Brown University Top Questions

Probably the best thing about Brown was also the worst thing in that it had no core curriculum and therefore the students had a great deal of freedom, especially as freshman when they were undecided what to do with their lives, to take whatever seemed interesting without a great deal of purpose in their class choices.

The liberalism can be overwhelming. You don't make politically incorrect jokes on campus. No instance of "slut shaming" is acceptable. It's considered blasphemous if you don't acknowledge your own privelige. "Heternormative," might be the most popular word on campus. While I, personally, find this intolerance for hegemonic ideals enlightening, not everyone does. And when you go home, no one will understand where you've just been living, how you've just been living, why you're not laughing at that joke. There's an attitude of "Brown vs. The World," on occasion. Sometimes the divide becomes internalised.

nothing

I think that financial aid could be improved because it would help other students attend who may not otherwise have the opportunity.

The dorms are not that great.

The worst thing about Brown is the cold winter weather.

Nothing comes to mind.

While the word worst might be a bit strong, perhaps the one area I would critqiue Brown about is that it can be a little overwhelming for the unprepared person. Due to the school having no core curriculum, Brown students are designing their class schedule fight from the start so someone who is unsure about what to study might be in trouble. However, I feel that this also allows for experimentation in growth, by trying classes in fields one has never taken before and perhaps finding one's passion in this exploration as well.

Although I do not have any strong complaints toward Brown University, its facilites, or its community, I can say that I am disappointed with a number of its academic characteristics. Several introductory courses, which tend to attract a large number of students because of their necessity as requisite classes, have no cap on the number of students allowed to register. This makes for auditorium-filled lectures with up to 500 students listening to only one professor. Therefore, because the courses have so many registered students, sectioned classes are taught by teacher's assistants, making the quality of lessons less superior.

I believe the worst thing about Brown is the option to have everything Satifactory/No Credit. Students don't try as hard when the grade doesn't matter. It's understandable that a class here and there can be taken S/NC but Brown doesn't have a limit on how many. There might be less pressure on the GPA but I don't think students will get the most out of their education.

The food. Not spicy and no salt. Could be better.

The worse thing about Brown University is a double-edged sword. The degree of freedom offered to students can be overwhelming for those who need a little more external structure. I noticed that a fair number of students coasting by, not realizing their full potential because there was no administrator, faculty member, or core curriculum pushing them. On the other hand, this is favorable for self-motivated students who can use this lack of structure to try many different pursuits.

Finiancial aid, because even though they help me out, it is not enough for my financial situations; especially since my situation has recently changed for the worse.

Class size

There is arguably too much freedom.; some people can't handle the responsibility that comes along with being able to design your own major, take any class you want, deal with a pass/fail option for every class (even within your major), and being able to structure a well rounded, self-motivated course load. Although this is a huge responsibility, for those students that can handle it, it makes Brown a very special place.

I'm a little discouraged by the size of the school, I wish I went to a smaller school. As a result of the size, if you don't meet people in the beginning you're not likely to meet many people later on.

Having to stay in the dorm for two years, because they're not that great and there are not many single rooms

crummy math professors and some dorms that need to be updated

Too tame. I don't believe in rules and neither does Brown, but most students, despite agreeing with this, come from environments whose enforced expectations upon them (sadly, the reason many got this far is that dedication to the system is more valued than undermining of it) set the stage for great self restriction which often inhibits the happiness and creativity of themselves and those around them. This is not to say that the students at Brown are not happy and questioning - they are, but could let themselves stray even further from the arbitrary societal ideals instilled in them.

Well, sometimes I feel very small

Perhaps one of the worst things about Brown comes from one of the best things about it - the educational experience is student-driven. While this allows a student to explore their educational and career interests, someone going through a tough time could easily fall through the cracks.

The classrooms and dorms need to be updated. They look run down and are not pleasent to live and learn in.

The worst thing about my school I think is the dining facilities. There aren't many options and I wish there were a lot more healthier choices.

location. Providence has terrible weather, and there is relatively little to do immediately off campus.

As a person of color, I have to say I believe the lack of racial diversity is the worst thing. It can definitely be overwhelming to be the only person of color in your class of about eighty. It is sad how isolating a person of color can feel. Even when I am able to find other people of color I can still feel out of place in many environments.

For me, the location has been the hardest to get used to. I am from the West Coast, so the East Coast is very different (in weather, atmosphere, and attitude). Providence is nice, but I would prefer to be a little closer to a larger city.

There are too many athletes who do not match the academic caliber of the school.

As with most educational institutions, there is a great deal of bureaucracy at Brown. Additionally, the administration is generally unhelpful and doesn't have the students' interests in mind. Lastly, there is too much uniformity.

The worst thing about Brown has to be that Providence is an extremely small city. When I first came, I was surprised at how dead downtown seemed in the middle of the day. Also, grocery stores are kind of far away...

Nothing! Actually maybe some of the dining service food but there can be a lot of variety there too. They are pretty vegetarian friendly though.

The worst thing is the financial aid simply because it includes loans which is not desirable by any student.

too much drinking

Student recreational facilities: the gyms are small, there is no student union

Rich people and athletes

Sometimes people are so smart and intimidating, it's hard to put yourself out there and establish a real relationship. You may fear their judgement or ridicule, but in the end you have to know they feel the exact same way and you just have to relax.

Perhaps there is too much partying. If one wishes to go to a party, there will always be one, or even three available. Academic advisors could also be a little more helpful, but maybe I was just assigned a less compatible one.

The advising is not up to par.

One aspect of Brown I do not like is the dearth of faculty focusing on Islam, and the Middle East. In this modern era, an institution like Brown should have an emphasis on these fields and it is only in the University's best interest to add these programs. Advising, in my experience, has also not been the best, and with an open curriculim, strong advising is of the utmost importance.