Pros and Cons of Brown University

Speaker Introduction

• Current senior at Brown, graduating in 2 years
• Experienced both online and on-campus life

Pros and Cons of Brown University

Unique Features and Academics

• Open Curriculum: No core curriculum; students can take whatever classes they want
  • Example: Speaker switched from music and economics to computer science without repercussions
• Grades: Only A, B, C, and no credit
  • No curves in grading, but 90% and above guarantee an A
  • Special S/NC (Satisfactory/No Credit) option, similar to pass/fail
  • Can technically graduate with all S/NC classes (not advisable)
• Transcripts: Failing grades and dropped courses are not shown on official transcripts
• Grade Inflation: Average GPA is 3.76, possibly the highest in the US

Professors and Teaching

• Professors are actively involved in teaching, not just on the course catalog
  • In-person lectures, mentorship, and office hours
  • Contrast with some prestigious schools where professors might only appear for introductions

Location: Providence, Rhode Island

• Proximity: 1 hour drive from Boston, 3 hours drive from New York
• Environment: Blend of beautiful scenery and modern city amenities
• Strong campus feeling with boutique stores and good campus safety
• Access to transportation (Amtrak and MBTA to Boston and New York)

Food

• Meal Plans: Initially intense meal plans, decrease intensity with each year
  • Freshmen: 3 meals a day (21 swipes per week)
• Cafeterias:
  • Ratty: Mixed reviews, clean but sometimes lacking in quality
  • V-dub: Smaller, better food quality than Ratty
  • Andrews: Best cafeteria, pre-portioned food, variety of choices
  • Joe’s: Late-night diner with comfort foods (mozzarella sticks, fries, burgers, etc.)
• Dining Out: Various restaurants on the street, including French, Italian cuisine

Dorms and Housing

• Freshman and sophomore years: Mandatory on-campus housing
• Junior year: Off-campus lottery available
• Recent addition of new, high-quality dorms

Greek Life

• Less prominent compared to other universities
• 10-20% of students participate in fraternities/sororities
• Some students prefer the reduced focus on Greek life

Conclusion

• Every school has its pros and cons
• Speaker chose Brown and does not regret it
• Brown provides a unique and fulfilling undergraduate experience

Additional Notes

• Location and campus blend urban convenience with safety and aesthetics
• Flexible curriculum and grading can benefit different student preferences