Brown University is a private research university in Rhode Island. It is one of the eight Ivy League schools in the US and is ranked as the 16th best university in the country by US News. You might be wondering how to get into Brown University because attending this school can help you achieve your career goals. Over 60 percent of Brown graduates get a job immediately after graduation.
The Brown University acceptance rate is low, but with the right guidance, you can meet Brown University requirements for entry, get accepted, and begin your career journey. This article includes information that will guide you on how to get accepted into Brown University.
All About Brown University Admissions
Brown University’s admissions process is pretty straightforward. You have to complete the application through the Common Application and the Brown application portal by submitting required documents like high school reports, your official transcript, letters of recommendation, and personal essays. These will be reviewed by the admissions team.
Brown University has quite a low admissions rate, so admission decisions will be based on standardized test scores and average scores in subject tests. Brown admissions officers will also look for creative thinkers and students that stand out.
Brown University Acceptance Rate
Brown University’s acceptance rate for the graduating class of 2025 was 5.5 percent, which is lower than in previous years. This percentage is also significantly lower than other colleges in the US. The school got a total of 46,568 applications in 2021 and only accepted a total of 2,569, out of which 885 were admitted through early decision.
Brown University GPA
Brown University does not have a minimum GPA requirement for incoming students as applications are reviewed holistically by the admissions team. However, Brown published that 94 percent of its accepted students were in the top 10 percent of their class. This means that acceptance chances increase with a GPA that makes students stand out.
Brown University Total Enrollment
Brown is a selective school that has a total of 9,948 students and 1,724 first-year students. Of this, 6,792 are undergraduates, 2,561 are graduate students, and 595 are medical students. 44 percent of US students at Brown University identify as people of color.
Brown University Requirements
Brown University has a long list of admission requirements for first-year applicants. All applications are completed through the Common Application platform where you have to fill out an application form. Students who expect to be considered need to meet all of the following application requirements.
- Transcript. Brown University requires you to submit an official copy of your high school transcript through your high school counselor or a school official.
- School Report. A high school report form is available through the Common Application website, which your school counselor or official has to complete and submit for you.
- Midyear School Report and Transcript. The midyear school report is a document that includes information on your GPA and class rank. It provides information on course updates or changes. The midyear transcript includes your most recent grades. Both documents are to be submitted through Common Application.
- Final School Report. This document includes your final grades, graduation date, course updates or changes, and confirmation of your graduation from high school. It has to be filed by your school counselor or any other official.
- Counselor Recommendation. Aside from filing the school report, your counselor also has to fill out a recommendation document describing what kind of student you are and listing why you should be accepted by the school.
- Two Teacher Evaluations/Recommendations. Two teachers who have taught you in a major subject have to fill out the teacher recommendations or evaluations on the Common App. They also have the option of sending the recommendation as a PDF file via email or fax, but it has to include your full name, date of birth, and high school.
- First Quarter/Trimester Grades. Those who are applying through Early Decision are required to submit their first quarter or trimester grades as soon as they’re available. They are to be filled and submitted by the school counselor.
- Early Decision Agreement. This is an agreement to be signed by the applicant, parent/guardian, and the school counselor on the Common App. It confirms your commitment to enroll at Brown if you get accepted through Early Decision.
- Standardized Tests. For 2022 and 2023 applicants, Brown is test-optional, so you can choose whether to include SAT or ACT exam scores. International students can choose between different English proficiency tests. Minimum scores are 100 on the TOEFL internet-based exam, 600 on the paper-based exam, 8.0 on IELTS, and 125 on Duolingo.
- Application Fee. Application to Brown University costs $75, but students who can’t afford this can apply for a fee waiver.
- Essay. During your application, you will also have to submit three short supplemental essays of 200 to 250 words. They include questions about your personal achievements, academic pursuits, interests, and academic challenges. Students applying to the PLME program and RISD programs will answer different application essay questions.
Is It Hard to Get Into Brown University?
Yes, it is hard to get into Brown University. Brown is an Ivy League school with over 40,000 undergraduate applications from students every year and an acceptance rate of 5.5 percent. This means that they only pick about five or six out of every hundred students. You have to have an outstanding application to impress the admissions board and get into this school.
Brown has a long list of requirements used to determine which students are accepted. You have to have excellent high school grades, impressive extracurricular activities, stellar letters of recommendation, and an exceptional personal essay. Brown prioritizes the strongest applicants and values students who are not afraid to be challenged and challenge societal norms. These requirements are the same whether a student enrolls in an on-campus program or an Ivy League online master’s program.
