After researching and researching, I’m still so confused! How does first year housing work?? I really want to be in a social dorm with a really good community.
bump
You are assigned to first-year dorms randomly. The only choice you may be given is asking for substance-free housing. Dorms that first-years live in are almost exclusively for freshmen (there are scattered singles for upperclassmen, which includes RAs). Most first year dorms are pretty social – since students arrive wanting to make friends.
@fireandrain Are they all “stereotypical” hall style with communal bathrooms? I want that awesome college experience!! I also want a dorm that has a party culture. Are they all equal this way?
I would not obsess about dorms at Brown, or residential life at any university, until you get accepted.
Most freshmen dorms are hall style with communal bathrooms. I can’t comment on the party culture – although if you are expecting to party 7 days a week, not sure Brown is the right school for you. I think how much partying happens depends on who the students are who live in that dorm – what might be a “party dorm” one year might not be the next. My impression of Brown students over the last 30+ years is that they don’t go to Brown for its party culture.
@fireandrain I totally understand that - I definitely don’t want to go to brown based on the parties! I thought it would be a bonus though 
Freshman are housed equally in two separate parts of campus Keeney Quad and Pembroke Campus. Keeney has more party reputation but it doesn’t seem to make much difference where you live