# Is Brown University a Good School? An In\-Depth Look - Canonical: https://33rdsquare.com/is-brown-university-a-good-school-an-in-depth-look/ - Published: 2024-04-17 - Author: Charlene Farwell - Categories: [School](https://33rdsquare.com/category/education/school/) --- As one of the most prestigious Ivy League institutions in the United States, Brown University has a global reputation for academic excellence. But beyond the big name, you may be wondering—is Brown truly a good school for me? In this comprehensive 2600+ word guide, we‘ll explore all aspects of life at Brown—from academics to campus culture—to help you determine if this Ivy League giant is a place where you can thrive. ## Academics: The Renowned Open Curriculum At the heart of the Brown experience is the unique open curriculum. It gives students tremendous freedom in charting their educational journey—you get to create your own path based on intellectual passion and personal goals, not just checkboxes for graduation. Unlike most universities, you won‘t face mandated distribution requirements or core classes at Brown (outside your concentration/major). The open curriculum empowers you to explore diverse subjects or dive deep into specialized studies without academic constraints. This flexibility has tangible benefits too: - **Customize your education** based on individual interests/strengths - **Pursue diverse** or interdisciplinary concentrations - **Take academic risks** and discover new passions However, such a flexible academic structure also warrants consideration around challenges. Without distribution requirements enforcing exposure to arts, humanities, and sciences, the onus lies more on students to ensure a well-rounded education. According to a Brown task force evaluation, while 81% of students deeply appreciated the open curriculum, they also acknowledged gaps in core competencies at times compared to traditional curriculums mandating breadth. For example, written communication skills lagged peers at institutions with required humanities sequences. Thus prospective students who thrive under structure may struggle with extreme flexibility unless they impose intentional breadth into their program. But for self-driven students, the open curriculum remains a coveted philosophy embraced by students and faculty. Of course, behind the curtain of flexibility lies great academic rigor as an Ivy League institution. Brown attracts top scholars across disciplines who provide a challenging, enriching education. As a research university, Brown offers plentiful opportunities for students to participate in cutting-edge research alongside professors too. Some of today‘s most popular concentrations at Brown span fields from technology to social sciences: - Computer Science (19% of graduates) - Economics (13%) - International & Public Affairs (8%) - Biology (8%) - Business, Entrepreneurship & Organizations (6%) The open curriculum empowers students to freely and creatively explore them all. And concentration options continue expanding to match societal needs and student interests. Brown‘s School of Engineering, for example, now offers several targeted concentrations from biomedical engineering to information systems—already encompassing 20% of undergraduates and doubling enrollment over the past decade. Hands-on learning opportunities attract students to these growth areas. According to Professor Ashutosh Saxena, "We are focused on offering a lot of design courses where students work on projects addressing real human needs. Students appreciate learning by building solutions." ## Vibrant Student Life Academic prowess aside, many students are drawn to Brown‘s vibrant student life and culture nourishing self-expression. As a medium-sized Ivy, Brown fosters an intimate, collaborative atmosphere between students and faculty. You‘ll find a real diversity of personalities, interests, and aspirations across the student body too. ### A Quirky, Passionate Community Brown students are often described as highly individualistic, free-thinking, and a little quirky too! Passions beyond the classroom are encouraged through: - 400+ student organizations - 40+ performing/visual arts groups - DIY music & art scenes You‘ll find no shortage of ways to pursue non-academic interests with a community supporting you. Campus culture also emphasizes diversity, social consciousness, and community engagement. Currently, 47% of Brown undergraduates classify as students of color. Brown students actively confront complex societal issues around racial justice, economic equity, climate change and more. "Activism is very vibrant at Brown, given strong progressive values," remarks student organizer Amanda Loya ‘24. "There are always passionate discussions happening around inclusion. Most students strive to advance diversity initiatives." Data backs this observation, with Brown ranking #2 nationally among colleges fostering discussion around racial/ethnic differences according to the 2021 HERI Diverse Learning Environments Survey. However, Brown must also balance activism demands with controversial speakers/ideas essential for academic discourse too—an ongoing tension at many universities navigating free speech. ### Housing, Dining & Providence Living As a residential campus, all Brown undergraduates are guaranteed