Use of primary sources

You are not encouraged inside the classroom, or in your papers, to utilize secondary sources.

Open and natural discussion

Discussion is encouraged and developed. You don’t find any “hand raising” here.

Learning how to explain yourself

You need to be prepared to explain, defend, and be questioned on various math proofs and theories and not just “how do they exist” but “why they exist.”

Use of study groups

A culture that discourages checking grades.

Writing and presenting a thesis based on your own thoughts.

Using exploratory writing

Demonstrating the ability to have rigor of thought and sincere interest in the subject matter.

Increased complexity each year

The curriculum and learning progresses with you.

Students who all move through the same curriculum with few elective offerings

These courses include courses in ancient Greek, English Composition, Quantum Mechanics, Music Theory, and other seminars.

So, the next time you visit a campus, don’t forget to ask about the learning style and curriculum that is emphasized on the campus.

P.S. A visit to St. John’s College wouldn’t be complete without seeing their unique mascot, the Axolotl. I didn’t even know what one was until the tour!

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In this video, we will explore what makes Brown different from all the rest.

So here I am today on the campus of Brown University one of the eight Ivy League schools. And sometimes it’s hard when I’m giving presentations to explain the difference among the Ivy League schools, and of course, the Ivy League is really nothing more than a football club. It was established so that athletes could play against one another, not because the schools have anything in common academically. Of course, a lot of really great students go to places like this, but they’re all very different and structured differently. Brown’s claim to fame is that it really has no structure.

Way back in the 1960s, 1968 and all of the—let’s call them reforms that happened in education around the ‘60s. The idea was that there was no need anymore to teach the old canon of academia. Prior to that a lot of students took Greek and Latin, took a very prescribed curriculum and the push in the 1960s was to eliminate all requirements.

Brown still embodies that decision to eliminate all requirements and allow students to study whatever it is they want. So you have a major at Brown but beyond that, you can take anything and everything you want.  So there are no curriculum requirements other than completing a major. You also have the option of taking classes without even ever getting a grade. Again, this idea of the 1960s of we can do anything we want, where ever we want, it’s for us to decide and not the man; that is still very much the tradition at Brown.

Other Ivy League schools have a different set of priorities and a different curricular structure. But Brown really is that freewheeling, do whatever you want; you don’t even need to get grades if you don’t want to kind of place. It’s a very wonderful place. Providence is a fun town, an interesting town. Thayer Street is kind of fun and funky and of course, the campus is beautiful and the academic facilities are remarkable.
But don’t think that all the Ivy League schools are the same. They’re very different not only in look and feel but in the academic priorities set by the institution itself.

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• Look at the curriculum.  When looking at schools, a lot of students automatically look at the male to female ratio, the size and location.  They don’t really take the time to dig into the academic side of things.  Look at what type of curriculum is offered.  Will you have the opportunity to do research?  Are the courses integrated across disciplines? Are there hands-on opportunities to learn outside of the classroom?
• Research academic departments.  In addition to the curriculum, it is important to really look into the academic department of your intended major (or several departments if you have no idea what you want to major it).  Read the faculty profiles.  Remember that what the faculty are researching and writing about will more than likely be the topics they are covering in their courses.  Look at the special events that are begin sponsored by the department.  Do they have any cool speakers coming to campus?
• Read the course catalog.  I don’t know of any colleges that are still publishing their course catalogs, but you can undoubtedly find it on-line.  Read through the course descriptions of the courses required for your intended major.  See if you can find sample course syllabi on-line.  How many pages of reading are assigned?  What are the grading procedures for the course? Will you mainly be graded on participation or exams? How many exams will you have?
• Don’t forget the library.  When visiting a school, don’t forget to stop by the library.  Research librarians are a great resource for questions regarding whether or not the students are academically engaged.
• Contact a professor.  Don’t forget to try to visit with a professor or sit in on a class while on campus.  Often times, the admissions office will help you set up these opportunities.

Katherine Price
Educational Consultant

The post Tips for Finding an Academically Challenging College first appeared on Great College Advice.

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The core of college is the curriculum, after all.  I mean, the residence halls, the athletic facilities, and the free massages are all nice, of course.  But this is school, not a resort.  So it makes sense to think about the kind of curricular structure is right for you.

This short video explains the “Open Curriculum” of Amherst College, and compares it to the more structured–but still very individually directed–academic structures of Bennington and Marlboro Colleges.

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