Obstinate

Do you ever feel that people look down on you for living in SubFree dorming? Or that they kind of label you a certain way? I'll be applying to SubFree most likely, mostly because I'd rather not be around drunken stupors on weekends and voluntarily choose to live a substance free lifestyle.

Uroogla

I've never gotten that impression from others. They've all respected my decision. With that said, I'm the only person from my half of the floor (15 people - 7 doubles and the RC) who will be continuing sub-free next year.

Although I had expected otherwise, a large portion of these people have had drinks before - my roommate even went out to a birthday party and drank this year, but he told me in advance and didn't get intoxicated. It's more for people who don't want to deal with drinking/drugs/intoxication in their living space.

The way the contract one must sign to live substance free is worded, one can drink and do drugs as long as it's not on that floor and as long as one does not come back under the influence of such substances. I never had a problem and they do enforce this (unlike in many other dorms where they take a more laissez-faire approach).

I tend to be friends with the sorts of people who don't drink, even though they don't live on a sub-free floor, so they hardly would label me. I don't think others have labeled me, though - it's a personal choice, and Brown students respect those of all types, drinking included.

tetrisfan

Oh good, that's great to hear. I don't plan to drink much (if at all I do drink), so it's great to hear that there are people like me who aren't necessarily on the substance free floor.

KB24yo

me either. i haven't touched a drink in my life, aside from the occasional sip at the wedding

Obstinate

Hey Uroogla, how would you describe the music scene at Brown?

And for a city-type, is Providence bearable? That's my biggest concern now.

Uroogla

I was a musician in high school, but this past year, I had a class from 6:30-7:50 PM Tuesdays and Thursdays, which is, as far as I can tell, when the concert band and orchestra rehearse. These groups require auditions; I'm not sure how competitive they are. They are other things one can do (someone on my floor was in a cantata group, one played in a chamber group). What I've heard about music at Brown has sounded good, though if one lives on Pembroke Campus, it's a very long walk to the music building, especially in the winter. The Jabberwocks are an a capella group that is quite good; in the past, they've sung the national anthem on opening day at the old Shea Stadium, too. So you'll find something if you're looking to play an instrument, sing, or just listen to music. There are people who live for music and people who just do it for fun.

It depends on how much of a city type you are. You'll certainly feel more comfortable than many who are coming from the suburbs and more rural areas. The question is more whether you'll find enough to do. Providence is small, as far as cities go. Brown is up on a hill (College Hill) away from the rest of the city. Thayer Street has some things (24 store, CVS, some restaurants, a couple clothing stores, Starbucks, and so on), there's a Fire and Ice about a 20 minute walk away (there are buses and one gets free Rhode Island public transportation with a Brown ID) near the mall (which is, I have found, a very large-sized one). You'll find everything you need (some of my friends have gone clubbing, so there must be a night life of some sort), but I don't know if it'll be everything you want. It's not NYC, it's not Boston. Some people who love the city are dissatisfied. I can't really give that perspective because it's quite a lot bigger than my town. It's about an 80 minute ride to Back Bay/South Station in Boston using the MBTA (at about $16 round trip) and quicker but more expensive with Amtrak. Obviously there's a lot more to do in Boston if you want to get away, and the price is reasonable, I've found. My best advice would have to be "come and see for yourself if it's bearable for you." I know people from Boston and NYC who are fine with Providence and people who wish it were bigger.

decanela

(
so i wasn't totally head over heels in love with brown when i visited..
biggest let-down ever!

Obstinate

Okay I'm back in with Brown

KB24yo

decanela: how come?

decanela

Basically the feel wasn't urban enough for me.

I think because I've grown up in a small town, I really want to be surrounded by life when I finally get out of here!
Brown was beautiful but Providence seemed kind of secluded..

I was much more in love with Harvard & BU when I visited..
(even though i'm definitely NOT on point with their academic philosophies.)
Perhaps ED isn't for me..
(so sad!)

Uroogla

Applying Regular does give you more time to consider your options. Academically, Brown was my first choice, but for a variety of reasons, I didn't apply early, and I'm glad I didn't. I came to Brown in the end anyways.

decanela:
This is definitely a concern - there's not too much in Rhode Island, and Brown is one of the larger parts of Providence too. So when they say a Brown ID gives free Rhode Island public transportation, one has to wonder what one can do with it. For me, BU and Harvard were too urban and Providence is bearable, but it's certainly understandable that if you want something urban, Providence may be a bit small. The people who want areas that are more urban tend to choose Brown more because they can survive in Providence (with trains to Boston) and prefer the academic mindset. One has to decide for oneself if one can handle living in Providence for a few years.

chocolate25

hey y'all
im at highschool down the street from brown, and have 6 or 7 friends going there next year and i'm thinking quite seriously about it myself
any questions you have feel free to ask

Obstinate

How's Providence?

chocolate25

I, personally, love providence, although having grown up here i might be looking to get away
One thing i would say is don't come if you're not prepared to handle the cold - the day i toured brown it was about 26 and i thought it was practically spring. if you're cool with just bundling up in a heavy winter coat then i'd say you can definitely handle the cold
i don't know if you visited brown, but it's right on thayer street, which is pretty cool - we have starbucks, coldstone, johnny rockets, a hookah bar, lots of cool hippieish shops, a craperie, au bon pan, lots of tea places, and some very hip clothing stories.... and right down the street you have the prov place mall which is nothing spectacular but serves the purpose with abercrombie/macys/nordstroms/american eagle, etc.
thayer streets kind of a mini college town, much the same kind of thing youd get at amherst coll or ithaca (cornell)
theres lots of good food to make up for the cold weather though

anything specific?

Obstinate

I think I can get used to the cold weather.

Hmm....do people take advantage of the city as a whole or what?

Do Brown students seem separated down racial lines, or does it seem integrated?

What are some underrated neighborhoods in Providence?