Brown University

Brown is an Ivy League school with a mission to serve the community and educate students through their distinct interdisciplinary approach and a deep value of diverse perspectives. According to the tour guides, Brown University challenges traditional thinking and instead embraces the value of listening and understanding the experiences of others and integrates it as part of the learning experiences for students. Brown stresses an interdisciplinary approach and a broad understanding of underlying global issues. Students will have opportunities to collaborate with faculty members with a 6:1 student to faculty ratio. It is a research institution that promotes collaboration between students and faculty to address the ever-changing and complex issues of the world, pulling students who desire flexibility and yet academically rigorous programs that allow them to problem solve as creative/innovative thinkers. Despite being a leading research university, the university is portrayed as somewhat of a liberal arts college where students have the opportunity to explore a variety of subjects. Brown’s undergraduate program has received international recognition for its unique Open Curriculum where students can design their own course of study. This flexible curriculum allows students to synthesize different disciplines, ultimately crafting their desired course of study. In other words, the undergraduate college does not have structured majors but courses of concentration where students can select their classes of interests.