How to Get Into Brown: Acceptance Rate & Strategies
May 16, 2023
Unlike its Ivy League peers, the undergraduates at Brown University shy away from a competitive, cutthroat classroom atmosphere in favor of a more intellectually-curious, artsy, and progressive vibe. Brown’s famous Open Curriculum gives students a chance to genuinely pursue their academic passions from their first moment on campus. Yet, earning the right to spend four years in Providence, Rhode Island studying the topics of your choice with world-renowned faculty is earned, not given. Brown has undoubtedly been highly-selective for generations, but the Brown acceptance rates of today are significantly lower than those encountered by applicants ten or twenty years ago. In 2000, the admit rate was 16.2%; for the Class of 2027, it was just 5%.
The intent of this article is to give those considering applying to Brown University and overview of the following topics:
- Where is Brown University?
- Is Brown University an Ivy League School?
- Brown’s Class of 2027 ED acceptance rate
- Brown’s Class of 2027 acceptance rate
- SAT, ACT, and class rank of accepted Brown applicants
- Admissions trends from the Class of 2027
- A look at the demographics of Brown undergraduates
- The percent of accepted students that attend the university (yield rate)
- How Brown evaluates applicants
- Tips for applying to Brown
- Brown supplemental essay tips
- Do I have a chance to get into Brown?
Many students applying to Brown may also find the following blogs to be of interest:
How to Get Into:
Let’s begin with an examination of the most recent admissions data.
Where is Brown University?
Brown University is located in the city of Providence in the state of Rhode Island. Campus rests in the heart of this diverse and vibrant city in the College Hill neighborhood.
Is Brown University an Ivy League School?
Yes, Brown is in fact a member of the Ivy League all the way back in 1769. At the time, it was the third college in New England and the seventh in the Colonies.
Brown: Early Decision Acceptance Rate – Class of 2027
Of the 6,770 early decision applications received for a place in the Class of 2027, Brown accepted just 879, a 13% acceptance rate. The previous cycle saw 14.6% of ED applicants accepted.
Brown Acceptance Rate – Class of 2027
Out of the largest applicant pool in school history—51,302 to be exact—only 2,609 emerged from the process with an acceptance letter in hand. The overall Brown acceptance rate was 5.1%. The last time that Brown’s acceptance rate was in double-digits was for the Class of 2013 when 11.2% were accepted.
Historical Brown acceptance rates are as follows:
- Class of 2026: 5.0%
- Class of 2025: 5.5%
Brown Admissions – SAT, ACT, and Class Rank
The median SAT score for a member of the Class of 2026 was 1520; 34 was the median ACT score. Additionally, 92% earned a composite ACT score better than a 32, and 95% scored better than 700 on the math section of the SAT. A stunning 91% finished in the top 10% of their high school class and 98% placed in the top quartile.
Admissions Trends & Notes – (Class of 2027)
- The regular decision acceptance rate was 3.8%.
- Applications increased slightly for the Class of 2027.
- Only 1.7% were admitted to the Program in Liberal Medical Education and 2% to the Brown-RISD dual degree program.
- Brown admitted a similar number of men and women into the Class of 2027.
- 8% of admitted Brown freshmen were from rural areas.
Who Actually Gets Into Brown?
Let’s now turn our attention to the demographics of the Brown undergraduate student body.
Geography- National
The greatest number of admitted students hail from:
- 1) California
- 2) New York
- 3) Massachusetts
- 4) Connecticut
- 5) New Jersey
- 6) Rhode Island
- 7) Texas
- 8) Florida
- 9) Illinois
- 10) Pennsylvania
As at any Ivy League or other elite school, Brown is seeking geographic diversity. If you hail from the Deep South or a less-populated state like Wyoming or Idaho, your location is likely to help your cause.
Geography- International
The five countries from which the most current undergrads hail are:
- 1) China
- 2) UK
- 3) Canada
- 4) Ukraine
- 5) South Korea
Ethnicity
Looking at ethnic identity, the breakdown of the current Brown undergraduate student body is as follows (percentages do not add up to 100% as applicants can list multiple races):
- White: 41%
- Asian: 18%
- Hispanic: 11%
- African American: 8%
- Two or more races: 7%
- Unknown: 3%
The top intended concentrations of last year’s freshmen are:
- Computer Science
- Economics
- Political science
- Engineering
- International and Public Affairs
Brown’s Yield Rate
Brown University’s yield rate is 67%. This places them behind the likes of Harvard, Stanford, Penn, and Yale. However, Brown has a higher yield rate than Cornell (64%), Notre Dame (60%), or Northwestern (60%). This number tells us that the majority of students applying to Brown view it as their number one choice. This is further evidenced by the fact that a growing number of students applying through binding early decision each year.
