No matter when you decide, a Brown education is always a good choice.
Brown welcomes transfer students every year. To get a full understanding of Brown's philosophy, policies, and character, it is important to familiarize yourself with the Brown Admission site as a whole. This section is limited to the policies and procedures that are unique to the transfer application process.
Eligibility
To be eligible for transfer application you must have completed at least one full year of college study (or its equivalent) before your planned matriculation at Brown. Both part- and full-time students at accredited two- and four-year colleges may seek transfer admission consideration. Because Brown requires degree candidates to complete a minimum of two years in residence and in full-time study, students with more than two years of college credit are discouraged from making transfer application. Students who are currently enrolled in a dual program or an early admission program should contact the admission office before submitting an application.
Please note that no student can be considered for transfer to the undergraduate years of the Program in Liberal Medical Education.
The Application Process
The Application Forms
Transfer candidates must present Forms 1, 1A, 2A, and 3 of the standard Transfer Application. For your Personal Statement (Form 3), you are advised to articulate your college experience to date and your reasons for seeking transfer admission to Brown.
Transfer candidates must file two letters of recommendation from college instructors or teaching assistants on college stationery. If you are planning to pursue a Sc.B. degree, we recommend that one of these recommendations be from a science or math instructor. These recommendations should be from instructors who can provide a detailed and thoughtful summary of your work.
A letter from the Dean of your present college indicating that you are currently a student in good standing is also required.
Last but not least, an official transcript(s) and final grades from all previous college coursework, in addition to an official transcript showing courses in progress, must be provided. If necessary, an interim unofficial transcript of current work may be submitted. However, a final and official transcript will still be required.
Standardized Testing
Students must submit results from the SAT Reasoning Test and two SAT Subject Tests; or the American College Test (ACT) with the writing test option. If you did not take any standardized tests as part of the application process to your current college, you must request a waiver from Brown in writing. It should be noted that an application to Brown without results from a standardized test may be detrimental to your chances of admission. In addition, students whose native language is not English are required to take the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language).
No personal interviews are offered. If the admission committee needs further information, you will be contacted.
Admission Criteria
Competition for transfer places at Brown is intense. All credentials requested by the Board of Admission have a bearing on the eventual admission decision but no specific weight is accorded to any particular credential. Additionally, no cut-offs with respect to grade point average, rank in class, test scores, or the like are employed. The Board evaluates each application on its own merits, seeking students whose records demonstrate both academic excellence and personal growth.
Supplementary application materials such as music tapes, art slides, and/or writing samples should not be submitted; they are not required and will not be reviewed.
Important Dates
Transfer students may enter Brown in either the first (September) or second (January) semester. Candidates for entry in either semester should submit their completed applications and the $70 application fee no later than March 1 . We also request that applicants not send their forms before January 15, due to the volume of mail received from first-year applicants. Although you may indicate on Form I of the application a preferred date of entry, it will not always be possible for the Board of Admission to grant admission for the semester you have designated.
The Board of Admission's decision on your application will be sent in mid-May. You may find that you must commit to another college before Brown's notification date. Should you find yourself in need of a decision before mid-May, please contact the Admission Office directly by mail. Your letter should reach us at least two weeks prior to the commitment deadline you must meet and must be accompanied by a photocopy of the official notification of admission. If your application at Brown is complete for evaluation, the Board of Admission will make its best efforts to inform you of its decision as quickly as possible.
Housing
With the exception of Resumed Undergraduate Education students, married students, and local students living with their families, all transfer students are required to live in university residences unless excused by the Director of Residential Life.
Financial Aid
Financial aid for transfer applicants is limited. In order for an applicant to be considered for available funds, each candidate for financial aid must check "yes" to the Financial Aid question on Form 1 of the admission application and complete the appropriate application forms by the requisite deadlines. Notification of any financial aid awards will be included with your acceptance letter. Financial aid is renewable during the undergraduate years assuming eligibility continues; students must reapply for financial aid each year, meeting all published deadlines. Students who feel that they may require financial assistance during their time at Brown should apply for financial aid when they make their initial application for transfer admission; only a dramatic change in the family’s financial circumstances will merit consideration of a request for financial assistance after matriculation. Please visit the Office of Financial Aid web site at www.financialaid.brown.edu for more information regarding financial aid at Brown.