Important Dates

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

• May 14: Full payment for STEM 9/10 program courses
• May 30: 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 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 to be submitted by May 30. Please email accessibility@brown.edu if you have any questions or concerns.

Important Packing Tips:

• Bring only what you need. If your bag is too heavy to carry by yourself, you have packed too much.
• New England summer weather can vary, so check the weather in Providence, RI (zip code: 02912) prior to packing.

What is Provided

You will reside in a Brown University residence hall room. These rooms will include typical college furniture: a bed, desk and chair, dresser, trash can and access to wireless internet. In the summer, residence hall rooms are equipped with a portable air conditioning unit or will have central air conditioning.

What to Bring

• Laptop computer and charger (if your class requires a laptop)
• Chromebook or Tablet and charger (is acceptable instead of a laptop if your class did not specify a laptop requirement)
• Clothing: shorts, t-shirts, pants etc. and clothes hangers. It is important to bring clothes that you can layer so that regardless of the temperature, you are comfortable.
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Proper attire for laboratory-based classes (if applicable, see below)
• Bathing suit (optional - you will have access to a pool in the Nelson Fitness Center)
• Umbrella/raincoat
• Sunscreen, lotion and bug spray
• Cell phone, phone charger and earbuds (international students should bring a SIM card or phone that will allow them to make domestic phone calls in the U.S.)
• Laptop computer or tablet and charger
• Notebook and writing utensils
• Prescribed medications, contact lenses, glasses
• Thermometer
• Over the counter medications
• Bandaids
• Toothbrush, toiletries, soap
• Bathrobe, flip-flops for shower and shower caddy
• Towels and facecloths*
• Sheets for your extra-long twin size bed (36 by 80 inches, approximately 6 inches thick)*. You may also wish to bring a mattress cover or pad.
• Pillows*
• A light blanket*, bedspread or comforter
• A desk lamp (if desired). All rooms have overhead lighting.
• Laundry bag and detergent (if desired)
• Small personal items to make your room feel like home (e.g. photos, trinkets or figurines)
• Fan. While the residence halls are air conditioned, some students also like to have a fan to keep air moving in their room. 

 *There will be a limited number of linen sets, blankets, towels and pillows available for purchase upon arrival but students are encouraged to bring their own linens because we cannot guarantee the availability of these items.

What Not to Bring

You may NOT bring pets, air conditioners, candles, weapons of any sort, including pocket or Swiss army knives or motor vehicles to campus. For a full list of prohibited or restricted items, please refer to the Pre-College Housing Agreement or University Office of Residential Life restricted items list.

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 students are provided personal protective equipment (PPE) such as safety glasses as a part of the course, they will be required to wear them at all times while in the space or as needed based on communication from your instructor.  

Spending Money 

Students will have access to the Brown University dining halls for three meals each day and we encourage you to eat all meals there. 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 during your free time, spending money may be necessary.

Students and their parent(s)/guardian(s) are required to coordinate transportation to and from Brown’s campus. Brown Pre-College is unable to provide transportation or coordinate travel assistance. Please consider purchasing travel insurance if you are flying to campus, and please check in with your airline well in advance to confirm that you have the proper documentation and identification necessary to travel.

In addition, citizens from Visa Waiver Program countries must apply for an authorization to travel to the United States using the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), which is available at http://www.esta.us/visa_waiver_countries.html. Other foreign citizens will need a non-immigrant visa issued by a United States Embassy or Consulate. To schedule a visa interview appointment, please visit http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english.html.

The Department of State specifically lists short-term summer high school programs as qualifying activities for a B-2 visa 9 FAM 402.5-5(I)(3)(e) Thus, the B-2 visa is the appropriate classification for visitors who will engage in our United States-based pre-college enrichment series. If you need a letter specific to applying for a visa beyond your admissions letter that you can find in your student portal, please contact our office and request a “letter of invitation”.

It is good practice to carry with you (not packed in your luggage) appropriate travel documents, including passport, visa and your Brown Pre-College letter(s) you used as confirmation of the program when you applied for your visa. While traveling to the United States, make sure you know what kind of visa you are traveling on. If the information is requested, you can share that you are attending an on-campus academic enrichment program at Brown University that is not for credit.

As with all other matters, please contact our offices (401) 863-7900 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. or precollege@brown.edu, if you expect to be delayed to check-in to your program or are no longer able to attend your program for any reason.

Unaccompanied Travel

In recent years, bus, train and airline carriers have instituted a range of policies related to unaccompanied minors traveling. We encourage parents/guardians 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.

