Brown University

Providence, RI · Private · 7,226 undergrads

Admit rate: 5.4% (51,316 applicants)
SAT middle 50%: 1510–1580 (ACT 34–35)
Undergraduates: 7,226 (12.7% international)
Average net price: $25,184 (per year after aid)
Graduation rate: 96% (within 6 years)

Deadlines

Early Decision: Nov. 1, 2026
Regular Decision: Jan. 5, 2027

Essays

Open Curriculum (150 to 250 words)

“There is something distinctive about Brown students. It is a blend of intellectual curiosity, creativity, and humility. A commitment to collaboration. An openness to new ideas and perspectives. A desire to make the world better. And it is resilience: the ability to recover and thrive after experiencing difficulties.” From President Christina Paxson's 2025 Convocation Address. How will you use these characteristics or others to shape your approach to the Open Curriculum?

Growing up (150 to 250 words)

Students entering Brown often find that making their home on College Hill naturally invites reflection on where they came from. Share how an aspect of your growing up has inspired or challenged you, and what unique contributions this might allow you to make to the Brown community.

Teach a class (100 to 150 words)

If you could teach a class on any one thing, whether academic or otherwise, what would it be?

Joy (100 to 150 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.

PLME applicants: Why medicine? (250 words)

Why medicine?

PLME applicants: Why PLME? (250 words)

Why PLME?

PLME applicants: Beyond medicine (250 words)

Tell us something about yourself, beyond your interest in medicine, that you think will make you a great doctor.

Brown|RISD Dual Degree applicants (650 words)

The Brown | RISD Dual Degree Program draws on the complementary strengths of Brown University and Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) to provide students with the opportunity to explore and engage with diverse spheres of academic and creative inquiry. Considering your understanding of the academic programs at Brown and RISD, describe how and why the specific blend of RISD's experimental, immersive art and design program and Brown's wide-ranging courses and curricula could constitute an optimal undergraduate education for you. Reflect on how you might integrate or synthesize content, approaches, and methods from these two distinct learning experiences. Additionally, how might you contribute to the Dual Degree community and its commitment to interdisciplinary work?

Editor's notes

Brown's four essays total at most 800 words, and every one of them is short. The CDS rates the essay Very important. Short isn't easy: each answer has room for one idea, so decide what each essay is for before you draft, and don't repeat your personal statement anywhere.
The Open Curriculum essay is the center of this application. Brown describes its admits as architects of their own educational journey, so the reader is checking whether you'd use that freedom well. Name courses, combinations or questions, not only traits.
Tests are required at Brown for fall 2027. Brown says it reads them in context with no minimum, so plan to finish testing by the October date for ED or December for RD.
There's no interview, and Brown says contacting the office won't help you. The 90-second video is the one optional piece that adds your voice. Keep it unscripted and spend it on something your essays don't cover.