<p>And another offbeat question: why exactly does Brown have physics/geology/etc. listed in the app as having additional essays? Are they part of a sub-college within the university? Do they need special credit requirements? I was just curious and you don’t have to answer this question if you don’t know.</p>
<p>After decades of having the same essays, Brown started to play around with its short answers and essay questions two years ago. So no one but admissions people know whether there will be a change this year. You can count on the Common App essays, but the others could be different – or could be the same.</p>
<p>Brown has always had additional essays for most science concentrators (chem, physics, engineering, computer science). These are not a “sub-college” (although engineering just became a separate entity). I’m not sure what you mean by “special credit requirements” – can you explain? One reason for the additional essays is that students who are applying to get an ScB degree have their apps read by science faculty, so the essays are for them to read.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, Brown tends to come out with its supplement rather late in the summer. So you may not be able to get much of a head start.</p>
<p>Thanks for your answer. Do you think I could email/call up the adcoms and see if they have any answers?</p>
<p>What I meant by credit requirements is that engineers, for example, have to take certain courses and complete a number of credits (or something like that) to graduate and be accreddited as engineers. Is that the same for physics and the like?</p>
<p>And another question, are there character/word limits on the supplement questions for question 8 on the 2010 app?</p>
<p>Every academic department at Brown has its own website. That’s how to find out the answers to department-specific questions like what are the requirements for a physics degree.</p>
<p>If memory serves correct, last year’s applicants had no luck calling admissions in July and August to learn more about the application</p>