5 classes a term. That’s the requirement. (You’re also expected to pass 4 courses most terms.) Otherwise, what you do is up to you, with the advice of your advisor(s). We do tend to recommend you take only 4 courses at least freshman fall, since college is an adjustment. As a premed, you’ll probably want to get your reqs done in such a way that you can take the MCATs at a reasonable time while being prepared for them. Taking a variety of classes is useful from multiple standpoints (including that you may decide Neuro is not for you, and so you’ll want to have courses in other fields to decide what you want to do). Be aware that Brown’s programming classes are also <em>very</em> time-intensive, whether or not you have past programming experience. Brown does not offer minors at all - you can take courses in the field if you want, but won’t get recognition for it on your degree unless you complete the entire concentration (terminology: Brown has concentrations instead of majors, but they’re the same thing).</p>

<p>The day before classes begin, you’ll be allowed to register for courses online. It’s sort of a “whoever registers first gets the spot” system. By the time you’re registering, all older students will have registered - this means that you might not get into courses with limited enrollment right away (generally not pre-med requirements, but some intro language classes and a good number of humanities classes). You then go to classes, but you can go to others (“shop” them to see if you like them) and change your courses for the first week or two (“shopping period”). Some people shop a dozen courses a term. I’ve never shopped anything - I have a massive number of requirements, so many of my courses have been relatively set for me.</p>

<p>My favorite classes at Brown were German 100-200 (Most people in the class loved Frau Sok and got a lot out of it speaking-wise, even if the details of the grammar tended to escape some of them) and Computer Science 310 (which, admittedly, is not something I’d recommend for most students, even those who take an intro sequence for fun - few students outside of CS and Computer Engineering would benefit from the concepts of the course). I’d definitely recommend German with Frau Sok to anyone, though.</p>

<p>There’s a cost for living off campus, but I’d ask Financial Aid about what happens in that situation (if I had to guess, I’d say they’d reduce your aid to match the new housing cost). Living on campus with others is a rather valuable experience (and does help making friends), though, so it might be worth considering. You may have a meal plan when living off campus - that cost is separate from housing. I’m not sure what the personal costs section includes, but the website lists books and transportation as personal costs. Not sure about a laptop.</p>

<p>Compared to public schools, Brown is not in session very frequently. I’d estimate we’re in classes for about 140 days each year. Put another way, winter break is 6-7 weeks, spring break is 1 week, there’s a 4 day weekend in Feb., Thanksgiving is a 4.5 day weekend, and classes + exams go (roughly) Sept 1-Dec 20 and Jan 29-May 20.</p>

<p>Research tends to happen when you approach professors for opportunities. Freshmen can do research (though make sure you can handle the work first). I’m not sure about volunteering at Alpert.</p>

<p>Class times vary, but there exist classes that start at 8 AM (very uncommon) and those that run to 8 PM (very uncommon). For the most part, you’ll have classes between 9 AM and 4 PM, but not for the entirety of that time, since you’ll only have 12-15 or so hours of class a week, not counting labs. Labs tend to be afternoon into evening (some are very time consuming).</p>

<p>Facilities are “free” for students. Recently, a yearly fee was instituted that’s required of all students, regardless of how often they use the center. It’s included in the tuition bill.</p>

<p>Seating varies by the room, so trying to describe it in much detail would be futile. Some rooms have rows of chairs, while others have a rectangular or circular table. Some classrooms are auditoriums. People talk in some classes (primarily but not exclusively the discussion classes - lecture classes tend to be light on participation; many of your premed courses will be like this). Hand-raising depends on the class, but most of my classes have involved students raising their hand when they want to talk, even in discussion sections (but that’s partly because having a discussion section of over 30 people is sort of silly).</p>

<p>You get discounts at the movies at the mall, at least…I’m sure there are some student discounts elsewhere, but I’m not sure where. There used to be a candy shop that offered discounts to students, but it moved.</p>

5

<p>Parent here, but I also went to Brown. I can answer some of these.</p>

<p>How do dorms work? Do people normally visit other people at random?
Freshmen year, in a freshmen dorm, kids wander around the floors all the time. At least, I assume that hasn’t changed in 30 years. If a door is open, you are welcome to poke your head in and start a conversation. As for visiting people in other dorms – I think with cell phones and texting today, people probably check in advance to see if their friend is in their room before a random visit.</p>

