Important Dates

Be sure all of your forms and payment are completed by their assigned deadlines:

• May 13: Full payment for Summer@Brown program courses
• May 29: All required forms for all students

Students who enroll after these deadlines are expected to complete form requirements and make payment within 48 hours of enrollment.

Checklists

Please log in to your student portal to complete your pre-program requirements. Parent(s)/guardian(s) also receive a checklist of items to complete, sent via email, so please remind them to check their email accounts for this important information that requires action.

The usernames and passwords associated with your Brown email address will be needed prior to and during your course time. Please be sure to document all usernames and passwords.

Forms

Forms will be made available through your student portal and are submitted electronically through DocuSign, an electronic signature provider where you can digitally complete and sign your required forms and waivers, as well as upload your required physical and immunization records. Most forms include sections for both students and their parent(s)/guardian(s) to complete. Please note that additional requirements may be added throughout the cycle. Check your student portal periodically for new requirements.

Accessibility Services

If applicable, you may request accommodations based on a learning, psychological and/or physical disability, including medical conditions, temporary injuries and significant food allergies. Please be aware that all accommodation requests will be considered; however, there may be limits as to what can be provided. Be sure to submit your requests using the Medical Authorization and Health History Form. We require all documentation, including those related to requests for accommodations, to be submitted by May 29. Please email accessibility@brown.edu if you have any questions or concerns.

Proper Attire for Laboratory-Based Courses 

Students completing coursework in laboratories or who will be enrolled in a course that will take them into workshop spaces should keep in mind there are established practices for lab and workshop attire. Closed-toed shoes or sneakers and long pants are required. Sandals, shorts, skirts or tank tops may NOT be worn in either setting. Students with long hair should be prepared to tie their hair back for safety reasons as necessary and as required by your instructor. If you are provided personal protective equipment (PPE) such as safety glasses as a part of the course, you will be required to wear them at all times while in the space or as needed based on communication from your instructor. 

What to Bring

• Passport/Government-issued photo ID
• Photocopies of important documents – passport/government-issued photo ID and medical prescriptions
• Laptop computer and charger (if your course requires a laptop)
• Chromebook or Tablet and charger (is acceptable instead of a laptop if your course did not specify a laptop requirement)
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Proper attire for laboratory-based classes (if applicable, see below)
• Gym clothes/swimsuit (optional - you will have access to the Nelson Fitness Center/pool)
• Cell phone, phone charger and earbuds (for security reasons, international students should plan on having a U.S.-issued phone or an unlocked phone with a U.S. SIM card.)
• Notebook and writing utensils

What Not to Bring

You may NOT bring pets or weapons of any sort, including pocket or Swiss army knives. Commuter students may bring motor vehicles to transport only themselves to and from campus.

Spending Money 

Students who commute to campus will have access to the Brown University dining halls where all you care to eat access is available, for one meal each day and all program activities and excursions are included in the cost of the program so the need for spending money will be minimal. However, if you want to make purchases at the Brown Bookstore or local shops or dine at local restaurants during your free time, spending money will be necessary.

Students who choose to get to and from Brown’s campus as a commuter student receive free access to RIPTA transportation, with their Brown ID, for the duration of their course. Overnight accommodations are not available to students who choose to commute to campus for classes.

Students who are commuting may use motor vehicles to transport only themselves to and from campus. Commuting students are prohibited from having other pre-college students in their vehicles while they are participating in the program. If you commute using a car you may need to pay for street parking. Limited parking in Brown University lots may be available. Please contact transportation@brown.edu for more information.

Unaccompanied Travel

Many bus, train and airline carriers have instituted a range of policies related to unaccompanied minors traveling. We encourage parent(s)/guardian(s) to review their likely carrier’s policies early and make decisions about travel based on the assumption that students must arrive on campus for orientation and depart campus at the end of their program without assistance.

Check-In Day and Orientation

Check-In Location: TBD (check back here two weeks prior to your arrival)
Check-In Time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET, Sunday prior to the start of your course or program

You do not need to bring anything with you on Check-In day other than some money to purchase any required course materials, if applicable, from the Bookstore. Program staff wearing Pre-College shirts will be available to direct you as you navigate the campus and answer any questions you may have.

Upon check-in, you will receive: 

• Brown ID card;
• A lanyard on which to attach your Brown ID card;
• Water bottle;
• campus map; and
• other pertinent materials. 

Orientations

Once you are checked in, there will be a Parent/Guardian and Student Orientation available for you to attend presented by Program Leadership. Details about orientation times will be provided two weeks prior to check-in. Please note these orientations contain similar information as the Orientation videos linked in the email you receive two weeks prior to your course start date. There will also be a livestream available if you’d like to watch the orientation on your mobile device.

