<p>Hello, I am currently a junior in high school. I attend a high school in Providence and up until sophomore year of high school, Brown was my dream school. Fast forward about fifteen months or so and, well, I am reconsidering my apparent opposition towards attending Brown. Over the past fifteen months, I have realized that the only reason I am opposed to Brown is because it is right next to so close to my school and very close to home. Now, however, I realize that when I am at Brown, I do not feel like I am in Providence. Other than the location, I absolutely love everything else about Brown. The students are amazing–open-minded and dedicated to promoting change, but also funny and approachable. The atmosphere is also special to me; I do not feel congested, but free and liberated–I feel independent. And, at night, I feel like I have never been at Brown before.</p>
<p>So, I guess what I am asking is: what is Brown like? I guess I could be a little specific and ask for Rhode Island natives’ opinions, but I am looking for any sort of insight. </p>
<p>I am not sure if I will ever get in, but I would to hear what others have to say.</p>
<p>As someone who went somewhat in the other direction (went to Brown, stayed in RI):</p>
<p>The vast majority of students at Brown have no idea about RI is about. RI to them is three or four satellite locations in the city they sometimes go to-- as in, “Mall” “Concert place” “These three restaurants I go to with friends” “Those three restaurants I go to with mom and dad”.</p>
<p>There is very little about most of the UG in the Brown community that really stitches them into the RI culture or place. Now, there are tons of students who do get super involved and that’s not the case. I spent a ton of time in the actual city while I was at Brown. But most do not.</p>
<p>I’m not sure it’ll feel all that different to you to go to Brown versus anywhere else, even that it’s in Providence, except that you’ll be slightly less interested in that one place off campus that you grew up going to for dinner that is novel and exciting for friends as a rest from Ratty food.</p>
<p>I agree with Modestmelody much of my experience with Rhode Island dates from my days growing up in Boston (I went to the zoo a lot as a child, Newport a few times to see the Breakers, etc.), but my experience with RI as a Brown student is much more limited. I do spend a fair amount of time in Providence or on the bike trails that wind through surrounding towns. Your Brown ID gives you free RIPTA access, so I’ve used that to go to Newport or other parts of the state a number of times. Also went to Block Island.</p>
<p>Anyway, my point is that you can totally ignore Providence if you want to. You can also throw yourself into it. What everyone says about campus life replacing the need for city life is true, unless you want life outside Brown.</p>