<p>How is the engineering at Brown? I’m not exactly sure what I want to study, but I’m leaning toward engineering, and I really liked Brown when I visited. I know they aren’t necessarily known for engineering, but I would like to get a better sense of the program there. Also, would it be harder to get in to the school for engineering since they don’t have many students in the program?</p>
<p>Brown’s Engineering Department has just become a “school of Engineering”. This has some differences, (mainly for accreditation purposes), but for the current time application is part of and the same as the rest of the general undergraduate program. There are 2 supplemental questions on the supplement part of the Brown App, but there is a similar question for bio or geology etc. As far as I know, there is no separate admissions committee etc. And once you are at Brown as an Engineering concentrator, you are in the same “school” etc as all other undergrads. If you decide to switch concentrations etc, you just do that. In fact you don’t declare Engineering (and which type) as a concentration until sophomore year. (This might change) Non engineering concentrators can take the same classes you do (if they would want to!!) The difference comes in 2 areas:
Engineering concentrations require many more courses than other concentrations (majors) so you pretty much have to follow a more set schedule, and have to start your freshman year on that schedule.
Engineering students, if marked as applying as that, would be expected to have a pretty solid, advanced math background as applicants. (ie BC or AB Calc, whatever is highest offered at your HS, with good grades and high math scores.)
Brown’s engineering program is regarded as more “theoretical” (less applied) than some other engineering schools. Some consider that a strength (more adaptability as the world of engineering science is constantly changing), others more as a weakness (for example: construction firms wonder if Brown grads have as good hands-on practice). The Brown Engineering grads I know are all very happy with having their Brown background, and having had the Brown undergrad experience, as opposed to having gone to a more “strictly/dominant atmosphere” engineering school.</p>
<p>Oh gosh, thanks BrownAlumParent. That helps a lot.</p>