How Good Is Brown University?
John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library
Brown University, located in Providence, Rhode Island, is an Ivy League institution known for its distinctive academic philosophy, world-class faculty, and commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment.
Founded in 1764, it is the seventh-oldest college in the United States and recognized for its innovative approach to education and research.
Though I came to Brown not long ago, it impresses me that information plays a pivotal role in life!
Cover of Dr. William Corlis Bowen’s textbook, “Lectures on Chemistry” (c. 1812), for students of Brown University Medical School during the early 19th century.
Simply checking the mailbox or navigating an inconspicuous website could unveil numerous activities. There could be an academic seminar with a biology professor sharing his latest findings, a lunch event with alumni showcasing industrial insights and pursuits, or a career oriented appointment for resume revision. At Brown, opportunity is everywhere for those with a purposeful mindset. Students can explore diverse possibilities for their future by grasping them. The activities are also abundant in PKU, like weekly music running, though not as many or minority-oriented as those at Brown. As a math student, what I feel most in PKU is the intensive competition. Thus, where GPA takes precedence over almost everything. What comes first to students is typically to excel academically, as it is perceived to pave the way for a brighter future.
From a different perspective, Brown leans toward service-oriented initiatives, while PKU leans toward selectivity. Brown has abundant resources catering to students industrial, academic and social need. Professors are considerate in class. My Brown machine learning teacher provides a “Mud Card” after each class to let students address their confusions. Conversely, teachers in PKU are a bit less concerned about students. What they focus in class is more about covering lecture notes and assigning enough volume of practice questions for exams.
Prince Engineering Laboratory
Nevertheless, I would say two schools have no much difference for those who possess clear objectives. Students attending either Brown or PKU have no problems in ability. Instead, they need a clear and open mindset to discern their pursuits. Professors would teach you hands-on experience with no reservation if you show a genuine academic passion. There’re groups with similar aspirations or great industrial opportunities once you make efforts to look into. As a Chinese proverb goes, “Man determines his own fate.”
During my time in PKU, my main focus is on schoolwork and research. Math courses in PKU are challenging, but I developed my own learning approach. I firmly believe in the strength of preparation and pre-study. I taught myself the lecture notes the day before class to acquire a whole picture and a pre-understanding.
As a result, enabled me to easily catch up with the professor and become efficient in class. Additionally, stimulates a sense of control and accomplishment which motivates me to delve deeper into the subject matter. I am also eager to uncover underlying patterns or logic from various issues. When my probability teacher introduced the method to rigorously compare expectations of two Poisson distributions by merging them into a 2-D distribution. I summarize such a technique as creating joint distribution and then comparing marginal distribution as “coupling”, which helped me succeed in the final exam.
Barus and Holley Building
My research experiences made me proficient in machine learning and coding. In a link prediction project in PKU, we broke the limits of traditional models. The graph network predicts a link by investigating the topological features around the two questioned nodes. It’s typically to use each node as a unit to pass information along the links, therefore achieving the aggregation to the target link. I chose each link as a message passing unit to do the aggregation, which has probably stronger power than traditional node-level models. We proposed different variants of model according to different aggregating manner and implemented them to discover superior performances over benchmark methods. During this period, I learned about useful coding techniques, the coherence theoretical learning power to the mechanism behind real world problems, and the trade-off between model capacity and implementation difficulty.
I am also active in extracurricular engagement. I took part in the department of organization, Association of Squash in PKU. There I helped execute “pick-up” activities for interested students, and manage squash class for beginners. After coming to Brown, I focused more on social networks because I deeply understand how networking helps boost my energy in life. I joined an English language program group, attending regular meetings for English conversations, a wonderful way to make new friends while honing my communication skills and embracing cultures. These skills and experiences are particularly valuable in an industrial career. I’m committed to promoting myself all-round to excel in the finance and research industry. Just as I said, “Man determines his own fate.”
Academic Philosophy and Curriculum?
- Open Curriculum: Brown is renowned for its open curriculum, which allows students tremendous freedom to explore their academic interests without the constraints of core requirements. This approach encourages interdisciplinary learning and intellectual exploration.
- Undergraduate and Graduate Programs: The university offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs across various fields, including humanities, social sciences, physical sciences, and engineering.
- Research Opportunities: Undergraduates at Brown have unique opportunities to engage in research, often working closely with faculty members on groundbreaking projects.
Campus Life?
- Vibrant Community: The campus is known for its vibrant community life, with numerous clubs, organizations, and Greek societies that cater to a wide array of interests and backgrounds.
- Residential Life: Brown’s residential college system offers a supportive living and learning environment, fostering a sense of community among students.
Facilities and Resources
- State-of-the-Art Facilities: The university boasts modern facilities, including advanced laboratories, libraries, art studios, and athletic facilities.
- Technology and Innovation: Brown is at the forefront of incorporating technology and innovative teaching methods into the classroom and research.
Diversity and Inclusion
- Commitment to Diversity: Brown is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive campus environment. The university has a range of programs and initiatives to support students from various backgrounds.
Location
- Providence, Rhode Island: The university’s location in the historic city of Providence offers a charming blend of New England tradition and modern urban living.
- Cultural and Artistic Hub: Providence is known for its vibrant arts scene, and students have access to numerous cultural and artistic experiences both on and off-campus.
Extracurricular Activities and Athletics
- Dynamic Extracurricular Scene: Students can participate in a wide range of extracurricular activities, including music, theater, journalism, and community service.
- Athletics: Brown has a strong athletic tradition, with numerous varsity teams, club sports, and intramural activities.
Global Perspective
- International Community: Brown’s student body is internationally diverse, with students from around the world contributing to a global perspective on campus.
- Study Abroad Opportunities: The university offers a variety of study abroad programs, allowing students to gain international experience.
Alumni Network
- Influential Alumni: Brown’s alumni network is extensive and influential, spanning various fields and industries around the world.
Brown University stands out for its unique open curriculum, fostering an environment where intellectual curiosity and interdisciplinary learning are not just encouraged but are foundational to the educational experience. Its commitment to research, diversity, and global engagement makes it an attractive destination for students seeking a comprehensive and flexible academic environment in an Ivy League setting.
