how to write brown plme essays

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How to Write the 2024-25 Brown Supplemental Essays

In addition to the personal statement, students must prioritize the Brown University supplemental essays when compiling their application. Keep reading to learn more about the supplemental essays that Brown requires, as well as what it takes to write a top-tier personal statement.

What Essays Does Brown Require?

Like most colleges, Brown University requires applicants to submit a personal statement as part of the Common Application . Students can choose from the list of prompts and compose a response of approximately 650 words.

Brown University has a series of supplemental essays that students must answer in addition to the required Common App essay . For first-year applicants, there are three questions, and each response should be approximately 200-250 words. For students applying to Brown’s Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME), there are also three questions, two with a 250-word maximum and one with a 500-word maximum. Finally, Brown|RISD Dual Degree applicants must answer one question with a 650-word limit.

2024-2025 Brown Supplemental Essays – Analyzed

The Brown University supplemental essays may change from year to year, which is why it’s so important for students to stay up to date on current application requirements. If you’re wondering  how to get into Brown , the supplemental essays are a key “soft factor” of your application that reveal your personality and how you will fit into the Brown community.

For the 2024-25 admissions season, Brown’s supplementary essay prompts for first-year and transfer applicants are as follows:

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)

Like most colleges, Brown University will affirm applicants with a demonstrated passion in specific subjects or fields. This essay gives students an opportunity to write about what interests them most and pinpoint specific Brown University courses that may help them further their expertise in the subjects in which they are passionate. It’s important to note the duality of this question: in addition to subjects you already know and love, include some fields you are currently unfamiliar with but look forward to learning more about.

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 was added for the 2023-24 college admissions cycle. Since the Supreme Court struck down the use of race-based affirmative action in college admissions, some schools have responded by adding additional prompts or changing existing prompts in their Common Application supplemental requirements. Here, Brown gives students an opportunity to discuss how race may have impacted their education or life.

Take some time to reflect and think carefully before responding to this question. To make the most of this Brown University supplemental essay, students will need to reference a time or aspect in their life that may have influenced who they are. This prompt provides an opportunity for students to demonstrate what financial, socio-economic, cultural, or other constraints they may have struggled with or overcome.

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)

Don’t think that you must write about your biggest accomplishment to compile a strong response to this question — how you analyze and grow from the concept that brings you joy is much more important than the actual thing itself. Whether it’s greeting your neighbors as a local grocery store cashier or watching your community garden grow, strive to pick something that has had a positive impact on your community at large.

Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME) Essays 

In addition to the above prompts, students applying to the Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME) must also complete two essays using the following prompts:

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, and why the Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME) will best meet your professional and personal goals . (500 words)

This essay gives students an opportunity to let their passion for a future medical career shine. Use it to articulate what excites you about the profession, what has inspired you to pursue this track, the impact you hope to make in the future, and how the PLME program will help you achieve your goals.

Healthcare is constantly changing as it is affected by racial and social inequities, economics, politics, technology and more. Please respond to one of the following prompts (250 words):

• How will you, as a future physician, make a positive impact?
• How has your personal background uniquely shaped your perspective on the field of medicine? 

If you answer the first prompt, keep in mind that admissions officers want to get a clear picture of exactly what type of impact you’re going to make and what you will bring to the medical profession. For the second prompt, they want to know more about your story and the influences that drive your interests in the medical field.

Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) Essay 

For students applying to Brown’s Dual Degree Program with Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), there is one additional required prompt:

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)

Since the Brown|RISD Dual Degree Program is a very specialized academic offering, students need to make sure that their response to this question is equally tailored. The strongest responses will articulate how the student will take advantage of both Brown and RISD courses and the impact they will have across both campuses.

Brown Supplemental Essay Examples

Need some inspiration for what successful Brown supplemental essays look like? Check out the following example below that was written by an IvyWise student who was accepted:

In 10th grade, I was cast as a chorus member in my school’s production, Les Misérables. I’d never performed before, so while my experienced castmates clustered near the stage during our first rehearsal, I lingered in the back of the theater. But our female lead shocked me with her soaring voice as she sang “I Dreamed a Dream.” As I inched closer to the stage to join the cast for the next number, I felt less intimidated and more grateful to perform alongside such talented peers.

Moments like these motivated me to improve myself. Though I’d never sung before, I practiced diligently. Dancing, too, was scary at first, but memorizing each intricate choreography soon felt like a triumph shared with my castmates. I even rehearsed walking in my “character shoes:” heels which, when paired with a corset and a ballgown, made dancing a formidable challenge.

Yet the joy of exploring new modes of expression with friends was rivaled by the rewarding experience of performing Les Misérables live. As opening night drew nearer, I grew nervous, but my doubts subsided as my castmates crept silently onto the darkened stage. The band struck the opening notes, and our voices swelled from the stage as one, engulfing the tiny theater in song.

In that moment, it felt like so much more than just a school play: we were living this story of inspiring unity, revolutionary resistance, and personal redemption. This experience cemented my love for all forms of storytelling, from page to stage.

3 Tips on How to Write a Great Brown Supplemental Essay

If you want to write Brown supplemental essays that will help you stand out from the pack like the example above, there are a few tips to keep in mind, including:

#1 Use Your Own Voice

Many students mistakenly believe that the best essays are those that sound “academic” or use impressive words. While an expansive vocabulary is always an advantage, what matters most is that the essay sounds authentic and reflects the voice of the student who is writing it. Prioritize writing the same way you speak so that the admissions office gets a deeper sense of who you are as a person.

#2 Strive for Authenticity

Admissions officers read hundreds, if not thousands, of these essays each year. As a result, they’ve become experts at distinguishing fact from fiction and will be able to tell who is sincere in their Brown supplemental essays. Instead of trying to guess what you think you should say, focus on writing statements that genuinely represent your thoughts, beliefs, and goals for the future.

#3 Have Someone Else Read Your Essay

One of the best essay writing tips for students, regardless of what they’re working on, is to have someone else review their work once completed. Even the most careful writers might miss a typo or fail to see a minor grammatical error. Having another set of eyes can help ensure that your supplemental essays are coherent and free of errors.

How to Ensure Your Place at Brown University?

Applying to Brown University? First and foremost, you should know what Brown looks for in its applicants. IvyWise’s team of experts are here to help!  L earn how IvyWise can help you secure your place at Brown with our college admissions services.  

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Home » IvyWise College Admissions Blog » College Admission Advice » College Essays » How to Write the 2024-25 Brown Supplemental Essays

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Can you get into Brown PLME? (2023-2024)

Important tips to help you get accepted to the Brown PLME Program

If you’re a hopeful future doctor, you’ve probably heard of the Brown University Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME). This prestigious eight-year continuum culminates in a combined baccalaureate-MD, offering automatic admission into The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University after four years of undergraduate studies at Brown University .

PLME is the only program of its kind in the Ivy League.

This innovative program is highly coveted and prestigious. It is well known globally, considered one of the top combined degree programs in the country, if not the world — and with good reason.

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Table of Contents

What is Brown PLME?

PLME has a several-decade-long history, beginning in the 1984–85 academic year. Students may pursue any of the nearly 100 AB or ScB degrees offered by Brown, across the sciences, humanities, social sciences, or behavioral sciences. This gives students the opportunity to explore a variety of interests through Brown’s signature Open Curriculum . They will need to complete pre-med requirements but have the reason to pursue other disciplines through their major, without having to complete any core requirements.

Once students earn their bachelor’s degree, they will automatically be enrolled in the Warren Alpert Medical School. They will be able to defer entry for up to two years to pursue additional opportunities, such as research.

Students who are in good academic standing will not need to submit MCAT scores to matriculate at Alpert.

Brown PLME Application

In most respects, the admissions process for PLME is identical to that of the general undergraduate Brown admissions process. Students will use the Common Application to apply and complete the Brown supplement.

However, in addition to the essays all applicants complete, PLME candidates will need to complete an additional three essays as part of the Common App, which they will find in a separate section via the portal. One of the applicant’s two letters of recommendation must be from a math or science teacher.

Students may apply to PLME either through the regular decision or early decision plan. Early decision is a binding agreement, and students may be admitted to Brown while being deferred or rejected from PLME. In this case, they will still be required to attend the university — one drawback for students who have their heart set on the combined bachelor’s-MD program.

Brown PLME Course Requirements

While there are no specific prerequisites for admission, applicants are encouraged to pursue the most rigorous curriculum available to them, including plenty of honors, AP , and/or IB courses, particularly in STEM subjects. The university also recommends that students complete, at minimum:

• 4 years of English with an emphasis on writing • 3 years of college preparatory mathematics (we recommend four) • 3 years of foreign language (we recommend four) • 2 years of laboratory science above the freshman level (we recommend four years of lab science) • 2 years of history, including American history (we recommend four years of history) • At least one year of elective academic subjects

Brown PLME Average GPA

To be competitive for the Brown PLME program, we recommend an overall unweighted GPA of 3.8+ in the most rigorous classes available to you at your high school.

Brown PLME Average SAT and ACT

The average SAT for accepted PLME students was 748 EBRW and 779 math

The average ACT for accepted PLME students was 35.

Currently, Brown Undergraduate Admissions has a test-optional policy for first-year students, and Brown says that students who are unable to submit ACT or SAT scores will not have a disadvantage in the admissions process — this applies to regular admissions and PLME admissions. However, we recommend PLME applicants have SAT / ACT scores of 1530 / 35 or higher to be competitive.

Brown does not disclose the average GPA for accepted students but it is safe to assume it is at least a 3.8 unweighted.

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Brown PLME Extracurricular Requirements

To be competitive for a program like PLME, not only do you need to have impressive research experience in your background, but we also recommend demonstrating leadership and advocacy skills. Students who are competitive for top-tier schools have usually excelled in at least one area extracurricularly and often two. Successful Brown PLME applicants have excellent in areas beyond, and in addition to STEM-related fields.

For example, you might have done neuroscience research at a local university with a pending publication and be heavily involved in debate having won some national competitions.

Or you might research healthcare inequities in a city near where you live and be an accomplished musician.

Accepted PLME applicants are exceptional from academic, scholarly, and extracurricular standpoints.

PLME Interviews

Sadly, unlike other BS/MD programs, interviews are not currently part of the admissions process.

Instead, PLME applicants are encouraged to submit a video portfolio to showcase their personality, experiences, and backgrounds and help the admissions committee learn more about them.

You can find plenty of sample Brown admissions videos on YouTube but do not try to imitate any of these. Be yourself and create your own idea of how you want to present yourself.

Brown PLME Acceptance Rate

PLME is extremely selective.

Brown PLME class of 2027 admissions data:

• 4,118 candidates
• 74 students were admitted
• Brown PLME Acceptance rate 1.8%

This acceptance rate was less than the Brown undergraduate admissions rate of 5.08% for the same year.

Brown PLME Benefits

Flexibility

Brown’s Open Curriculum and liberal arts education give students the flexibility to explore their talents and interests. This contrasts with many other combined degree programs, where students are required to follow stricter paths and may only choose among certain majors.

Research opportunities

As undergraduates, students may participate in a wide variety of research opportunities, made possible by a number of grants and fellowships. There are also several programs, including assistantships, that are reserved for PLME students.

Advising and mentorship

All incoming PLME students are assigned an advising Dean, who will work with them for their undergraduate years, along with a peer advisor during their first year. They also have the opportunity to engage in a number of mentorship and shadowing programs.

Guaranteed medical school admission

One of the main reasons why PLME is so popular is because it guarantees admission into one of the most prestigious and selective medical schools in the company. You won’t need to worry about completing a rigorous admissions process after your undergraduate education. While you will need to maintain certain academic standards, this alleviates much of the anxiety students typically experience during the med school admissions process.

PLME prioritizes diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). The PLME First-Generation and Underrepresented in Medicine (FURM) Committee, for example, was established to foster community and empowerment among PLME students identifying as first-generation college/medical students and/or as underrepresented in medicine such as low-income, LGBTQ+, and others.

