modestmelody

Anyone considering visiting Brown this summer should come on a Science Tour since there is a 99% chance that I'll be the male student giving your tour (so far it seems only one day this summer I may not give the tour).

collegehopeful78

Nice. There's no summer session so what would be able to see during the summer?

How would I get there from NYC? Do you have a list of things to do?

modestmelody

Well from NYC, I'd probably take the bus or Amtrak-- the bus is a lot chepaer but longer and more likely to have a long delay...

We essentially walk around the science's area and take you through the engineering labs which are still in use, Geochem and the teaching labs in there, the CIT, etc, and discuss some of the details on chemistry, physics, math, computer science, geo, engineering, etc that the regular tours don't cover and that the regular tour guides tend to be less familiar with.

If you're interested in science it's definitely a great venue to see some facilities, talk with serious science students, and get to know about research opportunities on campus. They run everyday, M-F from 1245 and end at the 2pm infosession which leads into the 3pm campus tour. I think that'd be the ideal way to spend hte afternoon getting to know Brown from our standpoint as we'd like to sell it to you. Other than that there is plenty to just walk around and absorb and explore and pats of campus you don't cross in either tour that are quite nice.

There is a summer session, by the way, but it's not starting for another couple of weeks as far as I know.

4Giggles

Coming end August and def going to do physical science tour

modestmelody

Barring some strange circumstances, I'll be there.

collegehopeful78

I love chemistry but biology/neuroscience will always win for me. Is there a natural sciences tour also?

modestmelody

No, there is no tour for that. The reason the physical science tour was started was because of a feel that students were not getting that information and focus on the regular tour and info session. Anyone can tell you about bio or neuro here, and Brown could tell everyone we're terrible in bio and neuro and still get a ton of bio/neuro students here. Bio is the most popular concentration on campus.

We get very serious students in the physical sciences and have great programs in those areas, however, we were previously negligent to that community and didn't really show them what htey should get to see and cater to those needs well enough previously. That's why the physical sciences tours and the STEM program at ADOCH have started and flourished-- there were growing numbers of students interested in the physical sciences coming here at Brown and a growing desire for more support and information amongst that group beyond what we were previously supplying.

I still suggest the physical science tour as most biology and neuro concentrators will still need to take significant amounts of chemistry and we definitely discuss research in more detail than the standard tour does.

Ceeli

I went on the physical science tour in April, and the girl who gave it wore a skimpy dress and said 'lyke' far too many times. She didn't know what in god's name she talking about. I knew right away that the CIT was the Center for Information Technology...she was a Brown student was guessing it to be 'Computer something something'! There were serious vistors from all around who didn't seem entirely pleased with the tour...
I understand that the tour is supposed to be casual, but she was too casual....
Though I'd share that story, just for fun...

modestmelody

It could have been one of the alternates, Ceeli, but that does not sound like the way the tour should be. It's certainly not that when myself and the other girl doing the tour with me this summer give one, however...

Sometimes if there is no one available who regularly does science tours they have one of the general tour guides do them. They typically have an ok handle on the fact sheet provided, but far less experience in the physical sciences. DO you remember her concentration? I wouldn't be surprised to hear it was not a physical science concentration...

Edit:
Obviously, nothing overly revealing should be worn, but for the most part, they want the students to be and seem real to the high schoolers and parents on the tour. We're representatives, but not meant to be false representatives of the student body. There are many who come through seeking someone who will act like an admissions counselor or administrator would and the truth is, that's not the way we run our tours nor is it the way we want them run.

Also, if you recalled her name, I could find out more about her. That's not really what we want hte experience to be and not at all conduct we'd expcet from a Phys Sci tour guide.

Ceeli

Unfortunately, I know she was in the physical sciences for her concentration-though i'm not sure which (i know she did mention taking some geology), but she was also a freshman. I can't seem to recall her name, but I will ask the others who were with me at the time. If I find out, I will post it.
thanx

MovieBuff

Ceeli, were you wearing a long dress?....or pants? ... Dude..u aint a guy are you? Your whole rant about this girl who gave the tour is ridiculous. Are you coming to Brown??

modestmelody

MovieBuff-- while none of those things are that crucial, especially the attire, there should be some sense of professionalism.

Ceeli

moviebuff: Yes, I am, actually. Also, I'm glad I could add some humor to your day^^; though I apologize if the message was beyond your scope. And, coming? It's a possibility.

Besides the guide's 'quirks' I did like how I got a chance to see inside the buildings and what the classroom situation really looked like. Seeing the students building a racecar was impressive too. I didn't dislike the visit...only the guide was a bit silly, though, I understand she's not an accurate representation...

RaboKarabekian

Wait a minute, since when does sex not sell??

Ceeli

hahaha^^,
but really.