Do I have a chance of getting into Brown?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Brown University
1

Hello! So this is one of those “what are my chances” questions…you can skip this paragraph if you want to just see my stats and basic info. Basically, Brown has been on my radar for a while but I never really looked at it as a possible school for me (because I assumed I couldn’t get into an Ivy), However, I recently took a trip to Boston to tour Tufts (which I also thought was a bit of a reach) and stayed near Harvard and I really recognized myself in both the Tufts students and the Harvard kids I saw during my visit. Mostly because their conversations were all centered around the subjects they were studying (oh god I drive my friends insane with this). Anyway, visiting Boston incited an intense interest in colleges in general, and I was suddenly curious about my chances for getting into top schools. I decided to research both Brown and Yale, and…wow. Brown EXACTLY the kind of school I would want to go to, and I have now gotten a bit obsessed with it…
Anyway, here is some pertinent info/ stats:

GPA (weighted): 4.0 (unweighted): 3.9
I’m a junior so, I’m not sure what my weighted GPA will end up as (I plan to take 4 more APs next year)
Note: at my school you can only take 6 courses a year…I’ve heard at other schools you tend to take at least 7
-I should have taken 9 APs by the end of my senior year, all other classes either honors or “honors enriched” (which is more difficult than honors…my school is kind of pretentious lol)
-I will be taking AP Calc BC (2) my senior year
-my school does not have class rank
-ACT score: 30 (but I really screwed up with time management and am going to retake the ACT after I take study course/ study independently)

Also: I am Native American and am in the process of getting my CDIB card (luckily that side of my family history is well documented) Will this help at all?

-I studied abroad in France for a year and am now (conversationally) fluent in French. This will be the subject of my essay.
-I am currently organizing a position with my school as a teaching assistant for my French teacher next year (which I will do instead of taking a language class, and will be given credit accordingly)
-I won honorable mention (yes, I know) in the Raleigh Fine Arts Association writing contest (I am entering again next year, so maybe I can actually place this time lol)
-I won the SparkCon Raleigh chalk art competition in 7th grade as an independent submission (so not with a school, and in a category with age groups ranging from little kids to adults).

-I won the Lion’s Club Peace Poster competition for my middle school in 7th grade
(Is all this middle school stuff worth including?)
-I am currently working with the Assistance League in my area by creating artwork to hang in their thrift store that depicts their charity work
-I have sold art sporadically since middle school
-I have written and performed my own songs since 5th grade (and I should be working another one right now actually…)
-I worked for a lawyer as a file clerk/ entering data into a computer during the summer after 8th grade (okay, he was my mother’s boyfriend but it was still real work, and I worked for other lawyers in his firm too)

Interests:
Autism spectrum disorders: I am fascinated by neuroscience and psychology/ neurodiversity, but Autism is the subject I am most intensely interested in…I have read a few books on the subject, done hours of research on my computer, and I have made a list of possible causes and connections between symptoms/ comorbid disorders (I put a lot of stock in the intense world theory). I would love to research Autism as part of my profession
-Art. Also, can you send in photos with your application?
-writing: mostly creative (short stories and poetry), but I actually LOVE writing essays
-math: somewhat, mostly applied math
-sustainable energy (specifically solar, wind, nuclear, and geothermal)
-FOREIGN LANGUAGES AND CULTURES: interested in french And mandarin
-paleontology
-music

Note: My high school is known for being intense academically, has approximately 500 students, and is a Blue Ribbon School

So yeah, I can’t think of anything else to add…but what do you guys think? Do I have a shot?

2

My God, u are very qualified.

3

Not a super-serious comment, but I thought it would lift your spirits.

4

Holy crap seriously? I assumed a lot of my “achievements” were not really necessary to include but omg thanks for the confidence boost

5

I don’t think schools consider anything you’ve done before 9th grade.

6

Ah okay…thanks for telling me. I was weirdly more prolific with art in middle school though XD

7

I think many high school students become obsessed with Brown because of its supposedly mellow vibe. However, you sound like a really type A super-achiever, so maybe this is not the attraction of Brown for you.

If you have a 4.0 GPA and you’re Native American and you’re interested in neuroscience and you’re fluent in French and you’re taken 9 AP’s and you’ve been writing and performing your own songs since 5th grade, I can’t see why Brown wouldn’t admit you, but I think because of the high selectivity and possibly quirkiness of the Brown admissions department, it would be a good idea to try not to develop Brown University Obsession Disorder, and to keep in mind that many less selective colleges and universities may be equally good or better than Brown.

8

Also: would colleges look at an art porfolio even if you aren’t majoring in art?
This is my art class tumblr: http://icantdrawhands-blog.■■■■■■■■■■/
I would pull my art from there for a portfolio (check it out if you want :wink: )

9

Thank you for your insight!! Don’t worry haha, this has become a bit of an obsession but it should die down soon. Besides, I think I have a pretty good shot of getting into Reed College which is my safety, and I think I would love that just as much as Brown.

10

I think the most important thing (as you probably know) is your ACT score at the moment, but you have interesting extracurriculars that you could talk about in your essays. Middle school achievements are not really worth listing but you could talk about how what you did in middle school relates to your hobbies/activities somewhat in your essays. Brown allows you to submit 15 images for a portfolio, although it costs $10 (https://www.brown.edu/admission/undergraduate/apply/first-year-applicants). I think you are a strong applicant, but Brown is a selective college so I would have to say that it is a reach school, as it is for 99% of people. Good luck!

11

Thank you so much this was incredibly helpful!

12

Personally, you seem like a great Brown fit to me! Plenty of people (probably the majority) are high-achievers and goal-oriented like you, the mellow attitude is only on top of that. Your year abroad and fluency in French are very unique and will definitely appeal to Brown admissions’ quirky side. They will also make an incredible essay, so you’re definitely on the right track already! Song writing is also impressive and would make a great essay to add more uniqueness to your application. Also, you should definitely talk about your specific interests in autism (and psych/neuro in general) in Brown’s supplement (there is a question about academic interests) because it will really show them that you have a goal in mind and would do great in the freedom of the open curriculum- but don’t forget to mention your other interests as well! And being Native American will absolutely help!

Overall, if you can get that ACT up to a 32-ish, I would say you have an excellent shot and would be much above average in the applicant pool. And even with a 30 you still have a good chance (all of your other qualities stand out and Brown will recognize that, plenty of people are accepted with a 30-31). Good luck! And consider applying ED if you are absolutely certain that Brown is the school for you and if you can commit financially.