Brown Sophomore taking questions!

Colleges and Universities A-Z Brown University
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<p>UTRA stands for Undergraduate Teaching and Research Assistantships.</p>

<p>Other than that, I agree with most of what is said, except that I love In deo speramus. It was one of those things that really caught my attention.</p>

<p>I could write essentially an essay in support of it, but it's not worth it.</p>

<p>I definitely agree with taking 33 with Moulton. I did, as a prospective chem major, and it's the only 33 class that really went beyond the scope of Ap Chemistry at all. I wish I hadn't slacked off (and gotten screwed with the lab normalization because I had an easy TA) because I got a B by 1.5pts, but what the hell.</p>

<p>Don't worry about grades. Any class that you learned anything in you can get a B. It's VERY easy to get a B as long as the class isn't completely beyond the scope of both your interests and abilities. Getting an A is not cake, but isn't THAT much more difficult than a B. In all of my classes the A was very fair and obtainable if you put in any effort at all.</p>

<p>I didn't really put in that much effort, and I did fine.</p>

<p>Example: MA17, which with a bad TA like I had can be a real *****, I got the A even with a 50 hw average because I studied about 3 hours for each exam, and about 6 hours for the final. Not hardcore studying, but studying. It's the only studying I've done in my life and it was enough.</p>

<p>My advice is be calm the first semester, make friends, adjust, etc. It doesn't feel like a huge change at first, it's hard to really gauge just how different things can be, but I assure you they are, and it hits you fast later. Try not to get overwhelmed and dont go in with the attitude that everything you want to do has to be started right away. Don't get behind in classes, it'll hurt you FAR more than it ever did in high school and you'll find yourself playing catch up all year no matter how hard you work. Use the Critical Review, friends, advisors, etc. Open curriculum means freedom-- freedom to choose great classes and love what you're doing, and freedom to totally **** it up.</p>

<p>Etc, etc, etc...</p>

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<p>Definitely agree with not stressing out your first semester. No matter what your career aspirations are, or how high your personal standards, it's not worth sacrificing the amazing non-academic opportunities Brown has to offer to get all A's. Use the S/NC option. Take courses that maybe don't relate to your concentration but just look interesting. Give up a few hours of studying time to hang out with the amazing people that make Brown so awesome. Chances are, you'll learn just as much.</p>

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<p>i wouldn't take MA9 with bruno harris. bad experience. never really took math in high school and then coming into college cal (maybe not the best move but according to the math placement card...blah blah blah) anywho if u wana a professor who will help you understand things don't take it with bruno harris. all my other professors have been ****en awesome!</p>

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<p>At some point, the Modern Architecture with Dietrich Neumann. It's a huge lecture (hundreds of people) but he makes it seem like he's talking just to you.</p>

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<p>Is there a lot of pot use at Brown?</p>

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<p>There's a lot of pot use at college.</p>

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<p>Its pretty common but you can avoid it.....in my dorm lots of people did it, but its not like they invade your room with joint in hand. Furthermore, if it really begins to bother you, you can tell your residential counselor about it and they should make sure it stops (this was the case in Hope)</p>

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<p>Not bothered by it. ;)</p>

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<p>Rabo...my daughter just took that class...must have been with you. Yes, she said it was great. She built a model for the final project. She is going to take another course with him next. She's going to be majoring in architectural studies.</p>

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<p>ModestMel, Getting B's in engineering is not the slice of cake you would make it out to be. Even for the humanities and social sciences, some professors in upper-level classes make a 'B' to be quite an accomplishment.</p>

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<p>Soozievt: I also did a model, which took much longer than I anticipated, but I greatly enjoyed. I am thinking about HA86 next semester, and have floated the idea of a architecture concentration, all because of this one class. I had never had any previous experience with architecture or art. Such a great class/professor.</p>

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<p>How good are teachers in general? How accessible out-of-class? Just curious b/c one parent on a forum said she'd transferred from Mt Holyoke to Brown, and thought Mt Holyoke was better for learning...</p>

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<p>All professors and TAs have office hours. I found all my professors to be extremely willing to talk to me. I went to talk to my bio professor and he talked to me for almost 2 hours, even though I was a non-concentrating freshman who was taking his class S/NC. Pretty nice guy. One great thing about Brown is the shopping period, so if you don't like your professor, you can find that out and switch sections or something. No one is really going to come looking for you though if you're in trouble, so students kind of have to take that responsibility on themselves.</p>

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<p>Rabo, yes my D said making the model was very time consuming but she enjoyed doing it. She got a grade on the model but hasn't gotten her semester grade yet, have you? I am not sure what HA86 is but is that Contemporary Architecture w/ the same professor? If so, my D is taking it next as well. She likes this professor a lot and if I recall, she said it may be her last chance to take that course because she plans to go abroad next fall and I recall her saying something about the professor taking a leave. Check into that if you want this course. She has met with him outside of class for advice for her long term planning in the field, even though he is not her advisor. </p>

<p>To the person asking about accessibility of professors outside of class...I know my D has been able to meet with ANY professor she has wanted to, no problems at all. Same with advisor. </p>

<p>I also agree with whomever said that achieving a B is not a piece of cake at Brown. Brown does not have plusses or minusses with their grades so even if you have an 89 average in a class, that's a B. I know that my daughter works very hard in her classes. NOTHING she has taken has been a cakewalk. She has done well but due to hard work. She still has fun plus is heavily commited to extracurriculars. </p>

<p>As far as how good the teachers are.....well, it IS Brown and they are devoted to undergraduates and there is a shopping period where you can try out any class and see for yourself so overall, you have a lot of control as to who you get. </p>

<p>Susan</p>

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<p>Yeah, HA86 is Contemporary Architecture. I will definitely look into it, especially if it may not be available for a while! Thanks. And no, I have not gotten my grade yet, but some people on the daily jolt have and I'm jealous!</p>

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<p>how long is the shopping period?</p>

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<p>about 2 weeks</p>

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<p>Getting B's is not always easy -- it definitely depends on the class.</p>

<p>Yeah, there's a lot of pot, but not as much as alcohol, and it's easy to avoid if you don't like it. It doesn't bother me at all.</p>

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<p>oh i thought the shopping period was longer--how is it different from other school's drop/add period then? i dunno i thought i heard somewhere that you could switch classes when you want and had the option of dropping a class until 2 weeks before finals w/o it going on your transcript or something like that. is that true then?</p>

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<p>A lot of schools have an "add/drop" period that's not catered specifically to students who are looking at different classes. During Brown's shopping period, you might check out dozens of classes for future reference, sitting in on the first lecture, putting yourself on a waiting list, or whatever.</p>

<p>Yes, you're right, you can drop a class right up until the final and it never shows up on your transcript. However, there's a deadline beyond which you can't ADD classes without an extra fee. It's a small fee and it's pretty flexible, but shopping period is the time where most people get their schedules set for the semester.</p>