Hello everyone!
I am strongly considering applying ED to Brown as it is my top choice school. My other top choice school is a competitive liberal arts college that I believe I have a strong chance of acceptance if I apply ED there. I want to get a feel for how competitive I would be and whether I should use my ED for Brown (in immunology) or not.
4.0 UW GPA, 4.25 weighted. My school does not offer honors, only AP and regular. Top 4% of class.
One SAT attempt, awaiting score. Going off of practice tests and how I felt on test day, probably 1500+.
No hooks besides maybe small geographical boost.
EC’s (Freshman to Junior year)
Multiple varsity letters, three sports
3 years in Boy Scout like national organization. Gained “ranks” and leadership positions. One of few members nationwide who trained alongside crew on US Coast Guard ship.
Selected for USNA STEM camp freshman year
Co-founded HOSA chapter at my high school. Helped lead meetings and set up speakers.
Roughly 50-60 hours of volunteer work
Science award from school
This is the unique part:
I became very ill two years ago and had to miss many classes fall of then Junior year. I finished the semester, but as the illness had worsened I did not start the next semester. I have not been in physical school since (I’ve taken online classes, separate from the online school everyone did for covid). I would have graduated this year, but the illness pushed graduation out to 2022. Also, I have traveled multiple times across the country to receive medical treatments, and have a unique perspective on medicine. I plan on taking an EMT certificate course this fall.
Here is the problem: My high school will only accept one AP class from the offerings my online school provides (through a university) so I’ve been taking mostly regular classes. Hence the lower than competitive weighted GPA and rank.
On the plus side I believe I can write a very strong essay(s). So how would you rate my profile? Are situations like this more common than I think? Do I have a strong enough shot that I should use my ED on Brown? Thank you!
If you like the top LAC just as well, and have a better chance of getting in if you apply ED, I would use the ED benefit there. Brown is a huge reach for anyone unless you have a hook.
Hi feel free to PM me with questions about Brown! It really is just luck for competitive applicants, which you are, so if you’re in love with another school and it’ll work financially, ED there. Not sure if you know this, but Brown has a huge EMT program and you could def write about that in one of the supplements. If your medical issue is ongoing, you’ve probably already thought of this, but make sure your other top choice has good facilities nearby–you’d be fine at Brown though and I do know some people who worked through major medical problems here.
Brown is not a safety for anyone. The amount of people they turn down with even perfect scores is astounding. That said, if you don’t try, you’ll never know. The same can be said for the top LACs. Not saying you won’t get in but cover yourself a few steps down with a Rochester or Skidmore or Occidental, etc.
“Here is the problem: My high school will only accept one AP class from the offerings my online school provides (through a university) so I’ve been taking mostly regular classes. Hence the lower than competitive weighted GPA and rank.”
I’m not a Brown AO, but I interact with them from time to time. Simply explain your situation as concisely as possible in a letter/supplement of some sort. The AO will read it, “get it”, and proceed from there. They are used to dealing with special circumstances of all sorts in making their holistic evaluations of an applicant’s file – deciding whether it’s someone they want to want to make a case for when they all meet. Your chances aren’t great (said simply because no one’s are, despite what they might think), but you do have one : )