<p>Well, I just want to let everybody know that I’ve just witnessed something incredible here at Brown that makes it distinctive from many schools. In my hall, many people are in Neuroscience 1, and we had this massive test on Tuesday. Sure enough, people were going crazy studying on Monday night, but we were writing on the wall tiles with dry erase markers, helping each other learn the pathways of the nervous system among other things. The next morning, we got up and stared at our masterpiece- it was amazing, our side of the hall was covered with dry erase marker (which eventually came off quite easily). The point is, it was then that I realized how wonderful a school Brown is. I don’t think you see this kind of unity and genuine fun anywhere else. At Brown, we’re not as cutthroat as the other Ivies because the only people we compete with are our own selves.
People may knock us because of our different approach to education, but they shouldn’t bash it before they try it. It has offered me so many perspectives and so much insight as to how I’d like to take on my college career. The S/NC option is there to help students explore their options, so you can go and take that Ancient Sanskrit class on a whim and not have to worry about it taking up all of your time.
Honestly, I wasn’t that enthusiastic about coming here when I was accepted, but I assure you that now, I could not imagine myself happier any place else. I wholeheartedly recommend Brown to anybody who’s got the flair, compassion, and self-motivation that characterize Brown’s student body.</p>
<p>Columbia trumps Brown in awesomeness!</p>
<p>Brown is awesome. I am becoming more and more sure of it.</p>
<p>The thing is, Brown and Columbia are polar opposites. Columbia, which prides itself on its strong core curriculum, is best for a particular kind of student. On the other hand, Brown's nonexistent core attracts students who like to have total say over how they spend their college education. It's just a matter of what you prefer, but I think the students definitely reflect the curriculums of their schools.</p>
<p>I completely agree with Aequitas.</p>
<p>aequitas, thanks for sharing! Your story makes my picture of Brown quite a bit more vivid.</p>
<p>Haha, not a problem. I just want to share the joy. If you're a prospective student and want to chat, by all means, please contact me.</p>
<p>I want acceptance I want acceptance I want acceptance so badly...</p>
<p>Punch: did you apply ED? </p>
<p>And I too want acceptance so badly...</p>
<p>yeah, ed. interview today at 6:30!</p>
<p>Brown is so awesome it makes me want to crap my pants. I can't even believe it.</p>
<p>How did it go Punchline?</p>
<p>I got a call an hour before my interview time and she says,"My son has an appointment in your town on another day, can we move it?"
Ahhh. I was dressed and prepping to do it, questions in hand, sweaty palms and all, but no interview. Not until Thursday anyways.</p>
<p>I love that story. Neuroscience too... aah. =)</p>
<p>Brown IS awesome. I am becoming more and more convinced. I applied ED and really want in.</p>
<p>Wow, that is an amazing story, Aequitas. So it's not competitive then? That's awesome. That just confirms why I want to go there. Oh several things though, how big is Brown's endowment? Do you feel like there are enough opportunities available? I heard somewhere like Princeton Review that out of the Ivies, they don't have enough money to award generous financial aid packages. Is that true?</p>
<p>I think their endowment situation has changed. Last year an alum donated 100 million dollars. So, um, that helped a lot, I think.</p>
<p>$1.3 Billion</p>
<p>The thing with Brown is that its students are in fact competitive, but mostly with themselves. I'll speak for myself, and there is zero competition between me and my friends. It just doesn't exist. We mostly complain to each other about how our classes go, but they are always the first people to give helpful advice. My friend and I are both pre-meds but he's always finding opportunities for us to do meaningful work for med-school, like conferences, research opportunities, etc. </p>
<p>With each passing day, I become more convinced that the Brown Admissions committee looks for that certain type of person who is motivated by his self rather than his performance in comparison to others. It makes for a very approachable and learning-friendly student body.</p>
<p>As far as Brown's endowment, we do have the smallest endowment of the Ivies, but even at that, our endowment is in the billions. It's interesting that you ask about that because in today's Brown Daily Herald, there was an article about how our President, Ruth Simmons, is actively soliciting contributions to push Brown higher and higher. Take, for example, the $100 million endowment from Sidney Frank. This money is going to go towards student financial aid packages.</p>
<p>This brings me to my next point: I'm on financial aid, and Brown has a policy of meeting 100% of a student's demonstrated financial need. So all that junk you fill out on the FAFSA will determine how much money you are eligibile for. Like I said, Brown meets 100% percent of it. I am paying less than 8,000/year to come here, so I can attest to Brown's extremely generous financial aid packages. They make it a point not to worry about them not meeting your need. It's simply not an issue.</p>
<p>Oh and to go back to the whole endowment thing: an alumnus once told me that the reason Brown doesn't have as much money as Harvard is because the alums actually take the time to put man-hours into Brown. They volunteer and come back to do outreach, interviews, and many many other tasks. I guess that's just how they prefer to show their appreciation for a great educational experience.</p>
<p>Hope this helps, and I think Ruth Simmons is the best thing that's happened to Brown. We're pulling in tons of cash already.</p>
<p>The endowment at present currently stands at $1.7B</p>
<p>The University is in the midst of a $1.3B capital campaign -- The Brown Daily Herald today reported that of that sum, $400M has been solicited. On a per student basis, Brown has more money than does Cornell, Penn and Columbia (or so I was told).</p>
<p>The relative lack of endowment essentially stems from two periods: One, the Gordon Gee era, and his abrupt departure in the late 90's. Two: The period when Brown adopted an open program of study from like 1969-1975, Brown was resolving essential financial issues. </p>
<p>I can speak of experiences very similar to those experienced by Aequitas. When I applied, I was very concerned about the campus being too liberal. It isn't. Indisputably, The school is very easily maligned for its' approach. After spending a semester here, Indisputably, this approach is most enjoyable for all parties involved. It is incredibly refreshing and exciting to escape the prevalent notion that learning must be fused with some direct and immediate, practical end...As an example, I'm considering taking Sweedish classes resulting from interest derived from an education class.</p>
<p>Others may be skeptical. I'm not. It allows (and in some cases necessitates) the teenager who thinks they have it all figured out, to question their most fundamental assumptions about the human condition (Provided, they seek such stimulation out ). Most people our age should have such an experience. It just may head off a midlife crisis brought on by pleasing others for too long. In Deo Speramus</p>
<p>Aequitas, thank you so much! You have no idea how much you cleared things up for me. I've been hearing different things for the past year and it's gotten me so confused. I'm glad to know that Brown is affordable. Now, I'm so excited to apply to Brown and see if I get in.
I love the idea of being able to take the classes I want without worrying about my grades. I'm glad to hear that Brown students fully take advantage of that opportunity. I wish every school I'm applying to had that. It's such a great idea. It would defintely benefit myself because I'm interested in a wide range of academic concentrations. It would be nice to be able to take a little of everything without worrying about filling any core requirements.
How are the research opportunities for undergrads in the Biology department? Are they readily available?
Thanks for taking the time to answer all my questions. (I have so many, sorry)</p>