Brown University Review

Brown University Overview

Brown University is composed of three separate colleges and 238 total buildings on campus. Among the three schools, Brown offers over 100 programs of study, with over 80 concentrations offered to undergraduates alone. The most popular majors are history, international relations and biology, and Brown University is the only school in the world with a history of math major, as well as one of the only schools with a major in Egyptology. If a program of study doesn't match what a student is looking for, Brown offers the option of personalizing the curriculum to better suit the student's needs.

The seventh college in America, Brown University was founded as the College of Rhode Island in Warren in 1764. It began as a Baptist university that admitted all students regardless of religion. In 1770, the college moved to College Hill, in Providence. In 1804, the college was renamed to Brown University, and the first women were admitted in 1891.

Admissions and Enrollment Overview

Brown University has both early decision admissions, which involve binding contracts to enroll in Brown if admitted, and regular decision admissions. To apply to Brown University, the applicant must submit the Common Application form--a standardized application used by many universities across the country--as well as the Brown supplement form; official high school transcripts and SAT or ACT scores are also required. Portfolios are allowed for prospective students with special talents in music, film or art as supplements to the application. On-campus interviews, while not required, are recommended once the application has been submitted. Once all materials are in and reviewed, Brown will mail out its answer, along with housing and orientation information.

Brown University does not offer any academic-based financial aid. Instead, it offers financial aid initiatives for lower-income families, designed to help reduce family contributions. Brown offers an installment plan, which spreads out the tuition payment over 12 equal payments. To apply for financial aid, students must complete the FAFSA. Parents' and students' tax returns are required, and a letter of special circumstance is allowed.

Learning Environment and Campus Facilities

Brown University has many new or recently renovated facilities on campus for the student, including many subject-specific centers and institutes. Brown has special centers in the fields of life sciences, physical sciences, social sciences and humanities, 34 all together. Brown also has 40 unique laboratory and research facilities across all the subjects. There are six individual libraries on campus, the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library for humanities and social sciences, the Sciences Library, the Art Slide Library, the Orwig Music Library, the John Hay Library that houses special collections and the Annmary Brown Memorial Library.

Colleges and Schools at Brown University

• Undergraduate College of Brown University
• Brown University Graduate School
• Alpert Medical School

Contact Information

• Address: Brown University, 45 Prospect St., Providence, RI 02912
• Phone Number: (401) 863-1000