<p>I am applying to Brown regular. As of now, I want to major in Biology. However what will increase/decrease my chances of getting in:</p>
<p>Declaring my major in Biology on the application</p>
<p>or</p>
<p>Going undecided and declaring my major after I am admitted (provided i do get in)</p>
<p>ALSO: I am applying to the 8yr medical program at Brown. Is my application to the program independent of my regular Brown application (i.e., If I get rejected to the program, can I still be accepted to the school?)</p>
<p>I don’t think it will make a difference one way or the other if you say bio or undecided. There are probably as many applicants interested in bio as there are undecideds, and both are really big categories. </p>
<p>Yes, you can be rejected from PLME and still accepted to Brown. But only if you indicate that you would be willing to go to Brown if rejected from PLME.</p>
<p>I’m pretty sure the major choice on the application is to add context, to give them a more specific idea of your academic leanings. Bio is one of our most popular majors, so maybe it shows that you’re aware of Brown’s academic strengths? Haha</p>
<p>Biology is not going to reflect poorly on you but it also won’t help you. You can select on the application that you want to be considered for Brown even if you are not accepted PLME, but that may only need clarification in the ED round.</p>
<p>Would it be easier to get into Brown if I major in something obscure (eg. Astronomy…if they have the major) and then transfer majors if I’m admitted?</p>
<p>First off, you aren’t declaring a major. You’re simply letting them know what subject your interested. Declaring a major doesn’t happen until your second semester sophomore year. Also, do not put that you want to major in something that you have no real background in…i.e. don’t say you want to major in egyptology or modern culture and media if you have absolutely nothing on your application that would suggest an interest in those subjects. My advice: say you’re interested in Biology on the application. That way you won’t be lying. That said, chances are you won’t stick with it if/when you get to Brown because most people have absolutely no real idea what they want to major in before getting to college…even though they think they do.</p>
<p>Unlikely, because Brown won’t really credit you for an obscure interest like that unless you’ve demonstrated some very serious commitment to that area in the past. This is for several reasons:
Every conceivable way to game the system has been tried. We’ve figured out how to thwart nearly all of them.
We’re fully aware that even if your interest was genuine, the number of people who change concentrations in their first year is huge, so we don’t take that data super seriously anyway.
Alignment will draw attention to your stated interest, however, without this alignment, since there is no separate application process for separate concentrations, the information is basically there for statistics and a “that’s nice” moment.</p>
<p>I think you should play your strengths and interests. If you have a really strong background in biology then go for it, if not choose undecided. Just be genuine.</p>