I’m not the top of my class, haven’t taken the most rigorous course track (although I will be graduating with 7 AP credits), sat scores are in the 2100 range
HOWEVER,
I know I’m a brown kid. I’ve made the most of my high school education, getting out of it as much as I put in. Brown looks for independent and autonomous students to create their own curriculum with the open curriculum approach they have, and that’s exactly what I’m looking for and what I’ve done in high school. I want to make it clear in my application that I’m very autonomous and have made the most of my high school education by shaping it how I want it.
Brown looks for kids like me!! I’m not thinking what Brown can do for me, I am thinking what i can do for Brown.
What can I do to make this apparent in my application? Any suggestions? Any experience with doing ED for Brown with lower test scores?
It is a huge mistake to pin all of your hopes and dreams on one school – especially such a hyper-competitve one where your SATs are somewhat below the average. You are setting yourself up for unhappiness if you don’t get in. The only kids I’ve seen who have been really hurt by this process are ones who fixate on one reach school (and Brown is a reach for everyone). You are not a Brown kid, you are a kid who is stuck on Brown. Time to expand your horizons. Start reading college guide books and visiting other schools – open your mind to the fact that there are tons of amazing colleges and universities out there. Sure, apply to Brown and put your all into the application, but find other choices you can fall in love with as well.
Something you can do is look for match/safety schools which share certain characteristics with Brown (like an open or at least very flexible curriculum), general social similarities, similar strong program areas, etc.
Other than having much lower than the already low chance of admission if your course rigor, grades, and test scores are not close to the maximum possible that you could have achieved, have you run the net price calculator on Brown’s web site to make sure that you can afford it?
Retake the SAT or ACT, apply ED fully being prepared for rejection and get ready to submit other apps for your fallbacks.
If you are any where near Brown capable, then you’ll have the smarts to know your odds (and the same w/99% of your peers) are right terrible and will act accordingly and not put your eggs in one basket.
Unfortunately Brown has the lowest ED admission rate of all the ED Ivies. So it may not give you that bump you want however, since there are fewer applicants, they will have more time to review your essay (assuming your scores are high enough to qualify for a read) so you can stand out more but it is a huge long shot. Keep writing those RD applications and apply EA to other schools.
There was a post a while ago from a parent who wanted their child (middle school aged?) to prepare for admission to Brown. Only Brown. So many eggs in single Brown basket.
Really challenge yourself to find match and safety schools that you would like nearly as much as Brown. It will help you better understand what you like about Brown and thereby write a more informed application to Brown.
Thank you for your input, but I wasn’t really asking for anyone to Chance Me. I was simply asking any suggestions on how to make my personality come through in my application. Ironic that your username has “happy” in it.
@samantha827 You have received a few good advice already. Here is another one:
Your post suggests you are an independent learner. You have tried to fashion a high school curriculum that meets your interest(s); that is a plus. What are those interests? What are your broader goals? What do you want out of Brown education with regard to those goals? How would Brown education help you move toward them? To the extent that you can articulate your interests and goals clearly and explain how Brown could help you get there convincingly, you/your application will get more attention.
If you take this viewpoint to heart, then you would need to ask: What other schools can help me better realize my goals? Take a more serious look at your other options. I doubt admission officers at any school would take “this is my dream school” claim seriously since most applicants find a way to indicate it in their application. The strength of your application, in part, is due to your demonstrated (not claimed) interests and accomplishments. Focus on those, bring them to life in your essays. And, if your teachers/counselor recommendation letters convey the same message, then your application reflects a clear and consistent image of you that would be difficult to ignore.
Obviously, SAT/ACT scores and GPA matter. Retake SAT, or take ACT and then decide which one to send in. Keep your grades up. Do (EC) work that is authentic and interesting and meaningful to you, it could help put a spot light on your application.
Brown is very upfront with the fact that applying ED helps your chances. In the on-campus info session I sat in on, the admissions officer stated, “I won’t lie, applying ED does help your chances.” This can be seen in the fact that Brown accepted 22% of ED apps compared to 7% of RD apps this year. Brown was also my dream school, and I had “lower” scores: i.e. 32 ACT (but with 12/12 writing). I also had 5s on APs and a super high GPA at a rigorous school.
I also thought my scores would bring me down, so I almost applied ED. But, with financial worries, I decided to apply RD instead… and I got in! I also got into UPenn, and waitlisted at Harvard (recently offered spot in 2020- declined, I love Brown) so that shows it wasn’t just luck of the draw. I had no “hooks”, “low” scores, and I got in.
In conclusion I’ll leave you with this: anything can happen, so don’t write yourself off.