Chance me for Brown?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Brown University
1

Brown is definitely my top choice, so I will apply early decision there if it helps my chances.

  • 35 ACT Composite
  • SAT Subject Tests: 800 Math II, taking Physics and US History this summer
  • 3.97 unweighted GPA (school doesn't weight), 8 AP classes from 9th-11th grade
  • all 5s on my 4 AP tests from 9th and 10th grade
  • Robotics (definitely my most significant EC): involved since 3rd grade Lego robotics, on varsity team since 10th grade, 4 leadership positions including captain next year, will also be lettering this year
  • Student writing tutor: will probably be head tutor next year
  • ACT tutoring: student-run nonprofit, some sort of leadership next year
  • Band: Marching/pep band during football/basketball season since 10th grade, 2 "Superior" ratings in state solo/ensemble contest (10th and 11th grade), varsity letter
  • City leadership award for my volunteering through robotics (coaching elementary Lego teams, running Lego summer camps)

I’m also Hispanic if that helps.

Thanks!

2

you have a great chance. I think you have everything that’s needed for Brown.

3

I would like to add something that I didn’t mention earlier… Brown is extremely selective and there were record number of applicants for this year. So nothing can guarantee an acceptance.

4

Update: My school announced that it will be defunding the student writing center next year. If I lose that EC, do I still have a chance?

5

For the most competitive schools the issue isn’t how many ECs you have or even how many leadership positions you have-it is what you have achieved. Did you compete in robotics? If so, how did you do? Was the tutoring important to you or where you just doing it to look good for college. if important to you, you can find ways to continue outside the auspices of the writing center.

6

The tutoring was important, but the head tutor thing would have been good to have. My main worry is that just having robotics and band would not make me seem well-rounded.

7

You have an opportunity here. Grab it. If your writing center is being defunded and it is important to you, figure out a way to make it happen anyway. Perhaps you can offer writing help in the library before/after school. If the library is already staffed, then it should not cost any money to continue the tutoring there. Or, maybe the public library will allow you to offer free writing tutoring there. Or, can you fundraise to keep this current center open? How much is needed? Car wash? Garage sale? This could be something that makes your application stand out. It is all about the opportunities that are available to you in your school. If you simple drop something that is important to you because it is defunded, it probably will look neutral on your app. But, if you can can continue to offer writing tutoring at your school, that can look like you are an activist. You went above and beyond to continue providing community service. This opportunity is way bigger than just being head tutor.

8

^ Sounds like a fascinating common app essay.

9

Brown is a reach for any student, just read the thread on acceptances and rejections. You can’t look at numbers and determine who will get in. My S is proof of that. his SAT and ACT scores were not great. (His acceptances raised eyebrows on the I got in without a 2000+ SAT thread)
But he goes to a Title I school and took their most rigorous curriculum and has 4.0 unweighted. His passion- biology- SAT subject was a 760. He loves to learn and be among those who love learning and tries to instill that love in his peers. He has many great qualities but made sure two of those- passion for learning and giving to others- came through in his essays and interview. His teachers know he forgoes some of his own studying to lead study group in our home, so that might have come out in his recommendations as well. He is Hispanic as well and an admissions guy during our visit commented that they look for kids from diverse parts of the country- we live on the border.

The short of it is, from everything I’ve read and experienced, your test scores and list of ECs will not get you in. Focus on your essays and interview so Brown sees the true you and that will be your best shot.
I’ll be checking back next December when ED letters come out. I hope you’ll let us know how it went. I wish you well.