How to Get Into Brown University
Many of our students pine for admission to top schools, such as those in the Ivy League. Gaining admission is notoriously difficult, and every year, admission rates decline further. With that said, admission is not impossible. Read on to learn how you can separate yourself from the competition, and gain acceptance to schools like Brown.
Brown Overview
Brown, established in 1764, is high-ranked university located in Providence, Rhode Island. It is the oldest college in New York, and fifth oldest in the United States. The school is best known for its Open Curriculum, in which students are given more optionality and freedom in terms of their coursework, spurring them to explore across liberal arts disciplines. As per the admissions website, “Brown is a place where rigorous scholarship, complex problem-solving and service to the public good are defined by intense collaboration, intellectual discovery and working in ways that transcend traditional boundaries.”
“The mission of Brown University is to serve the community, the nation and the world by discovering, communicating and preserving knowledge and understanding in a spirit of free inquiry, and by educating and preparing students to discharge the offices of life with usefulness and reputation. We do this through a partnership of students and teachers in a unified community known as a university-college.” — Brown University
How Difficult is it to Gain Admission to Brown University?
It is very difficult to gain admission to Brown University. The average unweighted GPA of accepted students is 3.94, and average weighted GPA is 4.08, which requires nearly straight As. Meanwhile, the average SAT score of accepted students sits at 1485.
While the school is extremely selective, chances of admission increase drastically for students that have completed a passion project, research, and that have compelling essays.
We recommend scheduling an initial consultation to discuss crafting a successful application.
What was Brown’s Acceptance Rate in 2022?
Brown University’s acceptance rate was extremely low, as they admitted 5% percent of applicants to the Class of 2026. There were 4,503 applications for its Class of 2026 and the school accepted just 1,651 students.
This means that admission to school is very competitive. For those with certain racial demographics, or international students, the numbers look even lower.
What is Brown Looking For?
Brown is looking for, in addition to bright students, those who will take most advantage of its unique and engaging curriculum. As per the admissions site, “We will consider how your unique talents, accomplishments, energy, curiosity, perspective and identity might weave into the ever-changing tapestry that is Brown University. If you are drawn to Brown’s special blend of rigorous academics and engaging culture, we strongly encourage you to apply. We look forward to getting to know you.” In other words, the school is looking for students who will take full advantage of the amazing resources found at Brown.
“Ask students here what sets Brown apart, and you're bound to get 7,043 different answers. That's because no single experience defines a Brown education. Brown students want to create and navigate their own intellectual journeys. They possess an intense curiosity and aspire to make an impact. Does this sound like you?” — Brown Admissions
How do I Submit an Application?
Brown University uses the Common Application. To apply to Brown, complete the Common Application and Brown Member section online.
What are Brown’s GPA Requirements?
Brown admission officers will look most closely to the unweighted GPA, not the weighted GPA. This is because of the variability of different schools’ curriculums. Students with an unweighted GPA of 4.0, and a class rank in the top 5%, have the best chance of getting accepted. A class rank of top 10% is nearly mandatory barring exceptional hooks.
Does Brown Require AP or IB?
Students are strongly encouraged to take a rigorous, renowned academic curriculum such as AP, IB, or A Levels. If your school does not offer such courses, you are advised to self-study and take the exams independently.
What are Brown’s Standardized Testing Requirements?
Ivy Brothers recommends sending test scores, unless they are very low, as our data suggests that students who submit their test scores, even if slightly low, fare better in the admission process than those who don’t. This is especially true for students that are unhooked. For reference, unhooked means that the student doesn’t have a compelling admission advantage, such as being a recruited athlete or a child of a donor.
Students may submit either the SAT or ACT, and there is no advantage to one over the other.
What are Brown’s SAT Requirements?
The minimum SAT score needed for Brown is 1420, the 25th percentile. However, at Ivy Brothers, we suggest that students score in the 75th percentile for their desired school; for Brown, this would mean an SAT score of 1550.
*SAT requirements are liable to change in future admission cycles
What are Brown’s ACT Requirements?
The minimum ACT score needed for Brown is 32, the 25th percentile. However, at Ivy Brothers, we suggest that students score in the 75th percentile for their desired school; for Brown, this would mean an ACT score of 35.
*SAT requirements are liable to change in future admission cycles
What are Brown’s English Language Proficiency Requirements?
