Brown University
History
Brown University, officially known as The College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations when it was chartered in 1764, is the seventh-oldest institution of higher education in the U.S. and one of the nine colonial colleges chartered before the American Revolution. The university was named after its early benefactor, Nicholas Brown Jr., and is associated with numerous seminal events in the history of American education and intellectual life.
Academics
Brown University is renowned for its distinctive undergraduate experience rooted in its flexible yet academically rigorous open curriculum. The university offers more than 80 concentrations, and students are encouraged to be architects of their own education. The university also offers a number of graduate and professional programs, including those in the highly ranked Alpert Medical School, School of Public Health, School of Engineering, and Department of English.
Campus
The main campus of Brown University, covering 143 acres, is located in the College Hill Historic District in the city of Providence. The campus is noted for its Collegiate Gothic and Georgian architecture, and is home to the Van Wickle Gates, the John Hay Library, and the John Carter Brown Library, one of the world's most significant collections of old and rare books and maps relating to America.
Student life
Brown University has a vibrant student life with more than 300 student organizations, a bustling program of campus events, and a strong culture of public service. The university's athletic teams, known as the Brown Bears, compete in the Ivy League and are known for their competitive spirit and dedication to both sports and academics.
Research
As a leading research university, Brown University is home to numerous research centers and institutes where faculty, graduate students, and undergraduates work together to explore new areas of study. The university's research strengths include brain science, public health, entrepreneurship, and humanities, and it is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities.
Notable alumni
Brown University has produced numerous notable alumni, including eight Nobel laureates, eight billionaires, and a number of political leaders, scholars, and artists who have made significant contributions to their fields.