<p>I am wondering what it is that Brown really looks for (besides gpa, SATs) that they believe set one candidate apart from the other 300 that want his or her spot. Are there any average people out there (I mean no offense by this just somone without a 4.0/1600) that have been accepted with some kind of interesting hook? And is it what you think got you in?</p>
<p>hey, i honestly think... it was cause i lived on the bottom ofthe sea and can only liveon land for five years and then i have to return...so they wanted themselves to be the thing i remebered about my life on land..</p>
<p>ok honestly, i think it was my leadership activities, and perhaps my essay (which talked about my trip to israel and how it has tremendously affected the way i view and treat people). and maybe cause a brown alumni vouched for me too... perhpas not... but i had great recomendations ( i got to read them)... but i think its leadership... im on the school board and ive been on a youth council since its birth. 3.86/1200/29act. i am totally not a 4.0/1600/800^5 and all 5 on ap with 20 ap classes, sometimes, they want character... but i dont know, i mean i only have a 1200 haha</p>
<p>I got in because of my experience in filmmaking...I won a grant to make a short documentary for PBS and spent about a year making it. I've also worked for a teen filmmaking studio for years and have worked on several major full length documentaries.</p>
<p>dd was admitted with 3.75uw/1490 and that is competitive enough for any school in the country if you have a rigourous program. I suppose some think that is average, but that might reflect on how easy your school is. Yes there is an intersting and significant hook, though. Not worth mentioning, because it is pretty unusual. But don't know if that was it, I'd think so. But also had significant leadership, great to stellar recs, fab interview, other good and focused EC's.</p>
<p>be yourself man. be yourself. if you're a good fit (according to them of course) you'll get in. I thing above all they are looking for independent, responsible (enough to chart their own academic course), and interesting characters for Brown...</p>
<p>BTW obviously a hook alone is not enough...Essays are big as are interviews (I've heard)...Brown seems to look at applicants more holistically and less statistically than many other Ivies. (But, of course, you need good numbers as well....the hoops we jump through)</p>
<p>I just want to clarify one of barski22's comments. He said that "essays are big as are interviews." When I participated in my Brown interview (Early Decision PLME accept) the alum was quick to tell me that the interview had little wieight on the admit committee's decision. The essay however, carries a great deal of weight. It is the one portion of the application where you can do whatever you want and really highlight yourself. </p>
<p>Peace,
Rory</p>
<p>I know we are basically listing every part of the application but, having spoken with admissions officers recently, I discovered that teacher recs are becoming more and more important. They defy a class or quick fix (SATs) and they can't be shaped by others or plagarized (Essays). While all of these remain very important Recs are climbing up the ranks of integral aspects of one's apps. Get the right person to write it and give them time.</p>
<p>well... i get along great with my teachers. i had my art teacher do my recs for all the collges. she has known me since 2nd grade so umm... yea, she knows me well... and i had my physics/chem teacher fill out the second one. i asked him because i knew he would be honest and tell it like it was.i read it and it was great. then brown needed an extra teacher (i applied for engineering) and i asked my english teacher. i didnt like hers asmuch because she added a lie or two and i was heated. (i did not try to change school lunches) but everything else was right. oh well... but yea... my teacher recs were great in my opinion, plus i never knew they respected me so highly</p>
<p>I didn't really have a hook, persay. I had good academics, but nothing amazing (1500, 3.9 uw). In terms of activities, I was well-rounded, but I didn't have a real hook. I think my "hooks" were my essays, my gc rec, my interview, and my activities as a whole (but not one in particular). Everyone says you need a hook, but you don't.</p>
<p>THe hook is the essay for most, I can tell you that. I too feel like the interview had little to do with it, from what other peopel have told me and the fact that I was admitted and had a TERRIBLE interview.</p>
<p>They look for well rounded students(I participate in several jazz bands, ensembles (school band Captain), and 3 different rock bands at one point, varsity volleyball, Hebrew High School, Curriculum Committee, etc), so don't just be a laundry list, take less things and be good at them and make them important. Highlight the things that matter most to you in your essay.</p>
<p>Btw, (4.0w, somewhere above 3.9 uw, 1480).</p>
<p>If I had a hook it was my three summers of research experience and coming in 4th place with my partner as a junior in the Siemens Westinghouse Competition. But I don't know that even that matters as much as essays, since my partner for Siemens, with the same GPA and SAT and better ECs really was waitlisted.</p>
<p>I felt my essays were good, but my hook was definitely that I took every language course offered by my school and then took 3 semesters of greek at Colgate.</p>
<p>being a republican??? would add diversity :p just kiddin guys...take it easy...</p>
<p>great interview is definitely not a good hook...i had an awesome awesome interview and my interviewer was as disappointed as i was about my rejection and took me out for a drink as well...but again...i am international and applyin for fin aid kills the app</p>
<p>My interview sucked, and I have no hook. I still can't figure out how I got in!</p>
<p>athletics most definately, will get you in if you are good enough and have good grades....
teacher recs are also a huge deal at brown.</p>
<p>2 people from my school got in b/c of athletics - one on a full scholarship for football, another for swimming. Also grades seem to matter a lot. There's another kid who had a very high gpa/SAT scores, but barely any extracurricular activities.</p>