<p>Yes, Wes has a great writing program, last time I checked. D1 liked that the library at Wes was pretty full on a Saturday. After that, we had to see libraries on campuses, when we could. Not much to do in Middletown, though. A young friend decided against it since wandering, a good range of local bookshops, midnight coffee shops, etc, were on her wants list. (So she’s at NYU.) </p>
<p>No sure we should describe students til you get a chance to look at what they say. I’d bet you could come back in an hour with initial ideas. We’re all going to have different takes. From what you’ve said about her, I think she’d be happy there- and at a number of schools that aren’t extreme, one way or another, or that include lots of chances for variety. There are, as you’re starting to see, a number of colleges in the Northeast that pick up bright, goal oriented kids who didn’t get into the Ivies and then greatly influence the flavor of the schools they do attend. Bates and Bowdoin, Colgate, Wes, Dickenson and so many more.</p>
<p>Many will try, but they will miss the boat. Brown is such a diverse place now, that I just don’t think there really is a typical student.</p>
<p>Quirky seems to be a favorite adjective, and it may have applied 35 years ago, but not now. I’ve heard Brown students described as both laid back and driven – tough to be both, I’d think. </p>
<p>Probably the most important thing is the ability to create their own academic path, since there are no requirements, no set curriculum. Many students have a passion to make the world a better place, but there are also many who hope to graduate into consulting gigs that earn a crap load of money. </p>
<p>It’s fine to be undecided about a major, although it does help to identify one or two academic areas of interest. </p>
<p>Smith is an interesting place. I know several women who recently went there. One was the quietest kid I ever met – she never opened her mouth. Never. Not in class. Not when she’d come to visit my house. She absolutely blossomed at Smith – she’s hard to recognize now. OTOH, many are put off by the outspoken women at Smith. </p>
<p>From what you’ve described of your daughter, I’d have her visit several of the all-women colleges. </p>
<p>I think quiet kids can still get amazing teacher recommendations. It helps to find a teacher who appreciates the introverts. Perhaps encourage your daughter to talk to teachers more before or after class, or to do an EC where they get to know a teacher better. </p>
<p>My daughter was intrigued with a Brown because it was somewhat quirky. Students seem to have a lot of freedom which is enhanced by how the curriculum is set up. She also liked the theatre department and the overall intimacy that seemed to exist amongst the student body and the faculty she met was very giving. The overall vibe was not as intense as some of the other elite schools she visited. Yet she knew that the academics would be more than challenging. She also like the campus being on the hill and the surrounding area along with the huge Mall downtown. Providence is a city but it’s not overwhelming. </p>
<p>Again, you folks are all great. Thanks for such wonderful, insightful, thoughtful responses to all my many questions. No doubt I will be hearing more from many of you in the coming year.</p>
<p>A Brown mom recently told me her daughter and her friends each were deeply engrossed in whatever their ‘thing’ was. And each one had a different, and often obscure, ‘thing.’ I think she said her daughter was heavily in to German Architecture or something like that.</p>
<p>My daughter told me one of the undergrads she befriended during her summer at Brown was writing multiple plays every week, and constantly workshopping them with his friends in his dorm room. </p>
<p>I seem to recall one Brown alum here on CC saying that she took all of her 32 Brown classes in English Literature. So she read like 2,000 English novels while at Brown.</p>
<p>Jeffrey Eugenides, a Brown grad, recently published a novel about three Brown students who each seemed to be pretty heavily in to their own ‘thing,’ and, presumably, the novel has some basis in his Brown undergrad experience.</p>
<p>Also, Brown does have some pretty obscure stuff going on such as Egyptology and Semiotics.</p>
<p>According to the Brown Daily Herald a while back:</p>
<p>Economics has been the most popular concentration since 2009, followed by biological sciences and international relations, according to the data, which spans from 1984 to 2012. Nine of the top 10 concentrations in 2012 were in life sciences, social sciences or physical sciences, with English the lone humanities representative.</p>