<p>Does it get hot without any AC?
If there is a heat wave in September and May, it can get hot. Get a fan.</p>

<p>What if you’re the quiet type any problems there?
It might be an issue in some dorms. Keeney can get really noisy. Other dorms are quieter. You can always study in the libraries. There are substance-free dorms that might be quieter. (One of my favorite memories of freshmen year was when my roommate was angry at someone playing music loudly in Keeney, and she wandered off in her PJs to find them and tell them to tone it down.)</p>

<p>Do students get robbed/mugged often?
It happens. Be smart. If you are wandering around the streets of Providence at 3 am, maybe nothing will happen – but it could.</p>

<p>How should one compose their curriculum and course choices?
When you get to Brown for orientation, you will have a faculty adviser and a student adviser. You will also have resident advisers in your dorm. These people are there to help you figure out courses. Use them.
Go here: [Welcome</a> - Mocha](<a href=“mochacourses.com - This website is for sale! - mochacourses Resources and Information.”>Loading...), and start searching for classes. When you see one you like, stick in in your shopping basket. When you get an email and user ID you can check out the Critical Review online, where you can read reviews of professors and classes.</p>

<p>What is the best way to go if you wish to fulfill premed requirements while majoring in perhaps neuroscience, minor in psychology, and take courses in programming, design, and maybe some other things?
There is a pre-med adviser on campus, and I suggest you meet with him/her to answer this. The number of pre-med courses is not that high, so you can take lots of other courses while satisfying those. Just make sure you have a lighter semester when you take organic chemistry. Oh, and Brown doesn’t have minors, so you won’t be minoring in psych.</p>

<p>What happens on the first day? Do we just go to class, is there a list of things to do? I mean I am absolutely clueless on what to do on the first day.
The first day you are on campus, you and everyone else is moving into their dorms, opening bank accounts, buying things they need, etc. There are parents and upperclassmen everywhere. This might help: [Brown</a> University Orientation](<a href=“Undergraduate Orientation I Brown University”>Undergraduate Orientation I Brown University)
That night, I’m pretty sure your residential unit gets together and you all meet each other with organized activities, probably do dinner together, etc.
I think on Sunday afternoon, there is a large meeting for parents and students, where Ruth Simmons talks, and then the parents go away. Your residential unit probably gets together again. You’ll make lots of friends and have fun – there are plenty of social events planned out for you.
For the next few days, there are more planned activities – you meet with your adviser, for example.
On the first day of classes, you go to class! You’ll probably go to 3 or 4 the first day, at most, and that’s if you are shopping – if you are not shopping many classes, then you’ll probably only go to two, maybe 3. There is convocation midday, when everyone gets together and hears Ruth talk and a speaker. By now, you’ve been on campus for several days, and you are beginning to know your way around. </p>

<p>What are your favorite classes at Brown? A class so awesome that even if you are not majoring in the subject, you should partake just because of the professor? Search this forum, since this has been asked before. You might want to ask it again, in a separate post, later on. Some names that pop up are Ken Miller, James Morone, Jim Head, Arnold Weinstein.</p>

<p>I have received full aid. If I live with relatives near the campus, what happens to the dorm costs? Do I still get a meal plan? What is covered under the personal costs section of my aid package? And transport? And books? Does the aid package cover the costs for perhaps a laptop? I would have had to work to cover about 3000$ in costs from the aid package, but if I don’t stay in a dorm, does this mean with the reduction of the package, I no longer need to work?
You REALLY need to talk to financial aid. While freshmen are required to live on campus I’m pretty sure exceptions are made if you can live with parents or guardian. You don’t need a meal plan, but there are plans available for nonresidential students. If you received full aid, then you know what you are getting and can compare it to the total cost of attendance, which is on the Brown website, which includes books and incidentals. If you’re not paying room & board to Brown, your package will be reduced accordingly, but I don’t know how they will do that. As for laptop-- talk to financial aid.</p>

<p>How does one initiate research opportunities?
You walk up to a professor and ask. Honestly, it’s that easy.</p>

<p>Can I research if I am a freshman?
Yes.</p>

<p>What times do classes normally occur? From Dawn till Dusk?
Remember, classes only meet about 3 hours a week. If you go to the link for Mocha, and start filling your “shopping cart” you’ll get a good idea quickly what your daily and weekly schedule is.</p>