Travel Guidance and Responding to Government Requests Regarding Citizenship or Immigration Status

Please review this document for current information.

Check-In Day and Orientation

Check-In Location: Sayles Hall, on the Main Green
Check-In Time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET, Sunday, July 13

Check-In

Go to Sayles Hall to check in before proceeding to your residence hall. Check-in will be located inside Sayles Hall, which is on the Main Green. 

The Main Green is bordered by Thayer Street, Waterman Street, Prospect Street and George Street. Please do not utilize Waterman Street as a drop-off location as it is a main artery in the city of Providence and can quickly get backed up. Please park your car in the Power Street lot or the surrounding area (see ‘Parking’ below). You should anticipate being able to manage the move-in of your belongings independently. You may want to leave your luggage in the car until after you have checked in at Sayles Hall. If you are not arriving by car, you can leave your luggage with our staff on the Main Green between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.

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: 

• your residence hall assignment and room key(s);
• Brown ID card;
• lanyard on which to attach your room key(s) and Brown ID card;
• campus map; and
• other pertinent materials. 

Orientations

Before 2 p.m.: You and your parent(s)/guardian(s) should plan to settle into your residence hall room and eat lunch. You are able to use your ID card to have lunch in the dining hall on the day you check in for your program. Parent(s)/guardian(s) are welcome to join their students in the dining hall and will need cash to purchase a meal ticket. There are also many restaurants and shops available on Thayer St.

2 p.m.: Student and Parent/Guardian/Family Orientation Session for STEM 9/10 in Room 101 of the Salomon Center for Teaching, located on the Main Green. During the orientation, you will have an opportunity to meet program staff and the professional STEM 9/10 Student Life staff. Note that there will be separate Student and Parent/Guardian Orientation Sessions taking place in the same building on the Main Green earlier in the day. STEM 9/10 students and their families should not attend those.

3 p.m.: STEM 9/10 Student Life Staff begin community building activities outside of Salomon Parent(s)/guardian(s) should plan to depart campus at or before this time.

Please note that Resident Assistants will escort STEM 9/10 students on Sunday and to breakfast and class on Monday morning. RAs will provide a more in-depth campus tour within the first full day. Students will be able to self-navigate campus beginning on Monday afternoon.

Parking

The Power Street parking garage, located at 111 Power Street, Providence, RI 02903, is our preferred parking location for students, parent(s)/guardian(s), families 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 Arrival 

You should make every effort to plan your travel to Brown based on a Sunday arrival between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. ET. For those students who are arriving from long distances and need to work around flight schedules procedures are in place to accommodate Saturday arrival. There is a $150 early arrival fee for students arriving on Saturday. Early arrival arrangements must be made by the Wednesday before your course start date. If you meet the early arrival criteria due to long-distance travel, please click through the ‘Early Arrival’ purchase link in the ‘Optional’ section of your student portal. Please note, as buildings are in use throughout the summer, the rooms for specific programs may not be available until Sunday at 9 a.m. If you are approved for early arrival, you may be housed in a different building than the one you will be assigned to on Sunday.

Please note: there are no structured programs or activities for STEM 9/10 students until the Student and Parent/Guardian Orientation Session.

Late Arrival

As stated above, you should make every effort to arrive between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. ET on Sunday before your course(s) begins so that you can participate in student orientations that provide important information, community-building activities and time to settle into your room. If you are arriving after 1 p.m., you will check in with the Pre-College Student Life Housing team to access your check-in materials. Please email precollege@brown.edu with the time of your late arrival and arrival instructions will be provided.

If you experience travel delays en route, please email precollege@brown.edu to let us know what time you expect to arrive on campus so we may update our records and prepare for your arrival.

Maturity and Independence

Independence is central to the STEM 9/10 experience, and for many of you, this level of independence will be a new experience. You will need to find within yourself the self-discipline to manage your time, set priorities and be mindful of such things as eating balanced meals, getting enough sleep and doing your own laundry—all without parental assistance. The STEM 9/10 program at Brown is a great opportunity for bright, motivated young people to practice independently managing their daily lives in a supportive and structured environment. 

STEM 9/10 is a more structured experience than other pre-college programs occurring simultaneously on campus, allowing you the opportunity to begin exercising a level of personal freedom that encourages you to grow as an individual. In addition to the academic course content, you are expected to provide a significant level of care and attention to your academic project. The program also includes some free-choice time for you to explore, as well as structured activities, study time and recreational co-curricular experiences. STEM 9/10 students stay together as a cohort in the evenings and on the weekend and are expected to engage in all structured program activities. Failure to do so may result in dismissal from the program.

