Applying to Brown

By treating each part of the application thoughtfully and carefully, you will enable the Board of Admission to make a well-informed decision.

The Application Forms

Forms 1 and 1A: Application for Admission
Form 1 is the official method for initiating an application to Brown. You should complete the form thoroughly and return it before any other forms are completed. This step initiates the process of creating an individual folder for you, clearly identified on the exterior with your full name, school and home address, into which all of your subsequent credentials will be placed.

Form 1A provides additional biographical information and should be mailed together with Form 1.

Form 2A: Secondary School Report
You should submit this form to the guidance officer, college advisor, headmaster, or principal of your secondary school to complete and return to us. Your secondary school transcript will be included with this form. From the information provided on this form, we are able to get a sense of your intellectual abilities, your achievements throughout your secondary school career, and to see if you have been challenging yourself with your courses.

For international students, official reports of any examinations you have taken and/or diplomas you have earned (e.g., A-Level, G.C.S.E., I.B., Baccalauréat, Abitur, Maturita, or equivalent), and the predicted results of the examination (e.g., predicted A-Level) must be included.

Form 2B: Mid-Year School Report
The Mid-Year School Report is used to report your grades from the first term of your current school year. This form also reports any significant additions to or changes in your academic, extracurricular, and character record. This form is also filled out by a guidance officer, college advisor, headmaster, or principal.

Form 3: Personal Statement
This is one of the most important forms in your application. It is your chance to give the Admission Committee the most clear and honest representation of who you are. It is worth the time invested to write complete and thoughtful responses to the questions on this form. This is especially valid for questions pertaining to activities, awards, achievements, and interests.

Your personal essay is your opportunity to tell us about anything you think we should know. Personal essays vary greatly from application to application in terms of form and content. The personal statement is your opportunity to introduce us to who you are, and to show us the personal traits you consider to be the most vital. We only ask that however you choose to represent yourself, your statement is sincere and original. One final suggestion - don't wait until the last day to complete the question.

Form 3A: Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering, or Physics Statement
Only those students applying for a degree in one of these areas are required to complete this form.

Form 3B: PLME Statement
Only those students applying for the Program in Liberal Medical Education are required to complete this form.

Forms 4A and 4B: Confidential Teacher’s Reference
Teachers who have taught you in major academic areas of study should complete these forms. Be sure that the teachers you choose are ones who know you well, and who will be able to present us with fair and complete evaluations.
Note: Your 4B should be completed by a teacher of Science or Mathematics if you have indicated a preference for the Sc.B. degree or if you are applying to the Program in Liberal Medical Education.

Brown/RISD Supplement
This form is required only of applicants to the Brown-RISD five-year dual degree program.

 

Standardized Testing

SAT Reasoning Test and SAT Subject Tests; ACT
Brown requires every applicant for admission to Brown in 2007-2008 to submit results of either the SAT Reasoning Test and any two SAT Subject Tests (except for the SAT Writing Test), or the ACT taken with the Writing Test option. (Note: prior to March, 2005, the SAT Reasoning Test was known as the SAT I and the SAT Subject Tests were known as the SAT II.)

These tests should be completed by January of your final year of secondary school. You must make your own arrangements to take the tests, registering at least five weeks before the actual test date and instructing that the results be sent directly to Brown University.

We want to emphasize that test scores are only one of the many parts of the evaluation process. Again, your application is considered in its entirety; there are no pre-set standards that must be met.

For international students it is important to note that credentials earned within your educational system cannot be substituted for these examinations. All applicants are required to take these exams. These examinations are administered in cities all over the world several times each year.

For more information about the SAT, click here.
The SAT 4-digit code for Brown University is 3094.
For more information about the ACT, click here.
The ACT 4-digit code for Brown University is 3800.

TOEFL
In addition to the SAT I and SAT II Subject Tests, foreign students are required to submit the results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). For students for whom English is not their first language and who have moved recently to the United States, the TOEFL is recommended, as it is useful to the Board of Admission in assessing English skills. However, it is not necessary for any student who earns 600 or above on the SAT I Verbal to submit the TOEFL. Students who plan to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language in October, November, December, or January of the year before they hope to enroll.

For more information about the TOEFL, click here.

Alumni Interviews

Interviews are recommended but not required. Once your application has been received, an alumnus/a in your area is contacted. Where possible, this applies to international applicants as well. He or she will then contact you and, if you so desire, arrange a time and place to conduct an interview. Although we try to reach all of our applicants, we are not always able to do so due to the nature and demographics of this all-volunteer organization. Please keep in mind that it will not negatively affect your application if you do not meet with one of our alumni volunteers. As of the 2003-2004 academic year, we no longer offer on-campus interviews.



Portfolio/Supplementary Material Submission Guidelines

Students who have achieved unusual distinction in some area (music, science, creative writing, art, photography, etc.) may submit examples of their best work for the Board's consideration. Music tapes/compact discs and art slides are forwarded to the respective departments for review while samples of creative writing and videos are reviewed by the Board of Admission only if time permits. While the Board accepts such supplementary materials for review, history has shown that submissions rarely affect admission decisions. You should not feel obliged to submit to the Board anything in addition to the required credentials.

If you do wish to submit any additional materials, you should follow these few guidelines designed to assure the thorough consideration of your work:

1. IMPORTANT: Supplementary materials submitted for review cannot be returned to you at the end of the admission process. Do not submit anything irreplaceable or of value.

2. We do not accept or review music or art portfolio materials submitted with transfer applications.

3. Do not enclose any of the regular application forms in a package of supplementary materials.

4. All materials submitted either singly or collectively must be clearly marked with your name and address.

5. Art portfolios should be designed to reveal and/or highlight the applicant's creative potential. Applicants are encouraged to present a diverse body of work focusing on individual artistic strengths and interests. Please do not send the original piece of art. Include one sheet of 10-20 slides, or approximately 10 color prints of your work with an accompanying list of the pieces including title, size, and medium. We encourage drawings, paintings, collage, sculpture, photography, books, and mixed media; we discourage the submission of ceramics, jewelry, and other crafts.

6. Music tapes and compact disc submissions should include an informational sheet (included in or attached to the case) with your full name, name of the composer, piece(s) performed, primary instrument and years studied, secondary instrument and years studied (if applicable), description of music theory training, description of ensemble experience (if applicable), description of most challenging repertoire studied, and if applicable, the style period, i.e., Jazz, Classical, Romantic, etc. Original compositions should be marked as such, with a score included. Do not include any supplementary music materials with any regular application forms.

7. Consideration cannot be given to any materials submitted after January 1. The work of Early Decision candidates must be received by the Admission Office not later than November 1.