<p>On the Brown supplement to the CommonApp there are additional essays for applicants “whose primary interest is one of the following areas of study: Chemistry/Computer Science/Geology/Physics.”</p>
<p>I was wondering if anyone could speculate as to why these subjects were selected for the additional essay? The essay is pretty generic, asking about how you became interested in the subject, what you’ve done related to the subject outside of class, etc. </p>
<p>Is there an excess of people in those majors? Or maybe a lack? I’m probably being excessively analytical but I can’t help but think there’s some reason for picking out those specific areas of study.</p>
<p>I’m not sure. However, we took S on a tour of Brown this summer, including the special tour they had for the physcial sciences (the ones you noted above.) This was part three of the tour after the info session and campus tour. I was pretty sure S would be zoned out. Instead, he was the most animated I’d seen yet on a college tour and grabbed a napkin and started ranking his college choices to that point. Brown came in a strong second after Stanford, and he’s a CA boy so that says something. Well, it doesn’t answer YOUR question, unfortunately.</p>
<p>We know a Brown junior who’s a chemistry major and likes it there very much.</p>
<p>Brown is very interested in attracting students interested in concentrating in those subjects. There’s not an excess of students in these departments.</p>
<p>The applications of these students are sent to faculty in these departments for review, so perhaps they wanted to read the answers to these questions.</p>
<p>Brown asks several department-specific questions (also for engineering and PLME). In essense, it’s why-did-you-pick-this-major question. They are giving you an opportunity to explain your desires better.</p>
<p>I have a strong interest in studying computer science in college, but at moment I feel that it’s secondary to my interest in history. The language of the essay clearly states “primary interest.” Would I still be able to respond to this essay?</p>
<p>I believe you only do those essays if you are planning to concentrate in one of those sciences, and get a ScB.</p>
<p>If I was forced into deciding my concentration right now, I’d choose a double concentration in history and computer science. I know I would get a BA either way, but the essay prompt doesn’t seem to indicate anything about intended degree.</p>
<p>Maybe I’ll just send an e-mail to the admissions office and see what they say.</p>