These students are made aware of and have access to internships and scholarships specifically for FURM students, participate in special events, and further awareness of DEI in the college and medical communities.

Is PLME right for you? Being admitted to this highly prestigious, selective program is certainly an achievement. But it’s also important to weigh the pros and cons and remember that this is a program for students who absolutely know what they want to do for their careers — that is, be a physician. If that’s the case for you, then it will give you extraordinary opportunities.

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2022-2023 brown plme supplemental essays and suggestions.

When writing the Brown PLME supplemental essays, be sure you review the Brown supplement essays first as you don’t want there to be topic overlap in between any of the six essays you will need to write. Below you will find some general ideas of how to approach each of the essay topics and what to think about when writing them.

PLME Essay Prompt #1:

Committing to a future career as a physician while in high school requires careful consideration and self-reflection. How do you feel your personal background provides you with a unique perspective of medicine? (250 word limit)

The key words in this essay are “personal” and “unique perspective.” In short, how has your background informed your ideals and values and what are those ideals and values? You want to highlight those aspects of your background and upbringing that are distinctive, the most significant to you, and set you apart from others. Some questions to ask yourself when thinking about what to write:

• Is there anything important to you about your ethnic, religious, or educational background?
• What was your home life like? Where did you live and how did that influence your views?
• What communities were you a part of that impacted you?
• What about your immediate and extended family influenced your outlook?

Now, after answering those questions, think about how the most important elements of your personal background influence your view of medicine. The definition of medicine here is purposefully broad so feel free to interpret “medicine” in your own way. Some questions to ask yourself when addressing the second part of this prompt:

• How will your values and ideals impact your approach to patients?
• How will your values and ideals impact your approach to staff?
• How will your values and ideals impact your approach to solving problems in medical care?
• How will your values and ideals influence your communication skills?
• How will your values and ideals influence your learning throughout your career?

PLME Essay Prompt #2

Healthcare is constantly changing, as it is affected by racial and social disparities, economics, politics, and technology, among others. How will you, as a future physician, make a positive impact? (250 word limit)

This question is asking you what you aspire to achieve in your future career and how you hope to make the greatest impact on others. Ideally, your response should be backed up by evidence in your scholarly or extracurricular profile. So, first think about what experiences you had as a high school student through which you had the greatest impact. Think about the impact you have had in the general areas listed below. Have you made any impact in any of the following:

• Research (any discipline)
• Community service or advocacy work
• Teaching or mentoring
• Leadership roles
• Campaign work
• Entrepreneurship
• Independent study

Once you have identified where you had the greatest impact as a student, think about how this could be extended to a career in medicine and segue into that topic. All of the experience categories above could easily translate to a career in medicine. The key here is that you want to show evidence for the impact that you have already had and you want to show that you will make even more significant contributions in the future. You also want to show that you are adaptable and flexible in your thinking; as the prompt says, healthcare is always changing.

PLME Essay Prompt #3

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? (250 word limit)

At first glance, this prompt looks similar to the preceding “future” essay. However, this is really a “Why PLME” question. Readers want to understand your goals in terms of your educational and personal interests as well as your professional goals. When writing about what interests you about PLME specifics are super important.

Now, depending on how you answer prompt #2, you may not want to address the part of this prompt that asks about your future goals as a physician and instead you might only want to answer how PLME will help you reach your goals as a “person.” When answering this question you also want to make sure there isn’t much overlap with the Brown Open Curriculum essay (see below). Some things to think about when responding to this prompt:

• What are your academic goals?
• Do you hope to double major?
• Do you hope to study abroad?
• How will this flexibility PLME offers help you become the person you want to become?
• Are there any programs specific to PLME that interest you and why? Hint: PLME has many opportunities in research, pre clinical extracurricular courses, and travel programs .

2022-2023 Brown Supplemental Essays (for reference only)

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)

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How to Write the Brown Supplemental Essays 2024–2025

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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. You have the opportunity to showcase multiple facets of your personality and demonstrate the abilities that will help you thrive at Brown. In this article, we will guide you through how to write the Brown University supplemental essays. 

Brown University’s 2024-2025 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. Instead, 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 or fewer)
• If you could teach a class on any one thing, whether academic or otherwise, what would it be? (100 words or fewer)
• In one sentence, Why Brown? (50 words or fewer)

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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. 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. However, 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, you can 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 X University?” essay type. What makes this prompt unique is that Brown’s Open Curriculum is highlighted. Students are expected to demonstrate a basic understanding of the core tenets of this curriculum in their essay responses.

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. Let these interests range from your intended major 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: you can craft your own unique educational experience.

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 an experience before high school.

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 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. Then, by the end of the essay, clarify 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 is the time for you to address what’s as yet unsaid.

The prompt goes so far as to note that the topic can be “big or small, mundane or spectacular.” Therefore, if something specific 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 stand out 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. This is 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!

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

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. Moreover, 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.

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

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. First, you can suggest teaching a class on something you legitimately have deep knowledge of. Second, you can suggest teaching a class on something you obviously have no knowledge of. Or, third, you can 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, these should be reasons other than “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 explaining 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. That said, this is totally up to you and depends on how many words you have left over.

In one sentence, Why Brown? (50 words)

This deceptively simple prompt requires you to distill your reasons for applying to Brown into just one sentence. Although you can compose up to 50 words in your response, make sure it’s all one sentence. Moreover, don’t feel pressure to get close to meeting the 50-word maximum.

Specificity is key in this answer. Many students may feel compelled by Brown’s open curriculum, extensive research opportunities, and beautiful New England campus. However, the best essay responses will stand out from the crowd. Therefore, it’s key that you identify why you specifically are drawn to Brown. Are there specific courses you hope to take? Is there a professor you hope to work with? Does the PLME program provide your ideal educational experience? Whatever your reasons, you’ll likely need to do some research in order to identify them. As long as you’re specific, clear, and genuine, though, you’ll do well in this essay.

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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Brown University 2024-25 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

Early Decision: Nov 1

Regular Decision Deadline: Jan 3

Brown University 2024-25 Application Essay Question Explanations

The Requirements: 3  essays of 250 words; 4 short answers

Supplemental Essay Type(s): Why , Community , Activity, Diversity

How to Write Compelling Brown University Supplemental Essays

Brown demands a whopping three additional essays and four short-answer responses, but fear not! CEA is here to guide you through them. All of these prompts are helping admissions learn about “your unique talents, accomplishments, energy, curiosity, perspective and identity” and how those might fit with their campus culture. With so many ways to reveal more about yourself, think about the stories and qualities you have to offer and make sure you distribute them across the supplements. Try as hard as you can not to be repetitive, and as much as you can, have fun with these. If you embrace the challenge laid out in front of you, your answers will be instilled with that positive spirit as well. Read on to discover our Brown application essay tips!

Brown University Prompt Breakdowns

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).

This prompt sounds simple enough: describe what you want to study and why you like it—but not so fast. First things first: the Open Curriculum , a.k.a. the requirement-less Holy Grail, coveted by many applicants. It’s not enough to say, “I want to go to Brown because of its uniquely flexible curriculum.” You need to explore exactly how this curriculum—among Brown’s many other assets—will benefit you specifically. Is it because your areas of interest are so varied? Is it because greater flexibility will help you manage a learning difference? While you might be tempted to get technical or poetic, this essay will be more personal and memorable if you can share a story. What excites you and why? When was the last time you got drawn down a Wikipedia rabbit hole and what was the topic? While you don’t need to recount the unabridged origin story of your interest, try to zero in on a formative experience: the best book you’ve ever read, the first time you spoke French to an actual French person, that one time when you used PEMDAS in the real world! Then marry the concrete details of your story with Brown’s academic offerings, and you’ll knock your response out of the park!

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 wants to accept students from a range of backgrounds who will contribute to their University community, so tell admissions about what makes you you and how you will be a meaningful addition to the student body. Think about times when you were challenged by or found strength in your identity, background, or skills. Maybe you were the only South Asian family in a predominantly white area and found inspiration by practicing classical Kuchipudi dance, which you intend to continue at Brown. Perhaps your aging grandparent moved in with you, and the changes to your household prompted you to take on more responsibilities, sparking a passion for leadership. What do you hope to share with others about your lived experience? How will you incorporate this element of your identity into your college experience? Show admissions that you’re eager to make your mark in their community. Bonus points if you can reference a specific component of the Brown experience (think clubs, the curriculum, volunteer opportunities, etc.) to demonstrate your interest and fit.

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)

Try not to overthink your response to this question. Admissions even goes so far as to say that the focal point of your response can be big or small. So, go with your gut. Maybe, you love watching the sunset on your grandmother’s porch over a pitcher of lemonade and a game of checkers. Or, perhaps, you want to tell admissions about the look on your sister’s face everytime you agree to a custom makeover (neon eyeshadows only). If you want to write about something bigger, maybe it’s the app you’re building to help people find volunteer opportunities in their community or the scientific discovery you made last spring. Whatever it may be, be true to yourself, and you’ll ace this response.

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 (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).

Short answers like these give you a chance to show something that isn’t apparent in the other parts of your application, such as different aspects of your personality, background, and interests. The key to nailing this section is brainstorming. Free your mind and spend a few minutes jotting down as many answers as you can think of for each prompt. Literally set a timer and force yourself to keep your pencil moving (or fingers typing) for the entire time. The more you go with your gut, the more likely you are to come up with a unique and truly personal answer; in the end, that’s really what admissions is looking for. Sure, many applicants play extracurricular sports, but how is your relationship to your sport unique? For the final question, consider not only the research you’ve done on Brown, but also how you’ll fit in with the unique campus culture. The point is not to waste time agonizing over what you think admissions wants to hear, but to think about who you are as a person. Trust yourself. 

Essay Questions for 2024-25 PLME (Program in Liberal Medical Education) Applicants 

Two 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, and why the program in liberal medical education (plme) will best meet your professional and personal goals. (500 words) .

If we know anything about applying to medical programs, it is this: everyone wants to help people; everyone wants to make the world a better place; everyone wants to make a meaningful contribution. Few fields lend themselves to service-oriented clichés and platitudes as readily as medicine does, so to safely navigate the minefield of hackneyed generalizations, start with something personal! What’s one eye-opening experience that made you believe healthcare could be your calling? Perhaps it was a single moment, like watching an ambulance come to your neighbor’s house. Or maybe it was something more long-term, such as navigating your school in a wheelchair after knee surgery and realizing you want to improve patient outcomes by researching physical therapies. Whatever the case, use your personal story as the backdrop for your argument. What did you learn? What problems do you hope to tackle? What change do you hope to help create? As we said, it’s not enough to just want these things; your job is to show admissions why medicine interests you personally. Once you’ve accomplished that, be sure to address the role PLME will play in your plan for the future. In other words, why do you want to study medicine at Brown in particular? A wise applicant will do some research so they can infuse their response with specific details that demonstrate meticulousness and drive.

Healthcare is constantly changing as it is affected by racial and social inequities, economics, politics, technology, and more. Please respond to one of the following prompts (250 words): 

How will you, as a future physician, make a positive impact .

This is a great option for students with a very clear idea of how they want to contribute to medicine upon graduation. Looking back at the required essay, try to expand upon your motivations for joining the field and identify some concrete ways you hope to make a difference. Perhaps you’re concerned about mental health among young adults and plan to open an inner-city psychiatry clinic for underserved youth. Maybe you aim to pioneer new laser surgery treatments that will significantly decrease recovery times for common procedures. Because the question builds so readily on the required essay, try to avoid repeating yourself; if you can identify specific impacts you hope to have that go beyond the first essay, you’ll have a strong, persuasive response. 

How has your personal background uniquely shaped your perspective on the field of medicine?

