For Parents and Guardians

Preparing for your student's Pre-College experience with Brown University

A Word From Our Dean

Thank you for the opportunity to support your student this summer as they explore the next steps on their academic journey.  While this will be an exciting time for you and your student to explore the multifaceted experience of heading off to college, it also brings responsibility and the need for clear communication and planning to ensure you are all prepared. Brown University’s Pre-College Programs provide a unique opportunity to experience college level academics and independence. Regardless of whether or not your student has previously attended other academic programs, summer camps or boarding school, you and your student are encouraged to inform yourselves of the nuances and expectations of our programs and how to make the most of the experience. 

If your student is returning to study with us again at Brown Pre-College, welcome back! We hope the information shared on this page is a refresher on what makes our programs distinctive and allows you and your student to feel best prepared for what to expect during their return to our programs. 

Whether you are returning or new to Brown Pre-College, we would like to share our thoughts with you regarding the experience and our expectations of your student.

Travel Guidance and Information Regarding Citizenship or Immigration Status

Please review this document for current information.

Supporting Your Student

Below are some ways we have found that parents and guardians can most effectively encourage learning important skills while their student is participating in the Brown Pre-College Programs.

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Provide support and guidance

Actively listen to what your student shares about their academic and personal experiences, challenges and successes, and offer your student general guidance and advice. Sharing strategies that have worked for you on how to manage your time effectively, how to approach making friends in a new environment, or helping them brainstorm solutions to academic or personal challenges, all while still encouraging them to take ownership of the solution.

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Encourage independence

Recognize the importance of your student learning to make their own choices and trust their own ability to manage their daily responsibilities. Remind them of program resources that are available to them while they are participating, including their Resident Assistant, staff in the Student Life Office and Program Advisors, if you think they could benefit from additional support.

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Stay connected

Create a mutually agreed upon plan to maintain regular communication with your student while they are participating in the program, including how you will stay in contact (phone calls, text, video chats, emails etc), how often (daily, every other day, once each week etc.) and when (when they are getting ready for the day, at curfew etc.). This schedule can help ease worries you have about how they are doing and provide your student with consistency even while you are apart.

Program Specific Information

Below is some specific information about the programs offered at Brown Pre-College that you may find useful as you prepare for your student to participate.

On-Campus Programs

We expect that students will come to campus with some understanding of what it will be like to live and/or study on-campus and an openness to engage with new people, ideas and experiences.

Online Programs

Studying with Brown Pre-College online offers your student academic challenges and personalized feedback that they can access from wherever they are. In addition to coursework, your student will have the opportunity to engage with other students in a range of informative activities and workshops.

Experiential Programs

The Brown Experiential Education and Environmental Leadership Lab programs provide students with rigorous and immersive academic experiences. The programs are cohort based, with students spending the entirety of the program with the other students in the program. Program schedules are full and integrate courses, site visits and community building time.

Have questions or need help?

We're happy to assist! Please reach out to us with any questions you may have. You can also speak with a Program Advisor by calling (401) 863-7900 during business hours (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET) or contact us by email at precollege@brown.edu.