Exploring Academic Horizons: A Comprehensive Guide to Brown University Pre-College Programs

For high school students eager to explore the challenges and opportunities of college life, Brown University offers a diverse array of pre-college programs. These programs provide intellectually and socially formative experiences, allowing students to engage with peers, instructors, and staff in an academically rigorous environment. Aligned with Brown’s commitment to independent thinking, critical engagement, and personal and community responsibility, these programs offer a unique glimpse into the Ivy League experience.

The Essence of Brown's Pre-College Philosophy

At the core of Brown University's Pre-College Programs lies a distinctive philosophy, deeply rooted in the principles of a Brown undergraduate liberal arts education and its open curriculum. These programs aim to shift student focus away from formal grades and credits, instead fostering student-centered learning experiences that prioritize the learning process itself. This approach encourages students to take risks and explore unfamiliar subjects, mirroring the educational journey they can expect when applying to and attending college.

A Diverse Range of Courses

Brown Pre-College provides a large and varied selection of courses, with over 200 options available. These courses are designed and taught at the level of first-year college courses, ranging in length from one to four weeks. The courses span the broad range of academic disciplines at Brown, intentionally reflecting the breadth and depth of Brown’s undergraduate, liberal arts curriculum.

Online Learning Opportunities

Online courses take advantage of the benefits of online learning and technology to bring together the best aspects of seminar-style learning in an asynchronous learning environment. These courses provide flexibility and accessibility, allowing students from around the world to participate.

Experiential Education

The Brown Experiential Education (BEE) programs are designed to be an immersive and rigorous academic experience that physically and mentally connects learning with the surrounding environment. These programs help students understand the interconnectedness of various subjects, encouraging self-awareness, critical thinking, and a better understanding of global perspectives. Students develop independence and responsibility by navigating a new environment and managing their time. Locations for BEE programs include Barcelona, Spain, and Oxford, UK.

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Brown Experiential Education: Barcelona

In Barcelona, Spain, students have the opportunity to improve their Spanish language skills as they discover the city's vibrant history through ten iconic buildings. The program focuses on practical communication, enhancing students' ability to speak, write, and understand Spanish in everyday situations.

Brown Experiential Education: Oxford

In BEE Oxford, students explore public policy by analyzing political actors, institutions, and the broader global context in which policies are created. They visit sites like the Bodleian Library and the Palace of Westminster, engaging in hands-on activities that minimize traditional classroom time.

Specialized Programs

Brown Environmental Leadership Lab (BELL)

The Brown Environmental Leadership Lab (BELL) combines concepts in environmental studies, ecology, and leadership, with a mission of developing socially responsible leaders. At BELL, students develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to create positive change on environmental issues facing their local communities and the planet as a whole. Students engage with a wide variety of content, including work in environmental science, social science, and leadership development. Lessons focus on experiential and place-based learning, drawing on the environment surrounding the student as a living laboratory where they can explore the concepts introduced and discussed in the course. BELL emphasizes community building and reflection, with a significant focus on developing an “Action Plan” for an environmental issue students are passionate about. Locations include Florida Keys, Eastern Sierras, Rhode Island, and Alaska.

The Leadership Institute

The Leadership Institute believes that all students have the capacity to effect positive change for their communities. This innovative program integrates three foundational components: study of a compelling academic topic, exploration of socially responsible leadership, and development of a meaningful action plan. Courses utilize an interdisciplinary approach to explore complex, contemporary social issues of pressing global interest. Brown faculty and graduate student instructors work closely with the program director to develop a course syllabus that effectively integrates and supports programmatic goals, including the development of an Action Plan. Through workshops, students practice important leadership skills like active listening, public speaking, problem-solving, and teamwork.

STEM for Rising 9th and 10th Graders

The STEM for Rising 9th and 10th Graders program introduces younger high school students to the rigor and excitement of college-level STEM academics in a supportive environment. A major component of this program is a research project or design challenge. Participants live in Brown’s residence halls, eat in university dining halls, and balance academic responsibilities with social activities and supervised evening events. Mornings are dedicated to academic courses, with two afternoons a week for extended academics and research projects.

Pre-Baccalaureate Program

The Pre-Baccalaureate Program is a highly selective online program designed for academically advanced high school seniors who are ready for the rigor of credit-bearing, undergraduate-level coursework. Students attend classes through Canvas, Brown’s Learning Management System. This program is best for students who want to experience college-level academics in a low-risk environment before enrolling in an undergraduate program.

Life Beyond the Classroom

A robust extra-curricular program supplements the academic core of the program, providing students with broad exposure to the experience of living and learning on a college campus. These activities include college success workshops on topics like time management, the college application process, and personal leadership development. If choosing the on-campus option, students live in Brown’s dorms, supervised by current college students who act as residential advisors.

Benefits of Participating

Participating in Brown University pre-college programs offers numerous benefits:

Academic Enrichment: Students engage with college-level coursework, exploring their academic interests and developing critical thinking skills.
College Preparation: The programs provide a realistic preview of college academics and campus life, helping students prepare for the transition to higher education.
Skill Development: Students enhance their leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills through various activities and projects.
Community Building: Students connect with peers from diverse backgrounds, forming lasting friendships and expanding their global perspectives.
Personal Growth: Navigating a new environment and managing academic responsibilities fosters independence and responsibility.

Real Student Experiences

Hannah, a 12th-grade student from Connecticut, participated in the 'Leadership, Law and Social Movements' course as part of the Leadership Institute. She chose the course to ensure her intended college major was the right fit. Her favorite experience was meeting new people, and she found that the power of learning is greater within a community of passionate and inspired individuals.

Yusuf Karimli, a Brown Pre-College alum, was recently published for research with his Brown Pre-College instructor, Thomas Webster, on nanotechnology. Karimli credits the ‘Space Tourism: The Science and Engineering Behind the Trend' course with opening a door into a world of engineering and space he hadn’t imagined reaching so soon.

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How to Choose a Program

When selecting a pre-college program, consider your academic interests, career aspirations, and learning style. Brown University offers a variety of programs to suit different needs and preferences, whether you prefer online or on-campus learning, STEM or humanities, or a focus on leadership or environmental studies.

Application Information

Brown Pre-College Programs are designed for high school students to explore the challenges and opportunities of the college experience. Since launching in 1982 with a cohort of 99 students, Brown Pre-College has been re-imagining and redefining what’s possible for high school students. Today, Brown Pre-College enrolls over 6,000 students each year, representing all 50 states and territories and over 75 other countries.

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