<p>On the commonapp, where it says to check your anticipated degree program, does Brown admit based on what concentration/academic interest you choose?
If I put undecided as my first choice, does it look weird that I put an actual interest (like chemistry) for my second choice? </p>
<p>Also, how hard is it to change majors once you are at Brown? Do you have to formally apply, is there a certain limit on certain majors? </p>
<p>I also asked about this in another thread, but I thought I’d ask here also. Does the COE program at Brown require students to join this as a freshman? I’m interested in the program, but honestly am not sure if Business/Econ is for me, so I want to go undecided when I apply. But if I start in the program as a freshman, is it hard to explore other subjects and then later switch out the program? </p>
<p>Also, how does one go about creating a concentration at Brown? Do they one day just decide “Oh I want to do this” and tell an advisor and get it approved? Is creating a concentration at Brown harder than it sounds? </p>
<p>Thanks in advance.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>No. Brown does not admit based on concentrations, just on your interests, what you have done in your short life, and your statistics, recommendations, essays, etc.</p></li>
<li><p>You don't have to declare your concentration until sophomore year, earlier if you want. It's easy to change. You have to make an application for a concentration, but it's filling out a (detailed depending on department) form.</p></li>
<li><p>Don't know what COE is. There is no business school or program at Brown. There are courses and departments.</p></li>
<li><p>You discuss your interests with your adviser. Creating a concentration-- I don't know how easy, but I know it can be done. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>Full disclosure: I am a mom of a current soph who is a Visual Arts concentrator. My info comes from her info.</p>
<p>It's not easy to do an independent concentration (create your own), but not because of administrative road blocks. To get approved is someone difficult and always takes multiple submissions. I should know, I'm one of the students that reviews them. Essentially we're going to assess your concentration as though it was going to be a permanently offered part of the Brown curriculum-- it needs to meet the same rigorous standards we hold for all concentrations, be well conceived, well planned out, actually include the appropriate offered course work in a way that makes sense when looking at the content and intent of the course (not just the title), be truly unique from one of the other 94 concentrations we already offer, etc, etc.</p>
<p>It's an extremely rewarding process but requires quite a bit of planning and formulating. We have a ton of resources to help you out, but it's not as easy as filling out one page.</p>