<p>Do most colleges/universities hold classes on Fridays? We are thinking of visiting Brown on a Friday shortly after winter recess ... the web site says there are info sessions and tours that day, but I am not sure whether there are classes. If anyone has visited Brown and has info to share (including where to stay inexpensively) it would be appreciated. Thanks.</p>
<p>I don't know the answer, but if you call the Admissions office they can tell you.
Please post your impressions and give us the details of your trip when you return! Thanks. K.</p>
<p>Yes, almost all colleges and universities hold classes on Fridays. They are often the day with the lightest number of courses but colleges can't afford to concentrate all their teaching on just 4 days, given the demand for classroom space.</p>
<p>There definitely are classes on fridays. The best thing to do is to look up the online catalog and select a few classes in which your child might be interested. We found out when visiting an Ivy that there seemed to be no classes in the field my S was interested in on fridays, and the profs were not on campus. But there were other classes and other profs who were available for him to meet with.</p>
<p>Brown students have to go back the 26 of January. Every friday after that will have classes. Some may not meet on fridays, but there are definitely classes. </p>
<p>The info session at Brown was kind of meh-ish unless you have specific questions. Otherwise, your time would be better spent either in a class, wandering around campus, or talking to students. The students they have at the info sessions are very well trained to spout statistics and nice stories and not much else. That's not exclusive to Brown though. The tours are nice just to look around campus. Info sessions in general...not useful unless you make it useful.</p>
<p>January 26? Are you sure about that?</p>
<p>The web site says:</p>
<p>University Closings
The Admission Office will be closed the following days;
no Tours or Information Sessions will be held.</p>
<p>Labor Day September 6, 2004
Columbus Day October 11, 2004
Thanksgiving Break November 25 & 26, 2004
Winter Break December 24, 2004 -
January 2, 2005
Martin Luther King Day January 17, 2005
Memorial Day May 30, 2005
Independence Day July 4, 2005 </p>
<p>Tours and Info Sessions:</p>
<p>The Admission Office is not open on weekends at this time. Tours and Group Information Sessions take place on weekdays only. Please see listing below: </p>
<p>12/13 thru 12/23:<br>
(Monday-Friday)
Information Session @ 2pm
No Campus Tours</p>
<p>12/24:<br>
No Information Sessions or Campus Tours.</p>
<p>12/27 thru 01/2:<br>
University closed for winter break.
No Information Sessions or Campus Tours.</p>
<p>01/3 thru 01/14:<br>
(Monday-Friday)
Information Session @ 2pm
Campus Tour @ 3pm</p>
<p>01/17:<br>
University Closed
Martin Luther King Day
No Campus Tours or Information Sessions</p>
<p>01/18 thru 02/4:<br>
(Monday-Friday)
Information Session @ 2pm
Campus Tour @ 3pm</p>
<p>02/7 thru 03/25:<br>
(Monday-Friday)
Information Sessions @ 10am and 2pm
Campus Tours @ 9, 11, 1, and 3</p>
<p>02/21 thru 02/22:<br>
NOTE: No University classes in session</p>
<p>Students have to be there Jan 26, so I assume that's when classes start. It's a wednesday.</p>
<p>WHen we visited Brown in the fall the admissions website had a link to a list of classes you coulnd viisit and they were listed by day of the week. I just visited the site (which has been changed quite a bit in the last few months) and this is what it said:</p>
<p>"As it is near the end of the semester (January 11, 2004 ), and classes are typically not accepting visitors, we have closed the online campus visit planner until the start of next semester. When you pick a date to visit campus, there will be plenty for you to see and do; visit our site a few weeks before your trip, and you can plan a full day's worth of classes and events."</p>
<p>My S attended a class there and found it worthwhile. They suggest introducing yourself to the professor at the beginning of class. He e-mailed him ahead of time and asked if he could speak to him for a few minutes after class. When he walked into the class, one of the students called him by name and said, "What are you doing here?" He didn't even know this kid was at Brown. The professor talked to him for over half an hour after class and the kid he knew gave him a grand tour and showed him his dorm. He was lucky, but attending a class can really pay off in terms of learning more about the school.</p>
<p>My daughter is a freshman at Brown. Second semester starts Jan. 26. They have five weeks off for winter break. My daughter is at four weeks of ski team camp in NH now. </p>
<p>I am positive there are classes on Fridays as she has had them. I am sure you can obtain a list of classes and times from admissions. I also think contacting departments and professors works well and arranging to meet. My D did that at every school and found it very informative in helping her learn more specifics about programs in areas she is interested. I also suggest talking with random students in dorms and dining halls. The info. session and tour is a good base but that alone would not be enough. If your child has a passion in certain EC areas, maybe he can meet with someone in those activities. Line up as much as you can in advance. My daughter would likely be happy to meet up and chat about Brown if she can on that day. Some Fridays might be ski races but let me know. I recently overheard her say to a parent of a junior in our high school who might consider Brown and the mom asked my D how she liked it so far and my D said that she could spend a couple hours telling her every single thing she loved about going to Brown. So, you'd get an enthusiastic happy camper if your son wants to chat with my D. She already hosted someone overnight who met her briefly once when she was working this summer and my D gave her her name if she ever visited Brown to look at the college and the family contacted her and my D took her all around and had her in her room for a night. She knows how helpful it was to her when she met up with kids on every college campus she visited and she wants to return that same favor to kids who now come after her. Let me know if I can help in some way. </p>
<p>Also, I think a convenient and less expensive place to stay is Radisson Hotel Providence Harbor. There are higher quality hotels downtown but this one is a mile from campus (roughly), free parking and has a restaurant for breakfast and the rate is pretty good. It might be around $115. </p>
<p>Happy travels.
