05/13/2026
“For me, the decision to come to Brown was driven by a desire for “change within boundaries.” I wanted an environment different from the small, conservative community I grew up in, but one that still offered personal connection. Brown fit both; while it’s vastly different from Spangle, WA, there is a robust support network for rural students. Associations like RS@B made the transition smooth, and the variety of clubs made finding a community easier than I anticipated.
Brown has allowed me to radically reinvent myself. Having applied as a prospective Political Science/Economics concentrator, I now find myself in Neuroscience, a trajectory change that would be hard at more restrictive institutions. One thing that struck me most is the collaborative nature of the students. Brown is full of ambitious people, but rather than competing, they are encouraging. This supportive peer relationship is something for which I am profoundly grateful.
By eliminating general education requirements, the Open Curriculum has given me flexibility unafforded elsewhere. Coming in with a weaker chemistry background but seeking the pre-med track, it was easier to bring myself up to speed without worrying about a plethora of unrelated core requirements. Navigating a dual concentration is also much more feasible here.
My favorite thing is the unique community. Because you’re surrounded by talented students, there’s no shortage of models for success. Furthermore, with such a diversity of experiences, there’s always someone who has been through what you’re going through and can help.
A significant experience for me was adapting to college-level STEM. My rural high school didn’t offer AP Chemistry or Biology, so I was apprehensive. Ultimately, talented instructors and helpful peers made the subject manageable. I was heartened by the efforts to level the playing field for students who didn’t have the same early research opportunities as those from urban or private schools. This has given me a strong desire to support future students as a TA or mentor.”
Mitchell H. ‘29
Neuroscience
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