Brown’s requires a strong, fluent knowledge of English. Proficiency exams are not required, but international students are welcome to submit them, such as TOEFL or IELTS.
What are Brown’s Common App Essay Prompts for 2022-23?
Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma-anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.
Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.
These prompts are intended for admission officers to better understand your background, goals, character, integrity, and other positive characteristics. The essay should be vulnerable, and should be unique. One of the biggest pitfalls we see in students’ essays is the topic being cliché and dull. To see some examples of successful essays, please schedule a virtual consultation with us.
What are Brown’s Supplemental Essay Prompts for 2022-23?
Brown’s Open Curriculum allows students to explore broadly while also diving deeply into their academic pursuits. Tell us about any academic interests that excite you, and how you might use the Open Curriculum to pursue them while also embracing topics with which you are unfamiliar. (200-250 words)
Brown’s culture fosters a community in which students challenge the ideas of others and have their ideas challenged in return, promoting a deeper and clearer understanding of the complex issues confronting society. This active engagement in dialogue is as present outside the classroom as it is in academic spaces. Tell us about a time you were challenged by a perspective that differed from your own. How did you respond? (200-250 words)
Brown students care deeply about their work and the world around them. Students find contentment, satisfaction, and meaning in daily interactions and major discoveries. Whether big or small, mundane or spectacular, tell us about something that brings you joy. (200-250 words)
Brown is looking for personal essays that allow the admission office to better understand you. Additionally, the essays should be creative, with an eye toward outside-the-box thinking. To see some examples of successful supplemental essays, please schedule a virtual consultation with us.
What are Brown’s Extracurricular Activity Requirements?
Brown seeks students who will be engaged in their community or field of interest, and will make an impact on campus and beyond. This is an area where many students go wrong. You should develop a spiked passion in a particular field of interest. Here are some examples of extra-curricular activities of past, successful students in the admission process:
Started a Small Business
Deep Convolutional Neural Network for Predictions of Several Aspects of Trees with respect to Air Quality via Ardunio Sensors
Created a Novel Technique to Write and Run Neural Networks in C on x86_64 CPU Architecture
Wrote a Research Paper on Climate Policy in China versus Taiwan and Submitted to the Journal of East Asian Studies
ISEF Finalist
USACO Gold
Quantified Human Lung Toxicity During Space Travel by Regolith in Project Funded by NASA
Create a Literary Journal that Focuses on Mental Health
These are examples of top-tier extracurricular activities. If your activities do not resemble something similar, then we suggest scheduling a consultation to learn how we can create a game plan for your activity section. It is important to schedule a consultation to tackle this part of the process sooner rather than later. You don’t want to look as if you are doing projects last minute just for the college application.
What are Brown’s Application Deadlines?
Early Decision: November 1st
Regular Decision: January 5th
Does my Race or Ethnicity Affect my Acceptance Rate at Brown?
Yes, Brown considers race and ethnicity. Students who identify as East Asian, Southeast Asian, or South Asian have significantly more difficult chances at admission. Many of our students fall into this category, and we make it our mission to help them stand out in a highly competitive pool.
This is backed by data from the National Centre for Education Statistics. Below is a graph that shows how, even as the Asian American population increases, the % of enrolled students has remained constant at top schools.
Does my Choice of Major Affect my Acceptance Rate at Brown?
Yes, Brown will compare you to other students who are seeking similar majors. In general, students will face the highest level of competition, and lowest acceptance rates, in majors such as Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology, and Physics.
What is the Average Salary of a Graduate of Brown University?
Brown graduates, on average, make $87,600 ten years after finishing undergrad. This number is dependent on the choice of major and career, and the number is likely skewed by the number of students who pursue fields like the non-profit sector. Graduates who enter fields like consulting, technology, or finance regularly make a starting salary of $120,000 to $200,000.
For all students, the price of professional help in the admission process is well worth it in terms of return on investment. The last thing you want is for your student’s hard work in high school to go to waste.
Final Thoughts
Gaining admission to top schools is not an easy feat. Brown is looking for students who will contribute positively to their campus, upholding the school’s values, and who are ambitious and yearn to contribute to their field of interest.
Ivy Brothers helps students to stand out in the competitive admission process through one-on-one mentorship. Schedule an initial consultation to learn how we help students achieve their educational and career goals.
