Brown University - Pictures

Brown University - Basic Information

Providence, RI
Ranked #15 in the 2011 edition of Best Colleges (US News)

Total undergrad enrollment: 6,244

47% male/53% female

Application deadline - Jan. 1
Early decision deadline - Nov. 1
Application fee: $75

Acceptance rate: 11%
Early decision acceptance rate: 24%

Range SAT Critical Reading: 660-760
Range SAT Math: 670-770
Range SAT Writing: 660-760
Range ACT Composite: 28-33

Required standardized tests: either SAT or ACT
Admissions interview: neither required/recommended
SAT subject tests: 2 (not writing)
Common App

Tuition and fees: $40,820
Room and board: $10,540

12% in fraternities, 4% in sororities

Most popular majors: biology, economics, entrepreneurial and small business operations, history, and international relations and affairs

Average freshman retention rate: 97.2%

NCAA I

Brown University - PROS

Academic Life:

• Only major research university in the nation where undergraduates are the architects of their own course of study
• Highly competitive Program in Liberal Medical Education provides the opportunity to receive an undergraduate degree and a Medical degree in an eight-year continuum
• Student-to-faculty ratio - 9:1
• Offers independent study programs
• Standout engineering/pre-med curriculum
• Not many classes taught by TAs
• Small classes: 70% have less than 20 students
• Academic climate – casual, not very competitive
• Encourages exploration into new areas of study
• Shopping period - opportunity to test out classes before deciding on a schedule
• Great advising

Student Life:

• More than 200 student organizations
• College-town feel
• Small but vibrant Greek community
• Most students well balanced, sociable, happy, and friendly
• Boston and Newport one hour away, close to NYC
• Loved president
• University sponsors frequent campus wide parties and plays
• Nationally recognized public service center
• Shopping period
• Critical Review – student publication reviewing courses
• Great off campus food
• Socially, everyone is accepted
• Campus - big enough not to feel claustrophobic, but small enough that you can get from one end to the other in 20 minutes
• Ranked #2 - happiest students
• Ranked #7 - best college radio station
• Ranked #15 - best college theater
• Raving reviews - everybody loves it!

Brown University - CONS

• Brown can have a "bubble-like" feel
• Most frequent student complaints - student dorms, cafeteria food
• Some popular smaller courses can be impossible to get into
• No athletic/academic scholarships
• Lottery for on campus housing after freshman year
• Freshman housing ok, sophomore housing is the worst
• Long winters
• Lots of rain