<p>The Open Curriculum is a fascinating way to explore new topics but seems to require a certain degree of academic initiative. In this case, students who want a college with a rigid set of course requirements would not be a good fit.</p>
<p>What other types of people would not be a good fit for Brown? </p>
<p>I am asking because, having set my heart on Penn since freshman year, I’ve only recently come to realize that I’d prefer a liberal arts-type education with more freedom of academic choice. </p>
<p>Thus, with its undergraduate focus and Open Curriculum (and reputation as the most relaxed school with the happiest students!), Brown seems like a great school for what I hope to find in the college experience–and I’d love to know more.</p>
<p>So, current students: please share!</p>
<p>As the mother of a graduate from last year, I can say that I don’t think Brown students are, from what I saw anyway, particularly relaxed. They are driven to succeed and they are often working through the night to achieve what they set out to do. They are, however, happy. I believe that this happiness comes from many sources, not the least of which is the Open Curriculum which allows for so much academic freedom and independence. It is exactly this freedom that might preclude some people from Brown. It can be overwhelming to chart one’s own course and to do it in a way that is logical. At the end of four years one wants to be able to look back on eight semesters and three summers of work and learning that is/was fulfilling, made sense, and led up to something meaningful after graduation. That is much easier said than done. Most college freshman did not have anything like that freedom from which to draw experience, so they might have trouble making the most of the freedom that is afforded them. From what I saw the advising is not as strong as it might be, at least from my daughter’s perspective, and so it really is up to each student to select from approximately 3000 courses in a way that is sensible for him or herself. Brown’s selectivity is important because I believe that the admissions committee tries to find kids who will benefit from this empowerment and be able to choose the wise course for themselves. However, several of my daughter’s friends had a really tough time with all of this and didn’t stay. Some of them took time off to grow a bit and then returned. None of them was relaxed…</p>
<p>Interesting comment, franglish. I’m not sure I’d describe either my friends from Brown (granted, from the dark ages) or my daughter’s as driven. If they were, it was internal – certainly not evident from the outside. I wouldn’t say they were slackers, but they were laid back. I wouldn’t describe Brown as being “work hard, play hard.”</p>
<p>It is very true that you must be very self-reliant and aggressive about seeking advising help. No one tells you what to take your first semester, there are no required courses, so the course list is very overwhelming. My daughter put 50 classes into her basket the first time she shopped for classes online. She had to narrow that down to four. Some people simply could not handle that.</p>
<p>Someone who wants only small classes, who wants intimate relationships with professors from day one, would probably be disappointed at Brown. If you are looking for an idyllic rural setting, or a large inner city experience, look elsewhere. </p>
<p>While it is true that colleges have certain personalities, most students could be happy at many places. When someone tells me why they aren’t applying to Brown after visiting, it’s often because the students seem too hippyish/relaxed, the open curriculum is too loose, and the dorms could be better.</p>
<p>Well, I would contrast driven and competitive. They were certainly not competitive in the traditional sense of being cut-throat, but I think once some of them get an idea in their heads they will stay with it, whether it’s for a traditional class, something creative, or just for the sake of doing it.</p>
<p>I hope some current students will answer, but it is finals now…you may just hear from parents.</p>
<p>My daughter was also accepted to UChi and that is so different you’d think it was not a fit. Maybe in hindsight, but she wanted a college with a strong intellectual bent. When she was accepted to Brown she wouldn’t discuss any other college.</p>
<p>First semester was hard to pick 4 because there is so much to choose from. Try to get in the freshman seminars–I forget what they are called. Just pick 4, no big deal and then you will be smarter and know what to pick for next semester. Your advisor may be good or bad, though. Once you declare a major (not required until end of sophmore year) you will get a department advisor and that will be more helpful.</p>
<p>You will discover you can’t take everything you want to take in just 8 semesters. You may be tempted to do a summer or two. Get a research grant to pay your living. Talk to profs and apply.</p>
<p>My daughter just started taking a bunch of science classes, mostly physics and the math courses that are required. Plus chemestry. Then some Lit and Cog Sci. Then she took a key Computer Sci sequence that changed her major to CS. But it was to late to do full CS so she did a branch called Math-CS and ended up in a PhD program.</p>
<p>Many grads in her department cited the CS intro 1 year sequence as changing their major.</p>
<p>If you are not liberal it might not be a good fit, although there is something for everyone if you like. There are sub-free dorms. It is more cooperatave than competitive, but students are very sharp.</p>
<p>Students tend to be driven. I never met one who was not. I never met a hippy type (tho I have no prob w/ that). I never met a fashionista (though I have seen some.) You find you own people, for sure.</p>