Brown University: An NM Squad Review

Brown University, situated in Providence, Rhode Island, is a private Ivy League research institution. It is known for its compact, walkable campus integrated into College Hill. The climate mirrors Boston's, with warm summers and cold winters. Brown's admissions are highly competitive, with a 5.23% acceptance rate from 51,316 applicants in 2023.

1. Location Benefits

Brown is 41 miles from Boston and 155 miles from New York City. The area around Brown blends historic charm and vibrant student life, featuring landmarks like Benefit Street, known for its colonial-era architecture, and Thayer Street, a bustling hub of shops, cafes, and restaurants. Adjacent to Brown is the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), with which it shares a close relationship.

2. From Need-Aware to Need-Blind

Brown University meets the full demonstrated financial need for all admitted students, including international students who qualify for need-based aid. For Fall 2025, Brown will have a need-blind policy for its applicants.

3. Open Curriculum

Brown University operates on a semester-based system and offers an Open Curriculum, which requires students to satisfy only their major department requirements and complete the writing requirement. With over 80 concentrations (or majors), students are encouraged to explore a wide range of subjects before focusing on a specific area. Brown has 48 academic departments, including the Division of Applied Mathematics, Program in Biology, Department of Chemistry, Department of Economics, and Department of Philosophy.

4. No GPA on Transcripts

There is not much academic pressure at Brown. The university does not compute or include GPA on transcripts. Instead, they only list letter grades. There is significant grade inflation, and students can drop courses until the finals period. Even if students fail or drop a course, it is not displayed on their transcript.

5. Academic Flexibility

Students at Brown University can declare their concentration by the third or fourth semester and have the flexibility to switch concentrations until the end of the seventh semester. In addition to concentrations, Brown offers minors. The university's philosophy encourages students to keep their chosen field at the center of their academic pursuits while exploring other interests on the side, as there are no restrictive requirements.

6. Collaborative Community and Clubs

The student community is renowned for its collaborative spirit, with nearly 400-500 clubs. Unique groups include the Church of Darkness, hosting monthly rituals under the full moon with black robes, Latin chants, and hot chocolate. The Brown Outing Club focuses on outdoor exploration, while the Inning Club delves into campus history and its tunnels.

7. Quirky Traditions

The Van Wickle Gates is the ornamental gateway to Brown University's main campus in Providence. According to campus lore, students risk not graduating if they pass through the central gate more than twice. Additional traditions include the spontaneous "Naked Donut Run" during the reading period, where students dash naked across campus distributing donuts, as well as a midnight gathering at a designated green space for collective screaming. Finally, the entire university community unites to support Brown during Brown-Harvard games.

8. Historic Rivalries

The Brown–Rhode Island football rivalry is an American college football rivalry between the Brown Bears and the Rhode Island Rams. Moreover, Brown has a one-sided rivalry against Harvard.

9. Campus Safety

Brown University is known for its safety measures, with blue light phones located every 30 seconds to a minute apart, providing easy access to emergency assistance, particularly at night. Moreover, the university offers services like safeRIDE shuttle and SafeWalk to ensure students feel safe when traveling on campus at night.

10. Career Support and Alumni

The Brown Center for Career Exploration provides support for resumes and cover letters, allowing students to schedule meetings with undergraduate peers or trained Graduate Career Fellows for assistance with their resumes and to learn about useful platforms such as LinkedIn. The alumni network at Brown University is sizable and approachable, often willing to collaborate with current students. The "BrownConnect" platform provides access to over 65,000 alumni, searchable by various criteria such as concentration, industry, student clubs/organizations, athletics, and networking preferences. Students can also participate in alumni chats to listen to their career paths and receive real-world advice on navigating their career journey.