brown university essays examples

6 Brown Essays That Worked + Why Brown Examples

For students writing the Brown supplements for Fall 2022, here is your guide to successful Brown essays.

In this article, I've gathered 6 essays written by admitted students to Brown.

I'll share examples of how regular high-achieving students who got into Brown recently by having stand-out essays.

Are essays all that matter? No, but especially for competitive and test-optional schools, your essays are a very important factor.

Let's jump right in.

What is Brown University's Acceptance Rate?

This past year, a record 46,568 students applied to Brown and just 2,537 students got accepted. Which means Brown had an overall admit rate of just 5.4%.

Since its known as a top Ivy League school, most students applying to Brown already have strong test scores, grades, and extracurricular activities.

Brown University Acceptance Scattergram

That's why its even more important to write essays that help show why you should be accepted.

Especially for Ivy League and other top schools like Brown, your essays make a difference.

What are the Brown Supplemental Prompts for 2022-23?

To apply to Brown University this year, you are required to write three short essays of 50 to 250 words each.

You can find your Brown writing supplement along with your Common Application essays on your portal.

Here's the Brown supplemental prompts for 2022. The questions on this page are being asked by Brown University:

Brown’s Open Curriculum allows students to explore broadly while also diving deeply into their academic pursuits. Tell us about any academic interests that excite you, and how you might use the Open Curriculum to pursue them while also embracing topics with which you are unfamiliar. (200-250 words)

Brown’s culture fosters a community in which students challenge the ideas of others and have their ideas challenged in return, promoting a deeper and clearer understanding of the complex issues confronting society. This active engagement in dialogue is as present outside the classroom as it is in academic spaces. Tell us about a time you were challenged by a perspective that differed from your own. How did you respond? (200-250 words)

Brown students care deeply about their work and the world around them. Students find contentment, satisfaction, and meaning in daily interactions and major discoveries. Whether big or small, mundane or spectacular, tell us about something that brings you joy. (200-250 words)

6 Brown University EssaysThatWorked

Here are 6 of my favorite Brown essay examples from admitted students.

These essays respond to past and current writing supplement prompts for Brown. I've also included some examples of personal statement essays that worked for Brown.

If you need help getting started writing, this is a perfect way to get inspired and see what's worked.

Table of Contents

• Brown Essay Example #1
• Brown Essay Example #2
• Brown Essay Example #3
• Brown Essay Example #4
• Brown Essay Example #5
• Brown Essay Example #6

Prompt: Open Curriculum

Brown university essay example #1.

Prompt: Brown’s Open Curriculum allows students to explore broadly while also diving deeply into their academic pursuits. Tell us about any academic interests that excite you, and how you might use the Open Curriculum to pursue them while also embracing topics with which you are unfamiliar. (200-250 words)

My primary interest is in languages and linguistics, specifically Spanish, Portuguese and the descent of these languages from Latin which I explored in my IB Extended Essay. Thus, something that excites me about the complete freedom of the Brown curriculum is the opportunity to learn about Hispanic and Lusophone culture, literature and language in an intersectional way through a concentration in Latin American studies combined with classes and undergraduate research in Linguistics. I intend to supplement my language acquisition with practical application through study abroad opportunities at PUC-Rio, Brazil and in Santiago, Chile, perhaps through the Engaged Scholars Program which will allow me to forge deeper connections with the communities and cultures I am studying. I am also attracted by the possibility of a 5-year BA/MA course in Linguistics which will permit me to conduct meaningful and extensive research on a topic I am truly passionate about.

However, I also have an interest in Biochemistry and Molecular biology. The Open Curriculum will enable me to pursue this avenue of study and research without detracting from my principal focus on languages. Therefore, perhaps what I am most excited for is interdisciplinary study at Brown and the possibility of forging unforeseen connections between disparate academic areas and weaving them together into a program of study that will engage, thrill, and inspire me towards a lifelong path of academic inquiry. For example, I am interested to explore how languages and sociolinguistics can be used to promote medical research and provision in Latin America.

Why This Essay Works:

Naming things unique to the school shows you have genuine interest. Listing specific programs, courses, or majors shows you've done your research.

The author's reasons for "Why Brown?" fit into their background and identity. This makes their reasons seem genuine and compelling.

What They Might Improve:

The essay is divided into two parts with distinct answers. Showing how those reasons relate could make the essay more cohesive.

Ending with a sentence "For example..." leaves more to be desired and explained.

Prompt: Brown's Community

Brown university essay example #2.

Prompt: At Brown, you will learn as much from your peers outside the classroom as in academic spaces. How will you contribute to the Brown community? (200-250 words)

At my high school, I reinvigorated and reinvented the linguistics society with the help of a friend, transforming it from a dull discussion of past exam questions to a seminar-style session where I have presented and analysed various interesting aspects of language. In a similar vein, I intend to be a leader and an innovator at Brown, and to create opportunities for likeminded people to discuss shared interests such as linguistics. However, other than creating clubs, I hope to use my experience as a camp counselor and a diving coach to support others within the community, and to set a good example of dedication, energy, and compassion.

Additionally, I have volunteered as a Spanish teacher at a local primary school for three years. Volunteer service is something I would definitely like to continue to undertake at Brown, perhaps through the Community Corps that will allow me to help address social inequality within Providence, or as a teacher and classroom assistant in the Elementary Afterschool Mentoring program at D’Abate school. I can draw on my previous experience and knowledge to hopefully enrich the education of underprivileged children in the local community.

Finally, as an international student, I will bring an element of unique culture to Brown’s campus. Having grown up in the buzzing metropolis of London but visiting America frequently to see family, I have the privilege of a truly dual nationality, and the resultant worldview and cultural references that I hope will enrich the diverse Brown community.

• Variety of Reasons Given: Providing multiple reasons for how you'll contribute shows you aren't one-dimensional. People are complex and showing nuance in your character is important.
• Showcasing Past Experiences: With each point, the author gives examples from their activities and resume. Referencing specific extracurriculars helps build their case and is "proof" of how they'll contribute.

What They Might Change:

• Flow and Writing Style: Listing activities can come off as robotic and uninteresting. Rather, try to find a balance between showing off your achievements and writing in an interesting way.
• Structure: The last paragraph is most compelling because it deals with the author's personality and background, rather than just what they've done. Organizing the essay around your character is better than focusing solely on your achivements.

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Prompt: Why Brown?

Brown university essay example #3.

Prompt: Why Brown, and why the Brown Curriculum? (200 words max)

I believe any college should equip you with tools as you embark upon your journey. Brown provides the necessary. That is what the capstone experience does (not to mention the importance of internships given to Brown Students). You can never know everything about anything. But quench the questions is exactly what the Capstone Experience fosters.

The Open Curriculum was obviously the first thing that caught my eye. In school, you are sometimes forced to take the subjects you don’t like. College shouldn’t be the same. It is supposed to be a fresh start and that is exactly why you should be allowed to take the courses that appeal to you. Here is where the S/NC option was interesting. Only if you know perspectives from all subjects, can you determine a solution; S/NC promotes this. Group Independent Study Projects is also unique. Getting into the course is something hard. But creating your own course is amusing.

I would love to be a part of The Society of Women Engineers because I had to fight with my own family to study Computer Science in the United States. If it means providing the help for people I wish I'd got, never better.

• Ideas and Beliefs: Rather than just saying what aspects are appealing, the author explains why they are attracted to those things. By explaining your perspective, admissions officers are better able to understand your thinking and character.
• Specific to Brown: Listing aspects that are unique to Brown is important to show your interest is authentic. By naming things like the Capstone Experience and S/NC, the author shows their knowledge of Brown and makes their reasons more compelling.
• Writing Style: Some parts of the essay are clunky in wording and could be written more clearly. But the author is an international student, so it is understandable and not the end of the world.
• Structure and Conclusion: There isn't a clear conclusion sentence that ties the essay together. How can you relate the last sentence to your beginning?

Prompt: Area of Study

Brown university essay example #4.