Susan</p>
<p>PS, we usually visited colleges on weekdays but our initial visit to Brown was on a Saturday and the professor my D contacted who has since become a dept. chair, came in on a Sat. to meet with her! I was impressed.</p>
<p>Thanks, SoozieVT. We may take you up on that offer. D is going to try to meet up with a former camp counselor for tour/info purposes on this trip ... we'll keep you posted.</p>
<p>Brown is the very first school D was interested in when she browsed school web sites freshman year - PLME had caught her eye though I don't think she's leaning toward combined med programs now. </p>
<p>S is also interested in Brown - so far it's one of the only schools that's on both of their lists.</p>
<p>More twin angst.</p>
<p>soozie/twinmom-
we also stayed at the Radisson-- very convenient. I'd recommend you check several of the websites for deals (including the radisson's internet-only deals) as we got a really reasonable rate. I forget the exact amount, but it was around $100 or so. I just scanned their website, and without knowing your exact travel dates, the price is around $113. You might also check the Brown University Inn, on campus. Don't know what the current rates are, but it is right on campus. We looked into staying there when we visited, but as we happened to be arriving just as parents weekend was ending, there were (pun intended) no rooms at the inn.</p>
<p>Where can I find an online listing of the classes and times on the Brown website?</p>
<p>Usually it's boca.brown.edu</p>
<p>However, the site seems to be down right now.</p>
<p>"The Inn at Brown" on Thayer St. is barebones, half-way between a hotel and a dorm in style. But it works and is right in the middle of the Brown campus and is moderate in price (for Providence). </p>
<p>There are several fine B&B's in Providence (not cheap).</p>
<p>There are, in addition to "big" hotels, and the ones already named, some that are farther out. Sometimes when the town was booked (it can heppen), we were able to stay at a reasonable price at the Fairfield Inn a few miles down the highway toward the airport (10 minute drive).</p>
<p>Parking is almost always a problem on College Hill but almost always you can find something, even if you have to walk a few blocks and up and down the hill. And with a little experience in the city, you learn where to go.</p>
<p>A word on parking: my parents have found it cheaper to take the parking ticket than pay for a garage or meter.</p>
<p>Now there's an idea for consideration! (Just don't get towed.)</p>
<p>Visiting Brown/Providence can be a treat in another way, if you have the time and want to spend the money. There are many fine fine restaurants, some right on College Hill near RISD/Brown.</p>
<p>SoozieVT: Would you mind clearing your mailbox? I tried to PM you again, but your mailbox is full. Thanks.</p>
<p>I just found that out and discovered it and figured out how to delete some and so there is a little room, so write back and I will go check soon again.
Susan</p>
<p>Thanks. You should be able to retrieve my message now.</p>
<p>We stayed at the Biltmore Providence, which I think we got for $129 nt. We were lucky to get upgraded to a full suite, which was HUGE. There's probably a good chance of being upgraded because the hotel is so large. It's also historic, with plenty of charm. There's a McCormick & Schmicks on the ground level. I just checked the website and the rate is higher now. It might be worth a call. </p>
<p>You also have to pay to park in the lot.</p>