<p>asterstar- I really hope you're right. I really do because I am freaking out about this. Both my teachers gave me recommendations to send in but I also sent in stuff for university of Delaware so I must have got confused because I just found my Brown teacher rec. TONIGHT! Holy crap this is going to suck real bad. I've considered calling them but I shouldn't even have the rec in the first place! Well, it's not that I looked at it, it's just I didn't have any stamps to give my teacher and she gave it to me, trusting that I would send it out on time. How can I forget something like this, jesus. 4 years of high school so I can apply to Brown and they're all wasted. Man, I really do hope you're right but Brown is one of the best colleges in the nation and I don't know if they'll see a postmark date of January 3 and just throw it out. It's not like everything else wasn't sent, just this one recommendation, the other was sent. Oh and yeah, I forgot to mention that I didn't print out the voucher, that I just completed the application and selected a check for payment and you needed a voucher and I don't have that as well. This is going just great, happy new year for me, eh. Oh well, but I hope you're right (once again).</p>
<p>lindsey-Sorry, I am not from Wyoming, I just put that as a fake place. I never really put my state in for any site, I don't know, I guess it's just a little quirk I have.</p>
<p>I sent in my entire application a day late last year (loooong story). I was freaking out like CRAZY. I called a while later adn they just about laughed when I asked them if it was okay if it was a little late and they said, yeah, it's FINE. </p>
<p>I Didn't get in, I got waitlisted. But I'm hoping to transfer so maybe i'll see ya :) </p>
<p>funkyspoon, a part time job is definitely manageable</p>
<p>as you become an upperclassman, it'll get increasingly easier because you can incorporate jobs into your academic/residential life (be a teaching assistant or tutor, get a research stipend, be a residential counselor etc.)</p>
<p>there are many other opportunities on and off campus as well</p>
<p>how's the bio department at brown? it's listed as one of the most popular majors, but brown is never really mentioned when people talk about the top bio programs. then again, i heard from someone else that brown's bio program was amazing and from another place that there aren't very many people in it, but that's a benefit because there are a lot of resources and opportunities. could someone clear that up for me? thanks!</p>
<p>the undergrad bio programs are definitely well put together--lots of course choices and almost unlimitted research opportunities. offhand, here are three interesting faculty members you may want to look up</p>
<p>1) John Donaghue --> invented the brain chip that allows people who are paralyzed to control a computer cursor with their thoughts
2) Ann Degroot --> resulty profiled in Esquire's "genius" issue as the person most likely to come up with an AIDS vaccine
3) Leon Cooper --> nobel laureate who came up with the first theory of superconductivity now applies physics to neuroscience problems</p>
<p>all of these people teach undergrad classes and have undergrads in their labs</p>
<p>in addition, brown just invested half a billion new dollars into the life sciences alone and is halfway done constructing a new $100 million life sciences building on campus.</p>
<p>the size and breadth of the research programs at brown won't compare to those at say, stanford or MIT. but the graduate programs are relative very small and the faculty ranks are huge which tilts the student/faculty ratio in these departments heavily in favor of undergrads</p>
<p>personally, i've never heard any complaints about the psychology or math departments--do you know what those complaints are? i may be able to address their validity if i know the specifics</p>
<p>as for the first question...
honestly, there is little doubt that brown is predominantly liberal and encourages a pc atmosphere. there have been very few times where i have found this to be oppressive--one was during a lecture by Richard Perle (the architect of the "shock and awe" campaign that kicked off the war in iraq). People were harassing him and not letting him speak...and frankly, it was embarassing.
at other times, however, i've been impressed. when David Horowitz (a really reactionary conservative) gave a talk people were extremely respectful and actually engaged in a meaningful debate with him.</p>
<p>in the end, i think it is a few crazy liberals that pop up from time to time and make everyone look bad. the vast majority, whether liberal or conservative, is quite tolerant.</p>
<p>dcircle: thanks, that answer makes me feel better, and about the students complaints about psychology and math, the book only says something like "sociology, psychology, and math still receive thumbs down from students", yeah it's really vague, and you can't take these college guides too seriously, but that just made me feel apprehensive because i want to study psychology and I don't want to pay tens of thousands of dollars for crappy instruction, but hehe I'm sre it's not that bad. Thanks again dcircle</p>
<p>Brown alum here, BrownGuy. So glad you are loving Brown!! </p>
<p>I was crazy about the guy who taught my intro to Econ class but he's probably long gone or on to more upper division stuff -- I think his name was Wahlroos? From Sweden I think; maybe he was only temporary... GREAT teacher, made everything super clear.</p>
<p>Nice to hear Brown is still chill. I remember being IN SHOCK at graduation when I discovered so many of my mellow, partier-type friends were actually Magna or Summa Cum Laude. As I've mentioned on another thread, many people work like dogs while giving the impression of being very casual, never missing a party, etc.</p>
<p>I second your comments on the ease of undergrads getting in on research, etc. It is the same with indpendent study, senior theses, starting new organizations, etc. Basically if you can find two profs to support your idea, you can do anything. And if you can get to <em>one</em> appropriate dean, you can get permission for anything. Brown supports the students big time. They generally try to say YES.</p>
<p>When I was a senior my best friend and I invited then-President Howard Swearer & his wife over for ****tails. They came! :)</p>
<p>Radio station is excellent place to cut your teeth in broadcasting, business, etc. All student run. When I was at Brown I had a radio show on the am (just thru dorms) ; if you stick with it you can move up to FM (all thru region.) I had several friends who became somewhat known radio personalities through WBRU.</p>
<p>Does Brown offer minors or double majors in unrelated fields? How are the dance and drama departments? Would there be anyway to combine this with biology or premed? Are cars allowed for freshman?
~ thanks for your help ~</p>
<p>You can take any two majors ("concentrations," in Brownspeak) and do both of them. Most concentrations require about 10-11 classes in the dept. Remember there are no requirements. You typically have 32 classes over 4 years so there's plenty of room for double concentration. As I said above, 2 profs approve= key to kingdom for a self devised major. Though I am not sure how to link bio and dance into something cohesive...</p>
<p>This is one of the best unique things about Brown. Very flexible for people with dual passions. I had a pal who did pre med requirements while double majoring in two non-science fields. Wow!</p>
<p>Thanks to everyone who are answering questions.</p>
<p>I haven't heard of one negative thing about Simmons. The students love her and she has had much success in her 5 year plan for Academic Enrichment. She is credited for expanding the numbers of first year seminars, attracting the best professors of the country, increasing Brown's endowment, having Brown climb the US News Rankings, etc. In addition, there are rumors circling around campus that Simmons has snagged a few more hefty donations.</p>