Prompt: Why are you drawn to the area(s) of study you indicated? (150 words max)

There was a time when I was low and afraid to be with myself. That’s when I dived into programming. I always sat with my laptop. But unlike others on Instagram or Snapchat, I was coding. I always kept myself occupied so I wouldn’t think about hardships. But as I was solving those little Instantiation and StackOverflow errors, I realized that any problem in my life had a solution. I could either modify the code and right the wrong, or just keep compiling them, producing no output. So, life is not all that different. That is why I want to pursue Computer Science. I know I can work to keep myself happy. Inevitably, what makes me happy is Computer Science, which is what I want to pursue.

• Intriguing Backstory: Telling a compelling story is about setting the scene. This essay creates vivid imagery by naming specific programming-related things.
• Connects to Bigger Picture: Rather than just saying their major or interest, the author connects it to a more universal idea. Showing the deeper "why" behind your interests makes it relatable and more interesting.
• Writing Style and Flow: Some words are unnecessary, and a few sentences could be made more smooth to read.
• Doesn't Use the Full Word Limit: With 23 words left, the author could have included a sentence or two more. Every word is valuable with short word limits, so use them carefully.

Prompt: Where You've Lived

Brown university essay example #5.

Prompt: Tell us where you have lived - and for how long - since you were born; whether you've always lived in the same place, or perhaps in a variety of places. (100 words max)

I was born in California, USA. When I was about 7 months old, I moved to Bangalore, India. I've lived in Bangalore all my life, until two years ago. I started attending a boarding school, in the same state, but far away from my house. I chose to leave everything behind, even my phone, because I didn't want to be pampered. I wanted to fold my own blanket; to wipe my own tears; to carve my own name; to befriend people my way; to create my destiny. My parents weren't happy at first, but I convinced them.

• Poetic Writing: Interesting writing comes from interesting ideas. And the second to last sentence especially is compelling because it expresses their ideas elegantly.
• Answers Prompt Directly: For supplements especially, make sure to answer exactly what the prompt is asking.
• Be More Concise: Use as few words as possible to say the most you can. Especially for short prompts like this one, every word matters.
• Word Choice: Swapping out words like "house" for "home" can make the tone more natural.

Prompt: Communities and Groups

Brown university essay example #6.

Prompt: Communities or groups: pick one and tell us why it is important to you, and how it has shaped you. (100 words max)

My dad lost his parents when he was young. My mom also quit her job to take care of me. So, if you look at it, she should loathe me. But she doesn’t. She has dedicated her whole life to me. That is why I want to provide a purpose to their lives. Every competition I won, even a small word of praise would lighten their mood. When I am happy they are euphoric; when I am sad they are distraught. It's like they (for)give and forget. So why not follow their footsteps and give it all I got?

• Vulnerable and Authentic: Being vulnerable is an important part of great essays. Talking about sensitive, but real and human topics, makes you more relatable and humanized.
• Explains What Motivates Them: Admissions officers want to know why you're driven to do things. Showing your "why" helps give insight into your character more deeply.
• Doesn't Answer Prompt Directly: Make sure to answer exactly what the prompt asks. Although this essay explains their background and motivations, it doesn't answer the question exactly.

If you're trying to get into Brown in 2022, your essays need to make you stand out from the competition. These 6 Brown essays that worked showcase great examples of what it takes to get accepted into Brown.

There are many lessons and tips to be learned from these supplements:

• Being authentic and genuine is key
• Name aspects unique and specific to the school
• Showcase your motivations and the "why" behind things
• Don't be afraid to be vulnerable
• Use every word carefully and make each word count

If you enjoyed reading these Brown supplements, you'll also like the essays for similar Ivy League schools like Princeton and Columbia University .

What did you think of these Brown University essays?

Ryan Chiang , Founder of EssaysThatWorked

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I'm Ryan Chiang and I created EssaysThatWorked - a website dedicated to helping students write college essays they're proud of. We publish the best college admissions essays from successful applicants every year to inspire and teach future students.

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People love to ask why. Why do you wear a turban? Why do you have long hair? Why are you playing a guitar with only 3 strings and watching TV at 3 A.M.—where did you get that cat? Why won’t you go back to your country, you terrorist? My answer is... uncomfortable. Many truths of the world are uncomfortable...

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Her baking is not confined to an amalgamation of sugar, butter, and flour. It's an outstretched hand, an open invitation, a makeshift bridge thrown across the divides of age and culture. Thanks to Buni, the reason I bake has evolved. What started as stress relief is now a lifeline to my heritage, a language that allows me to communicate with my family in ways my tongue cannot. By rolling dough for saratele and crushing walnuts for cornulete, my baking speaks more fluently to my Romanian heritage than my broken Romanian ever could....

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Undergraduate Admission

How to apply.

Applications to Brown are submitted online via the Common Application. The online system will guide you through the process of providing the supporting credentials appropriate to your status as a first-year or transfer applicant.

• Applying to Brown

Common Application

Begin by creating an account on the  Common Application  website. Once registered, you will need to add Brown University to your list of colleges by the College Search tab.

The Common Application is divided into three sections:

• Information common to all the schools to which you are applying
• Brown University specific questions
• School forms submitted by your school counselor and academic instructors

Apply Now with the Common Application

Brown University Specific Questions

Questions specific to Brown, including our essays for the 2023-2024 application cycle, are found in the section labeled "Questions." If you are applying to the eight-year  Program in Liberal Medical Education  (PLME) or the five-year  Brown-Rhode Island School of Design Dual Degree Program  (BRDD), you must also complete the special program essays.

Three essays are required for all first year and transfer applicants:

• Brown's Open Curriculum allows students to explore broadly while also diving deeply into their academic pursuits. Tell us about any academic interests that excite you, and how you might pursue them at Brown. (200-250 words)
• Students entering Brown often find that making their home on College Hill naturally invites reflection on where they came from. Share how an aspect of your growing up has inspired or challenged you, and what unique contributions this might allow you to make to the Brown community. (200-250 words)
• Brown students care deeply about their work and the world around them. Students find contentment, satisfaction, and meaning in daily interactions and major discoveries. Whether big or small, mundane or spectacular, tell us about something that brings you joy. (200-250 words)

First year applicants are also asked to reflect briefly on each of the very short answer questions below. We expect that answers will range from a few words to a few sentences at most.

What three words best describe you? (3 words)

What is your most meaningful extracurricular commitment, and what would you like us to know about it? (100 words)

If you could teach a class on any one thing, whether academic or otherwise, what would it be? (100 words)

In one sentence, Why Brown? (50 words)

Transfer students are also asked to complete the following very short answer question: 

Three essays are required for applicants to the PLME in addition to the three essays required of all first year applicants:

• Committing to a future career as a physician while in high school requires careful consideration and self-reflection. Explain your personal motivation to pursue a career in medicine. (250 word limit)
• Healthcare is constantly changing as it is affected by racial and social inequities, economics, politics, technology and more. Imagine that you are a physician and describe one way in which you would seek to make a positive impact in today’s healthcare environment. (250 word limit)
• How do you envision the Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME) helping to meet your academic, personal and professional goals as a person and future physician? (250 word limit)

One essay is required for applicants to the Brown|RISD Dual Degree Program in addition to the three essays required of all first year applicants:

• The Brown|RISD Dual Degree Program draws on the complementary strengths of Brown University and Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) to provide students with the opportunity to explore and engage with diverse spheres of academic and creative inquiry. The culmination of students’ five-year program is a capstone project that relates and integrates content, approaches, and methods from two distinct learning experiences. Considering your understanding of the academic programs at Brown and RISD, describe how and why the specific blend of RISD's experimental, immersive combined studio and liberal arts program and Brown's wide-ranging courses and curricula could constitute an optimal undergraduate education for you. Additionally, how might your academic, artistic and personal experiences contribute to the Dual Degree community and its commitment to interdisciplinary work? (650 word limit)

Submitting Material

Within the Common Application, you will be presented with either online or paper methods of inviting appropriate school officials and teachers to supply records and recommendations. We suggest that you begin the process early to give them plenty of time to respond before the deadline.

