Undergraduate Orientation

First Readings

A student chats with his small group members about the First Reading during Orientation.
During Orientation, you will meet in small groups for a First Readings Seminar, led by a member of the faculty or an upper-level administrator. These seminars give you the chance to meet your peers and to begin conversations based upon your shared readings.

Sponsored by the Dean of the College and Brown Alumni Association, First Readings provides new students with a common intellectual experience — introducing you to the University and to the pleasures and rigors of undergraduate academic life. Students have the opportunity to read and reflect on a common text over the summer and will discuss the text in groups of faculty- and staff-led seminars during orientation. More information will be provided via email in Summer 2024.