<p>I just got home from ADOCH and was wondering how folks felt about it. I thought it gave a very good inside look at the school, and was especially lucky to go to the STEM (Science, Technology, Engrg, Math) session yesterday morning. I got a good idea of how Brown students fill their time. It rained like CRAZY all day yesterday and last night, which kind of put a damper on some events, but overall a good take and definitely a good way for me to get Brown up on my list. </p>
<p>At the logistical level, I did think ADOCH was pretty disorganized , like there was no considerations for parking my Dad’s car, so we ended up 2 miles away on a side street and he got a ticket. And getting our luggage lout of the storage room ast night was a freaking nightmare, since it was in a hallway like 5 feet wide and 700 kids all trying to do it at once it took about 1.5 hours or so. I heard a nuch of kids and parents saying like “Is Brown always this disorganized and lacking in planning, or is this just a special case?” So, my dad talked about that all the way home today saying he worried that I was asking to go to a school that has administrative chaos. </p>
<p>The imporov sessions last night were awesome, and the student forums were hilarious (“come out come out wherever you are!”)</p>
<p>Anyway, overall I was impressed, even if my Dad is skeptical that Brown has their ***** together. As for me, it put Brown in the + column, but i have to see a couple more places and then make the decision…</p>
<p>Hmm. I thought similarly to you about the organization at times, but then I remembered that (a) it was almost entirely (if not entirely) student-run, (b) there were hundreds and hundreds of us, and (c) they really personalized the experience for each of us. I’ve been to a few more organized open house programs, but in these cases, there weren’t as many kids there and/or the experience wasn’t as in-depth and personal (no overnight stay, etc. – just a few activities like tours and panels). So I thought, considering the circumstances, they did a really great job.</p>
<p>As for being swayed – I had already committed before ADOCH, so they didn’t need to convince me. : ) But I definitely witnessed some people who were on the fence become partially or entirely convinced of Brown, so that’s awesome. </p>
<p>I really enjoyed my time there and it definitely “felt” right, or at least very good (I don’t believe in “right” when it comes to choices), being there.</p>
<p>ADOCH is almost entirely student-run. The rest of the administrative work is individuals who actually get paid to do it. So, no, it’s definitely not reflective of organization during the school year. I find it pretty easy to deal with administrative stuff.</p>
<p>FWIW, if you saw the panel on Advising and the Brown Curriculum… I was there :D.</p>
<p>Hope you guys had a good time. It’s really 100% student run (we just ask administrators if they’d be willing to do certain things, like sit on panels, but we create the panels, etc), so it’s hardly a reflection of the administration. Additionally, rain really can screw with the best laid plans of mice and men. I’m glad STEM worked out well-- it was instrumental for my coming to Brown four years ago.</p>
<p>Amadeuic – the Vision and the Brain class? Me too! Were you standing in the back awkwardly trying to see over the other 20 people in the back who were trying to see? If so, me too. >:]</p>
<p>I did enjoy some parts of it, but the organization was really really terrible. The improv shows were AMAZING though, and the students were really something! They were all so interesting and brilliant in the coolest way possible. I think I’ve pretty much crossed Brown off my list because I just didn’t really feel like it was “right” for me, but I did have fun. Modestmelody, I was at that session! It was very good. :)</p>
<p>Nah, Poseur, I was that kid who took initiative and sat in the second row… Only to see no one else take that same initiative until it got really really crowded. Which made me nervous, because it probably looked weird for a while.</p>
<p>But yeah, I guess they didn’t expect the huge turnout… I don’t know why not, it definitely was the most interesting thing going on at that time slot (apologies to modestmelody, of course).</p>
<p>Oh I don’t mind that you guys didn’t come-- I was surprised it was filled, actually, and more surprised that there were quite a few students in there.</p>
<p>Afterwards I met about 10 '13ers who were hanging around for the next section, all but one of whom were swayed to stick around. I tried to give them some professors to be in contact with based on their interests.</p>