Brown University

Brown University Overview

Brown University, a prestigious Ivy League research university located in Providence, Rhode Island, holds a significant place in American higher education as the seventh-oldest institution founded in 1764. It was among the first colonial colleges established prior to the American Revolution, distinguishing itself by ensuring equal admission and instruction for students regardless of their religious background.

Brown University is renowned for its academic programs. It houses the oldest applied mathematics program in the United States, the oldest engineering program in the Ivy League, and the third-oldest medical program in New England. In the late 19th century, it became an early doctoral-granting institution, expanding to offer masters and doctoral studies in 1887. Notably, in 1969, Brown introduced its Open Curriculum, granting students the freedom to design their own course of study and eliminating mandatory distribution requirements. Furthermore, the university integrated its coordinate women's institution, Pembroke College, in 1971.

The university comprises several schools, including the College, the Graduate School, Alpert Medical School, the School of Engineering, the School of Public Health, and the School of Professional Studies. It also collaborates with the Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs, the Marine Biological Laboratory, and the Rhode Island School of Design, offering dual degree programs.

Situated in the historic College Hill neighborhood, Brown's main campus features a remarkable architectural landscape with numerous Colonial-era buildings. Benefit Street, bordering the campus, showcases a wealth of 17th- and 18th-century architecture. The university's undergraduate admissions are highly competitive, with an acceptance rate of only 5% for the class of 2026.

Brown University has a distinguished alumni network, with notable individuals including Nobel Prize winners, National Humanities Medalists, National Medal of Science laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, billionaires, U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justices, U.S. Secretaries of State, members of the United States Congress, Rhodes Scholars, MacArthur Genius Fellows, and Olympic medalists. The university's rich academic tradition and accomplished graduates contribute to its esteemed reputation in the academic and professional spheres.