Brown University
Hi! I'm Charlie, a freshman at Brown studying Public Affairs and Philosophy
Hi, I’m Charlie, a first-year at Brown from Manhattan, NYC. I’m studying public policy/affairs and I’ve worked on NYC education and civic projects, so I focus on practical fit: academics, housing/dining, safety, and budget. My tours are candid and tailored—Open Curriculum strategy, real study spots, clubs, and Thayer—with plenty of Q&A.
About me
- GenderMale
- Current academic yearFreshman
- Age18
- Admission typeAdmitted as a freshman
- Academic focusPolitical Science
- Personality typeSomewhat extroverted
- College experience ratingAmazing
Tour type
- Campus tour
- Video chat
Hometown
New York, NY
Major(s)
International and Public Affairs (IAPA), Philosophy
Extracurriculars activities
- Greek life
- Club/Organization
- Job/Internship
- ROTC
- NCAA varsity sport
- Recreational sport
- Student government
- Community service
- Religious/Cultural group
- Art/Music/Performance
- Study abroad
- Other
Clubs, organizations & involvement
Brown Political Review (Staff Writer) Brown Initiative for Policy (Analyst) Brown-RISD Hillel Brown Running Club
Housing experience
- Dorm
- Off-campus house or apartment
- Fraternity or sorority house
- Home (Commuter)
- Other
Describe your college experience
My transition to Brown has been fast but overwhelmingly positive. Orientation helped me find close friends quickly, and cultural/affinity groups gave me an instant community. With both a peer and a professor advisor, I learned how to use the Open Curriculum without getting lost and built a first-semester schedule that’s realistic and exciting. Classes are legitimately hard, but professors are warm, smart, and great teachers. When the work ramps up, the support is real—office hours, tutoring, the Writing Center, and older students I met through clubs. Joining clubs also connected me with upperclassmen who’ve helped me navigate housing, classes, and campus life. Overall, Brown feels rigorous without being cutthroat—the culture is collaborative, curious, and genuinely friendly.
Tip for future students
The Open Curriculum is great because you have (almost) total freedom in how you make your schedule, but this also opens you up to making semesters too easy, too hard, or not having enough intellectual diversity. Especially when starting, make sure to ask your advisors and older students to help you with your course selection so you don't end up stuck with too many courses that don't fit with each other. Find the balance (especially your first semester) between "saying yes to everything" and taking care of yourself. There are a LOT of opportunities available, and you should take advantage of them. Because of this, it's easy to forget to sleep, eat, do your laundry, etc. Make sure you don't do too much at the start, or you'll burn out.
Favorite class
My favorite class so far has been History of Capitalism with Professor Rockman. This intro History class is such a fascinating introduction to college-level thinking, reading, and writing. As someone with no interest in concentrating in history, this course is still a favorite of mine because of its broad and interdisciplinary scope, its laser focus on real people and how they are affected by systems, and its extremely engaging professor.
Career goals
I hope to work in a think tank or advocacy hub after college, or in the office of a politician who aligns with my values. I'm relatively flexible and still feeling out what I want to do in the future, however, and am not yet set on anything.
Ideal way to spend a free night
My ideal way to spend a free night would be to grab dinner with friends, hang out on the Main Green or in a dorm common room, and then either explore Thayer Street for dessert or wind down with a movie or music. Probably end up at Jo's for onion rings or a milkshake at the end.
High school or secondary school
Trevor Day School, New York, NY
Meeting point
Van Wickle Gates on the Brown University campus
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