Brown University

“I just really pumped out topFeb 02 2016Chemical Engineering
I just really pumped out top grades in high school. And I did a lot of community service, mostly with animals and senior citizens. Brown wants to see a resume that looks like you don't waste a minute if your time. Also, SAT math 620. Reading 590. GPA 3.75 with APs every year.
Female

“Show your personality on your application!Mar 05 2013Linguistics
Show your personality on your application! Grades and scores are important, but at this point those are out of your control. I wrote my common app essay about a last-minute decision to be in a teen beauty pageant. It was risky, but Brown loved it. They've read a zillion boring essays. Make the reader smile (or at least make them remember you).

Also, applying ED is great! That's what I did :)
SAT: 2370 Female

“To get into Brown and its peer institutions requiresJun 30 2011Political Science
To get into Brown and its peer institutions requires hard work and passion. GPA/SAT, of course, but those are not the only factors. You have to have passion for what you do outside of the classroom, perhaps have a leadership position or two, volunteer, research. Basically, do what you love and excel at that. You don't have to spend lots of money on programs to make you "look good"--trust me, they've seen enough rich white kids go save the world in Africa. Also, stick with what you love. It's obvious if you "pick up" an extra activity in your junior or senior year, and you most likely won't get a leadership position if you start something that late.
It's a real crap-shoot. There are simply too many applicants. If you don't get into Brown, you'll get in somewhere else, assuming you're qualified.
SAT: 2140 Female

“I got straight A's in high school, taking theDec 17 2010Chemistry
I got straight A's in high school, taking the most rigorous courses that my high school offered. I played tennis for 3 years, tutored for 2 years, and volunteered in Appalachia for 4 consecutive summers building homes for the impoverished. In my senior year I completed a semester-long research project investigating the effects of vitamin A on tissue regeneration in axolotl salamanders, winning 2nd place at the area science symposium.

I would recommend students do everything that they are honestly passionate about. Seriously, don't do volunteer work if you don't honestly like it-colleges can see through that. Find what you're passionate about, and do it. Getting good grades helps, but the effort is most important. If you work hard at whatever you do, that will shine through in your essays (which are very important, especially for Brown). College applicants who have been dreaming of that one special college since 7th grade and doing all the cookie-cutter activities to get in will soon realize that being uniquely passionate and cultivating an iron-hard work ethic are not only the most important things in the college admissions process--they are the most important things in life.
Lastly, if you get rejected from a school, it will hurt. It will hurt especially if you get rejected from your dream school (or schools). Try to remember that one's education depends almost completely on the person, not the school. Schools can provide opportunities, but it is up to the student to take them. Make the most of any opportunities that come your way, because that is what will separate you.

And finally, there are only 3 schools you should ever think about picking over Brown for undergraduate study: Princeton, Yale, and Stanford (again, just my opinion)
ACT: 34 SAT: 2300 Male

“I was recruited for sportsAug 01 2010Neuroscience/Cognitive Science
I was recruited for sports. However, I did have a great GPA. I think Brown looks for passionate individuals so it's important to pursue what you enjoy and show commitment whether it is sports, art, writing, politics, etc. Excelling in the classroom is obviously important, but not all of it.
Female