<p>Social sciences concentrations constituted 39.8 percent of those completed in 2012, life sciences represented 21.5 percent, humanities were 20.8 percent, physical sciences covered 17.6 percent and independent concentrations made up the remaining 0.3 percent.</p>
<p>Yes, Brown does offer courses in Egyptology and Semiotics. To say that people who take 32 English classes or major in German Architecture, Egyptology or Semiotics characterizes a typical Brown student is misleading to potential applicants. There are distinctions between exceptions and rules. These are exceptions. These exceptions are what makes Brown great. But that doesn’t change the fact that they are exceptions…not the typical Brown experience.</p>
<p>Here is a more current link, showing the declared (potential) majors for the Class of 2018:</p>
<p>The sciences were popular among admits, with 37 percent listing areas in the physical sciences as their top academic interest, according to the Admission Office data. Twenty-five percent noted concentrations in the social sciences, 20 percent in the life and medical sciences and 13 percent in the humanities. Five percent of admitted students said they were undecided.</p>
<p>Engineering was the most popular intended concentration for admits, with 332 students listing it as their top choice. Biology, computer science, biochemistry and molecular biology and undecided rounded out the top five. The popularity of science concentrations “reflects a national trend,” Miller said, adding that “a lot of the top students across the country are focusing on sciences … more than they did certainly a decade or so ago.”</p>
<p>@fenwaypark I don’t think there is a typical Brown student or a typical Brown experience. </p>
<p>I know for my daughter’s intended concentration there are only 12 required classes so her overall curriculum of 32 classes and experience will be quite different from that of even her fellow concentrators. </p>
<p>There was a comment above that a child’s concentration at Brown “only” required 12 classes in the field. I don’t know what the concentration is, but I hope potential applicants do not get the idea that 12 required classes for a concentration is a low number or indicates lack of rigor.</p>
<p>Harvard requires 8 full, plus 3 half courses for the basic Econ major</p>
<p>I could go on. This is an area where Brown is right plunk in the mainstream with its peers. Nothing unique or quirky or easy or Open Curriculum about a concentration requiring 12 courses. </p>
<p>If you are “interested” in a college or university, you will learn as much about that school as you can. You might reflect that interest and what you learned about it in your essay, perhaps by intelligently expressing your passions and specifically how that school, its programs and environment will help you to further your passions. Your expression of interest will tie your personal growth with aspects of the school that will help you in your pursuits.</p>
<p>@fenwaypark I feel like I’m being cross examined here. What’s up? </p>
<p>I know next nothing about the schools your linking to above. We didn’t look at them. I admit I’m no expert on this process, just a parent who is trying to share my personal experiences and some of the resources that helped us with this confusing process. I think my posting history here is pretty clear as to what I am and am not. The OP or anyone else can take or leave whatever I have to offer. I’m sorry If I offended you or your pride in Brown - no offense intended.</p>
<p>As the OP, I believe there is something useful to be gleaned from everything everyone has posted. Before this thread ends up getting too long, let’s all try to stick to just talking about Brown and what might be useful tips to aid her in her application. I have told my D all about it and she wants to read it, hopefully all in one sitting. Thanks everyone!</p>
<p>Decry the use of grade point averages. Opt to take all your high school classes “pass-fail”. Smoke illicit substances and be as insecure as humanly possible. </p>
<p>Well Linda, I hope your D doesn’t misinterpret my posts. For the record, I never said Brown is easy or lacks rigor. I think Brown’s lack of general education requirements actually makes it more challenging because it demands that the students chart their own education and intensifies the classroom experience, and that’s a good thing IMHO. Best of luck in her search!</p>
<p>@arwarw , don’t worry, your posts are super helpful. You are a parent who has recently been through it all, so it is very relevant to us. She is just eating breakfast and will read this all soon. Thanks again!</p>