<p>I am strongly considering Brown due to the educational freedom and Ivy league education without the elitism. However, I have heard Brown is “full of hipster hippie kids that smoke pot”. Can anyone fill me in on how true this is?</p>
<p>Brown is by far the best of the Ivies. It’s old New England Ivy League that’s quaint, picturesque with a dash of sexy.It’s been in existence since before the Declaration of Independence was signed. It’s new curriculum is light years ahead of the other Ivies. Add a teaspoon of laziness for recreational endeavors. What’s not to like?</p>
<p>Beware of any stereotypes. There is a wide diversity of people at Brown from far left of center politically to far right of center (well, a little right of center… 
). It’s a wonderful, inspiring, intellectual place that is hard for some people, and just right for others. But don’t assume any school is full of anything. That’s not fair to the school. My daughter graduated from Brown a year ago, and it was her experience that there were many, many different people there.</p>
<p>I did not mean to offend anyone or imply that there was anything wrong with being a hippie. Also, I am well aware that stereotypes are never fully true but was wondering what amount of truth exists within them. How would Brown compare culturally to say Wesleyan or Vassar? I am just wondering and yes, I am well aware Brown is the best ivy :).</p>
<p>Brown has an open, free academic curriculum, and a vibrant social life as well. Indeed, it is a wonderful part of the Ivy League. </p>
<p>Comparing to Wesleyan, I’d say Brown is SLIGHTLY (Though, only slightly) more liberal than Wesleyan) and Vassar is similar to Brown’s liberal atmosphere. </p>
<p>By “hippie” (I take no offense, don’t worry ) do you mean liberal? If so, yes, it is an extremely liberal environment; However, like franglish says, you will find people of all views and opinions in Brown’s diverse mix – You WILL find conservatives, libertarians and people besides hippies/liberals. If that’s what you mean by hippie. </p>
<p>In short, you will find people EXACTLY like you there, and you don’t have to worry about whether you’d fit in culturally – Brown is very diverse, and it’ll have a place for you, whatever you views are. </p>
<p>You have fantastic college choices! Good luck! :)</p>
<p>Is it easier to get accepte d to Brown as opposed to HYP ?
Thanks</p>
<p>Marsha: if by that, you mean just looking at acceptance rates, then yes. I believe Brown’s acceptance rate this year was marginally higher than those at Harvard, Princeton, or Yale. However, this does not mean that Brown is easy to be admitted to, and there are many students accepted at H/Y/P that are not accepted by Brown, just because they aren’t believed to be a good fit for the school.</p>
<p>While there must be people who fit the Brown stereotypes, including the laziness and the “recreational” endeavors (post #2), it is interesting to note that Brown also has a lot of presumably nerdy science/engineering types (proportionately more than Yale, for example), places a great deal of emphasis on Applied Math and Computer Science, which many would find pre-professional, and is building up a major that in other places would fit right into a business program ([Focal</a> Point | Dean of the College | Brown University](<a href=“http://www.brown.edu/Administration/focal-point/concentrations/Business-Entrepreneurship-Organizations]Focal”>http://www.brown.edu/Administration/focal-point/concentrations/Business-Entrepreneurship-Organizations)).</p>
<p>So the reality is a lot more complicated than the stereotypes would suggest.</p>
<p>Well, most of the time reality is more complicated than stereotypes would suggest. That’s why they are dangerous… :)</p>