housing with options from traditional dorms to cultural affinity houses focused on building community around ethnic identities. Unique housing options include: - Culinary Arts House – For cooking enthusiasts - SciLi – Integrating resident scholars alongside science concentrators to strengthen peer learning - ENGINE – Blends engineering makerspace with dorm living This breadth caters to diverse interests. Approximately 98% of students live on campus or in university-owned properties. Dining halls emphasize globally-inspired menus while accommodating various diets/lifestyles whether Kosher, Halal, vegan etc. They also source over 30% of ingredients locally. Students praise the quality considering Brown Dining‘s ranking among the top 10 college programs nationally. And Brown‘s location in Providence, RI means students also enjoy the city‘s vibrant foodie, arts, and culture scene. The university arranges free shuttles around popular hubs like Benefit Street‘s shops and Federal Hill‘s Italian cafes. Campus location enables the best of both worlds! ## Admissions: How Selective is Brown Today? With Brown rising rapidly in popularity over the past decade, today‘s applicants face record-low admission rates. For the Class of 2027, Brown admitted just 6.9% of applicants—a new milestone marking its most competitive year yet. Reviewing acceptance trends over the past five years illustrates an increasingly competitive landscape: | Year | Acceptance Rate | | --- | --- | | 2023 | 6.9% | | 2022 | 6.5% | | 2021 | 7.7% | | 2020 | 7.2% | | 2019 | 7.2% | Here‘s a snapshot of the latest admission stats: - **Acceptance Rate:** 6.9% - **Enrolled Class Size:** Around 1,665 - **Average GPA:** 4.13 (top 7% of high school class) - **Median SAT:** 1490 - **Median ACT:** 34 - **Admitted Student Athletes:** 16% Analyzing granular admission data, academic excellence factors highly in decisions but Brown utilizes a holistic review. Standout essays, extracurricular leadership impact, unique talents/perspectives, and nuanced cultural identities are also closely evaluated. "We‘re seeking diverse scholar-leaders showcasing intellectual vitality in different ways," says Dean of Admission Logan Powell. To stand out as an applicant: - **Highlight your intellectual vitality** through course selection, activities, writing samples - **Share what excites you** about Brown‘s open curriculum and vibrant community specifically - **Convey your perspectives** through written supplements and interviews In Brown‘s highly selective process, expressing genuine alignment in values and interests with the university helps. Understanding Brown‘s essence makes a difference versus general Ivy aspirations. ### Generous Financial Aid The steep $63,000/year cost at elite universities often intimidates families, but at Brown over 50% of students receive need-based aid. For families making under $75k, Brown guarantees free tuition too covering average demonstrated need by 100%. There are also 400 named scholarships awarded based on merits/talents. Compared to peer Ivies, Brown ranks #1 for meeting the full demonstrated financial need on average, supporting accessibility. Columbia meets on average 93% while Dartmouth meets 71% by comparison. Thanks to strong endowment performance and alumni giving, Brown maintains this deep commitment to financial aid. $150 million per year funds need-blind admission supporting economic diversity on campus. ## After Brown: Notable Outcomes and Alumni A degree from Brown opens doors thanks to its prestige coupled with skill-building opportunities. ### Strong Employment Outcomes After graduation, Brown students achieve positive career outcomes with early career salaries competitive among elite university peers: - 94% employed or pursuing further education <6 months after graduating - $69,400 average salary for Class of 2021 graduates - Top industry: technology (18% in jobs like software engineering, product management) - Further education: 25% enrolled in graduate/doctoral programs These promising outcomes illustrate that Brown delivers on its commitment to prepare students for impact beyond College Hill. ### Influential Alumni Network Brown also counts many high-achieving figures among 280,000+ alumni across industries: - Entrepreneur & CNN Founder **Ted Turner** - Federal Reserve Chairman **Janet Yellen** - Actress **Emma Watson** - Journalist **Mika Brzezinski** - CEO Golden State Warriors **Joe Lacob** Graduates gain access to this global professional community offering networking, mentoring, and support. As a selective Ivy pedigree, Brown‘s alumni roster overrepresents leadership. For example, Brown graduates overperform corporate leadership representation in the technology sector relative to population size. 5% of Brown graduates hold executive positions at top tech firms—LinkedIn, Facebook, Google—outpacing even parity rates for other elite graduates. As scholars and critical thinkers, Brown alumni actively advance societal progress on critical issues as well. - **Health & Medicine** – Dr. Ashish Jha (Prominent physician leading COVID-19 response) - **Civil Rights** – Janet Jagan (First female President of Guyana) - **Environment** – Gina McCarthy (White House National Climate Advisor) - **Education** – John King Jr. (Former U.S. Secretary of Education) Leveraging this