We recommend having all official documents, including transcripts and recommendations, sent through the Common Application. Brown has also partnered with  slate.org , through which counselors may upload materials directly for applicants. If this is not an option, please arrange to have your materials sent by email to [email protected] . In the absence of other electronic submission options, items may be faxed to 401-863-9300. Please do not mail duplicate hard copies of items that have been sent to Brown, as this can slow processing times.

Application Fee

To apply to Brown you must submit a $75 non-refundable application fee, or a fee waiver. As part of our commitment to make a Brown University education accessible to students from all income backgrounds, Brown is making automatic application fee waivers available to more students.

Brown will automatically waive the application fee for any student who is enrolled in or eligible for the Federal Free or Reduced Price Lunch program (FRPL), as well as students who are enrolled in federal, state or local programs that aid students from low-income families (for example, TRIO Programs). Additionally, Brown will automatically waive the application fee for any student who belongs to a community-based organization or college access organization that promotes educational opportunity for low-income students.

Applicants to Brown who meet any of these requirements should select the "Brown Specific Fee Waiver" in the "Brown Questions" section of the Common Application.   Applicants who do not meet these specific requirements but believe they may qualify for a fee waiver may select the same options in the Common Application supplemented by a fee waiver request. We will accept fee waiver request forms from  College Board  or  NACAC , or school counselors may email a letter of support directly to  [email protected] .

Criminal History

We do not consider information on criminal history during our initial round of admission application review. Only upon selecting a pool of admitted candidates do we learn whether you have reported a criminal history, at which point we will offer you an opportunity to explain the circumstances. With this approach, information on misdemeanor or felony convictions can inform, but not determine, admission decisions. This ensures that applicants are evaluated based on their academic profile, extracurricular pursuits and potential fit - not criminal history - and enables us to continue to review this potentially important information.

Deadlines and Notifications

Complete the Common Application by:

• November 1 for Early Decision
• January 3 for Regular Decision

You will receive a confirmation email from the Office of College Admission confirming receipt of your Common Application. It is best to ensure that all application materials are sent by the deadline. However, if your application and application payment/fee waiver are submitted by the deadline, it is acceptable to have some of your supporting materials (transcripts, letters of recommendation, etc.) arrive within the following week.

How to Write the Brown Supplemental Essays 2023–2024

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As a prestigious liberal arts and Ivy League institution, Brown University has high expectations from its applicants regarding the quality of their written essays. However, these supplemental essays are by no means unapproachable. With proper planning and execution, successful essays can reflect extremely well upon an applicant, showcasing multiple facets of their personality and demonstrating the abilities that will help them thrive at this university. In this article, we will guide you through how to write the Brown University supplemental essays. 

Brown University’s 2023-2024 Prompts

Supplemental essay prompts, brown’s open curriculum allows students to explore broadly while also diving deeply into their academic pursuits. tell us about any academic interests that excite you, and how you might pursue them at brown. (200-250 words), students entering brown often find that making their home on college hill naturally invites reflection on where they came from. share how an aspect of your growing up has inspired or challenged you, and what unique contributions this might allow you to make to the brown community. (200-250 words), brown students care deeply about their work and the world around them. students find contentment, satisfaction, and meaning in daily interactions and major discoveries. whether big or small, mundane or spectacular, tell us about something that brings you joy. (200-250 words), brief reflection prompts.

Note that these prompts are found in the Common App as part of Brown’s writing supplement, and are required questions, but they are not found in the Common Application section of Brown’s “How to Apply” web page.

What three words best describe you? (3 words)

What is your most meaningful extracurricular commitment, and what would you like us to know about it (100 words), if you could teach a class on any one thing, whether academic or otherwise, what would it be (100 words).

General Tips

One of the key features about each of these Brown University supplemental essays is their length: they are short. Limiting each response to 250 words maximum can be challenging, especially when discussing complex interests or topics about which you are passionate. The key to writing a succinct yet impactful essay is to limit the words spent on narrative or objective descriptions and instead devote space to emotions, thoughts, and reflections. For instance, compare…

“Painting brings me joy. When I was five years old, my father bought me my first set of paintbrushes. Since then, I have painted every day, joining art clubs in middle and high school and collaborating with peers on projects in the community. We painted murals and posters for events and local exhibitions, learning and meeting new people as we did so. My skills have improved over time, and I aim to continue my development as an artist and a creative in college and beyond.”

…to the following:

“Painting brings me joy. Ever since receiving my first set of brushes at five years old, I have embraced the challenge of setting color to paper to create brilliant images. As I improved over time, I searched for ways to share the satisfaction of art with others. Orchestrating community projects allowed me to connect with peers and express my gratitude for my hometown, and as I continue to develop my skills, I will spread that joy to an even broader audience in college and beyond.”

These two passages have the same word count, but the second much more effectively gives the reader a sense of who the writer is and what they value about their interest in painting. Instead of simply listing the factual details of an interest or event, academic or otherwise, be sure to give the reader a glimpse into your emotions and thought processes. Doing so will increase the impact of each word, allowing you to convey your meaning more succinctly.

Brown University’s Supplemental Essay Prompts

This first prompt is an iteration of the common “why us” essay type. However, Brown’s Open Curriculum, the star of its academic programming, features prominently in this supplemental essay, and students are expected to demonstrate a basic understanding of the core tenets of this curriculum.

Essentially, the Open Curriculum at Brown University allows undergraduates to forego the general education and distribution requirements mandated by most colleges and universities and instead enables students to formulate their own paths of study. Some students even develop their own majors based on personal interests that they enter with or discover along the way. This first essay asks applicants to consider how they would make the most of this unique flexibility.

First and foremost, research the Open Curriculum . Read about how current and past students have approached this opportunity, and consider how you would do so yourself. Then, brainstorm. Write out a list of your academic interests, ranging from your intended major (if you have one—no commitment necessary at this point!) to potential interests that you would like to develop further, and everything in between. For now, the more the merrier!

Consider browsing the academic offerings to find departments, courses, or tracks that align with your interests. Lastly, and arguably, most importantly, look for connections between your areas of interest and explore how you could connect them. This is the greatest and most unique benefit of Brown’s Open Curriculum: the ability to craft your own cocktail of learning experiences.

Be sure to delve into the why: Why combine the interests you choose? What added benefit do you gain by studying simultaneously across disciplines? This interdisciplinary emphasis on exploration is central to Brown’s values as a university.

This second prompt asks Brown applicants to discuss their backgrounds, past adversity, perspectives, growth, and/or community involvement. But 200-250 words is not much room to tell the story of your upbringing! If possible, choose a specific 1-3 anecdote(s) to share. Your anecdote(s) should be from your childhood and involve details about your unique upbringing.

If you have a cultural background, unusual childhood experience, or significant period of growth in your personal history, now might be the time to bring it up in your application. This essay gives you the meaningful opportunity to engage with a part of your past that otherwise wouldn’t have made it into your application; generally, applications focus on high school experiences, but this essay can (and probably should) focus on a pre-high school experience.

One pitfall that many students fall into when writing this essay is cliché. It is really easy to describe your childhood in a generic way, but the more personal and, frankly, odd you can get in this essay, the better. Authenticity and revelation of your quirks will go a long way to helping the reader remember your essay long after reading it.

Consider these questions to get your brainstorming going:

• Did you have a weird childhood habit or hobby that ended up teaching you a life lesson?
• Did you suffer bullying and come out stronger, more empathetic, and/or more sure of who you are?
• Did you have a mentor who shaped you?
• Did your hometown have a unique tradition that influenced your worldview?

Remember, growth is key in this essay. After you’ve selected your specific topic and your discrete, brief 1-3 anecdotes, make sure you clarify at the beginning of the essay who you once were, and by the end of the essay, who you are now. Displaying growth will not only evidence your maturity but also demonstrate your college readiness and ability to answer a challenging essay question.

