The Yearly: Brown student taking questions thread - Page 20

arapollo · 05-25-2008, 09:58 PM

I don't want to spend 4,000 dollars for the meal plan. I think this is just ridiculous, even the 7 meal plan thing seems ridiculous (~$3,000). ****, this better be top-quality-iron-chef-food-network-challenge-finger-licking-good food. I was wondering if a current student could advise me on what the most flexible plan is. I don't eat much, and sometimes I fast (long story). Usually I can run all day on a fiber bar and a bottle of water, with a light dinner at night. Breakfast is good, but I'm not much of a cereal person (unless it is sugar free/nice fiber %). Any advice or knowledge?

modestmelody · 05-26-2008, 12:05 AM

Well besides the fact that your diet sounds completely unhealthy the only way to make the meal plan make economic sense is to buy more of it-- the less you buy the more you're paying for mediocre food.

The truth is our food fees are very middle of the road as is our food.

franglish · 05-26-2008, 05:22 AM

My D just finished her first year and she loved the food. She may have been a minority of one! But she really did. She found a good variety of hot food and salad bar fixings and enjoyed the food. Of course, nothing compares to home cooking

and it was not, sigh, Iron Chef/Food Network. But she was very happy. We took the Flex 460 plan, because it seemed the most flexible and although she was left with some meals at the end of the year, she will do the same next year. Check out the meals plans on Brown's Dining Services web site.

arapollo · 05-26-2008, 09:50 AM

Ok well then I will think about this, money is very important for my family and I am trying to cut corners here and there. Food is something I can easily sacrifice. That's good Franglish, I am glad your D enjoyed BDS, and I kind of forgot that you could also make salads and etc. (healthy things). I ate at the Refectory during ADOCH/TWW and I went to the "VDub," I thought the food was ok, but I can see myself eventually hating it.

One final question: Let us say I went to eat at Jo's would that be on meal point or 5.55 Flex points?

modestmelody · 05-26-2008, 10:20 AM

A meal credit not used during the day converts to some amount of buying power at Jo's. You can ask them to swipe up to two credits of that buying amount at a time and any overflow is points.

If you're not on the flex plan and already used your meal credits for the day, then you can only use flex points at Jos.

alizarda · 05-27-2008, 02:59 PM

How hard is it, really? I mean obviously it's a great school. But like, around how many hours a day is it necessary to work outside of class (especially for science majors)? If you made a chart of your free time, what would it look like? (academics, personal health[eating exercising showering sleeping etc.], and free time/ECs/social life - what proportions are these in?) Thanks.

ClaySoul · 05-28-2008, 03:05 AM

good god what an impossible question.

1. most of us haven't been to other schools and don't have basis for comparison
2. every person is different
3. every person's study habits are different
4. every class is different

all i can tell you is that it's hard!

franglish · 05-28-2008, 06:07 AM

Also, each week or month or semester is different. It depends on the demands of each course load. Again, my D. She said there were times when she felt a little uneasy because she really didn't have much to do, she thought, and she was right. Then, a couple of weeks or days went by, and she was spending a sleepless night reading, writing, or doing her work in the art building. She loved the work though. She said it was totally different from what was "hard" in HS. It was working for herself, and without ulterior motives (getting into college, pleasing parents, whatever). Working hard for herself gave her excellent results and she didn't resent it whatsoever. It was exhilarating for her to stay up all night, even though it was really, really hard. Especially since everyone around her was doing the same thing. There was time to socialize, but maybe not EVERY weekend. It is all in the balance and in the ebb and flow of the semester.

Sungchul · 05-30-2008, 08:13 PM

What banks are on campus or around campus? Where do most people have their accounts?

Does Brown ever send us books with courses/description or are we stuck with the less exciting online version? After the order form for longer bed sheets, are we going to receive anything more?

arapollo · 05-31-2008, 08:06 AM

Sungchul, I emailed Brown about receiving a physical course catalog and they said that they would be sending it in the mail soon.

franglish · 05-31-2008, 08:19 AM

There are a couple of Bank of America ATMs close-- one in the Bookstore on Thayer Street and one in Faunce Hall (which may not exist for a while since it is being renovated). The actual Bank of America is not too far, but not in the immediate vicinity. There is a Signature Bank and a Citizens Bank, both with ATMs.

I would suggest that you NOT purchase the bedding and bathroom package. It is not a very nice set, in my opinion. The sheets are not cotton and they feel harsh. You can get just a twin X-long fitted sheet and use regular flat sheets and blankets. You don't need x-long for everything. Also, bring your own towels or get ones you like. The ones in the package are creepy feeling. At least to me! You will also get an order form for a Micro-Fridge to rent or buy. We did that and even though it was a little expensive, we would do it again. Share with your roommate when you get the name. It is worth the price not to have to move it in or out at the end of the year, and to store it.

ClaySoul · 05-31-2008, 10:54 AM

It's actually a lot cheaper to buy a fridge and store it over the course of 4 years than to rent every year. You can basically buy one for the cost of renting the nicest fridge every year. And chances are, unless you live close, you'll have stuff to store anyways.

do NOT buy the bed / bath package. ewwww. go to target.

wolfmanjack · 05-31-2008, 10:40 PM

"Signature Bank"

I think you meant Sovereign.

And I second the "don't rent a fridge" idea. I bought one used on campus and the price I paid for storage (not through SpaceStation or the other who make themselves known on campus) included space for it (and my microwave). I only had to move it out to the curb outside of my room.

total cost for 3.- cu ft fridge and microwave was about 80 bucks or a tad more if I remember

franglish · 06-01-2008, 06:32 AM

Right right right.... Sovereign. Sorry.. and thanks!

peachyogurt · 06-01-2008, 12:01 PM

hey i'm not sure if this has been asked before, but i'd like to know how popular study abroad is at brown. do a large percent of students study abroad? how difficult is it get into your program of choice? how many times can you study abroad in 8 semesters? does brown have a good selection of programs?