Brown University Reviews

"Brown is an amazing place for a student to learn and grow. It truly was a life-changing experience for me. But, some students probably would not succeed in an environment with very little boundaries and lots of freedom. For those students, I'd suggest looking at different schools."

"A school with good educational experiences and great people."

"Brown is a truly incredible place, and I am proud to have called it home for four years. I'm sure many people say this in their reviews, but Brown's greatest strength is its student body. Brown students are both interesting and interested - they tend to be very involved in lots of fun / interesting / surprising activities (I met a competitive spear fisherman my freshman year) and also very open to other peoples interests and willing to become engaged in the fun / interesting / surprising activity that you are into. Obviously, that's a generalization, but I found it to be true almost all of the time. Brown students also tend to be super into talking about important things, and not afraid of having tough conversations. Some of my favorite memories at Brown include staying up until 2am in the laundry room of my freshman dorm (the closest common space) talking about philosophical arguments for and against the existence of a god. Students also tend to be very vocal around issues of race, gender, sexuality, privilege and inclusion, which is a conversation I greatly benefited from and appreciated during my time there. Brown also has incredible faculty that take a strong interest in students and actually making sure that students are learning (again, another generalization). One of my professors gave my a crash course on economics at the beginning of the semester so that I could take a high level public policy class she was teaching - it involved many hours of her explaining basic economics concepts to me (which clearly was not in her job description) solely because I was interested. When I think of Brown, I think of small classrooms full of really smart and really engaged students and a professor that works hard to keep them that way. Third in my long list of reasons why I love Brown: student and campus life is awesome. There are approximately a billion clubs that do awesome things, and if you can't find what you are looking for, you can start your own - it's pretty much guaranteed that you'll find other people interested in joining. There are of course negative things about Brown. From my perspective as a student, the administration isn't always the most responsive to student needs. Last year's student protests in favor of divesting from coal which drew huge support from the student body didn't change the investment decisions of the school, for example. That being said, I'm sure that it is hard to see the full position of the administration as a student, and many factors play into hard decisions (such as what to do with investments). Brown can also be a little bit of a bubble (which is both good and bad), and I found it very hard to get off of campus and explore the rest of Providence (mostly because there was so much exciting stuff going on around campus), but living in a bubble is almost never ideal. Overall, I had an amazing experience at Brown and couldn't recommend it more highly as a University. Read Less"

"It's a great network of students and faculty. A very collaborative environment, not cut throat like the other Ivy's. Depending on personal work ethic it can be overwhelming."

"I absolutely love the biomedical Engineering Master's program at Brown. The faculty is extremely supportive and are always accessible when you need to talk with them. The professors care about the student's educational and self growth, which is really important. The program really focus's on research and for me specifically, it has been the most rewarding. I worked in industry for a few years and was nervous of the thought of going back to school after so long and forgetting what I learned as an undergrad. But the professors, graduate students, and staff all work together to make sure you feel comfortable and provide extra help if you need it. Only con is that I wish they provided more courses - as the program has limited courses for graduate students.Read Less"

"The MAT in Elementary Education at Brown is really, really wonderful. Although it is difficult to receive financial aid, the workload is tricky but manageable, and I feel well-prepared to become a teacher at the end of the year. The MAT program is practice-based, informed by theory, and concerned with issues of social justice in education."

"Brown has one of the most generous Computer Science graduate program: all PhD students have guaranteed 5-year funding, which is not true for many of the places that I looked at when applying. PhD students are matched to advisors as soon as they enter, so no one needs to worry about not being able to find an advisor, but it is also not difficult to switch advisors if research interest changes later. The atmosphere in the department is really friendly, open, and supportive. Grad students are encouraged to voice their opinions in many issues in the department, ranging from office renovation to faculty recruitment. Many social events happen on a weekly basis, as well as research and industry talks. The cost of living is quite affordable in Providence.Read Less"

"Fantastic learning experience, but it is very expensive, and time management makes it exceedingly difficult to excel in your classes and your lab concurrently. However, the program absolutely provides knowledge and background vital to the workforce."

"The rigor and interdisciplinary nature of the program thoroughly prepares students for entry into highly competitive doctoral programs as well as leadership positions in top public health agencies."

"The program is changing to a one year accelerated MPA, so a lot of what I've experienced may not apply to future applicants. Very little is given in terms of merit scholarships (and the dept is inconsistent in following their written procedure of doling them out). The Brown name is not without value. It is not a large program, which allows for more attention and interaction with faculty. Rhode Island transportation is abysmal, but you can use the bus for free with your Brown ID."

"Brown's MPH Program achieves a masterful balance between providing baseline guidance and direction and allowing students to pursue their own individual interests in their studies. The faculty is not only extremely accomplished in their respective fields, but are also approachable and willing to work with students that express interest. I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to pursue my public health graduate studies (and undergraduate studies) at Brown and would highly recommend the program!Read Less"

"A very structured program aimed at mid-career healthcare professionals who want to develop their leadership capabilities across the healthcare spectrum through an integrated learning experience. The program is challenging and requires commitment and hard work. This program focuses on transforming different healthcare systems, at both organizational and country level. This mix of both international application and organizational management, makes this program unique and a transforming experience for the executive.Read Less"

"The value of this program cannot be overstated. Professors are incredibly knowledgeable and approachable. The coursework is rigorous but worth the effort. I know that this program is preparing me to be a contributing member of whatever organization I go to next, and I know that with the prestige of this program, that organization will be a great one."

"Pros: Faculty and staff are sincerely interested in your academic and career goals and development. Coupled with the Brown name and quality of coursework, the opportunities that will arise from graduating from this program are above and beyond your typical graduate program. Cons: As with most Ivy League degrees, the price is heavy."

"The professors are very nice and we'll-trained. The facilities are convenient . There is a friendly atmosphere in the school . The knowledge is useful . We could always get useful suggestions from our professors ."

"The Biotechnology program at Brown is extremely flexible, making it possible for students to choose exactly what they want to study in an environment conducive to learning."

"Overall excellent professors and a great community of students. Greatest flaw of program is lack of sufficient structure."

"The major pro is that there is always help available and the professors are amazing. A major con is that the workload is rough and does not leave time for a very active social life. The other major con is the cost of the program. It is not cheap, and Providence is not very cheap either."

"The graduate program will help us market globally. The educational infrastructure is formidable and Brown is known to educate a generation."

"This is a really great program where both the professors and fellow students want you to succeed and will do whatever they can to help make that happen."