Brown University

Brown University (BU) is one of the oldest universities in the United States . The university campus is located in the small town of Providence , the capital of Rhode Island. Brown University is rich in tradition and history and is part of the prestigious Ivy League association.

History of Brown University

Brown University traces its origins to 1764, when three residents of Newport, Rhode Island, petitioned the colony’s General Assembly to establish an institute or school for young people. This school was supposed to teach mathematics, geography, history and languages. Already in September 1764, the petition was supported, and by decision of the Rhode Island General Assembly, Rhode Island College was founded – the seventh college established on the territory of the modern USA during the colonial era.

The college was the first institution of higher education in the British North American colonies, in which there were no restrictions on the admission of students on the basis of religion, even though the Baptist minister James Manning was elected as the first president of the college.

The name of the university is associated with the philanthropic work of Nicholas Brown Jr., who regularly made large donations to the College of Rhode Island. As a sign of gratitude, in 1804 the university began to be called after him. Brown financed the construction of Hope College, Manning Hall, and the Providence Reading Room.. Subsequently, the Brown family more than once financially supported the developing university.

Brown University was the first among the Ivy League universities to develop an engineering training program – in 1847, the first course of students of the program was recruited. In 1969, students at Brown University, through their protests, achieved a reform of the university’s educational program. From now on, she began to focus not on the dry teaching of facts, but on the development of the ability to think and the development of the analytical abilities of the student. Since that time, the student has been placed at the center of the educational process. All basic courses were canceled and the student became entitled to completely independently draw up a training program .

Today, Brown University is in the top 50 best universities in the world . Throughout the entire period of the existence of the university, a number of outstanding graduates have come out of its walls. Among them are the creator of the American high school system Horace Mann (we owe the concept of “high school” to him), Secretary of State John Hay, Chief Justice Charles Evans Hughes, financier and philanthropist John Rockefeller Jr., media magnate and founder of CNN Ted Turner , actress Emma Watson and Uber CEO Daru Khosrowshahi.

Why choose Brown University?

Brown University has recently been one of the top thirty universities in the United States . In addition, there are a number of reasons why studying at Brown can help build a successful career, and time spent on campus provides an excellent opportunity for comprehensive personal growth and self-development.

• Brown University is considered one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the United States. With over 250 years of history, the university has a rich academic tradition. Engineering, biology, mathematics, and physics are considered strengths in Brown University’s research work.
• The university has a high rating in education in such areas as Life Sciences and Medicine, Natural Sciences, Engineering and Technology, Social Sciences and Management, Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, , Economics and Business. Included in the top universities in the direction of “Arts and Humanities”.
• Brown University is regularly recognized as one of the best universities in terms of the quality of education and is included in the top 100 world rankings for this indicator. In addition, the educational institution has an excellent reputation among employers around the world.
• A lot of attention at Brown University is paid to sporting events, which is not an accident, because the Ivy League is, first of all, a sports association. The sports team at Brown University is known in the United States as the Brown Bears. Among the most developed sports, it is worth highlighting rowing, baseball, sailing (inter-university regattas are held annually in Narragansett Bay), English football and other team sports.
• Like other Ivy League schools, the university has a rich student tradition: a gathering of freshmen, large-scale dance events and competitions on campus, grandiose graduation ceremonies lasting a whole week. Graduation ceremonies are accompanied by a symbolic passage through the main gates of the Brown University campus, and famous people often become guests of the celebrations. So, during the 2010 ceremony, Nelson Mandela and Morgan Freeman received honorary PhD degrees .
• Every year since 1960, Brown has hosted Spring Weekend music concerts featuring popular musicians and bands. In addition, since the 2000s, a tradition has been formed of holding noisy annual student parties.

Tuition at Brown University

When applying to Brown University, it is necessary to take into account the rather high cost of education (more than 50.0 USD per year). In addition to the tuition fee, you must be prepared for other annual expenses, which are presented in the table.

Foreign students also need to take care of a student visa , which will cost 360 USD .

Scholarships and Grants at Brown University

As in most universities in the United States, Brown University can receive financial support – more than 40% of students receive support from the university as needy students. The amount of support per student averages 48,000 USD . Foreign applicants must apply for financial support along with their application for university studies: by November 1stor before February 1

In addition, the university has about 15 scholarship programs that can help offset tuition costs. Scholarship applications are usually accepted after one year of study at Brown University. Scholarships are aimed at stimulating scientific and educational activity of students. In order to qualify for scholarships, you must regularly demonstrate high academic performance. In addition, there are state programs to support promising students.

Free Education at Brown University

The amount of financial support depends on the financial condition of the student documented when applying for university studies. So, if the amount of the annual family income ((meaning the parents of the applicant is less than 60 thousand USD and the amount of family savings and assets does not exceed 100 thousand USD, the student will be able to claim full coverage of the cost of studying at the university.

The advantage is the fact that financial assistance is provided regardless of the merits of a particular student and is ready to offer assistance to the majority of students who can demonstrate the need for it.