Lastly, this third supplemental prompt is the most open-ended. This is not just a simple “extracurriculars” or “other interests” prompt, because it is so broad in its scope; as long as it brings you joy, any topic is on the table, academic, artistic, intellectual, philosophical, culinary, athletic, or otherwise. If you feel that your application so far has not done justice to an important part of yourself, then this would be an opportune place to discuss that aspect.

The prompt goes so far as to specify that the topic can be “big or small, mundane or spectacular,” so if something in particular comes to mind as you read this, then chances are it would make a strong essay, whatever it may be. The most important consideration in choosing a topic for this essay is to select something that truly does bring you joy . Readers can tell when the excitement in your tone is genuine, and that realness is what sells your essay.

As you brainstorm ideas for this essay, restrain yourself from writing about a topic that you think you “should” write about. If your true passion is baking chocolate chip cookies for your little sisters when they are feeling down, but you feel like you should write about coding because it seems more “sophisticated” or “academic,” choose the former. A genuine essay will shine through every time.

As you describe what brings you joy, try to draw the reader into your excitement. Invite them to enjoy the activity or the project with you and show them why it is that you love it. Make them love it too! Vivid descriptors and sensory details can go a long way in essays like this one, especially if your passion has a sensory component. Allow yourself and your readers to be swept up in “contentment, satisfaction, and meaning.” Joy is infectious, so fill your essay with as much of it as possible.

Brown University’s Brief Reflection Prompts

This brief reflection prompt asks you to distill your personality into a short list of descriptors: this is a huge challenge if you want to bring any nuance to your three words. However, on the flip side, although there are many “wrong” answers and many “right” answers, you’re more likely to put down a neutral answer than a “wrong” answer. In other words, if you pick three random positively connoted adjectives, for instance, those words’ impact on your application will probably be neutral or positive.

That said, there are things you can do to increase your chances of positively influencing your application with your three words: Be consistent and inconsistent.

Being consistent with the rest of your application is great, and 1-2 of your words should somehow be synonymous or consistent with the rest of your application. If you have an amazing academic record, maybe one of your descriptors is “hardworking” or “driven.” If you’re applying to study English or Creative Writing, maybe one of your descriptors is “writer” or “reader.” These are consistent descriptors, so that your response feels like it is part of the same application as the rest of your materials.

Being inconsistent allows you to add new value to your application. Maybe you’re applying to study Neuroscience, but one of your words is “illustrator” or “artistic.” Maybe your application deals with really serious topics all throughout, and yet you put that you’re “cheerful” or “playful.” Adding dimension to your personality through these words allows you to bring something new to this essay, even though it’s so short: every response on your application can help you out!

Like all of your other essay responses, this brief reflection is another moment to provide something to your application reader that they can’t get from reading the rest of your application. Note the wording of this prompt: “What would you like us to know about [your most meaningful extracurricular commitment]?” This question implies that what you would like the reader to know is something they can’t possibly already know.

In the case of some students, this brief response is the opportunity necessary to clarify something about their extracurricular commitment. For instance, maybe your most meaningful extracurricular has a weird title, and you’re concerned that your activities list in the Common App can’t possibly do it justice. Or perhaps your commitment hours for this extracurricular look strangely high or low, and you’d like the chance to explain it.

In the case of other students, the activities section of the Common App does their activities justice, and thus this essay is a bonus to bring more nuance to their most meaningful activity. If that sounds like you, here are some tips to make this essay response the strongest it can be.

• Answer your FAQ(s). If you describe this activity to your friends, do they all ask the same silly question? For instance, if you’re a coxswain on a rowing team, and people always ask you “What’s the point of your position and why do you need to train?”, you could take this essay as an opportunity to explain the importance of your position and why you train with the rest of the team.
• Make it personal. College admissions officers have seen a lot, and they have probably seen many applicants with the same or similar extracurricular as you. Clarify why you as an individual find meaning in this extracurricular, and how this extracurricular fits into your life.
• how you’ve grown through this activity
• how this activity has changed you
• how you have changed the activity
• how your growth has impacted your relationship with the activity.

This final prompt toes a fine line: many students who answer this question earnestly end up sounding full of themselves. There are three main ways to answer this question. Either you suggest teaching a class on something you legitimately have deep knowledge of, you suggest teaching a class on something you obviously have no knowledge of, or you suggest teaching a class on something you might have some knowledge of.

If you already have deep knowledge of the subject of your imaginary class , then humbly clarify this before listing your reasons for wanting to teach a class on it—specifically, reasons other than just “I am (already) an expert in this topic.” For instance, you might be an extremely talented potter, but your pottery talents don’t come up elsewhere in your application. Thus, you’ll need to discuss your pottery talents briefly, authentically, and modestly before describing why you’d like to teach a pottery class.

If you obviously don’t have knowledge of the subject of your imaginary class , then you’ll want to briefly express why you’d like to know about this topic before delving into why you’d like to teach a class on it. And again, your reasons for teaching this class need to be more than just that you’d like to be an expert who is capable of teaching a class in it. For instance, if you’d like to teach a class on how to safely jump out of a plane, you’re going to first want to clarify why you’d like to be an expert in jumping out of planes before explaining why you’d like to teach other people how to jump out of planes.

If you have some knowledge of the subject of your imaginary class , then you’ll want to clarify the limited extent of your knowledge before explaining why you’d like to learn more about this topic and teach a class on it. For instance, if you would like to teach a class on particle physics, you’ll want to briefly express how much/little you know about the topic. Then, you’ll want to explain why you’re compelled to learn more and to teach people more about particle physics.

When wrapping up your brief reflection, you may want to give an indication of how you will teach the class and/or to whom you would like to teach the class, but this is totally up to you and depends on how many words you have left over.

If you need help polishing up your Brown University supplemental essays, check out our College Essay Review service. You can receive detailed feedback from Ivy League consultants in as little as 24 hours.

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21 Brown Essays That Worked

Updated for the 2024-2025 admissions cycle.

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Brown University is a storied Ivy League university based in Providence, Rhode Island with a reputation for cutting-edge scholarship and groundbreaking academic programs. Founded in 1764, Brown is one of the nation's oldest colleges and places a premium on studying subjects from several disciplines. Students at this progressive school are encouraged to think beyond the box and pursue academic rigor and breadth. As such, unlike other schools, Brown has an Open Curriculum, which empowers students to choose the courses they want, rather than having to fulfill general education requirements. This tight-knight, politically active campus is a great fit for free thinkers and free spirits hoping to make the world a better place.

Unique traditions at Brown

1. The Nude Olympics: A student-coordinated streaking event held in Brown's major quadrangle, Vartan. 2.The Spring Weekend Concert: An annual concert, which has seen renowned performers including Lauryn Hill, Flume, Wu-Tang Clan and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. 3. The Van Wickle Gates and President's Walk: Every year, first-years symbolically and formally mark the conclusion of their transition to college life by walking through the historic Van Wickle Gates and completing the President's Walk, a path encircling the entirety of Brown's main campus. 4. Splash!: An event held annually, where students and professors can teach courses on almost any subject for a day and then come together for a celebratory Splash dance. 5. The Wave: Every year during the homecoming football game, students, alums, staff and faculty join hands in a giant wave around the fields of Brown's football stadium.

Programs at Brown

1. Brown Boat Club: Brown University's rowing team. Established in 1836, they practice in the head of the Seekonk River and compete against some of the best collegiate rowing teams in the country. 2. Brown Debate Society: Brown's debate union since 1964. They are competing in events like the World Universities Debating Championship or the European Universities Debating Championships, practicing Argumentation and improving their public speaking skills. 3. Semester at Sea: An academically rigorous program providing the opportunity to visit multiple worldwide ports and earn academic credit. Students can pick from a variety of courses and further explore their studies. 4. Swearer Center for Public Service: An organization focused on creating opportunities for students to gain experience in the public service sector. There are a variety of mentorship, internship and career development resources available. 5. Entrepreneurship at Brown: A university program which accelerates ideas and discoveries in the entrepreneurial space. With faculty support, students have access to resources to bring their ideas to life and create new businesses.

