Brown University class of 2021 ED applicants discussion

Hi everybody! I’ve been too scared to comment for a really long time but decision day is getting really close and I’m getting more nervous every day. I really want to go to Brown more than anything–I think I have good stats and everything but really everybody does on here and I’ve seriously started second guessing everything. I had no idea that all of you would be so smart and talented, it really puts all my achievements into perspective. But even just keeping up with reading all of the comments here has felt like a really great community over the past few months so thank you to everyone and I’ll be thinking of all of you when December 14th comes!

@brownlover2021 so happy you decided to join! Sadly, I’ve definitely been discouraged about my chances applying ED because of all of the totally qualified applicants. Nonetheless, I can’t wait for decision day! Hopefully I’ll at least have a day of happiness because NEU’s EA decisions come out the day before Brown’s.

Everyone gets a scare from CC posts lmao its a typical occurrence xD

@jejiang Exactly. I love those threads that start with “Hi! I have a perfect SAT and ACT, double legacy, am a minority, have cured cancer, and solved world hunger… I don’t think I can get in ______. What should I do?” ^:)^

Everything happens for a reason. May the Force be with you all!

What are considered “threshold” test scores? Also, it is a red flag if grades are high and test scores are below avg? Do self reported AP scores hold any weight if they are better than your ACT/SAT, comparatively?

People on this thread were mentioning earlier that Brown may release decisions on the 8th because that’s been the release day the past three years, what do you think the chances of that are?

@bayramf very little chance.

@clgahs2017 “threshold” test scores are scores that won’t hurt your application. Hence, they won’t be reasons to reject you. Even scores considerably below the average do not guarantee rejection.

Also, about the red flag thing: it depends what the numbers are. If your GPA is 4.0UW but your ACT score is a 25, that will raise a flag. But if your GPA is a 3.9 and your ACT score is a 30, I’m sure that would be fine.

@Seirien no sophomore!

@2023doctor Do what you love because you love it, not b/c it’ll look good on a resume. Try to know who you are so you can be prepared to define yourself (very broad, yes, but possible), and exemplify a true passion for schools you apply to. Also if you can start your apps over the summer. With a heavy senior courseload, apps are more of a chore.

For now, relax and enjoy your classes and extracurricular activities. Maybe do some SAT/ACT prep this summer (if necessary) and knock those out of the way junior year so senior year you can focus on apps. My best advice though (that’s most relevant to me now) is to relax about admissions decisions and know they don’t define you. Best of luck, you’ll do great wherever you end up!

When should we expect to hear back? The 14th right?

I hate to ask a stupid question, but on the Brown website, it says “January 8- Early Decision Commitment deadline” What does that mean? Isn’t ED binding?

I found out my SAT Biology E score and though not quite as high as I would like it to be, it was over 700. I already sent Brown SAT Literature and SAT United States History. Do you think it would be worth me paying the money to send the third SAT score in? Is it probably too late for them to even include it in my application?

@kendizzle ED is binding except in financial hardship situation, I believe

Good luck everyone. I’ve been reading the posts over the last few months as all of you have raised concerns, shared stories, and lamented the moment that’s quickly approaching. My daughter went through all of this last year as an ED applicant. As I watch her grow and enjoy her freshman year at Brown I am struck by the kind of people her new friends and peers are compared to the applicant posts I read last year. I understand it’s natural to worry about the minutiae of grades, achievements, and having the “right” things in your CV, but I will hopefully share one thing that’s I have found that is common among the students I’ve met in the freshman class that represents 2020.

Be yourself.

Brown isn’t a academic mill. They don’t decide on numbers and stats who will get in, who will best be a contributing person to the institution. They truly shape the incoming class as a whole, with people from all walks of life, all different academic journeys; however, they all share a deep passion for learning and discovering. They are all self motivated, confident, and look outside the box. They for the most part have shown a history of owning their education, not simply doing what they were instructed to do. This is even more evident in how a Brown student develops their own path to their Concentration. The skills they have crafted and honed prior to Brown is put to the test and tempered in the fires of the opportunities they offer. If your application conveys who you are beyond your scores, what drives you, what your passions are, you will do well. Your scores are just keys to unlock the door. Who you are is the gateway in.

I wish you all luck. For those that find themselves on the unfortunate side of acceptance to Brown, don’t let that define your self worth. It was a great achievement to get to this point and where you go does not dictate your success in life nor your happiness.

I say all of this knowing there’s a greater than average chance I will be here again fussing as you all have, when my next child decides to apply to Brown. I may have to eat my own words this time next year :p.

Again, good luck to all of you and may you have a wealth of happiness in the coming year.

@omgBrown thank you!!

How much does a double legacy help at brown?!

@samster99 it’ll help a little. R u applying ED?

Ah just found this site and applied ED for Brown! Completely in love with the school but even though I think my chances are decent, I’m not getting my hopes up. The biggest problem is that my school does not send many to Brown. We had one recruit in the past four years and nobody else. I think the biggest reason is that Brown is typically considered too liberal for the vast majority of students at my school (Private, white, conservative, all boys, Catholic), and I’m hoping one of the first ED applicants in awhile from such a rigorous school will make me stand out. Will this hurt or help my admission decision? Thoughts?

@ap012199 really only a little? if it only helps a little, does brown give any consideration to single parent legacy?

lol everyone is like i dont know if im good enough etc. i’m sure we are all awesome and if you dont get in, then brown was not meant to be for you. but whatever college you end up going to hopefully youll be happy. i wish you all the best of luck next week.