<p>The facilities, such as the fitness center and the sports facilities are free for students right?
Yes, but there are additional charges for some PE classes.</p>

<p>How is the seating arrangement in class? Do people talk in class? Do they raise their hands?
That really depends on the class and the professor.</p>

6

<p>Thank you franglsih, thefunnything, Uroogla, and fireandrain. Your long responses and answers to my questions have helped me out a lot in my confusions. I got my admit package yesterday, and realized some of my questions were answered there, so sorry about that. If I have any further queries, I’ll probably add them here rather than making a new thread, because this was such an amazing resource for me and will hopefully help others as well.</p>

<p>@franglish
But by changing courses midweek, won’t I be missing out on some first classes, so won’t I per se be behind the other students and have difficulty understanding class?!?!</p>

<p>@thefunnything
Is it possible to meet advisors before I choose my courses? I would like know what would be the requirements for pre-med from Brown, and maybe Neuroscience. Also, lets say if I want to major in science, but I also want to somehow get a good background in business and computer science, will S/NC suffice, or should I try to double major? and do our grad schools get to know what courses we had??? </p>

<p>@Uroogla
Oh so dorms are interconnected? If you have access to other peoples dorms, won’t accidents regarding privacy occur? Like maybe seeing something you’re not supposed to >.<
by accident?
Also, if I go abroad, does that count towards a semester at Brown, or can I continue my four years from where I left off?</p>

<p>@fireandrain
Are you sure we just ask? Won’t the professor want to get to know the students and see who is really capable to tackle the task at hand?
Also, if I call or write a letter to Brown, should I be extremely formal, thank them for accepting me in the conversation or just be direct with my questions?</p>

<p>Thanks again :)</p>

7

<p>Some buildings are connected, some are not. I’m not referring to actual rooms (which are only connected in very specific cases and generally you’ll know the person living in such a contiguous room). I’m not sure what you mean about privacy (being able to go to an adjacent dorm doesn’t really change what you can and cannot see).</p>

<p>Semesters abroad (the first 2, I think?) count towards this requirement. There are some strange rules for what courses end up on your transcript, but you’ll have time to consider that later.</p>

8

<p>I thought you meant that the actual rooms were connected, so that’s where the confusion came from. It was a silly question, but I just didn’t get what you meant by connected dorms. No harm done I hope.</p>

9

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<p>Shopping period is both a blessing and a curse. Yes, if you shop a lot of classes you might fall a day or so behind. You may have to do a little running to catch up. But almost everyone shops for classes at Brown – I’ve heard of students who have tried on dozens of classes – so almost everyone is in the same boat. And remember that classes don’t meet every day, like they do in high school, and they only meet 3 hours/week, so you’ve got the time to catch up. </p>

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<p>Yes, you meet your advisors when you first get on campus, before classes start. The requirements for premed and neuroscience are right on the website, you can figure those out right now.</p>

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<p>Not sure what you mean by, will S/NC suffice? You learn the same thing whether you take the class for a grade or for S/NC. When you apply to grad school you send a transcript, so yes, they know what classes you took.</p>

<p>Stop worrying about all these details now, months before you start. You think you know what you want, but everything might change – and probably will. You could take a class in art history and suddenly decide to do that! Leave yourself open to options, and remember that you don’t declare a concentration until the end of sophomore year. It’s better to get this advice and make these decisions when you are on campus and can go talk to the experts.</p>

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<p>If it is a Brown approved program you get credit for it. Some students take one or more semesters off to work or travel, and that doesn’t count.</p>

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<p>Profs assume that everyone accepted to Brown is capable.
I have been told by current students that it is very easy to do research. Are there exceptions? I’m sure there are. Maybe you are the 10th student that day to ask the prof, and he’s run out of room in his lab. My daughter didn’t do research because that wasn’t her thing, but I’ve never heard her friends or my friends’ kids complain about lack of research opportunities.</p>

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<p>Well, I wouldn’t use abbreviations or text language (i.e., LOL, gr8). I would be polite and get right to the point. Act like the 18 year old you are.</p>

10

<p>I’m 16, LOL(unintended pun), but I understood what you meant, so thanks.</p>