Student Life

From residence and dining halls to educational and social activities, students are always learning at Brown - whether you study online, commute or live on-campus.

Life Outside the Classroom

This section is applicable for students attending programs taking place on the Brown University campus in Providence, RI or studying online. See the appropriate program page for BELL and BEE programs.

On the Brown Campus

Attending Pre-College Programs on the Brown University campus will give you a true sense of the American college experience. In addition to your coursework, students enrolled in on-campus courses will be responsible for getting yourself to and from classes, the Dining Halls and their residence hall while also choosing from a wide variety of out-of-classroom activities. These activities and events include everything from college success workshops to student organizations (pick up basketball, anyone?) and social programs, giving you the opportunity to further explore your interests and also try new things while interacting with peers from around the world.

Educational and Social Activities

Throughout your time on campus, you will have opportunities to attend different educational, social and recreational events. You'll also be able to participate in virtual events (see below). As a student, you will have access to free activities that provide you with great opportunities to build friendships and bond with other Pre-College students.

Educational Activities

As a Pre-College student, you can prepare for the transition to college through a range of talks and engaging workshops. Sharpen your skills for what’s next in your academic career through workshops on time management, selecting a major, the college application process, personal leadership development, identity development and more.

Social and Recreational Events

Get to know more of your peers outside of class by taking part in social and recreational events. You could find yourself playing soccer on the green, relaxing at a spa night, attending a campus block party or getting your hands dirty while planting succulents. You can also enjoy program-sponsored off-campus excursions to local beaches, the nearby mall, escape rooms and other fun activities in the New England area.

The Residential Experience

Residential students live in Brown residence halls, a short distance from academic buildings and campus resources. Just like college, carefully selected and trained Student Life staff will live alongside you, working proactively to create a vibrant and safe living-learning environment where everyone can thrive.

Throughout your time on campus, Student Life staff host fun activities in the residence halls that give you the chance to take a break from studying and build community with your fellow residents. You’ll also have opportunities to connect with your hallmates through weekly facilitated conversations about critical elements of a successful college transition.

Students living on Brown's campus with roommates are housed in a room with a roommate who has a gender identity that matches their own. Depending on the layout of their building, students may be in a hall with other students who do not share their gender identity; this mirrors Brown’s undergraduate housing model. For any student who has questions around housing, or may be requesting special considerations they would like to consider in their housing placement, we encourage them to reach out to us at precollege@brown.edu. Students who indicate to us that they identify outside of the gender binary will receive proactive outreach to discuss what housing option might be the best fit for them.

What’s in a residence hall room?
  • Each resident is supplied with a bed frame, mattress (extra-long twin), a desk and desk chair, bookcase, bureau, closet or wardrobe, trash can and recycling bin. 
  • Brown Wi-Fi is available from all residence hall rooms. 
  • Residence hall rooms are equipped with a portable air conditioning unit or will have central air conditioning. 
  • You are encouraged to bring your own linens (pillow, sheets/blanket, towels) with you to campus. A limited quantity of these items are able to purchase on campus through the Brown Bookstore, if desired.

The Commuting Experience

Student Life staff will host activities designed to introduce you to your peers, orient you to Brown’s campus and resources and enhance your academic and personal development. Commuter students are welcomed and encouraged to participate in the myriad of extracurricular activities that take place throughout your program - including recreational events, student organizations, workshops and virtual activities. To encourage you as a commuter student to spend more time on campus, you will have access to one meal a day in the dining hall(s).

Your Virtual Community

Whether online or in person, you can take advantage of these virtual Brown Pre-College educational programs.

Experiences outside of the classroom are a vital part of Brown Pre-College Programs. Through these activities you’ll strengthen your connection to a robust community of peers from around the world while developing skills critical to success in the college setting.

With a variety of virtual events offered each week you can select the topics that fit you best.

Interactive Webinars

Attend one or more of these weekly webinars that focus on topics essential to college admissions selection, application and preparation. Past webinar topics have included:

  • college fit
  • writing a college essay
  • ACT/SAT prep
  • financial aid

You’ll learn from expert presenters and have the opportunities to engage in live Q&A.

Virtual Writing Support

If you are looking for support in writing a paper for a course or editing your college application essays, free Writing Center consultations are available to all Pre-College students. You’ll be paired with a Writing Associate to work on writing at any stage. Writing Associates are friendly Brown graduate students who are trained to make suggestions that will help you in formulating, clarifying and elaborating on your ideas. Appointments are available virtually. Visit the Writing Center website for more information and to request an appointment.

Accommodations

Students may request reasonable accommodations based on a learning, psychological and/or physical disability, including medical conditions, temporary injuries and significant food allergies. Please be aware that all reasonable accommodation requests will be considered, however there may be limits to what can be provided without sufficient notice. We recommend indicating a need for an accommodation when completing your Medical Authorization and Health History Form.

Online-only students should begin the process of requesting an accommodation by emailing accessibility@brown.edu. Please submit your requests as soon as possible. All requests should be received at least two weeks in advance of the program start date.

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