While many schools ask what makes you you , Brown is taking it a step further: they want to know how your personality, experiences, and identity have affected your view of the medical field. So start by articulating that perspective. What are your opinions, beliefs, and impressions of medicine? Then, think about how your own background and experiences contributed to those impressions. For example, maybe watching doctors brush off your mom’s chronic pain over and over showed you that practitioners can be prejudiced, inspiring you to join the field to improve care for Black women. Perhaps you were hospitalized with Covid-19 and were amazed by the innovations in treatment and care, which inspired you to join the forefront of medical research. The goal of this prompt is to learn more about both you and your views on the medical field as a whole, so make sure your answer encompasses both. 

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Writing the Brown Supplemental Essays 2023-2024

August 25, 2023

Known as the Happy Ivy, Brown University is at the top of many student's lists due to its emphasis on self-directed academics and its wide range of clubs and intramural sports. When reviewing applications, the admissions officers at Brown are looking for students who possess a genuine passion for community involvement, a drive to make an impact, and a fearlessness when exploring new subjects and interests. These qualities must shine through in your application, and the supplemental essays provide the perfect opportunity to demonstrate that you have what it takes to be accepted. To assist you throughout the writing process, I’ve outlined the essay prompts and provided additional tips and strategies to help you write the Brown supplemental essays for the 2023-2024 application cycle. 

Brown Supplemental Essays 2023-2024

The Brown supplemental essays offer three required prompts for all students. Applicants for the Program in Liberal Medical Education and the Brown/RISD dual degree are required to write additional essays on their interest in the respective programs. Since these questions are all required, you’ve got to bring your A-game to each of your essays. Let’s look at the prompts below and explore how you could approach them.

Required Questions (for all first year and transfer applicants)

1. 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).

InGenius Prep counselor Ryan Creps, who worked as the Senior Assistant Director of Admission at Brown, recommends that you "avoid metaphors, especially overused analogies like comparing the Open Curriculum to a buffet or trying to make a pun using the institutional name and the color." Additionally, avoid repeating the standard marketing lingo, like being the “architect of your own education.” 

Most importantly, make sure to properly familiarize yourself with the Open Curriculum before starting the writing process. The great thing about the Open Curriculum is that it allows students the freedom to design their own academic path and pursue their passions and interests outside of their primary focus area. The question wants to know how you will “dive deeply” and how you will “explore broadly” – so talk about why the Open Curriculum would allow you to study your various interests and how it would enhance your overall learning experience.

For example, a student majoring in business could choose to learn a foreign language to enhance their prospects in international business. A student majoring in biology may choose to take courses in creative writing to improve their communication skills, which would be beneficial for a future career in scientific research or healthcare administration. A student with a passion for history may choose to explore courses in computer science to gain a deeper understanding of how technology has shaped historical events. Or, a student could opt for courses like Ancient Comedy & its Influence, Kitchen Chemistry, or Atlantic Pirates – simply for the joy of learning.

Brown also loves interdisciplinary studies and research. Ryan adds, "If this applies to you, make a point of it in this essay by showing how you bring together disparate areas to form your study of a particular topic, problem, or line of inquiry." For example, you could discuss integrating psychology and sociology to explore the impact of social media on mental health or combining biology and engineering to develop sustainable solutions for environmental challenges. Highlighting your interdisciplinary interests and research experiences will show that you are well-suited to thrive in Brown's Open Curriculum, where students are encouraged to explore diverse perspectives and collaborate across disciplines. 

Ryan also notes, "The reader should feel the student’s excitement jump off the page; the admission committee uses the term academic vitality, and this is the ideal space for the student to demonstrate their fit with that term." Here are some more pro tips from Ryan:

• The standard operating procedure of referencing a faculty member doesn’t carry much weight unless the student can make the connection to their academic interest and previous experience."
• Remember to properly capitalize O pen C urriculum!

2. 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 is a new prompt for the 2023-2024 application cycle and is the perfect opportunity for you to further share how your background has shaped you into who you are today. Students often want to talk about a challenge, but Ryan recommends that you instead "lean into how your community inspires you. It offers a much more positive essay. It’s great to see students are proud of where they are from." 

Brown is looking to bring a diverse group of students to campus to highlight the strengths of all communities. Ryan notes, "If a student hates where they are from, they aren’t likely to present that community in a good light when they get to college. For instance, there can be lots of challenges of growing up in a rural community (lack of opportunities, poor wifi, homogeneous views), but students can also champion the strengths (strong sense of community, unique traditions, beautiful star-lit nights)." Regardless of where you are from, you want to use this essay to demonstrate that you fit the values of a residential college community. This means showing an openness to learn from and share with others, a commitment to support your neighbor, and a willingness to engage in friendly competition. 

Ryan also adds, "Embrace the unique environment of your community." For example, if you have lived in the snowy upper peninsula of Michigan, you can share how this environment has shaped your identity. You can describe how the cold winters and the beauty of the snow have taught you resilience and appreciation for nature. Alternatively, if you commute to school on public transportation and constantly interact with people from different backgrounds, you can share how these experiences have broadened your perspective and fostered empathy and understanding. 

Or you could share something specific about the home where you grew up (avoid discussing summer and winter homes). Maybe you have a family tradition of cooking together on Sunday nights and plan to carry that tradition forward with college roommates. Or perhaps your home was a place where you found solace and comfort in your personal sanctuary, surrounded by books and art that fueled your creativity and imagination. It could be a home filled with laughter and the sound of music, where family and friends gathered for impromptu jam sessions and dance parties. You could also talk about how home is less about a physical location for you but rather a formative place that makes you feel secure. 

Ultimately, your response should reflect the words inscribed into the stone at the entrance to the Temple of Apollo, "Know Thyself." Brown University wants to see how you reflect on who you are now and who you aspire to be at Brown. Your experiences in your community, whether it be the snowy upper peninsula of Michigan or the diverse interactions on your daily commute, have shaped your identity and who you are today – and admissions officers want to see how those experiences have prepared you for the residential college community at Brown.

3. 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)

This should be the easiest prompt for you to answer because it allows you to delve into your passions and speak about what truly ignites your spirit. This isn’t a trick question – Brown admissions officers genuinely want to know what you enjoy. 

If you are struggling with what to write about, reflect on what gets you out of bed in the morning. What are you excited about in life? What puts a smile on your face? Is it the joy of creating art or the satisfaction of positively impacting others' lives? You could talk about anything you’d like: Origami or music. Your academic or research interest. A fresh cup of coffee with a friend on Saturday mornings. Playing soccer (or even video games!). It could be an abstract topic or something tangible. Ryan also adds, "It is great when this topic can be implicitly (NOT explicitly) connected to something at Brown. For example, a student’s love of teaching demonstrated through tutoring is easy to project as a college TA or a volunteer at a local elementary school.”

This essay is also the perfect opportunity to highlight interpersonal connections and the importance of community in your life. Ryan adds, "Many times, the admission committee gets to the end of an application then asks, “ Does this student have any friends? ” Those students usually aren’t admitted. This essay is a great place to show you have friends." 

Ultimately, it is important to show that you are not just an individual striving for success, but someone who also understands the power of community. By sharing stories of collaboration, teamwork, and the impact others have had on your life, you can convey that you are a motivated and accomplished individual and someone who values and cherishes the relationships that enrich your life.

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. 

1. what three words best describe you (3 words).

Here are Ryan's pro tips for this prompt:

• There are a lot of words out there. Think about which ones describe you best. 
• Beware (or embrace) the double meaning of words. Just know that you are playing to a broad audience
• Avoid politically divisive or fraught words
• Be creative and use “-” if necessary 
• These three words won’t be the reason you are admitted and are unlikely the reason you aren’t, so don’t overthink this question!

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

While your activity list is your chance to quantify your impact and create a broader structure for the reader to understand your experience in high school, this essay is the qualitative piece that adds color to that structure. This is where you can show the admissions office what you value, what you think about the activities you participated in, and what you will continue doing when you get to Brown. Ryan also adds, "The activity should honestly be your favorite. If you won a national science competition, but your favorite thing is sitting on the bench of your varsity basketball team, then write about basketball and it is so meaningful to you."

Remember, this prompt is all about meaning. In a world where so many students do things just for the college application, Brown wants to know what activity you genuinely enjoyed the most. An authentic answer where admissions officers can feel your excitement is one that will improve your chances of getting into Brown.

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

Think about an area that makes you unique, something that sets you apart from others. It could be a special talent, a unique interest, or a personal experience that has shaped your perspective. What do friends and family come to you for? What are you particularly exceptional at? Perhaps you have a knack for tying fishing flies, or maybe you are incredible at creating the perfect fusion foods. You could also consider ways that you could share your culture. Perhaps you want to teach your family’s native language, or maybe you are an international Irish stepping dancing champion and want to teach others a few steps. 

The goal is to showcase your individuality and demonstrate how your unique perspective can contribute to the diverse and intellectually stimulating environment at Brown. So, think outside the box and let your imagination run wild as you think about your class of choice!

4. In one sentence, Why Brown? (50 words)

Here is Ryan’s advice for this prompt:

• “Why not?” is not original. 
• Don’t reference the color Brown. It’s been done too many times.
• It needs to be more than just the Open Curriculum, but striking at the ethos of the Open Curriculum is a great idea
• Are there any unique institutions, research centers, or other Brown-specific opportunities that you can’t find at other highly selective schools? If so, those would be a great reference here!

Brown PLME Applicants

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

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. (250 word limit)

While it is acceptable to mention any experiences or family influences that occurred before high school and sparked your interest in healthcare, the main emphasis should be on how you have actively pursued this path during your high school years.

But most importantly, a crucial aspect to include in your essay is your clinical experience. Admissions committees are looking for applicants who have gained firsthand knowledge of the medical field. Ryan adds, “If you don’t have clinical experience, you won’t be admitted.” This is because clinical experience provides an opportunity to learn about the day-to-day responsibilities of being a doctor and demonstrates your motivation to be a doctor and serve others.

Keep in mind that this essay is not solely about curing diseases – it should be about caring for people. While a strong foundation in science is essential for a career in medicine, your essay should reflect your genuine compassion and understanding for the well-being of others. Admissions officers want to see that you possess the qualities of a good physician, including empathy, communication skills, and a patient-centered approach. 

Additionally, this essay must sound authentic. Your motivations and actions described in the essay should be consistent with your extracurricular activities, personal experiences, and letters of recommendation. Ryan notes, "If it doesn’t mesh with other parts of your application, you are unlikely to make the cut."

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. (250 word limit)

This prompt is challenging you to think about the future of healthcare. Healthcare is not a stagnant field – the practices of today could be obsolete by the time you enter the profession! For this prompt, Ryan recommends that you first think about the community you want to serve: is it regionally (rural families), generationally (working with children), or disease-specific (working with Alzheimer’s patients)? Then, think about how you can make a significant impact and bring about positive change for this group of people. Rather than attempting to cover every aspect of healthcare, focus on a topic that holds personal significance to you and has the potential to shape your healthcare journey.

And while you may be tempted to explore other areas of healthcare such as business, insurance, or pharmaceuticals, stay focused on medicine. As a future doctor, your primary role will be to serve your patients and provide them with the best care possible. Ryan also adds, “I strongly recommend researching the concept of the whole patient and incorporating that into your response.”

Remember, Brown is looking for candidates who are not only passionate about medicine, but also possess the qualities necessary to be compassionate, empathetic, and patient-centered physicians. Your goal is to showcase your understanding of the evolving healthcare environment and your commitment to making a difference for your chosen community as a future healthcare leader.

3. 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)

Think about the following questions when brainstorming this prompt:

• Why do you want to be part of a combined program that isn’t fast tracked?
• Why do you want to study in the Open Curriculum?
• What advantages does it provide to pre-med students that you wouldn’t get at other colleges?

Ryan cautions, "Don't say that you are applying because you won’t have to take the MCAT. You will have to take several other exams in your professional training, and admitting you don’t like taking tests could be a bad sign. Additionally, doctors have to operate in a stressful environment. Don’t emphasize that this program will allow you to relax or be less stressed in college. You likely aren’t doctor material then. Doctors are the ones expected to be the leaders and bring calmness to stressful situations.” 

