Chances at Brown with imperfect GPA?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Brown University
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<p>I am planning on applying ED to Brown this fall, but am unsure of my chances of acceptance, or if they even exist. I have solid test scores; I received 5s on my three AP exams this year (French, Bio, English Lang), a 2260 on the SAT (no prep, first attempt, single sitting), and 780/750 on Bio/French SAT 2s respectively. I maintained a 4.0 unweighted GPA during my freshman and sophomore years, however, I struggled with panic disorder during my junior year and my GPA dropped to a very low 3.9 (possibly even a high 3.8). I have read other forums regarding acceptances, and it seems as though one needs a perfect or near-perfect GPA to get in, unless they are from a remote third-world country, in which case a 3.8 or so might suffice. </p>

<p>I have a letter from my school principal explaining my situation to the colleges, although I think it might be misconstrued as some kind of indication that I am psychologically ****ed. I have put weeks and weeks of work into my essays, and have an extremely strong academic focus on philosophy. My extracurriculars are also solid, although somewhat lacking in humanitarian merit.</p>

<p>I really want to get into Brown, but am at this point scared ****less over a pretty severe academic hiccup from this past year. Could I get any opinions as to whether or not I should bother applying? Thanks.</p>

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I got in with a 3.6. Higher GPAs don’t hurt, but once Brown is convinced you can do the work, they focus on other areas of the application.</p>

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<p>Brown doesn’t want a class of all perfect people! What they do want is to see that you are a very good student who knows how to be self directed, and will make the most of their self directed education. Overcoming an “adversity” can be part of that. It will help if your first semester grades reflect that you are back on track. If you know what the principle has written, and are worried about it, get someone else to read it to get their take on it. But it is likely to help to have someone like that send a “but” to your grades, rather than have them just stand with no explanation (like you just had junior slump or something). As Uroogla said, there ARE other parts to your application.</p>