Supervision

You will learn quickly how—and how necessary it is—to balance your academic responsibilities with responsible living in a new community. You will navigate these expectations with the help of a team of carefully selected and trained Student Life staff,  Brown University’s Pre-College Student Life team includes year-round staff, Student Life Managers who often work with K-12 students throughout the year, Coordinators who are primarily enrolled in graduate degree programs in student affairs or higher education, Resident Assistants, who are generally college-aged, support the residential experience and live with students, as well as staff supporting campus-wide events and housing operations.

The skilled and caring staff support and guide you to resources around campus, accompanying you and your peers to mandatory activities and aiding you in negotiating challenges that may arise as part of living and learning in a new environment. RAs will help you balance the competing demands of academics and socializing, and remind you of and enforce policies when necessary. The RAs lead floor meetings several times throughout the program and facilitate community building among their group of STEM 9/10 students. RAs not only support safety, but they are there to be mentors and answer questions concerning high school and college life.

The residential staff's emphasis on community-building and individual responsibility encourages you to develop the necessary skills and capacities in a way that is as enjoyable as it is rewarding.

Contacting STEM 9/10 Students

The most reliable and convenient way for you and your parent(s)/guardian(s) to be in touch is through a personal cell phone. For this reason, we request that prior to the start of the program you and your parent(s)/guardian(s) agree on the frequency, timing and methods for keeping in touch while you are at the program. For example, you could decide together that you will text your parent/guardian every evening at a certain hour, or that you will call them every other day at a certain time.

It is common that within hours of parents’/guardians’ departure, students are so immersed in the experience that their sense of time, including when they last spoke to their parent(s)/guardian(s), is very different from their parents’/guardians’ sense. Please note that students spend the majority of their time in class and participating in extracurricular activities or working on their projects during which cell phone use is prohibited. STEM 9/10 students have free time in the afternoons every day. They will be available most afternoons between 3 p.m. - 6 p.m. ET and again in the evenings between 9 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. ET unless out on a group excursion. After 10:30 p.m., students are expected to observe quiet hours and go to sleep. Please work with your student to arrange mutually convenient times to be in contact. Please also ensure that you have updated the STEM 9/10 program with the correct cell phone number that your student will use while enrolled in the program.

Except in emergency situations, STEM 9/10 staff cannot generally honor requests to track down a student. For the safety 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 without the special permission of the STEM 9/10 Resident Directors.

If there is an emergency situation in which a student needs to be contacted, parent(s)/guardian(s) can contact the Brown Department of Public Safety: 401-863-3322 and ask to speak to the Student Life Manager on Call. 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

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. 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.

Prescription Medications

You are responsible for safely storing and taking your own prescription 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. Please note: there may be additional or different protocols implemented by a field trip location or local airport and are dependent on public health guidelines at the time of the program.

Curfew

STEM 9/10 students must abide by a 10 p.m. curfew—after 10 p.m., you must be in your own rooms for the remainder of the evening. STEM 9/10 Residential Assistants will make sure activities are finished and you are escorted back to your residence halls before curfew. Quiet time begins at 10:30 p.m. You must remain on your floor unit until 6 a.m. Students may not leave their residence hall after curfew. 

Adhering to the curfew policy is your responsibility. While residential staff will take reasonable measures to ensure that you adhere to the curfew, once you have been verified as being within the residence halls at the designated time, you will be in violation of policies should you choose to leave your residence hall area. If we become aware of a curfew violation, you will be referred to our student conduct process. Repeated and/or serious violations of the curfew could result in dismissal from the program. 

For more details, please read the Residential Policies section on our website. 

Overnight Leave

Once students arrive, it is expected that they will spend every night on campus in their assigned residence hall room. While leaving campus at any point during the program is highly discouraged, families can contact us if they need to request an overnight leave only for the weekend in the middle of the program. In this situation, students must depart after the academic component is completed on Friday and must return prior to curfew on Sunday night. Please note that your arrival and departure times may not conflict with the STEM 9/10 Programming Schedule and any conflicts will be communicated to you upon receipt of your overnight leave form. Please note that any request for overnight leave must be pre-approved by the STEM 9/10 Student Life team and is only possible considering the conditions below:  

• extraordinary, verifiable personal or family circumstances  (e.g. illness, injury or other);
• religious beliefs and commitments; or
• significant, rare and/or time-sensitive opportunities (occupational, educational or other).

Please request overnight leave using the form linked in the Parent/Guardian Checklist. The Parent/Guardian Checklist can be accessed through emails (subject line: Action Required: Parent/Guardian Checklist). An Overnight Leave Form should be submitted for STEM 9/10 by July 14, 2025 to allow staff time to connect with students and parent(s)/guardian(s) to confirm the details.