At a glance…

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Real Essays from Brown Admits

Prompt: brown’s open curriculum allows students to explore broadly while also diving deeply into their academic pursuits. tell us about any academic interests that excite you, and how you might use the open curriculum to pursue them while also embracing topics with which you are unfamiliar..

As far back as I can remember, I have had a deep-rooted interest in history. Captivated by each story, I watch every documentary on King Henry VIII, read every book on the Cambodian Genocide, and listen to the stories of my family's struggle during the Nicaraguan Proxy Wars. My passion for history intertwines with my love for International Affairs. While exteriorly different, international affairs have been the leading causes of several historical events. To this day, the history and legacy of World War II have continued the United Nations purpose in maintaining global peace. The United Nations saved my family in the Nicaraguan Proxy War, and as such, history upholds peace in intersection with international affairs. The Engaged Scholars Program at Brown takes on this approach. Providing me with the hands-on experience to serve humanitarian efforts and public service, the program takes history onto theoretical and analytical levels of community engagement. Furthermore, I could discover new passions and interests at Brown, such as Greek Mythology, by contributing to the Brown Classical Journal. While also studying at the Brown Center for Language Studies to learn the mother tongue of my Aztec ancestors: Nahuatl. My passions are a necessity rather than an option. While studying at the Brown Open Curriculum, I can be free to become a changemaker in my education in serving the world. To have the possibility of studying multiple pursuits while continuing International Affairs, I see that my place fits Brown as a member of its diverse community.

Essay by Indiana VA

Incoming Freshman at Harvard majoring in Government/Political Science

Prompt: Brown students care deeply about their work and the world around them. Students find contentment, satisfaction, and meaning in daily interactions and major discoveries. Whether big or small, mundane or spectacular, tell us about something that brings you joy.

As my pen hits the page and I complete that first stroke of ink, all of my stress vanishes. Art is not a hobby that I merely enjoy, but a necessary component of my lifestyle.

Exploring visual art allows me to have a space in which I don’t have to worry about gaining validation from people around me. I create art just for the sake of creating, and it's brought my life some much-needed balance. My many failed attempts at illustrating new pieces have taught me that failure only highlights areas in my life that require growth. I went from scribbling on a page to creating illustrations of saints to adorn my Church walls, and that kind of improvement proved to me that real growth takes time and dedication.

However, art has done more than just improved aspects of my own life. I remember seeing the joy on my sister’s face the first time she saw the portrait I drew of her. She noticed the richness of her dark skin and the volume of her curls jumping off the page and said to me, “I feel seen!” That moment made me realize that I have a medium to highlight topics and issues that I wish to address. With my artwork, I strive to remedy the lack of representation in the media by implementing various skin tones and hair types in my digital illustrations to allow humans of all ethnicities to feel as beautiful and seen as my sister did.

Essay by Sage Hanks

Hello! I am a prospective neuroscience major at Princeton, and I'm interested in the intersections between neuroscience, race, and gender!

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Someone with the same interests, stats, and background as you

Brown University

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Brown University’s 2023-24 Essay Prompts

Three words to describe you short response.

What three words best describe you?

National Exams Short Response

Some schools offer students the opportunity to take national exams in areas such as math and language. These exams include, but are not limited to, AIME, AMC 10, Le Grand Concours, National Spanish Exam, National Latin Exams. If you have taken any of these exams (or any other subject-based national or international examinations), please inform us of the exams and scores you find most meaningful.

Academic Interest Short Response

Brown‘s Open Curriculum allows students to explore broadly while also diving deeply into their academic pursuits. Tell us about any academic interests that excite you, and how you might pursue them at Brown.

Overcoming Challenges Short Response

Students entering Brown often find that making their home on College Hill naturally invites reflection on where they came from. Share how an aspect of your growing up has inspired or challenged you, and what unique contributions this might allow you to make to the Brown community.

What Brings You Joy Short Response

Brown students care deeply about their work and the world around them. Students find contentment, satisfaction, and meaning in daily interactions and major discoveries. Whether big or small, mundane or spectacular, tell us about something that brings you joy.

Extracurricular Short Response

What is your most meaningful extracurricular commitment, and what would you like us to know about it?

What Class Would You Teach Short Response

If you could teach a class on any one thing, whether academic or otherwise, what would it be?

Why This College Short Response

In one sentence, Why Brown?

RISD Dual Degree Essay

The Brown|RISD Dual Degree Program draws on the complementary strengths of Brown University and Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) to provide students with the opportunity to explore and engage with diverse spheres of academic and creative inquiry. The culmination of students’ five-year program is a capstone project that relates and integrates content, approaches, and methods from two distinct learning experiences. Considering your understanding of the academic programs at Brown and RISD, describe how and why the specific blend of RISD‘s experimental, immersive combined studio and liberal arts program and Brown‘s wide-ranging courses and curricula could constitute an optimal undergraduate education for you. Additionally, how might your academic, artistic and personal experiences contribute to the Dual Degree community and its commitment to interdisciplinary work?

PLME Short Response 1

Committing to a future career as a physician while in high school requires careful consideration and self-reflection. Explain your personal motivation to pursue a career in medicine.

PLME Short Response 2

Healthcare is constantly changing as it is affected by racial and social inequities, economics, politics, technology, and more. Imagine that you are a physician and describe one way in which you would seek to make a positive impact in today’s healthcare environment.

PLME Short Response 3

How do you envision the Program in Liberal Medical Education helping to meet your academic, personal and professional goals as a person and future physician?

Common App Personal Essay

The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don‘t feel obligated to do so.

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you‘ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

What will first-time readers think of your college essay?

Brown Supplemental Essays 2023-24 Prompts & Advice

August 16, 2023

Applicants to the Brown Class of 2027 were greeted with just over a 5% acceptance rate, similar to the year prior. Given that 19 of every 20 applicants are turned away–even many valedictorians with perfect test scores–aspiring Brown undergrads need to find a way to stand out from a pack of similarly credentialed teens. Fortunately, Brown provides exactly this kind of opportunity by offering three 200-250 word essays and a handful of short answers that provide applicants a chance to showcase their writing ability and craft responses that are genuine, compelling, and potentially needle-moving to the admissions staff at this Rhode Island-based Ivy. In the following blog, we will offer a detailed look at each of the Brown supplemental essays.

(Want to learn more about How to Get Into Brown University? Visit our blog entitled:  How to Get Into Brown: Admissions Data and Strategies  for all of the most recent admissions data as well as tips for gaining acceptance.)

You’ll find the Brown supplemental essay prompts for the 2023-24 admissions cycle listed below. The College Transitions team will also share their advice about how successful applicants approach each of the Brown supplemental essays.

Brown Supplemental Essays 2023-24

1) brown open curriculum essay.

Brown’s Open Curriculum allows students to explore broadly while also diving deeply into their academic pursuits. Tell us about any academic interests that excite you, and how you might pursue them at Brown. (200-250 words)

Let’s begin by explaining exactly what Brown’s  Open Curriculum  is…in the university’s own words, the Open Curriculum allows students to “develop a personalized course of study — they have greater freedom to study what they choose and the flexibility to discover what they love.” Getting to be the architect of your own college program is a rare opportunity that few schools other than Brown offer. With this great privilege comes great responsibility and Brown wants to know precisely how you might take advantage of this virtually unparalleled undergraduate freedom.

What topics keep you up at night? Which subject makes you read books and online content until your eyes bleed? Are there particular interests that you’ve started exploring—either in or outside the classroom—and would like to continue pursuing? If you could address one problem in the world, large or small, what would it be? Moreover, if you’re interested in several areas (which is 100% welcome at Brown) how might an interdisciplinary approach benefit you? After you’ve selected your interest area(s), you’ll then want to connect them to specific resources or offerings at Brown, which could include academic departments , classes , professors, research opportunities , study abroad programs , or internships , to name a few.