Instead, research the unique features of the program and note the ones that tie in with your personal ambitions. Research Brown’s Community Health Advocacy Program (CHAP) and other unique programs available (i.e., Child Health, Creative Connections, and Healing through Harmony) through PLME and discuss how these programs would help further your goals as a future physician.

Brown|RISD Dual Degree Program Applicants

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:

1. 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)

This program only admits 15 students per year, so it is imperative that you explicitly convey why you could not simply attend just Brown or just RISD. To help you properly address this prompt, I’ve broken it down to several questions below:

Question 1a: How does the specific blend of RISD-Brown create optimal education? To clearly determine what you are coming into the program to learn, research in-depth both the academic programs at Brown and RISD . What is it that you would like to learn? What do you want your education to be? Then, think about the value this program would add to your undergraduate experience that you otherwise would not get at another college. 

Question 1b: Why does the specific blend of RISD-Brown create optimal education? Now consider the reason, purpose, or cause behind applying to the program. Whereas the previous question is much more about content and logistics, this is where you dive into the deeper meaning of participating in these two distinct education programs. 

It is important to note that if you apply for this program, you must have a clear set of interests. As an undecided student for either college, it would be very hard, if not impossible, to get into this program. Ryan adds, "This isn’t a program where students should just “throw in an application” to see if they get in. The admitted students have a clear purpose in applying to this program."

Here are two key things to note:

• RISD is described as an experimental, immersive studio and liberal arts program
• Brown is described as wide-ranging courses and curricula 

Question 1c: How might your academic, artistic, and personal experience contribute to the dual degree community?

As you reflect on these three areas, think about how you would fit into the specific group of students in the program. This is a close-knit cohort that will spend a significant amount of time together, particularly during the first year at RISD. Similar to other community essays, think about collaboration, inspiration, and perhaps even healthy competition. How do you envision building meaningful relationships with your peers? 

Keep in mind that these are peers who share a passion for interdisciplinary interests, although they may specialize in different artistic and liberal arts areas. Ryan adds, "During my time at Brown, this program had never had two students ever have the same combination of concentrations in the entire history of the program. In other words, while students will share similarities in what brought them together, their own areas of focus are going to be completely different.” 

The program seeks individuals who can bring fresh perspectives and innovative approaches to problem-solving, fostering an atmosphere of creativity and collaboration. Additionally, admissions officers are interested in understanding how these experiences will add value to the collaborative and interdisciplinary nature of the dual degree community. Therefore, reflect on how your diverse background and perspectives will play a significant role in shaping the overall dynamics of the program. 

Question 1d: How might your academic, artistic, and personal experience contribute to interdisciplinary work?

Since this is an interdisciplinary program, answering this aspect of the question completely is paramount. Ryan adds, “The admissions officers want to see how you can support current interdisciplinary work and advance the work happening at both colleges.” As a result, this is the perfect opportunity for you to highlight the importance of the program's uniqueness in fostering your interdisciplinary studies. By emphasizing the potential outcomes of your work across disciplines and in society as a whole, you can showcase the value and impact of your contributions. 

When reflecting on your academic, artistic and personal experiences, be sure to provide concrete examples of how these areas inform your work and contribute to its value. For example, if you have taken courses in diverse subjects such as philosophy, biology, and sociology, you can explain how the knowledge and perspectives gained from these fields have influenced your interdisciplinary approach. If you have engaged in artistic endeavors such as painting, writing, or music, you can demonstrate how these creative outlets contribute to your ability to think critically and express complex ideas.

Furthermore, your personal experiences can provide unique insights and perspectives that enrich your interdisciplinary work. Whether it is through volunteering, community involvement, or personal challenges, you can discuss how these experiences have shaped your understanding of societal issues and motivated you to make a difference through interdisciplinary collaboration.

Additional Tips for Writing the Brown Supplemental Essays 2023-2024

Now that we’ve gone through the prompts, here are a few tips to keep in mind as you brainstorm your Brown supplemental essays:

• Emphasize community:  Remember, Brown is interested in students who are determined to make a difference in their communities and in the world. Community comes up constantly in the prompts, and for a reason. You must be a community leader and willing to work with others. Admissions officers don’t always expect that impact to be on a huge scale—they know you’re still in high school. If you’ve made even a small change in your local community, that’s also something interesting you can focus on.
• Avoid repetition:  With all of these questions asking you about your interests and favorite topics and activities, it can be easy to want to talk about the same thing over and over again. Avoid that at all costs. Each of the Brown supplemental essays are meant to add new information about you to your application. And the topic of your essay doesn’t have to stay true to the theme of your application. Brown appreciates multifaceted individuals, so don’t hesitate to write about something the reader might not have guessed about you!
• Connect your answers to Brown:  A lot of students apply to Brown because of the Ivy League status or ranking. If you’re actually interested in Brown, the supplemental essays can assist you in proving to admissions officers that you know what you’re talking about. Go through social media pages and the Brown website to jot down what you like and in your responses, show the reader that you’re as good of a fit for the school as the school is for you. Be as specific to Brown as possible, weaving in your knowledge of the school to exemplify that you’re making a well-informed decision.

In order to distinguish yourself from the competition, it is important to find ways to stand out when applying to Brown University. When answering the Brown supplemental essays for the 2023-2024 application cycle, it is crucial to convey your authentic self, highlight the communities that hold significance in your life, and articulate the impact you aspire to make in the world. Take some time to reflect on the activities and courses that have had the greatest influence on you, and use these experiences to demonstrate to the admissions officers how you will continue to make a meaningful contribution to the Brown campus. 

If you are looking for a college admissions counselor to help maximize your chances of getting into your dream school, we can help! InGenius Prep has helped more than 6,000 students around the world gain admission into the most competitive schools including Harvard, Yale, MIT, Johns Hopkins, Cornell, NYU, and more. Sign up for a free strategy call today and join the 6,000+ students we've helped get accepted into their dream schools. 

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What's Brown PLME? Acceptance Rate, Requirements, and How to Get In

College Admissions , College Info

Have you heard of the Brown University PLME program and want to learn more about it? As the only BS/MD program in the Ivy League, the PLME program can be a great way to attend excellent schools for both undergrad and med school without worrying about med school applications down the line.

However, the Brown PLME program is quite unique in its academic requirements (or, rather, lack of requirements), and it's definitely not the best choice for everyone. How can you know if it's right for you?

Read this guide for everything you need to know about the PLME program , including what it is, the Brown PLME acceptance rate, the questions to ask yourself before applying, and what your application needs to shine.

What Is Brown PLME?

Brown University's Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME) is an eight-year program that combines an undergraduate degree with medical school. While there are other bachelor/med school combination programs , Brown's PLME is the only one that exists in the Ivy League.

Students who are interested in attending the Brown University PLME program will submit the same application as other Brown applicants, however; they will have to complete three additional essays, and one of their two letters of recommendation must come from a math or science teacher. You can apply to the PLME program either early decision or regular decision.

If you're accepted into the program and become a PLME ("plee-mee"), you won't need to apply to medical school. You'll complete four years of undergrad, at the end of which you'll receive an AB (Bachelor of Arts) or ScB (Bachelor of Science) degree in the sciences or an AB in the humanities, social sciences or behavioral sciences. As an undergrad, you'll complete pre-med requirements, but other than that your classes will be based on your interests and major. Brown famously has an open curriculum with no core requirements, so you'll have a lot of flexibility in your class schedule.

After you get your bachelor's degree, you'll automatically be enrolled in Brown's Warren Alpert Medical School. (If you decide you no longer want to attend Brown for medical school, you're technically allowed to apply to other medical schools. However, it's  frowned upon because the program is meant to be eight years at Brown, and you'll also lose your guaranteed spot at Warren Alpert).

BS/MD programs are popular because, if you get in, you don't have to worry about completing the rigorous and stressful med school application process. The Brown University PLME program is especially popular because it's rigorous, highly-regarded, and you'll be attending highly-ranked schools for both undergrad and med school. Additionally, the PLME program is much more flexible compared to other BS/MD programs. You'll be able to major in any science, humanities, social science, or behavioral science field (there are nearly 100 concentrations to choose from), and you're encouraged to get a broad liberal arts education.

PLMEs are encouraged to study abroad, pursue their own research interests, take classes in any subject that interests them, and engage in community service. The PLME program also has opportunities specifically tailored to future doctors, such as a physician shadowing program, international health exchange programs, and research fellowships. 

After PLMEs complete their undergraduate education, they can defer entry to medical school for two years while they pursue additional education, conduct research, or pursue another opportunity. The goal of the PLME program is to develop doctors who have a well-rounded education and are able to pursue multiple interests. Therefore, it emphasizes flexibility and a tailored academic program.

Is Brown University PLME Right for You?

The PLME program is a top-ranked BS/MD program that can give you experiences you'd have difficulty finding elsewhere, but that doesn't mean it's the perfect fit for everyone. Before you decide to apply to Brown PLME, there are three important questions to ask yourself.

#1: Are You Confident You Want to Be a Doctor?

You shouldn't join any BS/MD or BA/MD program unless you're sure you want to be a doctor. Now, once you join Brown's PLME it's not like you're legally obligated to complete all eight years; you will be allowed to drop out of the MD portion if it's no longer what you want. However, doing so can mess up your graduation requirements, and you will have taken the spot of someone who may have been really sure they wanted to complete the entire program.

It's very common for pre-meds to change their minds about applying for med school; some estimates state that as many as two-thirds of pre-meds change their mind about being a doctor sometime during college. Sometimes this is something you simply won't realize until you've put in a year or two of pre-med classes, but, in all cases, it's best to prepare yourself as much as you can in high school by taking high level STEM classes and volunteering at a hospital, nursing home, or similar place. Then at least you'll have a basic idea of what being a doctor requires before you begin college.

If you've done as much as you can to prepare yourself for being a pre-med major while still in high school, and you feel certain that medicine is the right career path for you, then you can apply confidently to a program like Brown PLME. If you're still wavering, we recommend not applying to any bachelor/med school program. Instead, focus on your bachelor's degree, and you can always apply to med school down the line once you're more certain about whether it's the best path for you.

#2: Do You Want to Attend Brown for Undergrad and Med School?

A key thing to remember about Brown PLME is that it's like applying to undergrad and med school at the same time . If you apply, you're saying that you want to attend Brown for eight years and get both your bachelor and medical degrees from the school.

So you need to decide if both Brown's undergraduate program and its Warren Alpert Medical School are right for you. If you like one but not the other, or if you're unsure if you want to attend Brown's med school, then the PLME program isn't likely to be a great fit.

#3: Do You Want More of a Liberal Arts Education?

When you're an undergrad in the PLME program, you're able to major in any field within the humanities, sciences, social sciences, or behavioral sciences. This means you can major in something like political science or English while still preparing yourself for med school. 

Many pre-meds rightfully want to show med schools how committed they are to becoming a doctor, so they'll major in one of a small group of majors , like biology or psychology, and the vast majority of their college classes will directly relate to their future medical career. Because they're already accepted into med school, PLME students have more freedom to pursue other interests. 

So, if you want to become fluent in Italian, become an expert on Asian literature, study abroad in France for a semester, etc. you can do this in the PLME program and not worry at all about it impacting your future at med school. Brown PLME is a great option for someone who knows they want to be a doctor but also wants a solid liberal arts education. However, if you want more of an accelerated BS/MD program or BS/DO program that can be completed in less than eight years, then the PLME program won't be a good fit as it emphasizes breadth of education, not an accelerated path to becoming a doctor.

How Hard Is It to Get Into Brown PLME?

As you might expect from a highly competitive program at an Ivy League school, getting into Brown PLME is no mean feat. For the class of 2026 , 3,827 people applied to the PLME program, and 84 were accepted. That gives PLME an acceptance rate of about 2%. That means it's harder to get accepted into the PLME program than it is to get accepted into the general student body of any college, including Harvard, Stanford, and Yale. Brown University as a whole accepted 5% of applicants for the class of 2026.