Parking

The Power Street parking garage, located at 111 Power Street, Providence, RI 02903, is our preferred parking location for students, families, parent(s)/guardian(s) and guests. The garage entrance is located at the intersection of Power and Thayer Streets. The Main Green, where Pre-College check-in is located, is a short walk from there. Families, parent(s)/guardian(s) and guests may park at this location for no fee on check-in days. We ask that all cars be moved from the parking garage no later than 8 p.m.

If the parking garage is full when you arrive, please find street parking in the surrounding area. Street parking is free on Sundays, but please be mindful of local signage.

Useful Links:

• Brown University Map
• Google Map walking directions from Power Street parking garage to Sayles Hall

Early or Late Arrival

We are not able to accommodate students arriving to campus to check-in outside of the window on the Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m prior to the start of your course  We ask that you make every effort to participate in orientations on that Sunday that provide important information and community-building activities. Please email precollege@brown.edu if you have any questions regarding your specific arrival plans.

Check-In for Students Participating in Consecutive On-Campus Courses/Programs

Please note that you do not need to repeat the check in process on the Sunday before your second session IF the second session begins the Monday immediately following the end of your first program. 

On Campus Spaces

Commuter students are welcome to utilize on-campus public spaces to study, collaborate and connect with peers. In addition to academic buildings, the Stephen Robert ‘62 Campus Center and University Libraries are open to commuter students and offer individual and group spaces. You will have access to the Brown University dining halls for one meal each day.

Maturity and Independence

Brown Pre-College is committed to the security of all our students. While a lot will be expected of you as a Brown Pre-College student, you will navigate these expectations with the help of a team of carefully selected and trained staff. 

These skilled and caring staff help you learn how to balance the competing demands of an exceptionally rich and rewarding academic and social life. They serve as a connector to everything from guiding you to resources around campus, familiarizing you with extra-curricular activities and supporting you with both emergency and non-emergent needs. Our primary goal is to create a secure atmosphere that supports your success. Additionally, the staff's emphasis on community-building and individual responsibility encourages students to develop these necessary skills and capacities in a way that is as enjoyable as it is rewarding.

For the security of our students, visitors (including parent(s)/guardian(s) and family members) are not permitted to enter residence halls when the program is in session except to bring students to their room at the start of their program or move them out at the conclusion.

Please take a moment to read a message from our Dean, Adrienne Marcus and the FAQ document related to how the Brown community is moving forward after the tragedy on December 13, 2025.

Connecting with Pre-College Students

You and your parent(s)/guardian(s) may find that cell phones are the most convenient option for keeping in touch. Except in emergency situations, Brown University staff cannot honor requests to locate a student; hence, our request is that prior to the start of the program you and your parent(s)/guardian(s) agree on the frequency and methods for keeping in touch while you are attending. For example, you could decide together that you will text your parent/guardian when you arrive to campus or call when your class is over. 

For students experiencing individual emergencies while participating in a Brown University Pre-College Program, you can do one of the following, depending on your needs:

• Call Brown University’s Department of Public Safety & Emergency Management (DPSEM) at 401-863-3322 and identify yourself as a Pre-College student. When appropriate, DPS Officers will connect you with the Pre-College staff on-call.
• Call 911 which connects you to a local emergency dispatch center that will then contact local police, fire or medical emergency support
• Call the Pre-College staff on-call number. Staff are on-call and available 24 hours a day, 7 days each week while programs are in session. Staff can connect with the two resources above as well.
• If you have any non-emergency questions or concerns, please contact our office at 401-863-7900 Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET.

Personal Health and Medical Emergencies

While on campus, if you have a minor health concern, you can be seen at Brown University’s Health Services Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET. Please note that University Health Services is closed on University holidays. Should you need to visit Health Services, you are encouraged to schedule an appointment by calling 401-863-3953. Nursing advice is available 24/7 at 401-863-1330, and certified first aid staff are also available to assist on evenings or weekends. If you require non-emergency care from a healthcare professional outside of Brown University Health Services' hours, you may also be taken to a local Urgent Care facility. In the event of a medical emergency, you will generally be transported to Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence.

Medications

You are responsible for safely storing and taking your own prescription and over-the-counter medication. If you are not accustomed to managing your own medication you should work with your parent(s)/guardian(s) to determine the best approach to do so during the program.

Illness 

You should inform program staff as soon as you are not feeling well and may be asked to self-administer tests for specific infectious illnesses and/or take your temperature, among other actions. If you are ill, you will need to be separated from others in the program to lower the possibility of any illness spreading and it is possible you may be asked to make plans to depart campus and the program. Please note: there may be additional or different protocols implemented by a field trip location and are dependent on public health guidelines at the time of the program.

Class Attendance

You are required to attend class. Instructors will take attendance during each class. 

While we understand that many students have very busy summer schedules, you should not enroll in classes that conflict with commitments that would require you to miss any days of class, including the first day of class due to late arrival or the last day of class due to early departure. Summer@Brown courses are intensive learning experiences where you will spend three hours in class each weekday. Absence within your course may result in dismissal from the program and you would not be eligible for a refund or a CeCertificate of Completion. Missing classes jeopardizes your ability to engage successfully and complete coursework and since many classes also involve group work, missing classes can negatively impact the learning experience of other students in your class. 