2) Brown Supplemental Essay – Background

Students entering Brown often find that making their home on College Hill naturally invites reflection on where they came from. Share how an aspect of your growing up has inspired or challenged you, and what unique contributions this might allow you to make to the Brown community. (200-250 words)

This prompt asks you to not only share a particular life experience or element of your background/cultural identity but also describe why that experience or element of your identity will help you contribute to Brown in general. Essentially, it’s asking you to take your essay’s reflection one step further—you’ll need to share why the experience or element you’ve chosen has inspired or challenged you as well as why/how you believe it will allow you to positively impact the Brown community.

Brown Supplemental Essays (Continued)

First, choose a key aspect of your experiences, background, or identity that reveals something deep and meaningful about you. (Although you could choose more than one, we’d advise against it, given that you only have 250 words in which to respond.) As you brainstorm, consider the following avenues:

• Your role in your family.
• A challenge you’ve faced.
• A formative experience or realization.
• Important aspects of your upbringing.
• Cultural, religious, community influence.

Second, you’ll need to describe both personal and future impact. Make sure that your answer reveals something about how you will live out Brown’s values or contribute to an academic/social community ( note : this should be different from the offerings discussed in your Open Curriculum essay). For the latter angle, you could name a specific  course ,   research opportunity , or extracurricular club , to name a few—perhaps living in a beach town has heavily contributed to your passion for the world’s oceans, and you seek to bring that perspective to the biology department’s research opportunities. Alternatively, you could discuss something more intangible—perhaps Brown’s mission to create inclusive communities resonates with you, and you hope to bring your experience of growing up with a neurodiverse sibling to on- and off-campus tutoring opportunities.

3) Brown Joy Essay

Brown students care deeply about their work and the world around them. Students find contentment, satisfaction, and meaning in daily interactions and major discoveries. Whether big or small, mundane or spectacular, tell us about something that brings you joy. (200-250 words)

What brings you glee, exuberance, jubilation, delight, elation, bliss…joy? There are a multitude of universal and highly relatable experiences that bring joy to one’s soul. For example, it could involve family, pets, hobbies, habits, scenes of natural beauty, literature, travel, etc. However, you could also talk about dreams for the future, more bittersweet moments, abstract thoughts, moments of glorious introversion, or a time that you  unexpectedly  felt joy.

4) Brown Supplemental Essays – Short Answer Questions (new this year!)

Help us get to know you better by reflecting briefly on each of the questions below. We expect that answers will range from a few words to a few sentences at most.

What three words best describe you?

No tricks here—the prompt literally only allows for three words. As such, make sure those three words are pulling their weight. For example, “interesting, hard-working, dedicated” could likely describe any number of Brown applicants. Instead, try to think of descriptive or evocative words that capture what makes you unique or what you most value—perhaps it’s your wit, your bibliophile tendencies, or your generosity, to name a few.

What is your most meaningful extracurricular commitment, and what would you like us to know about it? (100 words)

Out of everything you’re involved in, what stands out? What activity is near and dear to your heart? What activity has enabled you to grow the most or learned important lessons? If you could choose one of your activities to continue doing in college, which one would it be? After you’ve chosen, think about why this activity is the most meaningful or important to you—what it has allowed you to accomplish, how it has brought you personal fulfillment, and/or how it has pushed you outside of your comfort zone, among others.

If you could teach a class on any one thing, whether academic or otherwise, what would it be? (100 words)

Firstly, you’ll want to select a course centered around a topic about which you are an expert or hope to become an expert. The admissions reader is well aware that you are a teenager and not someone who has yet earned a Ph.D. Therefore, being a self-taught, informal expert is perfectly fine. You’ll then want to explain “why”—why will (or should) your passion be made relevant to a wider audience? Here are a few additional tips to keep in mind:

• Quality answers often involve the intersection of two or more disciplines.
• Course creation essays can and should reveal your ability to connect and synthesize information.
• Make sure that the topic of your course is not overly broad or already offered. The topic should not be akin to a 101 college course like Intro to Psychology…be creative (this is Brown, after all)!

In one sentence, Why Brown? (50 words)

Here, think about why you believe Brown is the best fit for you overall . To accomplish that, list every reason why you’re applying to Brown and how you believe Brown will help you reach your goals. There should be at least a few that stand out, which you can integrate into one (very long) sentence. While you can reiterate reasoning shared on other parts of the application (such as how excited you are by the linguistics department) you don’t want this response to be a straight-up repeat. As such, the strongest answers will include academic as well as social or ethos-related elements, and can reference your own short or long-term goals as well.

How important are the Brown supplemental essays?

There are a whopping 7 factors that Brown considers to be “very important” to the evaluation process. These are: rigor of secondary school record, character/personal qualities, class rank, GPA, recommendations, extracurricular activities. However, the most relevant to this blog is, of course, the Brown supplemental essays. The essays undoubtedly play a significant role in the admissions process at Brown University. They can help the committee decide whom to admit when choosing between similarly credentialed (GPA, test scores, etc.) applicants.

Want Personalized Essay Assistance with your Brown Supplemental Essays?

We have over a decade of experience helping students compose essays that help them gain acceptance to Brown. If you are interested in working with one of College Transitions’ experienced and knowledgeable essay coaches as you craft your Brown supplemental essays, we encourage you to  get a quote  today.

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Literary Arts

Admission is highly selective, and is based primarily on the quality of the applicant’s literary writing.

Your writing sample, therefore, is the most important part of your application . In putting your sample together, you should emphasize quality rather than length. Your writing sample should be in a single genre.

Writing Sample

Suggested length.

Writing samples may comprise a single work; an excerpt (or multiple excerpts) from a longer work; or multiple short works; or some other combination.

30 – 40 pages (double-spaced is typical; you may use an alternative format if integral to the work.)

15 – 20 pages (any format)

One or two electronic projects.

30 – 50 pages (any format)

Applying for Multiple Tracks

If you want to be considered in more than one track, you must complete two separate applications, including two separate application fees and two separate writing samples. Owing to the design of the online application system, you must use a different electronic mail address for each application (so if you only have one electronic mail account, you'll need to create a second account in order to submit the second application).

Applicants submit a writing sample in plain-text format (preferably as a PDF document) less than 5 megabytes in size as part of the online application. If your work cannot easily be sent in this format (i.e., it has sculptural elements that you do not feel you can document in any but three-dimensional models), send it by regular mail to: Graduate School, Brown University, Box 1867, Providence, RI 02912. You may also include web address links for works that are best read online.

Applicants’ writing samples are reviewed for admission by at least two members of the faculty. Because the Literary Arts Department receives a large number of applications, faculty members cannot provide critiques of individual samples. The Department does not grant interviews to prospective students.

Additional information

Application requirements, campus visits, international applicants.

What are your chances of acceptance?

Calculate for all schools, your chance of acceptance.

Your chancing factors

Extracurriculars.

How to Write Brown’s Open Curriculum Essay

This article was written based on the information and opinions presented by Shane Niesen and Vinay Bhaskara in a CollegeVine livestream. You can watch the full livestream for more info. 

What’s Covered:

Showcase your academic passions.

• Demonstrate Interdisciplinary Thinking

Approach This as a “Why Brown” Question

Do your research.

The first Brown University supplemental essay asks students to respond to the following prompt: 

Brown’s Open Curriculum allows students to explore broadly while also diving deeply into their academic pursuits. Tell us about any academic interests that excite you, and how you might use the Open Curriculum to pursue them while also embracing topics with which you are unfamiliar. (200-250 words)

In this article, we discuss how to demonstrate your academic passions and interdisciplinary thinking, how to make this a “why Brown” essay, and the importance of doing your research.

The best way to think of this prompt is as a “why major” essay , which is a commonly used prompt by many colleges. However, keep in mind that this prompt is asking you to put more of an emphasis on subjects that you’re not necessarily going to major in but that interest you. Therefore, the essay should provide a clear insight into your academic passions and how you will pursue them instead of your intended major. 

One strategy when approaching this prompt is to explore topics or hobbies that you enjoy but that are not directly related to your intended career path, as you can use this essay to expand upon these alongside your major. 

