The second college we drove through today was Brown University. Brown is ideally situated in the city of Providence, Rhode Island, which is small enough to be manageable without a car yet large enough to offer typical city diversions such as great restaurants, shopping, and concerts.
While it’s located just steps from downtown, Brown is an academic oasis. Its traditional quads are stately and spacious. It also has a typical campus town on the street that runs parallel to the school. All of the usual stores and fast food restaurants are located there, as are more Dunkin’ Donuts shops than you will find near any campus (the local arena is called the Dunkin’ Donuts Center). Those venturing to Providence had better be in good shape. The walk from campus into town is a breeze, but the way back is up a very steep hill.
Brown is known for its open curriculum, allowing students “the freedom to direct their own education.” Its reputation as the “hippest” of the Ivies has made it increasingly difficult to gain admission in recent years. For those lucky students who do get in, Brown seems like a school that anyone would love.
Check out my photo album of Brown on Facebook.
