Brown University (BU) Introduction and Academics

Introduction

Brown University, a unique member of the Ivy League, is a high-caliber institution that is low on pretension. Founded in 1764, before America gained independence from Great Britain, it is the 7th oldest institute of higher education in the country, and the first to welcome students from any religion.

With no core requirements, the innovative curriculum takes academic decisions out of the ivory tower and puts them in the hands of students. Each student becomes the architect of his or her own education and the result is a community of self-motivated learners who relish the chance to discover and explore their true passions.

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Information Summary

Ranks 1st in Rhode Island and 20th overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	98.6
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$73,802
Admission Success rate	N/A
ACT / SAT 75%ile scores	35 / 1550
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	11 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	98% / N/A
Enrollment Total (all students)	10,257

Academics

The University is made up of several units, and students must decide which one to enroll in. Currently the campus houses:

The College
Graduate School
Alpert Medical School
School of Engineering
School of Public Health

Requirements

Brown stands out from other competitive colleges in its emphasis on student choice. While most schools have distribution requirements that all students must take to graduate

Most Popular Fields of Study

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Admissions

Each year the admissions process seems to get more selective. Students seeking admission must meet high academic standards. Nearly half of the current freshmen were in the top ten percent of their high school classes, and SAT scores average 1400 (based on 1600).

But meeting these requirements alone does not ensure acceptance. Admissions officers look at many different aspects of an applicant

Financial Aid

Students receive financial support both through financial aid and scholarship grants. Nearly forty percent of Brown students receive some sort of aid.

Many students work part-time jobs as part of their work-study program or to make some extra spending money. Food service jobs are the most common, but there are also job opportunities in academic departments, libraries, or other campus facilities. On-campus jobs pay an hourly wage that typically increases as a student logs in a number of hours or rises to leadership.

The deadline for submitting financial aid forms is November 1 for Early Decision applicants and February 1 for regular applicants, and financial aid awards must be renewed each year.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 1936th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in Rhode Island.

Students

Units

The freshman unit marks the beginning of every student

Student Enrollment Demographics

Student Graduation Demographics

Athletics

A wide range of varsity sports (thirty-seven different teams) are offered with decent facilities for a school its size. The Bears play in the NCAA Division I Ivy League.

There is, however, a strong sense of community among athletes, and students who do attend games get caught up in the school spirit and cheer loudly. Many games are also attended by the very enthusiastic Brown band. The world

Local Community

Off campus, students enjoy the cultural and culinary offerings of Providence. A near-perfect college town, Providence is small enough to feel homey but large enough so there

Alumni

Over ninety-four percent of students graduate, then they are faced with the anxiety of figuring out what to do next. Fortunately, the school provides a support network to help seniors make post-graduation plans.

About a quarter of graduates go directly to graduate or professional school after graduation. These students receive guidance from professors in the field and often attend the top schools in their discipline.

Deans

For students who pursue professional tracks in law or medicine, there are deans who specialize in counseling prelaw and premed students. They guide students through the process of deciding whether or not law school or medical school is the right next step for them, and if students decide to apply, they help them navigate the involved application and interview processes. There is also a dean who helps students apply for scholarships or fellowships. Historically, this support has helped students fare very well in competitions for highly selective postgraduate awards, such as the Rhodes and Marshall scholarships.

Job Hunting

Career Services is the most valuable resource for students who look for employment directly after graduation. Each year, many finance and consulting firms recruit seniors through interview sessions at the Career Development Center. Additionally, the school provides excellent resources for the large number of students who wish to pursue noncorporate tracks with their

Brown University