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I'd like to hear from some of the old posters who started school at Brown a few weeks ago. How are your classes, activities, life at Brown in general?

By Soozievt (Soozievt) on Sunday, September 12, 2004 - 05:35 pm: Edit

I know you really wanted to hear from students, not us parents. But since I do have a daughter who started at Brown 12 days ago, I will answer anyway since nobody has yet responded to your post.

I have heard from my daughter by phone five times and in each call she is oozing out such superlatives and enthusiastically telling me how FANTASTIC every single day has been so far there, in each and every way. She says she is so happy she chose this school ! She has told me so many things, that I think I could write you pages about it all. To generalize, the orientation was terrific, well planned, full of both informative and social happenings and just plain fun. Classes and all things related....great....lots of independence and responsibility and choice...shopping period, etc...likes classes thus far (only has had four days of that). Thinks the kids are into their academics and are interested and talk about it and may work hard but they also like to have fun, a very nice balance. Loves the kids she is meeting from all over. Dorm is great, and the residential group has really gelled. Lots of things to attend on campus that are entertaining and also social, including parties, performances, lectures (Dean just came), and so forth. She is putting together her extracurricular plans in various activities she wants to continue in college. Meeting kids constantly with each endeavor. Providence is a lot of fun as it is all in walking distance...just went to Waterfire there last night and out to eat at a restaurant. Also she is steps off of Thayer Street...cafes, movies, and shops. Just every aspect so far has been very enjoyable and she has never been happier or more psyched.

I did not get into specifics but if you have a question, I MIGHT be able to answer what she has said regarding your topic. But overall, the student body is really good, the school feels like a perfect match, the location is fun (lots to do and all in walking distance), the classes seem stimulating, and every day is a really wonderful experience (so far).

Susan

By Marianne (Marianne) on Sunday, September 12, 2004 - 07:36 pm: Edit

Thanks for your great post, Soozie. I wanted to hear about Brown from anyone as the forum seems to be just about whether so and and can "get in." I'm glad she's so happy there!

By Fredmurtz2 (Fredmurtz2) on Wednesday, September 15, 2004 - 11:35 pm: Edit

I love Providence and I am absolutely convinced that this is the best school for me -- The people here are almost uniformly open and friendly. Perhaps a tad liberal but you can engage or disengage from it as much as you want. Some older students have helped me out, when it means a senior or 2nd year grad student has to answer a question about where to find the John Hay Liibrary or an upperclass advisor. A professor took me to their departments' open house and ice cream for well over office hours. Not to mention the faculty fellows -- Without going into all the details, a good time is to be had -- if only 30 hours were in a day so as to do work, sleep, eat, chill and be engaged in activites...but it is all voluntary and self-imposed....I was advised to reduce my course choices here -- they want you to come out making the most of the school and won't deny options but will offer pointed and [often poignant] advice. That covers more the academic than the social, but the people rock and there's stuff to do so what else needs to be said? From Sailing to Equestrian to Investing to Flying to Space Missions you can find it if you look.

By Marianne (Marianne) on Thursday, September 16, 2004 - 05:03 pm: Edit

That sounds ideal!