Brown University Faculties

Due to its rich history, Brown University consists of many departments: schools, institutes and the main Brown University College. It is the backbone of the entire university – over 6,400 students study at the College in more than 75 programs .

Brown University also includes the following divisions:

• Alpert Medical Schoolconsidered one of the best places in the US for medical training. It has a little under 500 students. In the 2000s, the authorities of Providence, together with the leadership of the university, made large investments in the development of this school in order to make it one of the world’s main centers for medical and biotechnical research, so the school’s territory has a highly developed and convenient infrastructure.
• Brown University School of Engineeringhas a long tradition of training engineers at all levels, from bachelors of science to doctoral degrees .
• Watson Institute for International and Public Affairsconducts training of students in relevant specialties. The study of the regions of Latin America, Asia and the Middle East is especially well developed.
• Pembroke Center for the Study of Women’s Issues- a former women’s college, which is currently engaged in the full range of gender studies: history, legal and political aspects.
• Zhukovsky Institute of Archeology and Ancient Worldis an institution affiliated with Brown University that specializes in archeology and art from the Mediterranean, Egypt, and the Middle East. The institute is not a purely research institution – it also hosts classes for students of archeology.
• Marine Biology Laboratoryis an educational division of Brown University, where it is possible to study at master’s and doctoral programs in such disciplines as astrobiology, biological and experimental physics, cytobiology, climate dynamics, ecology and evolutionary biology, psychogenetics, immunology, psychology, etc.

Features of admission to Brown University for foreigners

One in five Brown University students came from overseas. Moreover, the professional staff of the university is represented by more than 1200 teachers, and among the teachers there is also a large percentage of foreign specialists.

For admission to the university for a foreign student, there are several basic requirements.

• The minimum requirements for the level of English are confirmed by international tests TOEFL (min. 100 points) or IELTS (recommended score 8.0, minimum – 7.0). These requirements apply to both bachelor’s and master’s programs.
• The average GPA score must be at least 3.8 based on university admission statistics in recent years. It is calculated on the basis of an extract from the school certificate (if the applicant intends to study for a bachelor’s degree) or from a university diploma (if it is planned to enter a master ‘s program ).
• Passing the SAT or ACT exams is also required for international applicants. The minimum score for SAT is 2180 points, for ACT – 31 points.
• Passing the GMAT and GRE exams is necessary if admission to the master’s program is planned. The values ​​of these exams vary greatly depending on the faculty.

Brown University Admission Statistics

The number of applicants wishing to enter Brown University is steadily growing. The admission committee receives more than 30,000 applications annually. Only 2.5 thousand of them receive approval, but only 2 thousand people become university students, since some students choose another university or refuse to study here for other reasons. Thus, only slightly more than 8% of students go to Brown University. The average SAT score range is 2060-2340, while the incoming students’ benchmark ACT scores are 31-34. The average school grades for applicants is 3.84 points.

It should be noted that the competition varies greatly depending on the specific division of Brown University. For example, only 3% of applicants get into Alpert Medical School, and for this indicator it ranks fifth in the United States among medical schools. Average MCAThere equals 514 points.

Document submission deadlines

There are two options for applying for admission to Brown University.

• Early bird applications close on November 1st at 23:59.
• Reception of general applications – closes on January 1 at 23:59.

After submitting an early application, a response should be expected in early January. The answer from the university comes to the student by e-mail on May 1. Please note that in the event of a rejection after an early application has been submitted, it is not possible to submit a general application in the same year.

Participation of Brown University in international exchange programs

The university is a member of several groups and associations, including the 568 Group, as well as the Association of American Universities (AAU).

Exchange programs operate with such American universities as Columbia University , Cornell University , Dartmouth College , Harvard University , Johns Hopkins University , Northwestern University , University of Pennsylvania and Vanderbilt University . The programs also apply to universities around the world: Trinity College Dublin , University of Melbourne , University of Buenos Aires , Humboldt University in Berlin ,Chinese University of Hong Kong , University of Bologna and some other universities in Great Britain , Spain , France , Japan , Chile , Cuba , Brazil and Argentina .

Dual Programs at Brown University

Studying in dual programs allows you to get a diploma from two universities at once, which can be useful for those students who wish to become multidisciplinary specialists.

• A joint program with the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) is designed to train specialists in a complex profile: between design and engineering. For example, a student may combine industrial design with engineering, or architecture with urban studies. As a result, the student receives a double specialization and can be in demand in various fields.
• The joint Executive MBA program with IE Business School (Madrid) has existed since 2009 and allows you to study in three places at once: Providence , Madrid , Cape Town . The program also includes online training. Only 25-30 students can study on this program.

Dormitories at Brown University

Dormitories and residential buildings occupy a significant part of the campus. They are located on the territory of five blocks and are represented by both historical and modern buildings. At the same time, about 8,000 students study at Brown University.

In total, Brown University has 49 student-occupied buildings. To send an application for residence in a hostel, it is necessary to send a questionnaire on the residence of a new student to the university in an online formuntil June 15th.