As you might expect, admitted students have impressive applications. Average SAT scores tend to be about 770 for Math and 740 for ERW, and average ACT scores are around 34 (although standardized test scores are optional for class of 2026 applicants) . So students are scoring in the top 1% of all test-takers in the country. However, you need more than excellent test scores to get accepted to Brown PLME. In the next section, we discuss tips on how to make your application shine.

How to Get Into Brown PLME: 4 Tips

Becoming a PLME is tough, no doubt about it. However, follow these four tips to give yourself the best shot at getting into this program.

#1: Excel in Your Classes

Brown will only admit students to PLME who they are confident can handle both undergraduate and (eventually) medical school classes. So you'll need to have stellar high school academics to prove yourself to them. Specifically, you want high grades in advanced classes, such as honors or AP. STEM classes, such as math and science, will be particularly important, and you'll want to take the highest levels you can in these classes while not getting any grade lower than a B (and an A will always be better). However, because the PLME program also has a strong focus on liberal arts education, you also need to have strong grades in other subject areas, such as English and social science. This is different from other pre-med programs where STEM classes are much more emphasized. 

There are no specific course requirements for PLME applicants, but Brown recommends that all applicants to the school have taken the following courses in high school :

• Four years of English
• Three years of college preparatory mathematics 
• Three years of foreign language
• Two years of laboratory science above the freshman level
• Two years of history, including American history 
• At least one year of elective academic subjects 

The requirements also include this statement: 

Prospective science or engineering majors should have taken physics, chemistry, and advanced mathematics. Also, students should demonstrate a good command of writing and verbal skills. 

Aim to meet each of these requirements, with at least four years each of science and math to show you have strong STEM skills.

Overall, we recommend at least a 3.5 unweighted GPA and many honors or AP classes as you can handle without feeling overwhelmed. Most accepted students will have weighted GPAs above 4.0, so you should also aim for this.

#2: Focus on Your Extracurriculars

BS/MD programs, such as Brown PLME, want to admit students who have exceptional achievements both in and out of the classroom. Your extracurricular activities have the potential to show your talents, passions, and leadership abilities better than any other part of your application. 

Because BS/MD programs are looking for students who are passionate about pursuing a career in medicine, you should have at least a couple of extracurriculars related to your interest in the medical field. You may want to volunteer at a hospital, shadow a doctor, help a professor with medical research, or get involved with a summer medical program . When you can, aim for leadership experience, stick with an extracurricular for multiple years to show commitment, and aim to make a positive impact (such as by including others or giving back to the community) to show that you'd be an asset to Brown's campus.

Many PLME applicants will have strong grades and test scores, so your extracurriculars are a great way to stand out from the crowd. You can enhance your PLME application by pursuing leadership positions, conducting research, and participating in other activities that show your potential and achievement in the medical field.

#3: Aim for High Exam Scores

Again, Brown is test optional for 2022-2023 applicants, but if you have high test scores, they can definitely help your application. From 2017-2019, the average test scores of accepted PLME applicants are: 

• SAT Math: 770
• SAT ERW: 742
• ACT: 34 

Because these are average scores, you'll want to aim for scores at least that high to give yourself the best shot at getting in. These are definitely high scores to aim for, but we have guides on getting a perfect SAT score or perfect ACT score to help you get there.

#4: Be Thoughtful in Your Essay Responses

In addition to the three essay prompts all Brown applicants must respond to, PLME applicants must write an additional three essays. The prompts are:

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 max)

2. Health care is constantly changing, as it is affected by racial and social disparities, economics, politics, and technology, among other factors. How will you, as a future physician, make a positive impact? (250 word max)

3. How do you envision the Program in Liberal Medical Education helping you to meet your academic, personal, and professional goals as a person and as a physician of the future? (250 word max)

As you can see, each of these essay prompts is a way for you to discuss your goals for both the PLME program and your future career as a doctor. Your responses will be carefully evaluated, so put time into them. Think about what you want to get out of your undergraduate education, what you want to get out of med school, what you want to get out of your career as a doctor, and how the PLME program can help you achieve all those things. You'll want to show Brown both your own values and goals as well as exactly why you think the PLME program is the best program for you.

Summary: What Is PLME?

 The Brown PLME program is a BS/MD program where accepted students spend at years at Brown: four years getting an undergraduate degree, and four years at the Warren Alpert Medical School. The PLME program is appealing to many students because, if they are accepted, it guarantees them a spot at a prestigious med school, and the PLME program also allows more flexibility in undergrad coursework than other BS/MD programs.

However, this popularity means that the PLME program is very competitive. The Brown University PLME acceptance rate is less than 3%. Although the only additional Brown PLME requirements are three additional essay prompts applicants must answer, to be a competitive applicant, we recommend strong grades and test scores, thoughtful essays, and outstanding extracurriculars.

What's Next?

If you're still figuring out whether a career as a physician is right for you, consider getting some hands-on experience. You might not think there's much you can do as a high school student, but there is! Start by shadowing a physician , and then check out our guide to the best med programs for students in high school .

If you want more info on what to do to prepare for med school while you're in high school , you're in the right place.

Starting to research different college or med school options? Start off with this complete list of BA/MD and BS/MD programs in the United States . You might also be interested in our step-by-step guide on how to get into a BS/MD program .

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Christine graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in Environmental Biology and Geography and received her Master's from Duke University. In high school she scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT and was named a National Merit Finalist. She has taught English and biology in several countries.

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Brown University Supplemental Essays

Brown supplemental essays 2023-2024.

If you’re wondering how to get into Brown, a solid strategy begins with strong Brown supplemental essays. With most colleges and Ivy League universities going test-optional , your Brown supplemental essays are a great chance to stand out. 

The Brown University supplemental essays allow you to show the admissions team who you are and what you’d bring to campus. In this guide, we’ll take a look at the Brown essay prompts and provide you with some tips on how to best craft your Brown supplemental essays. 

Following our discussion of three Brown supplemental essay prompts, we will also showcase Brown’s Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME) program. This program allows students to combine an undergraduate and medical school education in just eight years. Applicants to this program must complete three additional specific Brown PLME essays. 

If you’re wondering how to write the Brown supplemental essays, then you’re in the right place. To write strong Brown University supplemental essays, you should first make sure you understand the prompts and requirements. So, let’s look at some quick facts about the Brown University supplemental essays. 

Brown Supplemental Essays- Quick Facts

• Brown University acceptance rate: 6% – Brown is a highly competitive school. 
• 1 half-page (200-250 word) “Why School” essay
• 1 half-page (200-250 word) essay
• 1 half-page (200-250 word) essay 
• 3 half-page (200-250 word) essays
• Brown application info: To apply to Brown, you must complete the Common Application. You’ll submit your Brown supplemental essays via the Common App platform.  
• November 1 for Early Decision 
• January 3 for Regular Decision 
• #1 Brown Essay Tip for how to get into Brown: Complete the Brown University supplemental essays thoughtfully and comprehensively. Use the Brown University supplemental essays to highlight why you are a great fit for Brown. Moreover, start early—begin drafting the Brown University supplemental essays and (if applicable) the Brown PLME essays well ahead of the Brown application deadline.

Please note that essay requirements are subject to change each admissions cycle, and portions of this article may have been written before the final publication of the most recent guidelines. For the most up-to-date information on essay requirements, check the university’s admissions website.

More details about Brown University

Brown University is a private institution located in Providence, RI. Founded in 1764, Brown University is one of the eight Ivy League schools. 

According to U.S. News , the Brown University ranking is #13 in National Universities. Additionally, the Brown University ranking comes in at #14 in Best Value Schools and #25 in Most Innovative Schools. The Brown University ranking reflects its strong performance across a variety of indicators. 

As a competitive school, the Brown supplemental essays are a vital part of the admissions process. To learn more about the Brown University acceptance rate, Brown University ranking, and Brown application deadline, check out our Brown University page . 

How many essays does Brown University require? 

So, how many Brown supplemental essays are required as part of the application? 

The Brown application requires a total of four essays, one of which is your Common App personal statement and the other three are the Brown University supplemental essays. The Common App essay is not just a Brown essay. Rather, it will be submitted through the Common App to all of your schools. There are also three shorter Brown supplemental essays. 

Essay requirements for specialty majors

Then, there are additional Brown supplemental essays for Brown University’s specialized undergraduate programs. If you are interested in applying to the PLME program , you will need to submit the three more required Brown PLME essays along with your Brown application. We will expand on the Brown PLME essays later in this guide. Like the three other required Brown University supplemental essays, the Brown PLME essays form an extremely important part of the application process. 

If you are planning to apply to the Brown-RISD Dual Degree Program , you will need to write one additional Brown essay . Although we will not include the additional Brown essay prompt for the Dual Degree program in this guide, the Brown supplemental essays we cover below should give you enough direction to write this Brown essay. 

Understanding the Brown essay requirements

So, let’s review: most applicants will complete three Brown supplemental essays. If you apply to the PLME program, you will complete three Brown supplemental essays AND three Brown PLME essays, for a total of six Brown essays in addition to the Common App personal statement. If you are applying to the Brown-RISD Dual Degree Program, you will complete one additional essay, for a total of four Brown supplemental essays, plus your Common App personal essay. 

For more information about the Brown PLME essays and Brown-RISD essay, check out our essay guide for those program-specific Brown supplemental essays. 

Brown University: PLME and Brown-RISD Essay Guide

In all your worrying about the Brown University supplemental essays, did you forget about your Common App essay? We’ve got you covered. After checking out the Brown supplemental essays, check out this article . In it, you’ll find 39 essay tips from CollegeAdvisor.com’s Admissions Experts on how to write a great college essay. 

What are the Brown supplemental essay prompts? 

In addition to the Common App personal statement, there are three Brown essay prompts to consider as you begin your “how to get into Brown” strategy . We will examine each of the Brown essay prompts below before we discuss how to write the Brown supplemental essays. 

Here are the required Brown University supplemental essays for the 2023-24 admissions cycle:

In each Brown essay, admissions should learn something new about the applicant. Successful Brown supplemental essays will share information about students that hasn’t been seen elsewhere in the application. Likewise, each response to the Brown University supplemental essays should highlight something different. 

Let’s take a closer look at the Brown supplemental essays. 

Brown Essay Prompt #1

The first Brown essay prompt might look easy at first glance. It asks you to address two things. First, this Brown essay prompt wants you to highlight one of your academic interests. Then, it wants you to explain how you will use the Brown Open Curriculum to your advantage as you explore your academic pursuits.  

Successful Brown University supplemental essays will refer to the specific qualities that only Brown can offer its students. If you do not know much about the Brown Open Curriculum , you’ll want to start there. The Brown Open Curriculum is unique to Brown University. It’s also one of the reasons the Brown University acceptance rate is so low—Brown’s unique teaching model attracts many hopeful applicants. 

With the Brown Open Curriculum, students at Brown can develop their own personalized course of study. Brown Open Curriculum essays should be unique and personal to each student. To write a strong Brown essay, you’ll want to explain how the Brown Open Curriculum will benefit you specifically in regard to your academic interest(s). 

We’ll check out some tips to write a successful essay for this first prompt later in this guide. However, on your own, it may be helpful to research a Brown Open Curriculum essay example in order to see what’s worked in the past. 

Brown Essay Prompt #2 

This Brown essay prompt is all about learning from your experiences. These Brown supplemental essays will likely focus on your communities and circumstances. What challenges did your experiences bring? How did you overcome, learn from, or adapt to the aspect of your life that you discuss? 

With this Brown essay prompt, you should also showcase what makes you unique. These Brown University supplemental essays should highlight how applicants will enrich the larger Brown community. Be specific in your response to this Brown essay prompt. Which community at Brown do you see yourself joining? Moreover, how exactly will you contribute to this community? Successful Brown supplemental essays for this prompt will allow admissions to envision the positive impact applicants will have on campus. 

