Visiting Undergraduate Student Program

// Brown University

Brown University’s Visiting Undergraduate Student Program (VUSP) is an all-expenses-paid scholarship program for high school seniors and first-year college students who have demonstrated academic excellence. The Brown VUSP will allow students to experience the benefits of studying at a world-class research university and explore Brown’s educational offerings through courses taught by Brown professors. Students will live in on-campus housing for two weeks, take two courses, attend professional events, and interact with other incoming first-year students through orientation programming.

Brown’s undergraduate program offers approximately 100 majors across its seven schools; these include the School of Engineering (the tenth oldest such school in America), Graduate School, School of Public Health, School of Medicine and Medical Sciences (the first medical school established west of New York City), School of Arts & Sciences (which houses Brown’s humanities departments), Watson Institute for International Studies (which promotes research on international affairs) among others.

Who May Apply

You may apply if you are:

An undergraduate student is in their first or second year of undergraduate study.
An undergraduate student who has completed at least one full year of undergraduate research and is in good academic standing with your institution.
A US citizen, permanent resident, or eligible non-citizen (see below).

Exchange Partners for 2023-2024:

Chinese University of Hong Kong
Doshisha University, Japan
École Polytechnique (This program will begin in the fall of 2023)
Humboldt Universität, Germany
Keio University, Japan
Stockholm School of Economics, Sweden
Tougaloo College, Mississippi, US

Admission Process

The admission process for the Brown University Visiting Undergraduate Student Program is a two-step application process. The first step is to apply online through the Common Application. In addition to submitting an online application, you must also submit the following supporting materials:

A personal statement (1 page) answering one or more of the following questions: - What interests you about this program? - What have been your most meaningful experiences in classes or extracurricular activities at your school? - How would this experience help prepare you for college life at Brown University?

A transcript from each secondary school attended since 9th grade, showing all subjects taken and grades earned each year

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply, you must:

Be a high school senior.
Be a US citizen or permanent resident (and have the appropriate visa for your stay)
Students must be enrolled as full-time undergraduate students.

Application Deadline and Important Dates

Semester I - September enrollment:

Application Deadline: May 1
Notification: As soon as possible after June 1

Semester II - January enrollment:

Application Deadline: November 15
Notification: As soon as possible after December 1

Students admitted to the Visiting Undergraduate Student Program may not defer their admission but are welcome to re-apply in the semester preceding the preferred entry date.

Financial Aid

The Brown University Visiting Undergraduate Student Program is committed to providing financial aid to students who demonstrate need. Financial aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis and is not guaranteed for international applicants.

To be considered for financial aid, you must complete the application for admission, submit your student loan forms (if applicable), and complete the CSS PROFILE or FAFSA.

Application Process

Online application. Applicants are required to submit an online application through the Brown University Visiting Undergraduate Student Program website.
Application fee of $100, which is non-refundable and payable by credit card at the time of submission of your application.
Materials required for submission include:

Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended, including high school records if less than two years have elapsed since graduation; official TOEFL scores (if applicable); official IELTS or PTE Academic scores (if applicable); copy of passport photo page (if international student); resume or CV detailing previous experience related to your proposed research project; letter(s) of recommendation from professors who know you well enough to speak intelligently on your academic ability and potential as the applicant; essay describing reasons why you wish to participate in this program at Brown University