This is a kinda general question, but I’m considering Brown ED and would love to hear some insight from any students currently attending. I loved Brown when I visited but am just hesitant because I also really like Stanford, and the schools are quite different. While Brown seems to be the size, location, etc. that I’m looking for, Stanford just seems so… fun. The traditions, the people, the energy - there’s something about it that I didn’t really feel as much when I visited Brown. The school seemed to have a bit more of a mellow atmosphere. But maybe I totally read into things incorrectly! Can any current/former Brown students offer any insight into Brown social life and the overall atmosphere? Thanks 
I would also like to know…
Absolutely Brown is fun, it’s known (accurately I’d say) as the “fun Ivy” and coming from a student who just finished freshman year, I had a really great social life. I didn’t know going in to college how often I’d want to go out (as in go to parties or smaller gatherings), I thought maybe once a week, but at Brown some people go out all weekend long and even on a weekday night. There were definitely times when I went out both nights on the weekend and it’s not hard to find out about parties either, since most aren’t closed or restricted (also I’ve never been to a party where they only let in girls and kick out guys). There are always several parties going on on Friday/Saturday night and there’s also quite a mix of stuff to do to have a great social life. Of course, there are frat/sports house parties, which I went to a lot my first semester (they’re most common among freshmen), and there’s also always smaller dorm parties that are less dancing/hooking up focused and much more talking and meeting new people. I always love those because there’s always a variety of people there, friends of friends, athletes, people who don’t drink, etc. I don’t think Stanford’s social scene would be particularly more or less vibrant than Brown’s.
Brown’s mellow vibe is more related to competition in academics and many students’ overall laid back attitude, which doesn’t reflect a “mellow” social scene in the least bit. I’ve never been bored or had nothing to do, or no people to hang out with, on a weekend night. Ask any more questions you might have I’m happy to rave about Brown.
I’ll also add that the energy of the campus is one of my favorite things about it. Everyone loves Brown so much and we all love talking about that (@ my friends and I especially), and people are on average super friendly. We have certain traditions that are big too, like the Naked Donut Run, the Van Winkle Gates, Spring Weekend (a 2 day concert in April), and a few very unofficial ones like the SciLi challenge (two kinds) and making memes about the SciLi and Ratty.
@ricka8 thank you sm, that was really helpful! If I may ask, what are the Van Wickle Games / SciLi challenge? I’ve never heard of them!
Brown’s vibe is often described as laid back and happy - it is not generally thought to be the pressure cooker that some of its peers are, which certainly must add to, and help justify the reputation of, the levels of happiness and relative relaxation enjoyed at Brown.
In terms of parties, well, all schools have them. And if you wanted to go off campus for some fun, Providence would be at your service.