Brown Essay Prompt #3

This Brown essay prompt is all about self-reflection, perspective, and compassion. How do you connect to the world around you? And, specifically, what makes you happy? Finding the joy in everyday things is a large part of each person’s well-being. Successful Brown supplemental essays will show that you can find joy in the simple things as a curious observer and participant in the world around you. 

Successful Brown supplemental essays will vary greatly. However, the goal of this Brown essay is the same as many other college essays: show admissions who you are and how you navigate the world. 

Do the Brown essays change?

In short, yes , the Brown supplemental essays can certainly change. Like at most universities, the Brown supplemental essays are subject to change each year. That’s why it’s important to check the admissions website for the most current information on the Brown University supplemental essays.

For example, this year, the wording of the first two Brown essay prompts slightly changed from last year. However, the third Brown essay prompt changed completely. The Brown University supplemental essays have maintained a similar word count from year to year, although they have varied slightly. This year, all the Brown supplemental essays have a limit of 200-250 words. 

Indeed, for any college application, always double-check the university’s admissions website so that you have the correct and updated information. Normally, the most current Brown essay prompts will be revealed in the summer before the admissions deadlines. 

Brown Supplemental Essays #1: Open Curriculum Essay

The first of the Brown University supplemental essays is about the Brown Open Curriculum. This Brown essay is the university’s take on the why school essay. So, a successful Brown Open Curriculum essay example will do what a successful why school essay does: answer “why Brown?” and “why you?”.

The purpose of a why school essay is to help the admissions committee understand the reasons why you want to attend this school. A strong why school essay, and why Brown essay, will incorporate specific details that relate to the school’s mission, values, opportunities, or programs. 

You’ll find similar versions of this why school essay prompt in the supplemental essays for NYU, Stanford, and UPenn. In order to write your best Brown University supplemental essays, you’ll want to look at Brown supplemental essays examples. You can read more about this type of college essay in our college essay examples guide . 

Let’s look at this first essay 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 pursue them at Brown.

Addressing this brown essay prompt.

As we mentioned earlier, the Brown Open Curriculum essay prompt is twofold. This Brown essay prompt asks you to elaborate on one of your academic interests along with how you will use the Brown Open Curriculum to pursue that interest. 

Before you start writing the first of the Brown supplemental essays, you will want to research the Brown Open Curriculum . You can look through Brown’s website to explore more facts about the Brown Open Curriculum and its unique attributes. While you are doing your research, take notes on what aspects of this offering excite you the most. 

Once you’ve learned more about the Brown Open Curriculum, you’ll want to start brainstorming . Think about how the Brown Open Curriculum can help you reach your own academic goals. To do this, you’ll first need to think about your own academic interests. Then you can tie it into the opportunities you’ll have with the Brown Open Curriculum. 

Are you interested in multiple academic fields or careers? What courses are you hoping to take to further these interests? Finally, how would the flexibility of the Brown Open Curriculum help you develop your interests? 

With only 250 words for the Brown Open Curriculum essay prompt, you’ll want to make every word of this Brown essay count. Get to the point quickly and provide specific examples about your academic interests and plans. Then, spend the rest of the Brown essay describing how the Brown Open Curriculum will help you pursue them. 

What is Brown Open Curriculum? 

The Brown Open Curriculum was first introduced in 1969 . From its founding, the Brown Open Curriculum was created by faculty and students to offer undergraduates the freedom to explore and combine ideas across disciplines. The Brown Open Curriculum gives students the flexibility to choose their own courses and be “the architect of their own education.” 

In other words, students are not required to complete a set of core courses for graduation. Instead, the Brown Open Curriculum allows students to create their own personalized course of study. 

Most students at Brown will sample a wide range of courses in various subjects before selecting one of Brown’s 80+ academic concentrations to study in-depth. As a result, the Brown Open Curriculum produces an intellectual environment where students can explore courses in all disciplines. 

The Brown Open Curriculum essay is Brown’s version of the Why School essay. That means that when approaching the Brown Open Curriculum essay, you’ll need to be specific with your examples. Additionally, you’ll need to show not only what you’d gain from the Brown Open Curriculum, but also what you’d bring to it. 

Brown Supplemental Essay #2

Next, let’s move on to the second of the Brown supplemental essays. 

The second of the Brown University supplemental essays is about how you see yourself within the larger community at Brown. The purpose of this type of essay is to show how you could make a positive impact on the campus community.  

Therefore, a strong response to this second prompt of the Brown University supplemental essays will address how you see yourself interacting with the diverse community at Brown. You’ll find a similar version of this Brown essay prompt in the supplemental essays for Duke University. 

Now, let’s revisit the second of the Brown supplemental essays prompt: 

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.

Although this Brown essay prompt is intentionally broad, there are a few ways to answer it. Think about what makes you a unique applicant. What aspects of your personality and perspective would you bring to the table at Brown? Additionally, how do you see yourself making an impact on campus? 

Successful Brown University supplemental essays will be reflective and show growth. Basically, how did your upbringing shape the way you interact, navigate, and contribute to the world around you? Of course, Brown supplemental essays will need to answer the prompt comprehensively. So, choose a moment from your upbringing that was either inspiring or challenging. Then, show how this learning will positively influence your experience at Brown. 

Brown Supplemental Essays #3

The third prompt of the Brown supplemental essays is all about being a curious and passionate learner. Rather than focusing on the university like in the previous Brown University supplemental essays, the whole purpose of this essay prompt is to learn more about you . Of course, in turn, strong Brown University supplemental essays will allow admissions to gain an understanding of what you’d bring to the campus and community. 

Let’s review the third of the Brown University supplemental essays:

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.

At first glance, this Brown essay prompt may seem intimidating. It’s unique and different from most college essays and the other Brown University supplemental essays. Basically, it’s not a why school essay. However, the intention of this essay is the same as the overall goal of all the Brown supplemental essays: stand out to admissions by sharing more of who you are.

Getting creative with your Brown supplemental essays

This Brown essay allows students to get creative. You could speak of the joy of brewing your first cup of coffee, or the simple routine of steeping your nighttime tea. Or, maybe it’s the interaction with the bodega owner that brightens your day, the smile from a stranger as they open the door for you, or talking with your mom while helping her make dinner. The topic for these Brown supplemental essays could be literally anything—as long as you show what brings you joy and why. 

Don’t shy away from getting creative when responding to this Brown essay prompt. Successful Brown supplemental essays will hook the reader from the start and keep them engaged throughout. Of course, don’t go off on an irrelevant anecdote when writing your Brown University supplemental essays. Rather, make sure to fully and comprehensively answer the prompts for each of the Brown University supplemental essays.

What does Brown Admissions look for?

Brown Admissions, like many colleges and universities, uses a holistic approach when evaluating each application they receive. However, Brown University is an Ivy League institution . Therefore, Brown University is considered a highly selective university. 

The Brown University acceptance rate is 6% . The average SAT score for admitted applicants at Brown is 1460-1570. Additionally, the average ACT score is 33 to 35. That being said, there are no official minimum requirements when it comes to GPA, and submitting standardized test scores is optional . However, as such a selective and prestigious university, Brown tends to attract exceptional applicants. This means that simply having good grades and impressive extracurriculars won’t guarantee admission: this is where impactful Brown supplemental essays can make a true difference.

Standing out in the admissions process

The admissions committee wants to see how you’ve taken advantage of the resources available at your high school and within your community. How have you fueled your intellectual curiosity throughout your adolescent years? What did you do to be an active learner and participant in your high school? What have you achieved? And, most importantly, how will you bring all those accomplishments and experiences to the Brown community? These are the types of questions admissions officers ask themselves when reviewing applications. Additionally, these are exactly the things that successful Brown supplemental essays will reveal. 

Because the Brown University acceptance rate is so low, it’s crucial that your Brown supplemental essays stand out. Crafting strong Brown supplemental essays can help boost your chances of admission to this elite university . 

Additional Brown Supplemental Essays

When applying to Brown, students will need to complete the Brown University supplemental essays (there are three!) as well as the Common App personal statement. However, if you’re applying to certain programs at Brown, you’ll need to complete additional Brown supplemental essays. 

If you’re interested in applying to the Brown-RISD Dual Degree Program , then you’ll respond to one additional Brown essay in your application, making your total number of Brown supplemental essays four. Unsurprisingly, this Brown essay focuses on the applicant’s desire and motivation for applying to the dual degree program. The Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) is an art and design school. So, students will want to show the intersection of their artistic experiences, curiosity, and goals with their desire to have a liberal arts education. 

Additionally, students applying to PLME (Program in Liberal Medical Education) will respond to program-specific Brown supplemental essays. That means that PLME applicants will submit six Brown supplemental essays in total—three of the Brown supplemental essays required for all applicants and three Brown PLME essays. We’ll get into the PLME Brown University supplemental essays shortly, but first, let’s better understand the details of the actual program. After all, it would be quite challenging to write stellar Brown PLME essays without first understanding the program. 

What is Brown PLME?

Brown PLME is an eight-year program that combines a student’s undergraduate education with a medical school education. This program is unique to Brown University, and it is the only combined baccalaureate-MD program in the Ivy League. 

The PLME program is ideal for students who want a broad liberal arts education and who are committed to pursuing a future career in the medical field. Students who are accepted into the Brown PLME program can choose to pursue an AB or ScB degree in the sciences, or an AB degree in the humanities, social sciences, or behavioral sciences. 

Once PLME students complete their undergraduate program, they move directly to Brown’s Warren Alpert Medical School . 

How to apply to Brown PLME?

If you are interested in applying to the PLME program, you will need to apply to both Brown and the PLME program at the same time using the same online application. This means that you must complete the three required Brown University supplemental essays in addition to the Brown PLME essays. Also, you must adhere to the same Brown application deadline for Early Decision (November 1) or Regular Decision (January 3). 

There are three additional Brown University supplemental essays that you will need to write if you are interested in applying to Brown’s Program in Liberal Medical Education or PLME program. All three of the Brown PLME essays are required for admission. 

Please visit the Brown PLME website for more information on how to apply. 

What are the Brown PLME essays? 

If you are interested in Brown’s PLME program, you will need to write the Brown PLME essays as part of your Brown application. So, you should start familiarizing yourself with the prompts.

Here are the prompts for the Brown PLME essays: 

How To Write The Brown PLME Essays

The Brown PLME program is a huge commitment. If accepted, you’ll be spending the next eight years completing your undergraduate courses and preparing for medical school. 

Therefore, it’s imperative that you show your desire and commitment to becoming a physician in each of your Brown PLME essays. 

Let’s review the first of the Brown PLME essays: 

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..

If you have ever volunteered within the healthcare space, received a certification, or participated in healthcare research, then this Brown PLME essay is the perfect place to showcase your experiences. 

Additionally, this prompt asks you to highlight two things: your values and experiences. So, successful Brown PLME essays will be sure that the essay reflects both and not one over the other. 

Next, let’s revisit the second PLME essay prompt: 

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..

Like the other Brown University supplemental essays, this prompt is broad. You can approach it by demonstrating your understanding of the profession. This could be through your own personal experiences or through the lens of one of your activities. You could also describe how your own beliefs and goals align with the profession.

Either way, you’ll need to reflect on what being a doctor means to you before you start writing. 

Brown PLME Essays #3

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.

As you approach this prompt, think about your personal interests and goals. Once you have a list of what you hope to achieve, think about how they might connect to medicine. 

Like the other Brown University supplemental essays, you’ll want to get specific in your response. Mention courses, professors, or programs by name. Think about how your values and goals align with the flexibility that the PLME program offers. Additionally, applicants can incorporate what they like about the Brown campus culture and community within these Brown supplemental essays. 

Check out our overview of the PLME program and essay guide to learn more about the Brown University supplemental essays for this specialized undergraduate program. Like with writing all of the Brown University supplemental essays, looking at other Brown supplemental essays examples could help to inspire your writing process for the PLME program. 

How to write the Brown supplemental essays

5 tips for the brown essays, 1. start early .

