<p>Check out this board. It might answer some of your questions.</p>
<p>Any brown residents out there?</p>
<p>Would it be better to try to get into brown as a first-year, or do you think it would be better to live in freshmen dorms to meet a lot of people and then live in brown? I'm just worried that going into brown that early would limit me to a small social group, though I love the idea of a residential college...any suggestions?</p>
<p>First of all, i was registered as vaskir last year, but with the switch, my account was lost, so i'm back. </p>
<p>Anyway, on the brown subject:</p>
<p>This year, i was a first year in brown. Here are my observations: </p>
<p>Primarily, I believe you'll meet plenty of people in Brown. . Assuming you are talking about old dorms, because you'll meet friends in all the clubs and activities and other things you do. I know a fair number of good people that way. I don't think my friendship pool has been limited becasue of that.
Secondly, you will not just be friends with the other first year brownies. You'll probably become friends with the older ones as well. This can be nice because its like having 250 people who have been there and done that, and it also means that you know a lot of people with a car. Furthermore, If you don't like the first year options for fun on a friday nite ;), there's always something going on at brown. Last nite, for example, we went to Release, and had a rockin good time. </p>
<p>If i had to do it over again, i'd pick brown every time. The only thing that would make me leave is if a group of my (non brown) friends all wanted to live together. In my opinion, brown is the best choice for on campus housing. (Plus, you get to cut in line at newcomb :)</p>
<p>dave -- is there a certain type of people that live in brown? the application seems to seek out interesting/eclectic people... but there can be such a thing as too weird
i'm considering applying, but it seems like you have to pick that as your first choice to get it, so it's kind of a binding decision... is there anything else you can tell us?
i really like the idea of meeting upperclassmen and the whole residential college thing... it seems awesome enough, but are there any drawbacks? what are the rooms/bathrooms like?</p>
<p>The short answer is "no, there's not a certain type of people who live in brown".</p>
<p>THe long answer:</p>
<pre><code> NO, however, there is somewhat of a selection affect. You will definately meet "interesting and eclectic" people in brown. The thing that I think is most apparent in many brownies is that they are willing to engage people, and do things with others. If you go to brown, you will not be looked upon highly if you stay in your room and talk to no one.
Some of the things you mentioned are legitemate concerns about brown. As you said, there are a few people who might be considered "too wierd". But most people have control of thier wierdness, and the roommate agreement that you sign at the beginning of the year (or are supposed to sign), will stop your roommate from hosting satanic rituals in the front room, or anything like that (although my roommate is known for having furious debate sessions in his room. . . not that i mind). And most of the people in brown are liberals or hiding conservatives. Not a lot of "out conservatives" (Me and my roomie are two of em), but thats more because of the people who apply for brown, not because of application. Most people at brown (or atleast who are in admissions) are opemminded enough not to select against someone based on politics. On that note, If you try to make your application as wierd as possible, you probably will not get in, but don't let that stop you from having fun. APplication milege varies. Some people spent hours writing out essays, while others did thier applications in 45 mins. It really depends.
And most of the RA's are awsome. (In fact, the guy who is supposed to be head resident next year is one of the most awsome people you will meet. His laugh is infectious. . . Anyway, most of the people in brown fall into the "interesting and eclectic" personality side, rather than the completely wierd people.
On the rooms: Everyone is assigned to "portals", which is essentially a door and a stairwell. THree floors, each with four duplexes. All of the portals are connected by a tunnel which runs underground. You and your roommate will be in a "duplex", which essentially means that you each have your own rooms, but share a door outside and a door to the bathroom. Since you are a first year, you will probably share a bathroom with 6 other people (not counting your roomie). Two from your portal, and two from the adjacent portal. You are responsible for cleaning your own bathrooms, so they are as clean or unclean as you make them. Some people are really close with the other people in thier "bathroom" while others aren't. It just depends.
</code></pre>
<p>Hope that helps some. if you wanna talk more, hit me up on aim: wolfishskibrudda</p>
<p>No, i'm not wierd. At least not that wierd. :D</p>
<p>Then again, i'm procrastinating on writing a report in order to answer this e-mail. I guess that makes me normal like everyone else.</p>
<p>Edited for sentence flow (speaking of sentence flow. . . i better get back to this report)</p>