Brown Applicant/Student's Academic Concentration

<p>So we all know some schools like Carnegie Mellon have relative averages for how many students will be accepted into each major (e.g. CMU Engineering accounts for x% of accepted applicants).</p>

<p>I’m wondering if Brown also follows that standard. Very bluntly, do applicants listing a less impacted major than something like Intnl Relations have a higher chance in being accepted?</p>

<p>Also, what is your intended academic concentration at Brown?</p>

<p>I’ve already applied ED listing Computer Science as my first choice.
(Ignore my name, it’s just an inside joke I have with my friends)</p>

<p>I feel like I’ve heard that Brown doesn’t consider prospective major. However, I have no clue where I remembered hearing this. I’m sure it must be considered for some majors, for example, like the physical sciences, as you have to write separate essays, but I feel like in general, applying as something more unusual, like a Female Studies major versus an English major won’t give you an edge. But, obviously, I’m not very credible. =P</p>

<p>I’ve applied ED and stated an intent to double major in English and Psychology. </p>

<p>(And every time you post your name makes me giggle a little.)</p>

<p>From a logical perspective, I don’t see why they shouldn’t consider the intended major. Wouldn’t they want a more balanced/diverse student body (in terms of fields of study)?</p>

<p>Brown does not have “quotas” or set percentages for concentrations when it comes to admissions. Students are not accepted into a certain major – you could apply as an engineer and decide after your first week to major in literary arts (and then change your mind five more times after that), and that’s just fine.</p>

<p>However, there are institutional priorities which admissions abides by. There needs to be enough engineers and physicists and geologists, for example. Science concentrators are accepted at a higher percentage than other disciplines (at least, they were a few years ago, I haven’t seen more recent numbers). A female who wants to major in computer science or engineering probably has a better shot at admissions than a female who wants to major in international relations or film studies.</p>

<p>Remember, though, that nothing is credible if you can’t back it up with proof of your interest (books you’ve read, activities you’ve participated in, classes you’ve taken, etc.). Anyone can write down anything in the concentration section.</p>

<p>thefunnything is right. And your academic profile has to support your interest, too. If your math SAT score is 600 and you’ve taken no AP science classes (and your HS offers them), then you’re not a strong engineering candidate.</p>

<p>I am of the strong opinion that Brown should stop asking this question; at the very least, the question should be changed to ask something more general (like hard sciences vs. life sciences vs. social sciences vs. humanties). The question basically makes no sense in the context of a school where most students don’t declare their concentrations until their sophomore year.</p>