Hi all,
I am applying RD to Brown and I intend on studying engineering, but by selecting engineering as my intended concentration I have to write two more essays and I’m not sure I’m up to that. Would it be beneficial to just say instead that I plan on concentrating on something that doesn’t require supplemental essays then, if I go to Brown, just switch into engineering freshman year?
No, that would not be beneficial at all. I would assume that if you plan to study engineering, your extracurriculars and courses skew towards the STEM fields. They would be quite surprised to see someone like that applying as an English concentrator, for example, especially if you have no stated interest there. Do the extra essays. If you “aren’t up to it,” then maybe you aren’t up to applying to Brown.
I agree with Bruno14. From everything I have read, Brown is looking for people with a passion for learning. If yours is guiding you towards Engineering, then use it as an opportunity to demonstrate that passion. Unless you don’t mind being, potentially, in a position of being rejected and wondering what would have happened if only you had written a couple of more essays. I suppose that if the essays will be really awful, it would be better to skip them but, as Bruno14 says, if you can’t get another couple of essays done about something that interests you, maybe Brown is not the right place? Not saying that to be mean but, seriously, you are applying in a pool full of highly motivated and talented people who are not looking for angles to avoid ‘extra’ work. Just for context, my daughter graduated with a BS in Mech. Engineering last May. She declared the expected concentration when she applied. Oh, and also, you wouldn’t have to “switch” majors – you can sign up for any classes you want in your first semester. In order to do the Engineering major you will need to start in your first semester.