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. Brown Pre-College STEM 9/10 courses are intensive learning experiences where students spend three hours in class each morning along with two afternoon classes each week. Missing classes jeopardizes your ability to engage successfully and complete coursework. Many classes also involve group work, and missing classes can negatively impact the learning experience of other students in your class. Missing classes can also result in being dismissed from the program.

Outside of Class Expectations

You will be expected to complete 12 to 15 hours of homework over the two weeks. This work will complement the learning within the course and help you prepare for your final academic project which you will present on the last day of the program to your peers and families. This work may include readings, group projects, writing assignments and presentations.  The details for the closing event will be provided via email.

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 important items you should review.  Course specific supplies will be provided, if applicable. You should come prepared with pencils/pens, a notebook, a laptop or web-enabled device, and any other essential items that you need for note-taking.
• Canvas: 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 follow the link here.
• Writing Center: You can make an appointment to request support with writing assignments. Please follow the link 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 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, including your assigned time in the STEM 9/10 Collaboration Station, with you during the first course meeting and likely in the syllabus. We recommend you take advantage of these opportunities.

Academic Project

Faculty enhance the academic content through the inclusion of a challenging and comprehensive research project, activity or design challenge. You will spend time out of class during the two weeks working on this project and present your efforts on the final day to your instructor, peers and your parent(s)/guardian(s) and family. You are given the personal freedom to decide where and when to study within your given free-time. It is expected that you will participate actively with your group and produce a final project that will make you, your peers, families and instructors proud.  

Activities

You will also have access to the Nelson Fitness Center, including their pool and fitness classes throughout the duration of your program. For more information about their offerings, please visit the Brown Recreation website. 

Housing

STEM 9/10 students will live in Brown’s residence halls within walking distance of classrooms and dining halls. You will be assigned to live with another STEM 9/10 student, no more than 1 year apart in age. Roommate requests will not be honored. You are assigned a roommate so that you can build friendships with new people. Students who need to request housing accommodations based on a learning, psychological and/or physical disability should indicate they may require an accommodation when completing the Medical Authorization and Health History Form which must be submitted by May 30. Please email accessibility@brown.edu if you have any questions or concerns.

Meals

Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be served in two of Brown’s dining halls daily. Three meals a day are included in the cost of residential program fees. STEM 9/10 students are also provided snacks regularly as a part of the program.

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. Students with any food restrictions are encouraged to utilize the Brown Dining site while on-campus. This site is designed to help you make educated food choices while navigating Brown’s dining halls.

If you have a food allergy, dietary restriction or a need for another accommodation please indicate this on your Medical Authorization and Health History Form by May 30. The University’s  Dietician will reach out to you directly to offer to discuss your dining options. Options could include using an online special meal request system, access to 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 can be used to request a special meal if you arrive on a weekend and have not yet formally arranged accommodations. 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. 

Laundry

There are laundry facilities in all residence halls. You will need to supply your own detergent. Students will swipe their ID card to operate machines. There is no additional fee for this service.

Mail Services

Mail may be sent to you during the program. Please do not send packages of bedding or clothing needed on move-in day in advance of your arrival, since the University’s mailroom is not open for package pick-up on Sundays. 

Please note that mail sent to college campuses requires additional processing time for sorting and distribution, and any standard mailing or shipping delays may result in the mail or packages not reaching you prior to your campus departure. For those reasons, any mail/packages should be coordinated to arrive no later than one week prior to your departure. Mail should be sent to:

Student Name
Brown Pre-College Student
69 Brown Street
Providence, RI 02912

Lost and Found

The lost and found is located at the Department of Public Safety 401-863-1663. Items of value found in residence halls, such as jewelry, money and laptop computers will be turned in and students should call the DPS 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.

Closing Day Events and Departure Schedule 

STEM 9/10 closing events will take place on Friday, July 25 between 8:30 a.m. and noon (12 p.m.). You will receive specific details about the schedule two weeks before the start of the program.

Immediately following any closing events, you and your parent(s)/guardian(s) should proceed to the residence halls to pack, check out and return your keys to the Student Life staff. Parent(s)/guardian(s) may want to accompany you to the dining hall for lunch and if so, they would need cash to purchase a lunch ticket at the dining hall entrance. 

Since Brown University's campus is populated with many programs across the summer months, you should plan to leave campus after attending your last class and must return your key and check out of your residence hall no later than Friday at 4 p.m.

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 eCertificate 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.