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First-Year Applicants​

Early Decision

Applying early decision is a great way to lock in your spot at Brown. The application deadline is November 1, but if you’re accepted, you must attend–there’s no waiting and wondering if you got in. If not, there are still plenty of other schools that would love to have you!

Regular Decision

Most first-year students choose to apply under your Regular Decision plan. Regular Decision applicants receive a decision by early April. The regular decision deadline is January 3.

Application Checklist

The following is a list of documents required to complete an application:

  • The Common Application or Coalition Application, including essay(s) and the appropriate fee (or fee waiver). Applicants should use the same username and password for both applications.
  • Official high school transcripts and GED scores (if applicable). Please note that official transcripts must be submitted directly from your high school or other educational institution(s) you attended; they cannot be submitted by yourself or another party.
  • SAT Reasoning Test results are sent directly from the College Board (SAT code: Brown University Code 0690). If you took SAT Subject Tests instead of or in addition to the SAT Reasoning Test, those scores must be sent directly from the College Board (SAT Subject Test codes start with “BRW”). A copy of your score report may be submitted if it has been received by Brown University no later than July 1 of this year.
  • ACT Composite score sent from ACT Incorporated (ACT code: Brown University Code 2372). If you took an ACT subject test instead or in addition, those results should also be sent directly from ACT Incorporated using their reporting code BRW.
  • Two letters of recommendation are required: one teacher recommendation through our online system and one additional letter via mail

Request School Forms

The following forms are required for admission and must be submitted by the stated deadlines:

  • Transcript and School Report (or Midyear School Report and Transcript)
  • Counsellor Recommendation
  • Two Teacher Evaluations/Recommendations (one of which should be from an AP calculus teacher)
  • Bachelor of Science and PLME Recommendations (if applicable)
  • First Quarter/Trimester Grades (if available)
  • Early Decision Agreement

Standardized Tests

The following are required for admission:

SAT or ACT scores. Applicants must take either the SAT Reasoning Test, the ACT (with writing), or both and have their scores sent by the testing agency. The University requires that all three tests be submitted by December 1 of your senior year in high school. However, we encourage you to register early to take all of them before college applications are due.

If you’re applying from outside the United States, you must also submit an official international test score; see below for details on how this can be done with TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), IELTS (International English Language Testing System) or PTE Academic scores. TOEFL, IELTS or PTE Academic scores

Supplementary Materials

Supplementary Materials are documents that supplement and expand on your application. They're an opportunity to give the admissions committee more information about yourself, and they should be used sparingly.

The most common supplementary materials include:

Teacher Recommendations (2) - The teacher recommendation form asks a teacher or professor to describe how you've demonstrated leadership, intellectual curiosity and potential for academic success at their institution. It asks them to provide examples of their work in or outside of class that demonstrate these qualities.

You should ask someone who knows you well enough to write about these qualities but not so well that they will find it difficult to evaluate them objectively (so no friends). You have until May 1 at 5 pm EST/2 pm PST for teachers from schools outside the United States; all other applicants must submit recommendations by February 15 at 5 pm EST/2 pm PST. In addition:

Essay(s) - The essay prompts ask questions related specifically to your interests as an applicant; each prompt has its length and topic matter requirements, so make sure you read carefully before submitting! Your essay(s) can be written in any format as long as they're clear and coherently organized; however, if they were written using Microsoft Word, please ensure there are no formatting errors before submitting them electronically via our secure website link below.

How to Apply for Brown University Undergraduate First Year Applicants

To apply to the University, applicants must complete an online application. The application fee is $75 for domestic applicants and $80 for international students. You will also need to submit transcripts from all colleges you have attended and test scores from either the SAT or ACT (you can choose which one). Depending on your major, additional materials may be required; check with your intended department if you need clarification on what else might be necessary.