PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] — On Thursday, Dec. 13, Brown University offered admission to 769 early decision applicants to the University’s undergraduate Class of 2023.

In total, 4,230 prospective students applied for early admission, the largest number of applicants since Brown adopted its current early decision program 17 years ago.

The applicant pool was 21 percent larger than last year’s. Dean of Admission Logan Powell attributes the increase in large part to the recent implementation of The Brown Promise initiative, which replaced loans with scholarship funds in all University-packaged undergraduate financial aid awards beginning in the 2018-19 year.

“Every year, we emerge from early decision application reviews deeply impressed by exceptionally talented students who demonstrate intellectual curiosity, a diversity of perspectives and experiences, and incredible leadership potential,” Powell said. “The Brown Promise adds to an expanding array of Brown initiatives focused on boosting access and affordability, and we’re excited to offer admission to 769 students who are not only remarkably talented, but represent a wide range of backgrounds.”

More than 50 percent of the prospective students admitted through early decision applied for financial aid. Brown meets 100 percent of demonstrated financial need for all admitted undergraduates; among the first-year students who started at Brown this fall in the Class of 2022, 43 percent receive need-based aid.

Of the students accepted to the Class of 2023, nearly 12 percent represent the first generation in their families to attend college. Additionally, 44 percent are students of color, defined as those who self-identify as African American, Latinx, Native American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, or Asian. Of the accepted students, 390 are female and 379 are male.

The students accepted from the early decision applicant pool come from 37 nations and 46 U.S. states. The top countries represented outside the United States are China, the United Kingdom, India, Singapore and Canada.

Applicants learned the status of their applications via a secure website beginning at 6 p.m. on Dec. 13. By applying for early decision, these prospective students indicated that Brown was their first choice for college and agreed to accept an offer of admission if they received one.

The deadline for regular decision applications is Jan. 1, 2019.