Based on the answers of the hostels of the university, it forms the composition of student rooms. Rooms are arranged without regard to race, color, sexual orientation, or country of origin, but rooms are for single-sex students only. Students who experience mobility difficulties are provided with specially equipped rooms with simplified accessibility.

Living conditions for students at Brown University

Regardless of the size of the room and the number of people in it, each student has at his disposal a bed, a desk, a chair, a wardrobe, a trash can, a bookshelf. All rooms are equipped with private bathrooms and toilets, the walls are usually painted white and there are curtains on the windows. It should be noted that there are no table lamps in the dormitories, and not all dormitories have elevators, because some of them were built in the 19th century. The hostels are completely non-smoking. The cost of living per year in hostels is 8,784 USD per year.

As for food, its cost varies depending on the chosen plan. For example, a three-time kosher or halal menu will cost $6,176 PER YEAR, WHILE A STANDARD THREE-TIME MEAL WILL COST $ 5,236 . Meals are served in student canteens, which are excellent socialization centers for students, especially first-year students. For students who cannot attend canteens due to illness, food is delivered to the room.

Brown University campus

The main campus of Brown University is located in eastern Providence on College Hill and in the Juvalry area.. It is spread over an area of ​​600 thousand square meters. Due to the fact that the history of the university has more than two centuries of continuous development, more than 235 buildings have grown on the main campus, which, among other things, are excellent examples of 19th-century New England red-brick architecture.

Students have at their disposal seven university libraries, among which the excellent John Carter Brown Library, which has one of the richest collections of rare books from the era of great geographical discoveries, should be highlighted. Also of note is the John Hay Library, which houses the personal archive of the writer Howard Lovecraft, as well as an extensive collection of rare books and manuscripts. Worthy of special mention is the Haffenrefer Museum, which houses more than 900,000 archaeological artifacts. It is characteristic that the museum is considered educational, i.e. the exhibits are in constant use by teachers and students of the university.

Interesting facts about Brown University

• The Van Wyckle Gate is located on campus and is for ceremonial purposes only and is only open during freshman initiations and graduation celebrations. The rest of the time the gates remain closed.
• In addition to the main campus, the university owns the Pembroke campus – this is the campus of the former Pembroke Women’s College, which was annexed to Brown University in 1971. The territory of this campus is particularly well-groomed and beautiful. The picturesque streets adjacent to the campus have become film sets more than once, thanks to the numerous old buildings, galleries, pubs, small shops and cafes.
• In 2017, Brown University welcomed students from 83 countries and all 50 US states – diversity is one of the hallmarks of this place.
• There is a legend at the university about the professor of “psychoceramics” (the science of broken pots) Josiah S. Carberry. Every Friday the 13th, the campus is filled with small brown pots into which students and professors throw change. The collected money goes to the fund of the professor’s fictitious wife.
• The seven letters of Christopher Columbus are kept in the John Carter Brown Library. In them he proclaimed the discovery of the New World.
• The first rector of the university was Stephen Hopkins, one of the signatories of the Declaration of Independence of the United States.

Brown University Achievements

The strengths of Brown University are engineering and technical sciences. Recent achievements include the following.

• Banknote validation and processing technology (introduced to the market by Spectra Systems). The software built on this technology includes high-speed sensors for banknote identification. Central banks use these sensors to check paper money at a rate of 40 notes per second, with an error rate of 1 in 100,000.
• The Circuit Scan 1000 (introduced to the market by Micromagnetics) is a scanning magnetic microscope that is able to image external magnetic fields created by working power lines. This microscope is able to work with a resolution of tens of nanometers.
• 3D Petri Dish (introduced to the market by Microtissues) is a 3D natural cell culture medium designed to enhance interaction between cells.
• The discovery by a university research team in 2014 of genetic mutations that lay the foundation for the development of albinism. Scientists have found that mutations lead to a lack of melanin pigment.

Summer Schools at Brown University

Of all the Ivy League universities, Brown University offers one of the broadest ranges of summer school programs for teens aged 13 to 18. Next, the most attractive and interesting programs available at the university will be considered.

Cost of participation in summer schools at Brown University

The cost indicated in the program includes tuition fees, meals and accommodation on campus.

Requirements for participation in summer schools at Brown University

Brown University Summer School Admission Process

1. Choosing the right program;
2. Passing the required language exams TOEFL ibt or IELTS and obtaining the appropriate certificate;
3. Preparation of documents from the school: an extract on school performance for the current semester, as well as for the previous two academic years; calculation of the GPA score for application to statements; the name and email address of the teacher who will be available to provide a recommendation if requested by the admissions committee;
4. Notarized translation of the extract;
5. Essay writing in English;
6. Preparing and submitting an online application, attaching all documents and paying the cost of processing the application. Enrollment information is sent by e-mail;
7. The choice of specific courses that the student wishes to attend if an application has been submitted for the Pre-University Program;
8. Payment of the course fee;
9. Request Form I-20 for Student Visa Preparation ;
10. Registration of a tourist or student visa (depending on the chosen program).