<p>Brown is the only school I have seen that has a separate essay and supplement pertaining for prospective “hard science” majors. D hopes to major in physics.
I wonder if this supplement means its even more difficult for someone thinking of majoring in the sciences to gain admission to Brown than other depts or if it is just to weed out really weak candidates. Any thoughts? Thanks.</p>
<p>The article is from 2000, so the numbers are certainly outdated, but the admissions scenario is probably somewhat similar. In which case the science supplement is intended to weed out weaker applicants, but, once you get past that, I guess it's a little easier to get in.</p>
<p>The ONLY purpose of the supplement is to allow science people to highlight their talents. Do not think that you will be held in any way to the intended major that you listed. I am being totally serious, they will simply not know later on, when you select your concentration.</p>
<p>she can always apply as a different major and switch once she's admitted if she doesn't want to write that extra essay</p>
<p>Thanks! The article is especially insightful. D has an incredible sense of honor and would never be dishonest in anyway on her app including the choice of major. Judging from the article, it will be to her advantage to be honest anyhow and just write the essay which isn't all that tough. We aren't complaining about it, just trying to understand its purpose since it is unusual.</p>
<p>Is the 2006 application available yet?</p>
<p>People who apply to Brown with an intended major in the natural sciences do have a slight advantage. (I'm pretty sure that's why one of my friends got in.) The advantage is even greater at many liberal arts colleges (such as Wesleyan, as the article stated). So, your daughter will get a boost for majoring in physics, and she will get an additional boost for being female. </p>
<p>However, to anyone who is planning on listing a science major who isn't actually interested in science: it will not work! The admissions will be able to tell if your interest is genuine. If you are in all honors humanities classes but aren't taking honors science and are in literary/arts activities but no science ones, they will see through it.</p>
<p>Also, to those who read the article: Brown is now need-blind and has been so for a few years. I thought it was shameful that Brown wasn't need-blind sooner, but it is now, so it's fine.</p>
<p>Your kid can't do this herself?</p>
<p>"I thought it was shameful that Brown wasn't need-blind sooner, but it is now, so it's fine."</p>
<p>I honestly think people say this too often. It ignores the fact that in order for being need-blind in the first place to be relevant at all, you need to promise to meet 100% of need, which the vast majority of schools just don't do.</p>