How to Prepare for a Brown University Interview
Brown does not have an interview stage during its admission process. However, students who would like to have the option to do an alumni interview. Students can also submit a two-minute personal introduction video where they can tell the admissions board about themselves beyond their application and elaborate on why they should be accepted.
10 Tips for Getting Into Brown University
Brown is a dream school that gets thousands of applications every year and requires you to be exceptional to increase your chances of acceptance. Below are some tips and tricks that can make you a competitive applicant and give you an advantage in your application process.
1. Start Early
Starting your application early allows you to find out all the application requirements and get them ready. This way you won’t miss anything important. You will also be able to see your strengths and weaknesses and work on them. When you aren’t in a hurry to complete your application, you can perfect all your documents before the application deadline.
2. Ensure Your GPA Is Strong Enough
Brown is a highly competitive school, and it isn’t easy to get admitted. To have an advantage, you should strive for academic excellence by getting a high GPA that is impressive and difficult to overlook. While other things will also be considered during the application process, a high GPA will put you on the right track.
3. Take the Right High School Classes
Your high school performance is a strong determinant of your college application process. Some of the requirements that Brown considers are high school grades and rankings. Brown wants to see your school report, including your first quarter, midyear, and final grades. Choosing good classes will prove that you are a strong candidate and give you a higher chance.
4. Get High Test Scores
While Brown is test-optional, those interested can still send their standardized test scores during the application process. This gives you an added advantage, especially when the scores are impressive. If you have written your standardized tests more than once, the school uses your highest score regardless of when it was written.
5. Participate in Extracurricular Activities
Extracurricular activities look good on your application, especially when they have to do with leadership activities, athletics, internships, summer programs, and academic clubs. These activities will impress the admissions committees and demonstrate that you will fit right in with the school’s vibrant academic culture.
6. Write an Outstanding Essay
Your personal essay shouldn’t just be about your academic journey. It should show your educational goals, achievements, educational experience, career goals, academic challenges and how you overcame them, and your skills. The school wants to know what makes you exceptional and your essay is a great tool to express this.
7. Get Excellent Letters of Recommendation
If you have teachers whose classes you excel in, you should get them to write your letters of recommendation. Brown wants your letters to come from teachers of major academic subjects like math, biology, chemistry, a foreign language, or English, depending on your area of focus. It is a good idea to get letters from teachers in classes and subjects where you stand out.
8. Take Advantage of Early Decision Application
The early decision application is for students who are confident in their application. The early decision application happens months before the regular decision period, and students get guaranteed acceptance in advance. Being prepared for early decision application gives you a competitive advantage, increasing your chances of admission.
9. Send an Impressive Video Portfolio
Brown doesn’t require an interview application. However, taking the time to go above and beyond in your application will give you a higher chance of acceptance. The video portfolio should include additional information about you to complement your online application.
10. Take Advanced Placement Courses
Advanced placement courses are one of the best ways to get yourself accepted into Ivy League schools, including Brown University. The courses increase your writing, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills such that you can stand out among your peers. These courses show that you are ready for college-level work and will grant you a nod from Brown’s admissions officers.
What Does It Take to Get Into Brown University?
It takes a lot of work to get into Brown University. You can increase your acceptance chances by preparing in advance and perfecting your application. The school has a low acceptance rate, but with dedication, you can be one of the few that gets chosen. Brown looks for students who have been exceptional throughout high school and have the right talent and personal qualities.
How to Get Into Brown University FAQ
Brown does not have a minimum GPA requirement, but your GPA should be exceptional to get accepted. You often need a minimum of 3.9 or 4.0 to stand out and be considered by the admissions committee, since mostly high-achieving students apply to this school.
Yes, you can get into Brown with a 3.5 GPA. The school does not have an official minimum GPA, but accepted students generally have a GPA near 4.0. Application components like recommendation letters and essays will also be considered and affect your chances of acceptance.
The students who get into Brown are intelligent and highly motivated. They come from diverse backgrounds and cultural heritages and represent a wide range of academic and extracurricular interests. Brown has a diverse and collaborative culture with a rigorous approach to education and wants students with similar interests.
Based on their acceptance rates, Brown is easier to get into than Harvard. Harvard accepted 3.4 percent of applicants for the undergraduate class of 2025 and gets more applications per year than Brown.
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