<p>Ok, the following was posted in another forum and i would like to hear what Brown students have to say about these comments about Brown. Would you guys share with us some first hand information, ?? Thanks !!</p>
<p>"I didn't apply to Brown, and I don't know a huge amount about it. I have to say, you sound as if you would really find what you're looking for at the U of C. I think that you would enjoy the core curriculum since you have an interest in philosophy and in physics. The core exposes you too all subjects and disciplines while giving you a very solid educational foundation, which is something I personally valued when looking for a school (I wanted to know that at the end of four years I would truly be on the path to being an educated citizen in the way I conceptualized). At Brown, of course, you would have the freedom to take more electives in random subjects. I personally value the fact that Chicago expects students to form a broad educational foundation before going into specific subjects, but you may not agree.</p>
<p>There is a very strong community atmosphere. This is in part a bond among students at a very difficult institution, but it also includes professors and graduate students who all feel that this is a special place--something similar may be true at all Universities, I'm not sure. The students here are very cooperative. They are not competitive, and students are always willing to help out people in their classes or house who are having trouble. Problem sets are often completed in groups, and it's not unusual for students in a humanities class to "trade" paper to edit before turning them in. The advisors here are much better than advisors I've heard about at any other schools my friends or family members have attended. You keep the same advisor all four years, and you're required to meet with your advisor three times the first year and once every following year, though many students go in much more frequently. The classes here tend to be small, and the humanities core classes are discussion-based and tend to max out around eighteen students. Those professors will get to know you whether you want to or not. It's very easy to keep up relationships with most professors; they hold office hours, and they're very willing to talk. </p>
<p>Socially, the scene is whatever you want it to be. Some people party all the time, some never do, but most do something in between. There are movies, coffee houses, restaurants, the city, frats, apartment parties, casual get-togethers, and anything else you can think of. There's no stigma attached to not partying. Obviously the atmosphere at Chicago is quite intellectual, which results in people being open-minded to anything as long as you can back it up. If I remember correctly, Brown's student body is particularly politically active. You should know, I've heard that many Brown students are not accepting of political viewpoints that vary from the campus mainstream (which is very liberal). I'm not sure how true it is or how much it would bother you, but I've heard it multiple times. That's something I haven't seen much of at Chicago in any direction. People respect the thought process going into beliefs, so as long as that is solid, people tend to let you go without making a big deal out of it. </p>
<p>They are both great schools. From your post, you sound like a U of C student all the way, but I'm sure you'd succeed and be happy at Brown, as well. Good luck."</p>