Any parting shots of advice for a Brown ED prospective?

Colleges & Universities A-Z Brown University
1

<p>Hi all,</p>

<p>Heading into my last year of high school soon, and I can finally feel the nervousness setting in. Any advice for a senior who wants to apply ED Brown?</p>

<p>Stats:</p>

<p>Male
Asian American
Studying abroad in Hong Kong</p>

<p>SAT I: 2270; 790-V, 770-M, 710-W
SAT II: 700 Literature, 690 Math II
GPA: ~3.7 UW (Note: We have serious grade deflation at our school)</p>

<p>AP’S:
*European History (5)
*Art History (5)
*US History (Expected 4/5)
*English Language (4)</p>

<p>Next year I will be taking AP Stat, AP Studio Art, AP World History, and AP English Lit. I also created two approved independent studies for next year: one on local contemporary Hong Kong art, another a creative writing workshop.</p>

<p>*Summer study in Illustration at Art Center College of Design, CA (2004)
*Summer study in Creative Writing at University of Iowa (2005)</p>

<p>EXTRACURRICULARS:
*Class Treasurer (9,10)
*Senate Treasurer (11, 12)
*Food for the Hungry Int’l, Head of Finance (9-11)
*Food for the Hungry Int’l, Co-President (12)
*Amnesty Int’l, Member (9-12)
*School newspaper, Writer (10-12)
*School newspaper, Arts Editor (12)
*School literary/arts magazine, Staff (11,12)
*School literary/arts magazine, Editor (12)
*School bilingual magazine, Writer (11,12)
*Over 20 hours of community service work</p>

<p>ACHIEVEMENTS:
*Junior Research Paper, Awarded High Distinction
*High Honors Roll (9-12)
*National Honors Society, Member (11,12)
*Had short story “Ferry” published in literary magazine “Fresh” (2005)
*High School Mathematics Competition in Modeling, Meritorious (2005)
*High School Mathematics Competition in Modeling, National Outstanding Award (top 2 percentile in the world) (2006)</p>

<p>JOB EXPERIENCE:
*Clothing designer for casual clothing company DirtyShirty (2005-2006)
*Graphic designer for online English learning site “Repeat After Us” (2004)
*Head of Recording for “Repeat After Us” at Hong Kong International School
*Freelance graphic design for Hong Kong Annual Fund Ball
*Freelance web design for Lovable Products (Hong Kong), Ltd.
*Marketing clerk for Suzuya International (HK) Co Ltd (2006)</p>

<p>To conclude: Brown is the shiznit.</p>

2

<p>I think your stats are good and your ECs are good too, but above all, I wouldn't underestimate the essay. It's probably one of the most, if not THE MOST important aspects of your application, so don't overlook its importance when finishing your application.</p>

3

<p>Thanks man for the reply! Yeah, I definitely will take care when writing my essays. They're important, and damn well should be. Hopefully, I'll rock them.</p>

4

<p>You know what's interesting is that when I went to a college workshop thingie during summer@Brown this summer, the director of admissions said the essay is the LEAST important? He said they just do it to make sure we can write.</p>

<p>...is that complete bs?</p>

5

<p>Couldn't be further from the truth. Imho</p>

6

<p>It's probably the most important for the reason that it's the only thing that really sets you apart from every other kid applying to brown - they all have great SATs, great GPA, a billion ECs and a billion+ community service hours... yeah that's great and all but can you sound like a human being when you write? "are u interesting?" is basically what they want....</p>

7

<p>The essay is not meant to make or break an application, I think. I see the application process as a holistic one; while an essay provides the opportunity for students to elaborate their thoughts, personality, dreams, hopes, and whatnot, concrete stats such as GPA, SATs, APs, and extracurriculars also reflect a student's passions and academic ability to some degree.</p>

<p>I feel that an essay is a critical part to the process. That is, however, not to say that a stellar essay will save your poor grades and lack of extracurricular involvement.</p>