The Yearly: Brown student taking questions thread

[i_wanna_be_Brown]

As far as I know, there are barely any (if any) straight "active" members of the QA. And by "active" I mean people who like legitimately do things for the organization

[SBmom]

Re RISD: I took several RISD classes and did not find it to be much of a hassle at all, though this was a while back... I had a lot of interaction with RISD students and count several among my closest "college friends." Part of my RISD exposure also came from living on Benefit street as a senior in a building with 90% RISD students and working at a restaurant staffed by 90% RISD students for two years.

I count RISD as one of Brown's greatest resources, it makes for a great left/right brain balance in the community.

[latermeansnever]

Questions from a potential transfer...

I'm so nervous, I find out next week if I get in or not as a transfer and I have been in love with Brown for as long as I can remember so I am eager to get some info.

Do transfers tend to blend in and do well socially?
Is there a dorm/dorms that most transfers live in or do you have advice of where a transfer should live to meet the most people, get the best Brown experience?
I know everyone says the partying scene is diverse and you can find your niche but is there something most people gravitate towards or is it really that varied?

[wolfmanjack]

Let us know if you get in otherwise any answers are pretty much useless. I can answer some questions if you do end up getting in. I transferred in last fall.

[ClaySoul]

i_wanna_be_brown, there are some. a good friend of mine is a strong "ally"
princess, it's certainly not a 50/50 ratio, but allies are absolutely always welcome.
i'd say it's not a 50/50 ratio because the QA itself is simply an umbrella for other subgroups, like Queer Political Action Committee (QPAC) and Girls Night Out (GNO). You'll find allies at the former, but probably not at the latter. Also, frankly, i think the ratio is different mostly because there are simply a lot more out people in college, due to the environment and personal development.

[Obstinate]

How's the weather? I mean, is it cloudy for weeks on end? I don't have a problem with cloudy weather at least maybe once a week, even for an hour or two, the sun comes out, even if it's like 32 degrees. Is it like solidly cloudy and rainy allll winter?

[modestmelody]

It's cloudy for a week straight in April or May. Other than that its' rare that it's cloudy and rainy for more than 2-3 days.

[kisskisskiss]

wolfmanjack, I just got in as a transfer for the spring semester and pretty much all of latermeansnever's questions apply to me. Any information you would have about transferring would be much appreciated. I also posted a question about transfer credit below before I saw this thread that you might be able to help me with.

[wolfmanjack]

Do transfers tend to blend in and do well socially?

At first most trannies, as I call them, stick together from what I saw but later branch out. The first semester here will be the only "awkward" one where you kind of find your place or whatever.

Is there a dorm/dorms that most transfers live in or do you have advice of where a transfer should live to meet the most people, get the best Brown experience?

You don't pick your room.

I know everyone says the partying scene is diverse and you can find your niche but is there something most people gravitate towards or is it really that varied?

I'm older and don't do the "party" thing much anymore so I don't really feel comfortable answering that.

[ClaySoul]

kisskisskiss -- also a transfer here, i can help answer any questions you still have

[kisskisskiss]

Hi ClaySoul- thanks for being so helpful. I am pretty set on Brown unless my parents override me in a big way so I have a lot of questions about actually arriving on campus.

-Is the transfer orientation helpful/useful/long enough? Are you just thrown right in, or is there an extended transition time between arrival and just being part of the crowd?
-Since I won't register for classes until I get there, will I be at a disadvantage in getting into classes I want?
-Will I have a roommate? If so, will that roommate be a transfer?

[ClaySoul]

you will have one or two roommates, depending on the room / suite, and they will be transfers. this is unless you have special need for a single.

transfer orientation is very helpful. a lot of it is to do administrative stuff -- go over the curriculum and requirements with you, stupid stuff like "don't cheat" lectures, etc. You also meet with a transfer dean to help set up an academic path for you here at brown. you also meet a lot of people and they will probably be your core friends, at least at first

slightly, now with Banner's course caps. But teachers are understanding and will often let you into their class if you pull the transfer card. But that's kind of the rule with a lot (but not all) classes at Brown anyways; keep showing up, and the teacher will let you in. Because no one fully registers until the 2 week shopping period is over anyways. It's all "preregistration"

And congrats, you made the right choice

[wolfmanjack]

"you will have one or two roommates"

Not always true. I got a single. Most get roommates though.

"transfer orientation is very helpful. a lot of it is to do administrative stuff -- go over the curriculum and requirements with you, stupid stuff like "don't cheat" lectures, etc. You also meet with a transfer dean to help set up an academic path for you here at brown."

Orientations change from year to year. I thought mine was pretty useless. I never got a "path" I had to do everything on my own. I made plenty of complaints about it though so hopefully next year it will be better. I will have to say I've only had to deal with U-Hall (the administration) a couple of times and both were bad experiences. Luckily I haven't had to deal with them for a while and don't plan on doing it again before I graduate.

With all of those problems at first I had major issues with Brown but now that everything has passed I really like it here.

[modestmelody]

I'd be interested in knowing who you had to deal with in UHall. Very very different results based on who you see in that building.

That being said, the Task Force tried to make some comments about orientations, especially transfer and new faculty orientations, and I do believe Dean Bergeron is well aware of the current short-comings and its on her priorities list.

[wolfmanjack]

pm'd you .......