@ap012199 Lol well I’m actually more interested in pscyh/neuro so those are the majors I put. History is more of a hobby because it combines with my writing/sewing hobbies. I do hope Brown doesn’t get confused by that, butI did try to make it connect to a larger idea (I ended it saying that my love of history allowed me to become more self-confident).
@ricka8 oh I get ya. My essay wasn’t about anything intellectual… I kind of made it about curiosity/exploration which I think Brown will like.
I talked about my dad’s small business and how growing up seeing him struggle/persevere has influenced my outlook on life.
@brookelr cool! Are you an ED applicant?
yes! I’ve been stalking this thread haha
I talked about the adversity I faced being the only Muslim student in my entire school district, and a specific incident that occurred in 10th grade in relation to that. (I am Caucasian and of European descent so that makes the situation even more interesting) I also discussed the fact that my mother is a single parent as well as a refugee to this country and how her hard work and dedication shaped me into the person I am today.
I was genuine and wrote from the heart. However, I am aware that this alone might not be enough (with over 30,000 applicants in total applying to Brown this year), and I’ll just have to wait and see in 13 days!!
for my common app i wrote about my battle with anorexia and how that inspired me to want to help other individuals with mental health issues. it was personal but i made it into something positive, so hopefully the admissions officers see that i was genuine
Do you guys think letters of rec have more weight than essays?? The CDS marks them both as very important, but I think good recs can go a long way since they’re more objective than essays. But then again, school-specific supplements can make or break an application.
@ap012199 from what i’ve heard, i think it would more often be the essays that stand out than the rec letters. what the student writes about/how they write about it is much more indicative of who they are than a rec letter. probably like 95% of applicants have amazing recs, so i think that’s why the essays can really make or break you. then again, the process is really quite random and hard to figure out, so i’m not sure.
Hey brown!! I applied ED to penn, wishing you all luck!
@ap012199 ¯_(ツ)_/¯ I don’t know, man. It’s unpredictable at this level of competition.
I’m just wondering, does anyone play any instruments here and (if accepted into Brown) plan to play in the university orchestra?? 
@jejiang pianist and vibraphonist here!! I’m not sure if Brown even has vibraphonists in their orchestra lol
Ooh does anyone wanna trade essays? Or would it be unwise to post on the internet through a pm?
@littlemousling yeah I agree and I think the supplements carry a lot of weight too
@ap012199 Woahhhhhh I totally want to get to know you!! I was a very petty child so I quit piano but it is honestly one of my biggest regrets, and I plan on teaching myself again once college apps are done 
I’ve been playing viola since 4th grade and it has been such an amazing experience and has also opened so many doors for me, I’m so grateful. -sheds a tear-
I’m sure there are contemporary pieces that are written for some small chamber ensembles that include the vibraphone. I watched my viola teacher play a piece with viola, percussion, vibraphone, and some other instruments and it was one of the coolest performances I’ve ever watched.
@jejiang that’s so cool!! Yeah I wrote my extracurricular essay about taking piano lessons and what they mean to me :). I wonder if Brown is looking for a vibraphonist… lol
@ap012199 it’s awesome that you play the vibraphone – and idk they might be. As for violists, everyone needs more violists lmaoooo
also I would trade essays but then again I already submitted them so I high-key feel like my anxiety would shoot up if I had someone give me feedback on something I can’t even edit anymore ¯_(ツ)_/¯
@jejiang yeah that’s my concern too. And idk how people even play the violin – there aren’t even any frets!! But my plan was just to read and complement haha
Hi everyone, I’m not applying for another 2 years but I wanted to just let all of you know that you’re in my thoughts and wishing you ALL the best 
@jejiang I play the viola too! Not many students in my school realize that the viola is an actual instrument, but I think that it plays a vital role in an orchestra. I have been playing since 4th grade but I don’t plan on being involved in Brown’s orchestra if I miraculously get accepted. I’m in my school’s chamber orchestra but nowhere near all-state level. I just thought it was funny that I found another violist!