<p>I am completely lost and I need help. I don’t know what to write in the “why Brown?” mini essay, I don’t know what they want me to say. Should I talk about their programs or something among those line?</p>
<p>Start by getting a sheet of notebook paper and just start listing the things you like about Brown and why you want to go there. Hopefully you have already visited or read their printed or online material to have good reasons to write the application. Only you know why YOU want to go there.</p>
<p>For example…
- its in new england
- its my favorite color
- etc,
Then look at that list and look for the elements that tell the most about you. (your intended major and how strong Brown is in that area, your EC passions and a club that Brown has). Pull those elements from your list and that is the core of this essay. </p>
<p>Be specific about Brown, but use the essay to shine the light on yourself and what you will add to Brown.</p>
<p>My qualifications to respond:</p>
<p>I have seen a grand total of one Why Brown essay through to its attendant admission decision.</p>
<p>The “Why ______” essay (it is not unique to Brown) is purposefully ambiguous, I think. Here are two ways to approach it, I am sure others can suggest more.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Why I want to go to Brown. This could work, I suppose, but I think it is a little self-centered. Kinda like asking Santa for toys without telling him whether and why you have been good. Or to reverse paraphrase JFK–tell us not what you can do for your country, tell us what your country can do for you.</p></li>
<li><p>Why Brown should want me. Here you would list characteristics which–if true–would indicate that you have an understanding of the benefits of a Brown education and the Brown experience, and that you would be able to take full, positive advantage of them while contributing meaningfully to the community. After reading this type of essay, as compared to #1 above, I think the reader would likely have a better idea of “fit”. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>You wouldn’t want to put your stats in any form of Why Brown essay, I think, because they already know those. I believe this is the place to talk about things that are not revealed in the rest of the application. And it is always good to heed the Cheesecake Factory rule as BrownAlumnus has reminded us.</p>
<p>Gotta say, my own expectation would be that if an applicant had a stumbling block with the Why Brown essay it would be how to squeeze the millions of things the applicant has to say into 200 words. If the stumbling block is that the applicant cannot find enough to say, well maybe some introspection would be in order</p>
<p>You’re going to have to answer this question if you have an interview, too.</p>
<p>“They” don’t “want” you to say anything specific. Your reasons have to be personal to you. Have you visited campus? If yes – what did you like about it? Have you looked on the website – found classes, activities, programs, ECs that appeal to you? Do you know someone who goes to Brown – what do they say about it that appeals to you?</p>
<p>fenway makes some good suggestions. </p>
<p>Just tell them why you really want to go. I think everything’s fair game. Much to my horror, my daughter wrote about nudity in the UpSpace and pirate flags.</p>
<p>Let go of trying to second guess what they want. Wrong approach.</p>