Start working on your Brown University supplemental essays long before the Brown application deadline. This will give you plenty of time to research the Brown Open Curriculum, brainstorm ideas, write, edit, and revise your essays so that they complement your application. Ideally, you’ll want to have someone else look over your essays, too. This will allow you to gain some feedback on not only grammar and mechanics but also on style and tone. However, be careful with how you implement your feedback. After all, you want the essay to still sound like you.

2. Be genuine 

It will be easy to tell if you are recycling your essays from other applications to use in these Brown University supplemental essays. Be authentic and genuine, and you’ll be sure to stand out from the crowd. While using Brown supplemental essays examples for inspiration can help you get started, you shouldn’t try to mimic them. Tell your own unique story through the Brown supplemental essays. Students often make the mistake of writing what they think admissions committees want to hear. However, they’ll see right through that facade. It may sound corny, but just be you in your essays!

3. Highlight specific resources/programs/opportunities at Brown 

Brown offers exceptional resources and programs to their students. Mention a few by name in your essays to show that you are excited about attending Brown—and you’ve done your research. You could potentially do this in all the prompts, however, be sure to do so when writing the Brown Open Curriculum essay. Basically, your essays for Brown shouldn’t read as though they could be applicable to just any college. Rather, they should read as though they are solely for Brown.

4. Show what makes you unique 

The Brown University ranking is competitive for a reason. Show what makes you a unique applicant and why you would be a great fit for the Brown community. Reflect on impactful moments of your life, but stay away from overly generic and cliche topics. Using these pivotal moments and experiences is a great way to write unique essays. After all, no other applicant has lived exactly the same experiences that you have. 

5. Choose your topic carefully

Make sure that each of your responses to the Brown University supplemental essays highlight different facets of your background, interests, and personality. Each of your essays should build upon your entire candidate profile. The essays are an opportunity to highlight your unique skills, traits, or experiences that allow admissions some insight into you and your life. This way, they will be able to envision you on the campus as a real person, not just another applicant in their expansive pool of qualified candidates. Think carefully and thoughtfully about what you want to shine a spotlight on in these essays. Then, make sure they enhance your application as a whole.

Additional Resources from CollegeAdvisor

Are you still wondering how to get into Brown? Or how to write the Brown supplemental essays? CollegeAdvisor can help. We have an extensive library of articles on our website about college essays. These include guidance on how to write the Brown supplemental essays and Brown University essays examples that worked . Additionally, check out some Ivy League essay examples to better understand what it takes to get into some of the most selective universities in the nation.  

Ivy League Essay Examples

It can be helpful for you to review our past essay guides to get more ideas about how to write your own Brown supplemental essays. You can read our Brown University supplemental essays guide from the 2022-2023 college admissions session here . You can also check out our 2021-2022 guide on the Brown supplemental essays here . 

Or, maybe you want to learn more about life at Brown before you write your Brown supplemental essays. You can watch our Brown virtual college tour webinar to get ideas on how to write the why school essay within the Brown University supplemental essays. You can also learn more about the campus itself from former alumni in our webinar and panel series . 

Virtual College Tours: Brown University

Finally, if you have already written your Brown supplemental essays and gained acceptance to the university, check out how to make the most of your first year at Brown. 

Make the Most of Your First Year at Brown

Brown Supplemental Essays- Final Thoughts

Overall, think of your supplemental essays as an opportunity for the admissions committee to learn more about who you are, what is important to you, and how you will fit into the larger campus community. Show just how you’ll take advantage of the unique Brown Open Curriculum. Use anecdotes, research, and moments of personal growth to really enhance each Brown essay. 

The best supplemental essays will highlight aspects of your personality, background, or interests that are not otherwise seen in the rest of your application. Good luck!

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Hey everyone! I'm working on my Brown PLME essays, and I'm wondering if any of you have tips on making them stand out. What should I include to demonstrate my genuine interest in the program and my dedication to medicine?

Hey! The Brown PLME essays can be a great opportunity to set yourself apart by showcasing your genuine passion for medicine and your interest in the program. Here are some tips to make your essays stand out:

1. Be specific: Do your research on the PLME program and mention specific aspects that particularly appeal to you. This shows that you've done your homework and demonstrates genuine enthusiasm for this particular program, rather than BS/MD programs in general.

2. Connect your past experiences: Share your past experiences related to medicine and how they helped you decide to pursue a career in this field. This will give admissions officers a more comprehensive understanding of your interest in medicine.

3. Explain your future goals: Elaborate on how the PLME program will help you achieve your long-term goals in medicine. This displays your commitment to the field and how you see the program fitting into your future aspirations.

4. Be personal: Share any personal anecdotes or stories that show your dedication to medicine and provide insight into your motivations.

5. Check out CollegeVine's resources: CollegeVine's blog has a breakdown of how to tackle the PLME essays ( https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-brown-university-and-plme-essays) , and remember that CollegeVine also offers both free peer essay reviews and paid reviews by expert college admissions advisors, if you're looking to get a second set of eyes on your writing.

Best of luck with your essays!

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The Ultimate Guide to Applying to the Brown University PLME Program

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Are you a high-achieving, motivated college applicant who dreams of becoming a medical doctor? Are you already thinking about your future medical school applications as you prepare to fill out your college applications? If so, it’s time to consider whether a BS/MD program — a program that combines a bachelor’s degree and a medical degree — might be a good choice for you.

We’ve covered the topic of BS/MD programs many times before on the CollegeVine blog , most recently in our post A Complete Introduction to BS/MD Programs . Briefly, these programs allow you to apply as a high school senior for both college and medical school at the same institution or partner institutions.

These highly sought-after and competitive programs, which generally take seven or eight years to complete, come with a number of benefits for their students, including a greater sense of security in allowing you to plan your future. Brown University’s Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME) program, the only BS/MD program in the Ivy League, adds in the perk of having greater freedom in choosing your undergraduate path through Brown’s well-known, free-ranging curriculum.

Interested in applying to BS/MD programs? Read on for more information about PLME, its application process, and its ramifications for your future.

Want to learn what Brown University will actually cost you based on your income? And how long your application to the school should take?  Here’s what every student considering Brown University needs to know.

Brown University’s Program in Liberal Medical Education

Brown University’s Program in Liberal Medical Education is more commonly known as PLME, pronounced as “plee-mee.” PLME is a combination bachelor’s and medical degree program to which students apply as incoming college first-years. Participants remain in the program for eight years, or possibly even longer if they decide to pursue additional degrees.

On campus, students in the PLME program are known as PLMEs or “plee-mees.” About 50 PLMEs are part of every matriculating class at Brown, where they receive their undergraduate degrees with the rest of their graduating class. They’re then guaranteed admission to Brown’s Warren Alpert Medical School to complete their medical program.

As an eight-year combination program, PLME differs from some programs of the BS/MD type in that it doesn’t compress the undergraduate portion of its students’ education. It’s a program that’s designed to produce doctors who also have a broad-based liberal arts  background, not one designed to allow students to become doctors more quickly or efficiently.

Students in the PLME program can also extend their stay at Brown in order to pursue an additional degree, such as a Master’s of Public Health . Admissions arrangements and educational plans for these multi-degree programs are made on an individual basis, and this is not something you need to have already figured out when you first apply to PLME.

PLME students are charged the same amount in tuition as any other students at either the undergraduate college or the medical school at Brown, depending on which year of the PLME program they’re in. For planning purposes, in 2016-2017, the estimated yearly cost of attending Brown as an undergraduate was $68,106. The estimated yearly cost of attending Warren Alpert Medical School was around $80,000 for the same time period.

Similarly, financial aid for PLME students is the same as that for any other Brown student. During your undergraduate years, your aid will be governed by the same policies as any other undergraduate; during your medical school years, you’ll be subject to Alpert Medical School’s financial aid policies.

Undergraduate students at Brown are guaranteed on-campus housing for all four years, though seniors may be granted permission to live off-campus. University housing is not available for students at Alpert Medical School, so you’ll have to find off-campus housing in Providence during your years as a medical student.

To find out more about the PLME program, its curriculum, and its potential benefits for your educational path, you can access the Program in Liberal Medical Education website at  https://www.brown.edu/academics/medical/plme/ .

So what’s the point of admitting students to a program that provides a direct route into medical school? At Brown, the intention is to produce doctors whose educational background is substantially broader than that of many medical students, and to give future doctors the freedom to explore different fields as undergraduates instead of focusing entirely on medical school admission requirements.

Exploring a variety of academic fields as an undergraduate can be seen as somewhat risky by future medical students. They may worry that their more eclectic course selections, however academically rigorous or personally enriching, may be viewed with concern by medical school admissions committees in comparison to those of other applicants.  

The process of applying to medical schools is intensely competitive, and just as with the undergraduate application process, many students find it to be quite stressful. Having your acceptance to medical school already guaranteed while you’re an undergraduate can ease that mental burden and allow you to focus on making the most of your undergraduate experience.

Entering the PLME program doesn’t mean that you won’t have to prepare for medical school — yes, you do still have to pass Organic Chemistry. However, alongside the required courses for PLMEs, you can study anything you like and put your energy into the things that interest you most.

As important as the things you can do as a PLME are the things you don’t have to do as a PLME. For instance, you don’t have to concentrate in a scientific field if you don’t want to do so, as long as you fulfill particular course requirements. You also don’t have to take the MCAT, the standardized entrance test for medical schools, if you enroll at Alpert Medical School through PLME.  

Every PLME student gets the full Brown undergraduate experience, concentrating in any field they choose — Brown offers over a hundred options — and taking full advantage of Brown’s broad and open undergraduate curriculum. What this can mean for you is the opportunity to broaden your mind and explore new options without jeopardizing your future medical-school goals.

Applying to PLME

Applying to PLME is, roughly speaking, like applying to Brown’s undergraduate program and medical school program at the same time. Accordingly, in order to get accepted to PLME, you’ll have to face some very tough competition and take special care to ensure that your application reflects your qualifications to best advantage.

To apply to PLME, you’ll first need to fill out Brown’s usual undergraduate application . You have the option of applying either through the Early Decision application process or the Regular Decision application process. (Applying Early Decision to the PLME program comes with some caveats, which we’ll address later in this section.)

Brown uses the Common Application , and like most schools, requires all applicants to submit a school-specific supplement. For a more detailed overview of what you’ll find on Brown’s undergraduate application, check out the CollegeVine blog posts A User’s Guide to the Common Application ,  The Ultimate Guide to Applying to Brown University , and How to Write the Brown University Essays 2016-2017 .

In addition to Brown’s normal undergraduate application, PLME applicants will need to write two program-specific essays. Prompts for these essays will appear in the Brown supplement to the Common App once you’ve indicated that you’re applying to the PLME program.  

For the 2016-2017 application season, the essay prompts were as follows:

• Most high school seniors are unsure about eventual career choices. What experiences have led you to consider medicine as your future profession? Please describe specifically why you have chosen to apply to the Program in Liberal Medical Education in pursuit of your career in medicine. Also, be sure to indicate your rationale on how the PLME is a “good fit” for your personal, academic, and future professional goals. (Please limit your response to this question to 500 words.)
• Since the Program in Liberal Medical Education espouses a broad-based liberal education, please describe your fields of interest in both the sciences and the liberal arts. Be specific about what courses and aspects of the program will be woven into a potential educational plan. (Please limit your response to this question to 500 words.)

Once you’ve submitted your application, including all of the PLME requirements, it will be reviewed by Brown’s regular undergraduate admissions office. PLME students are part of Brown’s undergraduate student body, so they’re evaluated by all the same standards, including their potential contributions to undergraduate life at Brown.

After the admissions office determines which applicants should be offered admission to Brown, it will then refer promising PLME applicants to be considered by the PLME Advisory Selection Board. This board will review your application again and make a final decision about whether you should be admitted to PLME.

