<p>I was admitted to Brown as transfer for the spring semester.</p>
<p>Can anyone tell me what the transfer experience is like, and specifically, what it is like starting mid-year? Is it more difficult to meet people, join clubs, etc? Are there any resources I should look into or use to get myself integrated on campus?</p>
<p>And, any thoughts on the best way to spend the fall semester? I can’t stay at my current school in the fall (I was on leave this year, and once accepted to another school I am not eligible to return). Brown’s study abroad programs for mid-year transfers sound interesting, although I’m not sure if I want to limit my time at Brown, have to rush with taking classes for my concentration, or preclude myself from doing a study abroad program I find more interesting in a later year.</p>
<p>I am deciding between Brown and UChicago if anybody has any thoughts on one school vs. the other.</p>
<p>wahhhhh I’m biased since UChicago was my top choice for a while (until I just got rejected this time), but I would say go to UChicago.</p>
<p>It really depends though… they are almost like exact opposites, at least in terms of the curriculum.
Brown has Open Curriculum, letting you have absolute freedom with your courses, whereas UChicago has the Core, a pretty strict GE breadth.
It depends on what you’re studying and what type of education you want. If you have a very specific concentration in mind, pick Brown. Otherwise, go with UChicago.</p>
<p>I am also curious about this! I was also accepted to Brown as a spring transfer. I finally visited Brown and I love the campus and it is exactly what I am looking for in a school, but admittedly, I am a little worried about the opportunities in Providence (I am currently in LA-- which Providence is really not comparable to). I am deciding between Georgetown and Brown, and I am mostly torn about the surrounding area (DC vs Providence). @trapp2k14 have you decided yet, and if so are you going to study abroad?</p>
<p>@lozzleface Although Brown and Chicago are at the opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of requirements, ultimately, both the Core and the Open Curriculum are there to encourage students to explore a diversity of fields. Many courses that Chicago requires me to take, I’d probably choose to take at Brown anyway. But I would have to retake a fair number of courses at Chicago-- they were not generous with transfer credit.</p>
<p>Anyway, I am pretty clear on the academics at both schools. I’m mostly asking what it’s like to transfer in terms of student life-- housing, ECs, social life, etc.-- if anyone has any insight to that. </p>
<p>@abear19 I’m leaning toward Brown, mostly because of transfer credit, etc. and because I think some of Chicago’s pluses (e.g. the house system) would not be as beneficial after freshman year. Not 100% decided yet, though, and not sure what I would do in the fall.</p>
<p>Has anyone transferred to Brown mid-year? Any thoughts or recommendations regarding the experience?</p>
<p>@abear19 What is it you are concerned with about Providence? My daughter is from CA too.</p>
<p>@BrownParent I am concerned that there isn’t as much going on as in say LA or DC. In LA I would go to lots of different places (Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Pasadena… Etc…) and shop/eat, go to the beach, hike, go to museums… Etc. However, my situation is unique since I hated my school (and didn’t want to be on campus ever) and I have an older sibling who lives in LA who was always willing to hang out. Does your daughter find there is enough to see/ do between providence and boston? </p>
<p>Ah. Well she grew up in urban SF and went to HS in LA. so she was used to going out and about too. But Brown is a campus focused college, a real community for sure. She spent all her time on campus, which is just natural there. She loved it. She only went to Boston once in awhile. NYC a couple of trips. She liked biking on the trail to Newport. I don’t know what she did in Providence, if much, aside from occasional trip to the mall when she needed something. Oh she interned once at WBRU and went to a lot of concerts. When I visited I walked a lot, like we do in SF. There are little neighborhoods tucked away to wander into a bar or coffeehouse, get a slice of much better pizza. In season there is a great, fun festival along the river every month, called Waterfire.</p>
<p>@BrownParent Thank you! That alleviates some of my worries, I am also originally from the Bay Area. I only really got to see the campus and the area immediately around the mall since my trip was so quick and last minute. I’m glad to hear that Brown is very much a community, that is definitely something I’m looking for. </p>
<p>Ahh, I see. How many more courses is Brown crediting over UChicago? If you’ve been accepted at a fall admit for UChicago, I’d definitely go there. You could most likely make up for your lack of transfer credit during the fall semester, which you can’t do at Brown. </p>
<p>@trapp2k14 have you received your transfer credit evaluation from Brown? If so, when? I haven’t heard anything from them yet concerning credits. </p>