The Yearly: Brown student taking questions thread

[RaboKarabekian]

The business econ concentration no longer exists actually. Well, it does, but only for people who had declared like 2 years ago.

[modestmelody]

The business econ concentration no longer exists actually. Well, it does, but only for people who had declared like 2 years ago.

Good. That's the way it should be.

[gladlybeyond]

(1) I read a FAQ on the Brown website, but I'm still a bit confused on the difference between First Year Seminars and CAP courses and how to decide which to choose. So, what's the difference, and how will choosing one over the other impact the first year experience?

(2) Where do people who request substance-free housing usually live? Does requesting substance-free mean living in a more stereotypical antisocial environment? I don't drink, smoke, etc.; I don't care if other people do, but I'm considering this option because I think I'd prefer my personal living space to be free of alcohol and smoke.

[modestmelody]

I don't know too much about sub-free housing but I can say that people who live in quiet housing/sub-free are not as well integrated into the rest (they have to be separated, obviously) and typically have their own floor, etc. It won't make a huge difference, but since I met all of my friends from people who were in my freshman unit, I know that having as many possible different people in that unit was really helpful for me.

FYS are just classes with limited enrollment that only first years can take. CAP courses aren't necessarily small classes, and they aren't typically filled with only students taking the class as a CAP, however, students in that class are assigned ot be advised by the professor teach that class. The better class to take is the one that has a course that really interests you. You don't have to take either if you don't want.

[gladlybeyond]

Thanks for the response.

[RaboKarabekian]

For the past few years, sub-free housing for freshmen was a floor in Perkins. There's no guarantee that it will remain this way, but if it does, Perkins is the dorm most likely to foster a tight-knit community, and from what I've heard, the sub-free people get to know each other quite well. I would recommend it if you have serious concerns, but I also have a lot of friends who don't smoke or drink and lived in regular housing with no problems.

[siserune]

So Ivy grads all want to work on Wall Street ?

A disproportionate number at Brown and its peer schools go in that direction or a similar one that can require transcripts. Several schools publish data on the number of their graduates in various fields. The numbers are high for Harvard and Yale and I assume something similar is true for Brown. Competitive summer job placements on and off Wall Street are quite likely to request transcripts.

We also know from Brown's web site that 80 percent if its graduates attend some form of graduate school within 10 years, which means probably at least 85 percent apply. The application process requires transcripts and any selective admission will look at the actual courses and grades and not just where they were obtained.

Taking all the above into account one could guess that 85-90 percent or more of Brown students will be asked to submit a transcript for some purpose after graduation.

[brownieboy]

HEY! I just visited Brown this week, and i LOVE almost everything about it (the open curriculum especially). Despite this, I have heard that the "type" of student that goes to Brown is usually very liberal and "artsy" (involved in art, theater, singing, etc.). Almost every student that has gotten into Brown from my school in the past few years was a prominent member of my school's Theater Group. I am not very "artsy," and so I am worried that if I wind up going to Brown that I won't really fit in. To any Brown student: is this stereotype true?

Also- a few more questions:
Do you feel safe in Providence?

During free time, do you usually go into Providence or stay on Campus (thayer street included)?

Thanks a lot in advance.

[MovieBuff]

Alright, I got this " by invitation only" letter to attend some session called STEM during ADCOH on April 18th... Does everyone majoring sciences/math get this ? Is it some type of Honors Program?...I posted this before but got no answers..Any info would be really appreciated 'cause i am going out of my way to attend...

[modestmelody]

I mostly stay on campus but often go into the city on the weekends. I feel perfectly safe and I'm not artsy and neither are my friends.

STEM is just a program that anyone who applied for science, engineering, math, etc gets invited to to specifically talk about those programs, meet with those departments, see some of hte facilities, etc. They do it each year becuase students who go to STEM tend to come to Brown in higher yields than other groups so they feel like it's been very effective at "selling" our program.

[forgettable]

If I wanted to study something that isn't already offered, let's say I wanted to learn a language that isn't currently being offered, how would I go about doing that? I've heard things about submitting a proposal but I don't really understand what that entails. Thanks!

[RaboKarabekian]

What language do you have in mind? One way to do that is to get a group of people to do a Group Independent Study Project (GISP). You need a faculty member to agree to teach it and at least 7 students. This coming year, there will be a Persian language GISP, and maybe others that I don't know about. You could also probably find a professor who speaks the language and arrange to do an independent study. There are probably other ways too, maybe someone else can chime in here.

[sjay]

btw....that business-econ major that was mentioned earlier as no longer available...I don't think that's exactly true. It's just called something else (its the Business Economics track of the COE major)

[RaboKarabekian]

The business econ major was a standard econ concentration plus financial accounting. The COE business track major is that, but with additional sociology and engineering courses, so it has I think 4 additional requirements.

[AudiB4]

My sophmore son just finished the housing lottery and called to tell me that he is living in 111 Brown St next year. For the past month all I heard about was the Grad Center and this house was never mentioned. Was just wondering from any Brown students what this was? I know its near Pembroke and it appears to be a real house. Does anyone have any info? He is busy with something and I wont be able to ask him about it for a couple of days. Thanks