Questions about Brown Application

<p>You have to submit part I before they give you any details for part II. Unless you download forms online, but even then you have to submit part I before part II.</p>

<p>There are only five fields for SAT and SAT subject /ACT scores, and four fields for the AP scores. What should I do if I took more SAT subject tests and AP tests? Should I just pick up the highest scores?</p>

<p>Yea. I was actually wondering the same thing. I have retakes for more than one exam, so should the highest grades be reported on the application since collegeboard is going to send all of the scores anyway?</p>

<p>Yes, go with your highest scores, and they'll see your other scores if they care to look when your official score report arrives.</p>

<p>Do you have to have your teachers who wrote your recommendation letters to send the evaluation forms to Brown directly? Can you have the guidance counselor to send everything in one envelope?</p>

<p>You should have your Guidance Counselor send everything in one package. That is, the rec letters, the transcript, the school's profile, any supplement like art slides can come from the school. At least, that is the way we did it last year. Schools might have other logistics, so you should follow what your school says to do. Or, you can email Brown and ask them how they want it.</p>

<p>Concerning form 2, there is a part where it asks the cousenlor/dean of students to comment on "this particular student's course of study". Now, does that mean they really would like a small paragraph stating the nature of my schedule, how I've taken challenging courses, and explaining small nuances? Or should I just send in the school's profile alone?</p>

<p>Your counselor fills in that part and s/he knows how to do it!</p>

<p>Can you use the teacher evaluation forms from Common App for Brown?</p>

<p>You cannot use any part of the Common App for Brown, as it doesn't accept that kind of application. Brown has its own forms for teacher rec letters.</p>

<p>@ franglish</p>

<p>Unfortunately, my college counselor is brand new, and he even admits he is learning on the job. He seemed sure that a profile would do it, but I was adamant that there was something required about my own specific courseload. I was hoping to find out what other schools have done.</p>

<p>Actually, I'm pretty sure that Brown accepts the counsellor and teacher's recommendation with the Common Apps format.</p>

<p>I have a question about the Brown essay, and was hoping someone would help. If you look at the application online, all it says for length of the main "tell us about yourself" essay is that if it's above 1000 characters, upload it. But if you download the application, the same questions says to limit your answer to 500 words. Suggestions?</p>

<p>Has anyone noticed that forms 1 and 1A ask for the exact same information, other than SAT scores? And it's not just name and address asked twice over - it's the whole shebang of parents' names, occupations, schools, etc etc ad nauseum? That form 1 is for optical scanning but form 1A that isn't is the one that initiates your application? And they even ask for parents' ages? What admission decision hinges on that, I wonder?
Why do they have a Brown-specific teacher rec? It's not enough that the kids have to jump through hoops, they want the teachers to do the same? And of course, the counsellers too? They ask exactly the same stuff the common app teacher rec form does - but they have to do it in their own special format.
So all in all, what I am wondering is - why does one of the top colleges in the country produce such a senseless, duplicative process that creates so much make-work for everyone involved? Are they too self-involved to have any perspective on the effort all the stakeholders have to put in?</p>

<p>Do I have to use upper case letters for the online application?</p>

<p>"I have a question about the Brown essay, and was hoping someone would help. If you look at the application online, all it says for length of the main "tell us about yourself" essay is that if it's above 1000 characters, upload it. But if you download the application, the same questions says to limit your answer to 500 words. Suggestions?"</p>

<p>I believe it's 5,000 characters for the main essay if you do it online. Beyond 5,000, you can upload it.</p>

<p>oops ok thanks. but still the question remains: 500 word limit or no? I mean, the online app doesn't even mention word limit, just that character thing. But the paper app says 500 words.</p>

<p>From what I've heard, your essay can vary in length. If it's a little over 500 words, but it doesn't drag, then you should be in the clear. I say try not to go far over 1 page typed with standard settings (1 inch margins, times new roman size 12, single spaced), though.</p>

<p>Many teachers disregard the Brown recommendation form and submit their own letter. Brown will not deny a student if teachers submit their own letter.</p>

<p>Brown's application has stayed the same for decades; its forms were developed years ago before the common ap. Most schools offer two ways of applying -- either their own forms, or the common ap. Brown is not unique in having its own forms. And Brown is not the only school that doesn't use the common ap. </p>

<p>As for the length of the essay: Your best bet is to keep it around 500 words. Yes, there are students who get accepted who write 700+ word essays. I would say in general, the shorter the better. </p>

<p>And Ailey, I would say that if the Brown application bothers you so much, then don't apply.</p>

<p>"And Ailey, I would say that if the Brown application bothers you so much, then don't apply"</p>

<p>don't worry, I'm not! :) I am long done with college. It's my child applying, and like all the other applicants, she is stoically dealing with the oddities of this process... </p>

<p>But I think the whole admissions process would be healthier if applicants and their families didn't behave and think quite so much like supplicants - and an approach that says 'if you don't like needless make-work, go somewhere else' would, I hope, be the antithesis of what a top-20 college would be looking for in the mental makeup of its student body.</p>

<p>But I grant I was definitely exasperated when I made the comment about self-involvement, and should have edited it out after I had done some deep breathing. I stand by the rest as constructive criticism of the sort that all institutions should solicit from their stakeholders.</p>