Demonstrate Interdisciplinary Thinking 

For Brown University, interdisciplinary thinking is essential, and it is critical to demonstrate this in this essay. You can approach this in two ways. Either you can narrow your essay down to one specific discipline that combines multiple subject areas, or you can write about the common interest that motivates you to pursue multiple subject areas.

Combine Two Subjects into One Discipline

For the first strategy, try combining multiple topics that you are interested in to arrive at a specific discipline, like combining neurology and psychology to get neuropsychology. This may require extra research into the various majors and departments at Brown, and you can even get a little creative in the way that you tie together your interests. One caveat, however, is to not stretch this too much; if you can’t think of one overarching discipline, it may be best to employ another strategy for this essay. 

Find a Common Thread Among Multiple Disciplines

The second strategy is to reflect on various subjects that you are interested in and try to find a common thread or similarity that interests you in those topics. For example, if you are interested in history, economics, psychology, and sociology, the common thread might be understanding how societies function or the relationship between people and markets. You can use this central theme as a way to highlight the different disciplines that interest you and to clearly show the reader what about them is so compelling to you personally.

As you work to demonstrate your interdisciplinary thinking through this essay, remember that this is a short essay with a limit of 200-250 words. We recommend sticking to two subjects maximum and simply mentioning other disciplines rather than discussing them deeply. 

Additionally, it’s okay if you’re divided between two different subjects that are hard to reconcile. If you choose to include topics like this, make sure to give insight into why they are challenging to combine and what draws you to each.

Since Brown’s academic branding is highly focused on the open curriculum, this essay is also like a “Why Brown” essay. In fact, in the past, this prompt used to include a question about “Why Brown?” alongside the language about Brown’s open curriculum. 

Therefore, when writing this essay, try to frame your interests in a way that shows that the open curriculum at Brown is the best way to explore them. Demonstrate that you would be served well by having the opportunities specifically allotted to you by Brown to explore your academic interests and that it would be much harder for you to do so in a core curriculum system.

Before you write, be sure to do your research into academic opportunities and programs related to your interests at Brown. Ultimately, you will want to tie in any relevant academic offerings at the university naturally into your essay. 

For example, if you are interested in biology and geology and plan to write about your fascination with the line between living organisms and the natural world, you will also need to include specific examples as to how you will pursue these interests at Brown.

Something that you might want to bring up are the Departments of Earth, Environments and Planetary Sciences, or DEEPS, which at Brown, is the overarching academic department covering both biology and earth sciences. By doing your research into Brown’s academic offerings and course structure, you’ll be better able to organically explain why you specifically seek to pursue your interests at Brown.

Keep in mind that when including specific opportunities and programs, you should not be artificial. It is important to show that you’ve done the research, but it has to come from the heart, or admissions officers will immediately notice, and you may sound awkward or inauthentic. 

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Brown University Admission Essays

Brown University, nestled in historic Providence, Rhode Island, is renowned for its distinctive approach to education. Founded in 1764, it stands as the seventh-oldest college in the United States, boasting a rich history and a commitment to academic excellence. Aspiring students often seek insights into the university's essay requirements, and this advices aims to shed light on Brown essay examples, offering guidance and inspiration for prospective applicants.

Introduction to Brown University Essays

Brown University, celebrated for its open curriculum and dedication to student-directed learning, places a significant emphasis on the essay component of the application process. These essays offer a unique opportunity for applicants to unveil their distinctive perspectives, experiences, and aspirations. Crafting compelling essays is paramount for setting oneself apart in the competitive admissions process.

With an esteemed commitment to an open curriculum and student-directed learning, Brown University stands as a distinguished institution in higher education. Navigating the intricate landscape of the application process requires prospective students to pay meticulous attention to a pivotal element: the essay component. Here, the strategic use of Brown essay examples, meticulously crafted and purposefully employed, serves as the guiding beacon leading applicants toward the coveted admission to this prestigious institution. Examining Brown essay examples provides not only inspiration but also practical insights, allowing applicants to understand the expectations and nuances that can make their essays stand out in the competitive admissions arena.

5 Main Facts about Brown University Essays

As students consider applying to Brown University, the importance of essays becomes evident. These Brown University essay examples are more than just requirements; they serve as windows into the applicant's perspective. In the following discussion, we explore five essential facts highlighting the role of essays in shaping the admission process at Brown.

• Open Curriculum: Brown's open curriculum empowers students to shape their academic journey. This ethos extends to the essays, encouraging applicants to express themselves freely.
• Individualized Approach: Brown values individuality. Essays are a chance for applicants to demonstrate how they will contribute to the diverse and vibrant Brown community.
• Reflective and Thoughtful: Brown's essays often prompt reflective and thoughtful responses, encouraging applicants to delve into personal experiences, challenges, and growth.
• Holistic Review: Brown University employs a holistic admissions process, considering various aspects of an applicant's profile. Essays play a pivotal role in providing a holistic view of the candidate.
• Connection to Brown Values: Successful essays align with Brown's values of academic freedom, creativity, and a commitment to making a positive impact on the world.

Essential Requirements for Admission to Brown University

Before embarking on the application journey, familiarize yourself with the key requirements for admission to Brown University. In addition to completing either the Common Application or Coalition Application, prospective students must adhere to the following essential criteria:

• Standardized Test Scores: Submission of standardized test scores, such as the SAT or ACT, is mandatory for consideration in the admission process.
• High School Transcripts: Applicants are required to provide comprehensive transcripts reflecting their academic performance throughout high school.
• Recommendation Letters: Submission of recommendation letters, typically from teachers or other individuals familiar with the applicant's academic and personal qualities, is an integral part of the application process.
• Well-Crafted Essays: Crafting thoughtful and well-articulated essays is a crucial component of the application. These essays provide an opportunity for applicants to express their unique perspectives, experiences, and aspirations.

Meeting these requirements ensures that your application to Brown University is complete and stands a strong chance of being thoroughly evaluated by the admissions committee. As you embark on the crucial task of crafting compelling essays, consider seeking inspiration and guidance from Brown sample essays. Analyzing successful examples can provide valuable insights and help you tailor your own narrative to align with Brown University's expectations and values.

Brown University Essay Prompts 2023

Brown University's essay prompts for 2023 are carefully designed to elicit thoughtful and genuine responses. These prompts provide applicants with the opportunity to showcase their personality, values, and aspirations. Here are the essay prompts for the upcoming admissions cycle:

• Essay Prompt 1: Reflect on a significant personal experience or achievement and its impact on you.

Example: Delve into a transformative moment where you demonstrated resilience, narrating how overcoming adversity shaped your character and influenced your outlook on life.

• Essay Prompt 2: Describe an obstacle you've overcome and how it has shaped you.

Example: Share a personal story of conquering a challenging obstacle, illustrating the lessons learned and personal growth that ensued from navigating that difficult experience.

• Essay Prompt 3: Share a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?

Example: Narrate an instance where you courageously challenged a prevailing belief or idea, providing insights into the motivations behind your actions and reflecting on whether you would make the same decision in hindsight.

These examples aim to illustrate the diversity of experiences and reflections that the essay prompts can encompass, guiding applicants in crafting thoughtful and impactful responses.

As you embark on this journey of self-expression and introspection through the essay prompts, consider delving into the nuances of your unique narrative. This not only enhances the authenticity of your responses but also aligns seamlessly with the essence of Brown supplemental essays, an invaluable resource for gaining deeper insights into the expectations and preferences of the admissions committee. Utilizing Brown supplemental essay examples as a reference allows you to refine your approach, ensuring that your responses not only meet the specified criteria but also resonate authentically with Brown University's values and ethos.

How to Write Brown University Supplemental Essay

When approaching to write Brown University's supplemental essays, it's essential to keep a few key principles in mind:

• Authenticity: Be true to yourself. Share genuine experiences and insights that reflect who you are.
• Connect to Brown: Demonstrate a clear connection between your values, aspirations, and what Brown University has to offer.
• Show, Don't Tell: Instead of listing achievements, vividly illustrate your experiences and their impact on your personal growth.
• Revise and Edit: Craft your essays with care, revising and editing to ensure clarity, coherence, and proper grammar.