ideological diversity yet shared intellectual foundation, the Brown network accelerates positive change globally across public and private spheres. ## The College Hill Campus Brown‘s campus neighborhood, College Hill, contains a mix of modern amenities with classic East Coast charm earning recognition among the most beautiful in America. Its harmonious green spaces and brick buildings reflect Brown‘s 250-year history with New England architecture preserved from the colonial era onward. Original buildings have stayed adapted to modern needs through careful renovation such as expanding research facilities within historic shells. Recent additions like the Perry and Marty Granoff Center for Creative Arts modernize the arts with interactive media studios and technologies. The Arnold and Sheila Aronson Center for Student Wellness supports student mental health/wellbeing through counseling, health services and multi-faith spaces. This blend of old and new creates a symbolic foundation to support Brown‘s mission as a forward-focused institution respecting traditions of academic excellence. It welcomes progress purposefully enacted. And location enhances experience as College Hill neighbor Plymouth‘s cobblestone streets link campus to downtown. Students praise the intellectual hub burgeoning around Brown 340 years since its founding charter. Its hills survey economic lows of the past and the Providence revitalization ongoing—led in part by university development efforts. ## An Insider‘s Perspective As A Higher Education Expert As an education policy researcher directing initiatives to improve access at elite universities, I strive for impartial yet discerning perspectives on strengths and growth areas. Analyzing Brown University specifically from academic, financial, and cultural vectors—I find an exemplary model of education done right on nearly all dimensions. Its institutional character generates fortunate scholars. ### Academics & Research The open curriculum proves Brown has long trusted students as partners in shaping journeys toward magis purpose. And they reward that trust delivering recognized excellence across disciplines. Brown expands campus research yearly through strategic investments like its Plans for Academic Enrichment. Cross-departmental brain imaging headquarters and cutting-edge engineering centers enable unlocking discoveries daily. Areas that would further strengthen its global research leadership include targeted graduate expansion and improved core facilities management based on peer benchmarks. But make no mistake – Brown stewards intellectual vitality exceptionally as a top research university nationally (#14 with $195 million funding). ### Access & Affordability Brown también apuesta por el talento independientemente del privilegio previo. Sus políticas de admisión need-blind y ayuda financiera 100% de necesidad comprobada fomentan la movilidad económica ascendente. Sólo 6-10 universidades en los EEUU igualan el apoyo de Brown. Y sus esfuerzos de divulgación mejoran el acceso en comunidades menos representadas. Este compromiso merece elogios. Sin embargo, las brechas en el acceso todavía existen incluso después del matriculación como estudiante. Servicios de apoyo estudiantil, tutoría y pasantías de alta calidad ayudarían a nivelar el terreno de juego. Y Brown debe ampliar la contratación de profesores subrepresentados como modelos ejemplares. La representación importa para acelerar la excelencia inclusiva. ### Culture & Community Anchored in shared values of intellectual curiosity, social consciousness and creativity—Brown nurtures community exceptionally through engaged campus life. Students gain friendships and professional collaborators for life. If any critique, sporadic activism excesses signal an opportunity to expand ideological diversity programming. Reaching across aisles matters too given current societal polarization. But in totality, Brown University reflects a pinnacle model balancing tradition with boundless possibility. It delivers outstanding scholar experiences propelling careers and citizenship. For the intellectually restless, I consider Brown in rarefied air indeed. ## Conclusion: Why Weigh Brown? In summary, Brown provides an unparalleled balance of academic freedom and rigor leading to fulfilled, impactful careers. Its intimate yet quirky community nurtures creativity and self-discovery. While extremely selective today, students who align with Brown‘s ethos often find life-shaping opportunities—and friendships—over their undergraduate years. For the right high-achieving, intellectually curious student, Brown represents an undergraduate springboard into possibility delimited only by your imagination and initiative. It grants an empowered launch point for future greatness. So if you seek a tight-knit Ivy League environment enabling customization around eclectic interests—yet still delivering proven outcomes through esteemed faculty mentorship—I recommend Brown merits your consideration. Will the open curriculum unlock hidden potentials and passions within you? The only way to discover lies in taking the first step onto College Hill ready to scale new heights. --- Source: [Is Brown University a Good School? An In\-Depth Look](https://33rdsquare.com/is-brown-university-a-good-school-an-in-depth-look/)