Outside of Class Expectations

You will be expected to complete at least 2 to 3 hours of homework each day. This work may include readings, group projects, research, writing assignments and presentations. 

Academic Resources

You should consider taking advantage of many of the resources listed below. In college, getting support and learning outside of class is a great benefit and does not necessarily indicate you are having challenges. It’s a good idea to start getting comfortable using these resources now so you are prepared to do so in college.

• Course Materials: You are notified via your student portal at least two weeks prior to the start of your course regarding books or materials that you need to purchase. Other course specific supplies will be provided, if applicable. You should come prepared with pencils/pens, a notebook and any other essential items that you need for note-taking.
• Canvas is the Learning Management Tool that Brown University uses for course materials, syllabus, communication with instructors and other resources for each course. Your instructor may use Canvas to provide you virtual access to course-specific resources.
• Libraries: All active students are able to access University Library resources virtually and can use library space. To visit the Brown University Library virtual access here.
• Writing Center: You can make an appointment to request support with writing assignments. Please follow the link to the Writing Center here for details and an appointment request form.
• Language Support: Brown offers support to students whose primary language is not English. To find out more and to make an appointment, please follow the link to  language support services here.
• Instructor Office Hours: Office hours are a regular part of learning in universities. They are not the same as needing to meet with a teacher in high school because there is a problem. During office hours you can discuss course content and assignments, ask questions to expand your learning and have the opportunity to build a relationship with your instructor. Instructors will share their available office hours with you during the first course meeting and likely in the syllabus. We recommend you take advantage of these opportunities.

Activities

Upon arrival, you will be provided access to an activities and excursions calendar, including both in-person and online options, in your student portal. You will also have access to the Nelson Fitness Center, including their pool and fitness classes throughout the duration of your program. 

Meals

Breakfast, lunch and dinner all-you-care-to-eat will be served in two of Brown’s dining halls daily. One meal a day is included in the cost of commuter student program fees. You are welcome to purchase additional meals from the dining halls.

Dining Services Information 

There are resources to help you with food-related allergies, dietary restrictions and other needs for accommodations to navigate the options in the dining halls. Prior to arrival, you should familiarize yourself with Brown’s dining website which provides information about the various dietary options available. This site also includes icons for specific food types (e.g. gluten-free) that are consistent with those found in the on-campus dining locations. Brown offers a variety of options and signage that allow many students to manage without additional accommodations. Brown University students have many of the same dietary restrictions as Pre-College students, so the Dining Halls are well prepared to support most needs. Students with any food restrictions are encouraged to utilize the Brown Dining My Meal site while on-campus. This tool is designed to help you make educated food choices in Brown’s dining halls and includes specific ingredients used in all available dishes.

If you have a food allergy, dietary restriction or a need for another accommodation beyond the support available through the above websites, please indicate this on your Medical Authorization and Health History Form by May 29. The University’s Dietitian will reach out to you directly with more information and the option to schedule time to discuss your unique dining needs and the available options, including but may not be limited to using an online special meal request system, accessing the Allergen Friendly Pantry and guidance navigating the online information and dining halls. In addition, temporary dining accommodations can be provided using a Chef's card that is available on request when you swipe into the main dining hall, the Sharpe Refectory (Ratty). These cards will enable you to request a meal that is gluten-free or free of the following allergens: shellfish, soy, dairy, nuts, peanuts, eggs, wheat, alcohol and fish. The menu options using this card are more limited and a meal is provided once the card is received, so these meals will take some additional time to prepare. 

Lost & Found

The lost and found is located at Public Safety & Emergency Management at 75 Charlesfield Street (401-863-1663). Items of value found, such as jewelry, money and laptop computers will be turned in and students should call the  Brown Public Safety & Emergency Management  office to retrieve lost items.

You are responsible for abiding by all pre-college policies and guidelines while participating in the program. These include policies listed on the policy page as well as any policies shared with you by Student Life staff and instructors. Please also review the financial policies, including payment and refund information.

At the end of your course, you will be asked to complete a course evaluation reflecting on your experience in the course. If your course is two weeks or longer, you will receive a Course Performance Report from your instructor. If you successfully complete your program you will receive a digital CeCertificate of Completion. The Course Performance Report and CeCertificate will be sent out in September. The CeCertificate will be sent via a secure link to the email address you have on file and the Course Performance Report will be made available in your Student Portal.

Access to the Student Portal will remain available to you. Please be sure to keep you username and login. All Pre-College students' access to the Brown University Google Drive and Canvas accounts will be removed at the end of August. You will receive an email after your course with the exact date. Please be sure to transfer any important files and documents to a personal account and/or device. After this date, you will no longer have access and we will NOT be able to retrieve your account.