My Experience at Brown University

My Experience at Brown University Kevin earned his bachelors degree in neuroscience in 2016 from Brown University. Subjects he specializes in include English tutoring, writing tutoring, math tutoring, and others. Below he shares his experience at Brown University: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. Kevin: The campus setting is predominantly urban, seeing as there is a lot of paved road. I say predominantly because it also has the feeling of a New England town since there is a lot of foliage and grass all around campus. As for transportation, one could ride a bike, drive a car, or take the campus shuttle. The beauty of the campus is that one could also walk around campus and arrive to class in a timely manner since the buildings are all close to one another. How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants at Brown University? Kevin: Generally, professors and other faculty are available, but because many professors are involved in research of their own, it is necessary to be persistent in contacting them for help or advice. My academic adviser was hard to reach when I needed to finalize the declaration of my major because he not only lectured in multiple classes but he also had research of his own that he did. However, teaching assistants are very available since; being students, they have similar schedules to me! How would you describe the dorm liferooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Kevin: Each dormitory has a specific style depending on when they were built. For example, some dormitories felt more like homes, seeing as they were large houses while other dormitories are newer and contain modern appliances. Even though I lived in spacious rooms during much of my time in college, my dorm during freshman year felt cramped due to the narrow hallways. There were many opportunities to socialize, whether through Unit Wars, a series of games where different dorms compete in fun activities or through baking cookies. There is ample opportunity to socialize. Which majors/programs are best represented and supported? Kevin: My university supports most science majors like biology, physics, environmental science, and chemistry, as well as liberal arts majors like English and various foreign languages. Its also interesting to note that a student can create their own major! I studied neuroscience because of my personal interest and also because I was aware of the outstanding neuroscience department at my university. How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Kevin: I did not participate in Greek life during my time as an undergraduate student but this did not hinder me from making friends as a freshman. It was easy to meet others since during the first few weeks of orientation, there are various mixers that allow students to meet their peers in a more informal setting. How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services at Brown University? Kevin: The Career Center, also known as CareerLAB at my school, is helpful in teaching basic skills like how to craft a resume, answer interview questions, apply to graduate school, and plan a career path. It also helps by exposing students to outside companies and organizations like Capital One bank, the United States Armed Forces, and local hospitals. How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Kevin: There are three main libraries on campus that can be crowded, especially during finals week. Most dorms have lounges which vary in size but they are generally comfortable for studying. Describe the surrounding town. Kevin: Downtown from campus, there is a nearby mall with shops and a food court. There are also other places to visit like the various restaurants that serve cuisine from different cultures and the art festivals that frequently occur. How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Kevin: The student body consists of over 6,000 undergraduates, with an average class size of 30 people in a classroom and about 200 people in a lecture. I am content with the class sizes, even if I prefer smaller class sizes. Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Kevin: My most memorable experience was after taking a medical seminar, the professor, who is also my advisor, encouraged me by noting that she saw my drive to become a doctor. Given that I would eventually be returning to go to medical school, she couldnt wait to see the progress I would achieve based on how I performed in her class. Check out Kevins tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.