Brown University Top Questions

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.