PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] — An aspiring mycologist who postponed college a year to help fight the forest fires raging across California. A future physician-engineer who aims to develop innovative prosthetics. A transfer student who overcame intergenerational addiction to pursue psychology research and a personal memoir project.

These are just a few of the distinguished new students who have arrived at Brown in recent weeks for the start of the 2021-22 academic year. The new arrivals include approximately 1,080 graduate students, 144 medical students and 1,814 undergraduates — including 10 incoming Resumed Undergraduate Education students, 80 transfers and 1,724 members of the Class of 2025, who were selected from the University’s largest application pool to date.

Brown’s newest students have already moved into residence halls, traveled through the Van Wickle Gates, attended Opening Convocation and navigated a busy schedule of Orientation events. And when classes begin on Wednesday, Sept. 8, they will begin their journeys through Brown’s Open Curriculum, carving unique academic paths through coursework customized to further their passions.

“We are overjoyed to welcome the Class of 2025 to Brown,” said Dean of the College Rashid Zia. “Even before arriving in Providence, our newest students have demonstrated their creativity, curiosity and commitment to being positive forces within their communities. We cannot wait to see and support all that they will accomplish together during their careers here on College Hill and beyond."

In the profiles below, a few of the University’s newest students share their journeys to date, their reasons for choosing Brown and the ways they aspire to make their marks upon the world.