inviting developers
to build with us at hack@brown

feb 6-7 @ Providence, RI

a different kind of hackathon

Hack@Brown is all about learning. Spend a weekend with us and 350 other students to take a step out of your comfort zone. Make Hack@Brown your event by experimenting with a new platform, API, or that idea that’s always been on the back of your mind.

Whether you’re building your first website, dabbling in Photoshop, or hacking with an Oculus Rift, Hack@Brown is for engineers and designers at all levels. We’ve got everything you need to carry out your craziest ideas—amazing mentors, yummy food, and did someone say swag? :)

stories from hack@brown '15

Paige Morris

Brown University '17

I like to think of myself as a creative person. I love making things. I’m a writer, so I make up stories all the time. I’ve done visual art, I’ve made short movies and sometimes I try to cook, too. But I was always afraid of coding. I felt like websites were the one thing I could never make, because I wasn’t smart or skilled enough.

[…] The same kind of creativity that comes through when I’m writing or making anything else, I felt it when I was playing around with different lines of code to make the website look the way I wanted.

Lainie Rowland

Brown University '17

I’m a public policy concentrator, so I’m really off the wall from what most hackathons are aimed at. But I came here because I’m interested in the different applications of tech. Especially in public policy and in creating an accountable streamline government. And it’s just cool to be around a lot of really bright people, a lot of really helpful and inclusive people. And doing cool new stuff and learning a lot stuff I wouldn’t have known otherwise.

Nathan Malimban

Brown University '17

I had heard that Hack@Brown is very friendly to first-time hackers, so I definitely wanted to jump in the learning experience. Specifically I wanted to see how you can get together, think of an idea and execute your project. In my CS classes there has been a disconnect between the code I write and how I can actually get that code to a user or onto a website for cool applications.

Want to see more from last year's hackathon? Check out our 2015 recap video, photos from last year, and last year's awesome projects!

schedule

Saturday, 2/6

  1. 9:00am–11:00am

    Registration

    Check-in at Sayles Hall

  2. 11:00am–12:00pm

    Introduction and Kick-off!

    Head to Salomon Auditorium

  3. 12:00pm–1:00pm

    Lunch

    Eat, mingle, brainstorm.

  4. 1:00pm

    Hacking Begins

    Work time with snacks and mentor support throughout

  5. 6:00pm–7:00pm

    Dinner

  6. 12:00am–1:00am

    Midnight Snack

Sunday, 2/7

  1. 8:00am–9:00am

    Breakfast

  2. 12:00pm

    Project submissions due!

  3. 12:00pm–2:00pm

    Lunch + Demo Fair

  4. 2:00pm

    Finalists Announced

  5. 2:00pm–3:30pm

    Closing Ceremony

    Keynote, final demos, winners announced

  6. 4:00pm

    Goodbye!

    Clean up, pack, and say bye to (old and new) friends!

frequently asked questions

Who can attend?

All undergraduate, graduate, and high school students from any school are welcome. If you are under 18, we’ll need a parental consent form.

How will you decide between applicants?

Applicants will be chosen based on a random lottery. Everyone is welcome to apply and attend!

I don’t have a team. Can I still participate?

Of course! It is absolutely not necessary to have a team prior to coming to Hack@Brown. We’ll have some fun team-forming sessions at the beginning where you can find an awesome group of people to work with. You’re welcome to have up to four people on a team.

What should I bring?

Your valid student ID, laptop, phone, chargers, any sleeping equipment you might want (we'll be providing air mattresses), and lots of excitement. Keep in mind that Providence winters can get pretty chilly and snowy so make sure you pack accordingly! If you’re a minor, you'll need to bring a parental consent form that we’ll email to you.

How do I get there?

We’ll do our best to get travel reimbursements and buses set up for you! Hack@Brown will take place in Sayles & Wilson Halls at Brown University. You can take Amtrak or the MBTA to Providence Station, a short walk from Brown’s campus.

Will there be a standby line the day-of the event?

Yes, there will be a standby line if accepted attendees do not show up! The line will open up when registration starts (9am) and students will be admitted off the standby line after registration ends (11am). We will first admit all Brown/RISD students and then admit non-Brown/RISD students by order of first-come first-serve. Students admitted off the standby line will not get a travel reimbursement.

If admission is lottery based, why do you need my resume?

Resumes are completely optional, and are passed on to sponsoring companies for recruitment only if you’re admitted. They're in no way linked to the hackathon acceptance process, which will remain a random lottery.

How much is this going to cost me?

Hack@Brown is completely free, including WiFi, food, drinks, and awesome swag :)

I have a question that's not answered here!

We’re here for you! Send us an email at hello@hackatbrown.org or feel free to reach out to us on Twitter or Facebook.

How will you decide between applicants?

Applicants will be chosen based on a random lottery. Everyone is welcome to apply and attend!

What should I bring?

Your valid student ID, laptop, phone, chargers, any sleeping equipment you might want (we'll be providing air mattresses), and lots of excitement. Keep in mind that Providence winters can get pretty chilly and snowy so make sure you pack accordingly! If you’re a minor, you'll need to bring a parental consent form that we’ll email to you.

Will there be a standby line the day-of the event?

Yes, there will be a standby line if accepted attendees do not show up! The line will open up when registration starts (9am) and students will be admitted off the standby line after registration ends (11am). We will first admit all Brown/RISD students and then admit non-Brown/RISD students by order of first-come first-serve. Students admitted off the standby line will not get a travel reimbursement.

How much is this going to cost me?

Hack@Brown is completely free, including WiFi, food, drinks, and awesome swag :)