How Brown Evaluates Applicants
Brown is looking for students who “possess an intense curiosity and aspire to make an impact.” To decide which 5% of the very talented and accomplished applicant pool best meets this standard, the university avoids any type of formulaic assessment and dives into a full-blown holistic admissions process. In the words of the Brown admissions office, this process “challenges us to discover how each applicant would contribute to — and benefit from — the lively academic, social and extracurricular activity here at Brown. We will consider how your unique talents, accomplishments, energy, curiosity, perspective and identity might weave into the ever-changing tapestry that is Brown University.”
Brown ranks the following eight categories as being “very important” to the admissions process: rigor of secondary school record, class rank, GPA, standardized test scores, application essay, recommendations, talent/ability, and character/personal qualities. Brown sees
In terms of extracurricular involvement, Brown is not going to be impressed that you filled the ten spaces on the Common App Activity List; they are looking for genuine excellence in one or more activities. For example, you won a prestigious international science competition, you are a standout pianist, you published or coauthored an academic study, article, or work of fiction; or you started a charitable organization that made a monumental impact. Being an athletic recruit can also be a massive boost to your admissions prospects. Brown’s 34 varsity sports teams suit up over 800 undergraduates every year. For advice about how to stand out on the extracurricular front, check out our previous blog entitled How Many Extracurricular Activities Do I Need for College?
Tips for Applying to Brown
If you plan on joining the 50,000+ Brown hopefuls for the next admissions cycle, you should know the following:
1) Brown gives applicants the option of an alumni interview which can be conducted in-person or over the phone/Skype, or through the submission of a two-minute video portfolio. Those electing for the latter option can upload a video into their Applicant Portal on whatever topic they choose. Popular topics include:
- Why you chose Brown
- Your academic interests
- An individual who has influenced you
- Your community
For those opting for the interview, advice on what types of questions you should be prepared to answer/ask can be found in our blog—College Interview Tips.
2) According to the university, a typical class includes 10-12% of students who can be classified as “legacies” meaning that they have an immediate relative (usually a parent) who attended the school. Those with Brown lineage will enjoy an advantage in the admissions process.
3) Brown does not consider “demonstrated interest” so, you do not need to worry about visiting campus or connecting via social media just for the sake of proving to the university that they are your top choice.
4) Teacher recommendations are read very closely at Brown. As our previous blog on asking for teacher recommendations suggests, you need to ask teachers in major subjects who you believe will be willing to use strong language about what a phenomenal student you are. Ask yourself, would any of my teachers say things like, “She is in the top 1% of math students I have taught in my career,” or “He is one of the very best, if not the best American Literature students I have encountered in my 20 years”. Bold declarations along these lines are what Brown admissions officers will be looking for.
5) Make sure to dedicate sufficient time and effort to the supplemental essays and short answers required by Brown:
a) Brown’s Open Curriculum allows students to explore broadly while also diving deeply into their academic pursuits. Tell us about an academic interest (or interests) that excites you, and how you might use the Open Curriculum to pursue it. (250 words)
b) 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)
c) 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)
These essays are EXTREMELY important in the admissions process. Brown sincerely wants to know a great deal about each student offered a place in their freshman class. Do your research, be sincere in what you express, and convince the admissions readers that you will be an active member of the community who takes full advantage of the Open Curriculum.
For detailed advice on how to write the Brown essays, visit our blog: Brown University Supplemental Essay Prompt and Tips.
Final Thoughts – Brown University Acceptance Rate
If you are academically qualified, there is no harm in filling out a Brown application as long as you have the $75 to spare, but—as with all prestigious, highly-selective colleges in 2023-24, it can only be viewed as a “Reach” school, for almost all applicants—including those with pristine transcripts and perfect standardized test scores. Even the strongest applicants need to have an array of “Target” and “Safety” schools selected. For more on this, consult our blog—How to Create the Perfect College List.