Using Brown University Essay Examples

Examining successful Brown University essay examples can provide valuable insights and inspiration. Here are 20 potential essay topics along with brief prompts:

• Topic 1: Embracing Vulnerability – Share a moment when vulnerability led to personal growth.
• Topic 2: Cultural Kaleidoscope – Explore the impact of your cultural background on your perspective.
• Topic 3: Intellectual Journey – Reflect on a book, experience, or idea that sparked intellectual curiosity.
• Topic 4: Social Impact – Discuss a community service experience and its lasting effects on your worldview.
• Topic 5: Resilience in Adversity – Narrate a story of overcoming adversity and its influence on your character.

Using Brown Essays that Worked

Examining essays that have secured admission to Brown University can offer practical guidance. Here are two examples of essays that worked:

• Essay Example 1: Title: "The Canvas of My Identity" – A reflective exploration of cultural identity and its role in shaping personal values.
• Essay Example 2: Title: "Harmony in Diversity" – An essay highlighting the applicant's commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion within their community.

Conclusion for Brown Essay Examples

As you embark on the journey of crafting your Brown University essays, remember that each word is an opportunity to paint a vivid picture of who you are. Use the essay prompts as a canvas to showcase your uniqueness, experiences, and aspirations. By leveraging the insights gained from examples and understanding the core values of Brown, you can create essays that not only meet the requirements but also stand out in the competitive admissions process.

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Brown University: PLME and Brown-RISD Essay Guide

In this PLME and Brown-RISD Essay Guide, we will cover how to approach the 2020-2021 supplementary essays for Brown University’s specialized undergraduate programs. For more guidance on personal essays and the college application process in general, sign up for a monthly plan to work with an admissions coach 1-on-1.

First, we will discuss Brown University’s PLME program. Then, we will cover the supplementary essay question for the Brown-RISD dual-degree program. For Brown University’s general undergraduate application essay guide, click here .

Brown University: Program in Liberal Medical Education – PLME Essay Guide

“PLME” stands for Program in Liberal Medical Education, and it is Brown University’s combined baccalaureate-MD program – the only one in the Ivy League. If you are accepted to this program, then you are accepted into Brown not only for undergrad, but for medical school as well, at Brown’s Warren Alpert Medical School. You won’t have to take the MCAT or fill out medical school applications. This is an 8-year program, from which you will receive your MD upon completion. It is, suffice to say, a huge commitment . With this in mind, Brown only wants to accept students who are extremely serious about their desire to become a physician.

1. Committing to a future career as a physician while in high school requires careful consideration and self-reflection. What values and experiences have led you to believe that becoming a doctor in medicine is the right fit for you? (250 word limit)

If you have any experience in healthcare, such as volunteering at a nursing home, shadowing a doctor, or taking a CPR class, now is the time to write about it. Make sure to be specific about what you loved about this experience and how the things you loved about it are also relevant to what a physician does.

You can also draw upon experiences that aren’t directly related to healthcare, but that have informed your decision to pursue a career in medicine, such as anything that involves science, working with people, and helping others.

Make sure you don’t skim over the word “values” in this essay –  the PLME admissions officers aren’t asking for values or experiences, they’re asking for both . So put some serious thought into what you think is important in life, and why being a doctor is aligned with those beliefs and values. For example, you could write about empathy, and connect it both to your experiences volunteering at a hospital, as well as babysitting.

2. Most people describe a career as a physician/doctor as a “profession”, beyond a job. Describe for us what “professionalism” and “the profession of a physician/doctor” mean to you . (250 word limit)

For this essay, you need to do some deep reflection and be ready to show why being a doctor is what you believe you are meant to do. Explain how you’ve gained an understanding of what it means to be a doctor, ideally through your experiences in healthcare. This could be through extracurricular activities like shadowing or volunteering, or it could even be through personal experiences, such as dealing with illness in your family.

Make sure to be specific, using anecdotes to detail why you feel the way you do. For example, maybe you’ve realized that being a doctor isn’t just about having expertise in your field and lots of research experience, but also about making connections with patients, and gaining their trust.

Another possible route would be to share your views on the role of healthcare in society, or on what qualities a good doctor must possess. This essay needs to be colored by your unique experiences, beliefs, and ambitions.

How do you envision the Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME) helping you to meet your academic, personal, and professional goals as a person and as a physician of the future? (500 word limit)

The key idea here is that the PLME program allows you to craft an education for yourself that is truly interdisciplinary and free of the constraints that a typical pre-med student faces. Many PLME students choose a concentration that isn’t directly related to medicine, such as a language, art, or even economics.

It sounds counterintuitive, but you may benefit from thinking first about your goals and interests outside of science and medicine . Once you’ve done that, tie them into medicine. For example, maybe you’ve really enjoyed your high school economics classes and you’d like to pursue that subject more. You could write about how important it is to understand the relationship between health and economics – there’s lots of overlap, through concepts like insurance, productivity, and infrastructure.

You should get specific by naming classes, concentrations, and professors you find interesting. Make sure to also look into the different programs offered by the Warren Alpert Medical School. Since you won’t have to spend junior and/or senior year preparing for the MCAT, perhaps you’d like to write an undergraduate thesis or pursue some other interesting project.

Don’t forget to talk about your personal goals outside of academics and being a doctor. Brown has a very unique campus culture that emphasizes community, collaboration, independence, curiosity, and social justice. Consider your values and write about how you want to further pursue them, and why the PLME program will allow you to do so. For example, perhaps you would like to get involved in clubs at Brown such as Thoughts, Prayers, Action, which deals with issues like gun violence. Or maybe you’d love to become a mentor to a young refugee through BRYTE (Brown Refugee Youth Tutoring and Enrichment).

The Brown|RISD A.B./B.F.A. Dual Degree Program – Essay Guide

The Brown|RISD A.B./B.F.A. Dual Degree Program draws on the complementary strengths of Brown University and Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) to provide students with the opportunity to explore and engage with diverse spheres of academic and creative inquiry. The culmination of students’ five-year program is a capstone project that relates and integrates content, approaches, and methods from two distinct learning experiences.

1. Considering your understanding of the academic programs at Brown and RISD, describe how and why the specific blend of RISD’s experimental, immersive combined studio and liberal arts program and Brown’s wide-ranging courses and curricula could constitute an optimal undergraduate education for you.

Additionally, how might you contribute to the dual degree community and its commitment to interdisciplinary work (650 word limit).

The Brown-RISD dual degree program is an incredibly selective, 5-year program in which students are fully enrolled at both colleges and graduate with two degrees. When answering this prompt, you need to emphasize that you would not be able to achieve your personal, academic, and professional goals without attending both schools.

You should identify why it is you are interested in both art and the liberal arts, and how your different interests intersect with and complement each other . For example, maybe you are very interested in medical illustration, and you want to have a solid understanding of both biology and illustration in order to pursue that career path. Or perhaps you love fashion design and creating clothing, but you also are fascinated by business and hope to start your own brand. By the end of reading your essay, it should be clear that both schools will be equally essential in preparing you for your career.

Don’t forget to answer the second part of this question as well: the Brown-RISD dual-degree community is very small and tightly-knit, so it’s important that they admit people who will be a good fit. You will have already addressed your own interdisciplinary interests in your answer to the first part of the prompt; now, think about your experiences and beliefs around collaboration and community. You could talk about the importance of surrounding yourself with people who will inspire and motivate you, or you could write about your excitement at potentially creating art and doing research with other members of the Brown-RISD community.

Applying to Brown University

In this essay guide, we covered how to approach the supplementary essays for both the PLME and the Brown-RISD programs. For Brown University’s general undergraduate application essay guide, click here .

This PLME and Brown-RISD essay guide was written by Elinor Martinez , Brown University ‘21 . If you want to get help writing your Brown application essays from Elinor or other CollegeAdvisor.com Admissions Experts , register with CollegeAdvisor.com today.

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