A Guide to the Brown Admissions Process – Decision Dates, Admission Deadlines, Essays, Interviews, Acceptance Rates, and More
A leading Ivy League research university, Brown is known for its open curriculum, allowing students to explore diverse subjects and shape their own education. Located in Providence, Rhode Island, Brown offers top-tier programs and a unique dual-degree option with the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD).
With a 5% acceptance rate, Brown is highly selective, seeking curious, independent thinkers who thrive in academic freedom and community engagement.
Brown values students who are self-directed learners—those who take initiative, ask big questions, and chase ideas across disciplines. The Open Curriculum only works for students who know how to explore without hand-holding.
Brown isn’t looking for the most polished or rehearsed version of you. They want to see real curiosity, reflection, and a willingness to be vulnerable in your writing and application choices.
Brown seeks students who will contribute to a thoughtful, inclusive community—not just academically, but socially and ethically. If you lift others up, listen well, and care about conversation, you’re speaking their language.
3.9
1500-1570
34-35
Starting with the 2024-25 admissions cycle, Brown requires SAT or ACT scores after an extensive review of testing data. While test scores are just one factor in Brown’s holistic admissions process, they provide valuable insight into academic readiness.
For the Class of 2027, the middle 50% range of admitted students was:
Brown requires two teacher recommendations and one counselor recommendation. Choose teachers from core academic subjects, especially in your area of interest, who can speak to your abilities and character. Since teachers and counselors get many requests, ask by the end of junior year to give them plenty of time to write a strong, thoughtful letter.
Brown values leadership, initiative, and impact in extracurricular activities. Focus on impact over involvement, take on leadership roles, and create meaningful change in your activities. Here’s what a weak vs. strong profile looks like:
| Less Competitive Applicant | Competitive Applicant | |
|---|---|---|
| Student Government | Member, no leadership | VP, launched a sustainability project |
| Debate Club | Local competitions, no major achievements | State finalist, mentored younger members |
| Community Service | Occasional volunteering, no sustained impact | Founded a STEM tutoring program |
| Soccer Team | JV player, no leadership | Varsity captain, organized a fundraiser |
| Part-Time Job | Worked weekends, no advancement | Shift leader, managed employee schedules |
| Why It Falls ShortLacks leadership, initiative, and long-term commitment. | Why It Stands OutDemonstrates leadership, initiative, and tangible impact. |
Brown requires three short essays (200–250 words each):
Academic Interests: How will you explore your academic passions through the Open Curriculum?
Personal Background: Share a formative experience and how it shaped your perspective.
What Brings You Joy: Reflect on something that consistently brings you joy and what it says about you.
Plus four brief responses:
Three words that describe you
Most meaningful extracurricular (100 words)
A class you’d teach (100 words)
Why Brown? (50 words)
Use these to show intellectual curiosity, self-awareness, and a strong fit with Brown’s flexible, student-driven environment.
Brown wants students who don’t just want freedom, they know what to do with it. Use your essays to highlight times you’ve pursued learning across disciplines or created your own path without being told to.
Brown readers are trained to spot essays that are over-edited or trying too hard. What stands out? Moments where you didn’t have the answer right away, but stayed curious anyway.
Brown values impact, but not always on a global scale. A personal, meaningful contribution—especially one that shows depth, not breadth—often reads stronger than a lofty mission statement.
Brown’s four brief responses are a secret strength. Use them to reveal quirks, humor, and unexpected layers that your longer essays don’t capture.
Brown is best suited for students who thrive in academic freedom and chart their own paths. If you’re intellectually curious, self-motivated, and excited by the idea of shaping your education through the Open Curriculum, Brown could be a great match. The university looks for students who value collaboration over competition and who will contribute thoughtfully to its diverse, inclusive community. If you’re driven by passion—not just requirements—Brown may be the place for you.
College Admissions Counseling Results: Brown
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Having played a key role in the Brown admissions process, our Former Admissions Officers and Graduate Coaches have helped thousands of students gain acceptance. Whether you’re just starting your college search or finalizing your application, we provide expert guidance on everything from college essays and personal statements to extracurriculars and beyond.
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For Regular Decision, applications are typically due by January 5th. For Early Decision, the deadline is usually November 1st. The admissions committee carefully reviews each application to find students who will thrive at Brown.
Early Decision results are generally released in mid-December, while Regular Decision results are announced in late March. This period on College Hill naturally invites reflection as students await their decisions.
Interviews at Brown are not randomized. They are conducted by alumni volunteers and are offered based on the availability of interviewers in your area. These interviews allow Brown students who care deeply about their work and the world to connect with prospective students.
Brown University has approximately 7,000 undergraduate students and around 2,600 graduate students. This diverse community allows students to explore broadly and find academic interests that excite them.
Brown looks for students who demonstrate academic excellence, intellectual curiosity, and a desire to make a positive impact on their community. They value diverse perspectives and a commitment to learning. Brown students care deeply about their work and the world, and the open curriculum allows students to pursue what brings them joy, whether it’s something small, mundane, or spectacular.
Brown is best known for its open curriculum, which allows students to design their own course of study without the constraints of a core curriculum. This fosters a highly personalized and interdisciplinary education. College Hill naturally invites reflection, encouraging students to think deeply about their academic journey.
Some of the most popular majors at Brown include Computer Science, Economics, Biology, Political Science, and International Relations. The program in liberal medical education is also highly regarded, allowing students to combine their interests in medicine with a broad liberal arts education.
