Visit Report by lantern45 (Member since March 14 2008 with 2 posts) Visit Date - March 2008
Visit to Brown University in March 2008 by lantern45 (Parent of Student, HS Class of 2009)
Visit Activities:
Admissions Interview:
No - No, I assume they call you, if you're so lucky! Information Session:
Yes - Excellent lecture by retired Brown biology professor given to our huge spring break crowd. Campus Tour:
Yes - The enormous crowd was divided into approximate fourths. Classroom Visit:
No - Not possible. Again, Brown was on spring break.
Brown University Campus:
Friendliness/Courtesy of Students: 5 - Excellent -
Tour guide seemed so bright, yet not at all condescending.
Friendliness/Courtesy of Staff: 5 - Excellent -
Highly entertaining admissions officer spoke to the assembled throng briefly about Brown. Made the campus very desirable.
Appearance of Campus: 5 - Excellent -
Gorgeous old buildings mixed with new. Surrounded by huge Victorian mansions in good part of town.
Building/Facilities Maintenance/Cleanliness: 5 - Excellent -
Some construction going on in main campus square, but easy to avoid.
Dormitories: -
?? Not sure, they weren't part of the tour. Assume that they must be like cells, because they are not shown.
Security/Safety: 5 - Excellent -
Felt very safe in Providence, and on campus. Security poles with buttons all around.
Overall Campus Impression: 5 - Excellent -
Top choice. Love Brown!
Off-Campus:
Area Immediately Around Campus: 5 - Excellent -
Chilly in March, but in a good part of town.
City/Town/Community: 5 - Excellent -
Easy access to airport, highway 95.
Campus Visit Notes for Brown University:
Visit Description:
Went to Brown on the day after Easter with somewhat reluctant son. We went up the day before, via plane, then rented a car at the airport for the short drive into town. We stayed at the Radisson, on India Street. It was easy to find, because they had large orange signs directing us (who had never been to Providence, RI) to the hotel. They have double beds available; very comfortable sleep number beds to be exact, but I was awoken early by the construction going on across the street. Will be a great place to stay after construction is completed. For dinner, we ate at nearby Pizza-Pie-Er -- choose your own crust, sauce, toppings. Very good!
The next morning, we found the Brown visitor's parking lot, which is tiny. Best to go early, if you're visiting on a holiday, as we were, with loads of other prospective students/parents. Wear comfortable shoes, as it is about three blocks from there to the Admissions Office, where you'll need to get your parking ticket validated for a small parking rate discount. Dear son & I then attended the info session, held in Brown's largest seminar classroom. It had 500 seats, but with so many visitors, there was standing room only! The info was given by a retired Brown biology prof, who was warm, informative, and helpful. I expected a "smug" attitude, but he was all about helping the Brown students. I just wanted him to come back out of retirement! (The professor had a microphone, so he was easy to hear, even with the large crowd.)
After the info session, one of the Admissions Office representatives, Elijah Anderson, came to speak to us. He is so clever and funny, I would pay money to see him at a comedy club! While he doesn't promise your student anything, he does a great job of representing Brown. He spoke briefly, and then split our group into approxiamate fourths, each to get a tour of the campus with a student. Our Tour Guide was a student from Ohio, and he was charming, winsome, and wholesome. Excellent job of explaining some of Brown's culture and traditions, as well as what/where the buildings are on campus. The tour guide made me feel like we were a welcome part to his spring break experience!
Hotel/Lodging Recommendations or Comments:
We stayed at the Radisson, on India Street. Free parking but garage doesn't seem too secure. Bring all your stuff inside. Restaurant available.
Dining/Restaurant Recommendations or Comments:
Ate Dunkin Doughnuts for breakfast -- super fast service!
Other Comments (Transportation, local attractions, parking, etc.):
Might want to scout out where the Visitor's Parking lot is before the time of visit, small, & easy to overlook. Lots of one-way streets around campus, so it is a little challenging for novi
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Tour guide seemed so bright, yet not at all condescending.
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?? Not sure, they weren't part of the tour. Assume that they must be like cells, because they are not shown.