You should know that the PLME admissions process is extremely competitive. 2,447 students applied to PLME for entrance in the fall of 2015, and only 90 of those applicants were accepted to PLME, making the admission rate a meager 3.7%. For reference, Brown’s overall undergraduate acceptance rate for the same class year was 9.5%.

You can’t get accepted to PLME without getting accepted to Brown. However, it’s possible that you may be accepted to Brown as an undergraduate but not accepted to the PLME program. If this happens to you, and you applied to PLME according to the Regular Decision timeline, you’ll have to decide whether you still want to attend Brown without PLME’s advantages.

Brown’s Early Decision program deserves a special note as it relates to the PLME application process. As we’ve covered in the past on the CollegeVine blog , Early Decision programs are binding, meaning that you commit to attending that school if you are accepted. (For an overview of Early Decision and other early application programs, take a look at our post Early Action Versus Early Decision Versus Restrictive Early Action . )

If you apply to PLME via Early Decision, it’s possible you may be accepted to Brown, but not accepted to PLME. PLME applicants who are accepted to Brown in the Early Decision round may be reconsidered for admission into the PLME program later on, with the Regular Decision applicants.

Either way, however, your Early Decision commitment still holds. In this situation, you’d be expected to withdraw all your other college applications and attend Brown, regardless of whether you’re accepted to PLME.

Taking this risk into consideration, it’s unwise to apply Early Decision to the PLME program unless you are absolutely sure that you want to attend Brown even if you aren’t accepted to PLME. If you’re not sure, it’s better for you to apply to Brown and PLME through the Regular Decision process and keep your options open.

Is it mandatory for PLME students to go to medical school at Brown?

As we’ve covered, the intention of the PLME program is that all PLME students will attend Brown’s Warren Alpert Medical School, and your experience in the program will be tailored toward this end. The benefits of being a PLME mostly accrue to those students who take advantage of this path to medical school.

However, Brown understands that eight years is a very long time, especially when you’re applying to colleges as a teenager, and people’s plans may change. For a wide variety of reasons, some students do choose to leave PLME before completing the entire program. Some do so because they no longer want to pursue a medical career at all. Others do so because they’re no longer sure that they want to attend medical school at Brown.

Given the extra work you’ll need to put into preparing your PLME application, it’s wisest to only apply to PLME if you really do want to see the program through and attend Alpert Medical School. Also, since admission to PLME is extremely competitive and students can’t apply later, it would be a shame for you to take a program spot that could go to a student who will complete the entire program as designed.

If, in your senior year of college, you decide that you want to apply to medical schools at universities other than Brown, you’re free to do so. There is one major caveat, however. If you apply to other medical schools, known as “applying out,” you lose your guarantee of a spot at Alpert Medical School.

Students who apply out can still apply to Alpert Medical School as one of their medical school options. However, they won’t have any advantage over other non-PLME applicants. They’ll be considered in the general applicant pool, and they’ll have to compete for a limited number of spots in the matriculating class, just as other applicants do.  

Again, the PLME program is intended for those students who actively want to pursue eight years (or more) of education at Brown, so it’s set up to fit the needs of those students. Applying out would require additional work on your part to prepare applications, take the MCAT, and make backup plans just in case you’re not accepted to any medical schools at all.

As a prospective PLME applicant, it’s not necessary for you to know all the details of the medical school application process just yet. However, as you’re preparing your PLME application, you should keep in mind that while it’s possible to apply out, it’s not encouraged, and doing so will negate some of the major benefits of being a PLME.

If you already feel that you’d like to apply to a range of medical schools, for your own sake and that of other applicants, it’s best for you not to apply to PLME. Unless you’re fully confident in your intention to stay at Brown for medical school, you should instead look into how being a regular Brown undergraduate might prepare you for medical school.

Learning More About BS/MD Programs

If you’re considering applying to PLME, you should also be aware of your other options in the realm of combined BS/MD and similar programs. A number of these programs exist across the United States, some of them lasting the full eight years, others intended to be completed in a shorter time frame.

Each BS/MD program has its own strengths and weaknesses, and with nearly a hundred of these programs currently operating in the United States, only thorough research can help you to find a program that’s a perfect fit for your strengths and needs.

For more information about programs like PLME, check out these posts from the CollegeVine blog:

• A Complete Introduction to BS/MD Programs
• Timeline: Applying for BS/MD Programs
• CollegeVine’s Top 25 Combined BS/MD Programs
• BS/MD Programs vs. Premed: Which is Right For You?

Curious about your chances of acceptance to your dream school? Our free chancing engine takes into account your GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, and other data to predict your odds of acceptance at over 500 colleges across the U.S. We’ll also let you know how you stack up against other applicants and how you can improve your profile. Sign up for your free CollegeVine account today to get started!

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

Undergraduate Admission

Application checklist for first-year applicants.

• First-Year Applicants

Submit Your Application

• Early Decision application deadline - November 1 (11:59 p.m. applicant's local time).
• Regular Decision application deadline - January 3 (11:59 p.m. applicant's local time).
• Complete your application via the  Common Application .
• Brown’s supplemental essays are submitted through the Common Application.
• Submit the $75 application fee or a fee waiver .
• 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 complete the special program essays.

Learn How to Apply

Request School Forms

• Transcript . An official copy of your high school transcript must be sent by your school counselor or school official.
• School Report . The School Report form is available through the Common Application website and must be completed and submitted by your school counselor or school official.
• Midyear School Report and Transcript.  Due February 23 or as soon as possible upon the completion of your first semester or second trimester of your final year of high school, the Midyear Report and Transcript can be submitted online through the Common Application by your guidance counselor or another school official. The Midyear Report includes information such as your GPA and class rank (if your school provides this information), and shares with us whether there have been any course changes or other updates since you have submitted your application. It is accompanied by a Midyear Transcript that includes your most recent available grades. If you are not given midyear grades or evaluations (e.g., home schooled students, some non-U.S. schools), please include a note explaining your circumstances under the “Additional Information” heading on the writing section of the Common Application.
• Counselor Recommendation . Please note that the School Report and Counselor Recommendation are separate items on the Common Application. Be sure to “invite” your school counselor to complete both items.
• Two Teacher Evaluations/Recommendations . Two letters of recommendation from teachers who have taught you in major academic subjects (science, social studies, mathematics, a foreign language or English) must be submitted through the Common Application or sent via email  or fax. Material sent by email or fax should include the applicant's name, date of birth and high school. If sending letters by email, please send as a PDF attachment.
• Bachelor of Science and PLME Recommendations . If you are considering a Bachelor of Science degree or the Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME), at least one of your recommendations should come from a math or science teacher.
• Final School Report and Transcript . Due by June 30 for students who have chosen to matriculate at Brown, the Final School Report and Transcript should be submitted online through the Common Application by your school counselor or another school official. The Final School Report confirms your graduation date and alerts us of any course changes or other updates. The Final Transcript will include your final grades and confirm your successful completion of your secondary education.
• First Quarter/Trimester Grades . Early Decision applicants are required to have their counselor submit first quarter or trimester grades as soon as they are available. All applicants should have their school submit midyear or second trimester grades as soon as they are available.
• Early Decision Agreement.  Early Decision applicants are required to complete the Early Decision Agreement form through the Common Application. This form requires the signature of the applicant, parent/guardian and school counselor. Submitting this agreement confirms your commitment to enroll at Brown if admitted Early Decision.

More about School Forms

Standardized Tests

• Brown University has returned to a policy requiring standardized test scores (either SAT or ACT scores) for first-year applicants beginning with the 2024-25 admission cycle. As we have done in prior years, we will superscore either the SAT or ACT, or both. More information can be found on our Standardized Tests webpage.

Supplementary Materials

• If you are accomplished in music or visual art, you may include additional supplements with your application in the Common Application through SlideRoom . You do not need to wait for access to your Brown Applicant Portal to upload music or visual art materials to SlideRoom.

When submitting through SlideRoom, you must create your SlideRoom account and submit your material on or before November 4 for QuestBridge Match applicants, November 4 for Early Decision and January 6 for Regular Decision. All QuestBridge-affiliated applicants submitting a music and/or visual arts portfolio(s) should use the QuestBridge program(s) in SlideRoom; this includes QuestBridge College Match finalists who did not match with a college in the fall but are using the Questbridge Application to apply through Brown's Regular Decision process.  

• We cannot assist students with issues submitting their supplements unless they have created an account in SlideRoom and started their portfolio by November 4 (QuestBridge Match applicants), November 4 (for Early Decision) or January 6  (for Regular Decision applicants). Creating a SlideRoom account and starting your portfolio well before submitting your material is strongly recommended to ensure that you are able to meet the submission requirements.

More about Supplementary Materials

Important Dates

• Early Decision application deadline: November 1 (11:59 p.m. applicant's local time)
• Early Decision letters available online: Mid December
• Regular Decision application deadline: January 3 (11:59 p.m. applicant's local time)
• Regular Decision letters available online: Late March
• Commitment deadline for Regular Decision candidates: May 1

Important Notes When Submitting Documents

• Applicants should submit the majority of their application using the  Common Application  website.
• All official documents, including High School Transcripts, the School and Midyear Reports, Teacher Recommendations, and the Counselor Recommendation must be submitted to the Office of College Admission by the institutions or parties that created those documents. Brown has partnered with  slate.org , through which counselors may upload materials directly for applicants. Official documents can be submitted by email to [email protected]  or by fax to 401-863-9300. We cannot accept official documents that have been emailed or faxed to our office by applicants themselves.
• After an application has been received, the Office of College Admission will send the applicant a username and password that they can use to check the completeness of their application and upload optional supplementary material.
• Applicants with updates that they would like included in their applications are instructed to upload any new information directly via the Brown Applicant Portal. We are not able to accept updates via email.
• Due to processing time, it is likely that any document received by our office will not be entered into our application database until a week after it has been received. If you have recently submitted a document, please understand that it may take a week or more before it is listed on your application account as having been received. We will email you to let you know if any required documents are missing from your application file.
• Please do not submit duplicate documents unless we let you know that a required document is missing. If an item has been sent electronically, there is no need to mail a duplicate hard copy. Receiving multiple copies of the same item can slow material processing time.

Program in Liberal Medical Education

Application process.

A student wishing to apply to the PLME uses the Brown application process and applies to both Brown the College and the PLME at the same time with the same online application.

• Admission & Aid

Applying to Brown

Our admission process challenges us to discover how each applicant would contribute to — and benefit from — Brown's lively academic culture.

Before You Apply

“ A PLME applicant is, by definition, an applicant to Brown. Each PLME applicant is considered an applicant to both the College and the PLME. Applicants may apply either Early Decision OR Regular Decision. ”

There is only ONE application to Brown and the PLME program. A student wishing to apply to the PLME uses the Brown application process and applies to both Brown the College and the PLME  at the same time with the same online application . Thus, a student either applies to the College and the PLME Early Decision (deadline is November 1 ), OR applies to the College and the PLME Regular Decision (deadline is January 3 ).

Brown is a member of the consortium of colleges and universities belonging to the Common Application. Applicants must submit the Common Application "First-Year Application." 

Common Application

Additionally, applicants must complete the Brown Supplement, which is available along with the Common Application forms from the Common Application website. The Brown Supplement includes THREE (3) required essays for PLME applicants.  University policy dictates that no candidate for admission be denied solely on the basis of the degree program for which he or she seeks consideration. Therefore, those applicants not admitted to the PLME are still considered candidates to the College for the bachelor of arts or bachelor of science degree.  Interested students may obtain more information from the Office of College Admission.

Office of College Admission

Early Decision

Early Decision is a plan under which first-year applicants to Brown may apply for admission in the fall of their senior year and receive an admission decision in mid-December. Early Decision is intended for students who consider Brown their top choice.  Applicants pursuing admission under Brown's Early Decision program may not submit an application to another Early Decision plan.  Applicants and their families should be aware that Brown's Early Decision program is a binding agreement to attend Brown if admitted. Students admitted under the program are expected to enroll at Brown and to withdraw all pending applications -- including those submitted to Regular, Rolling, or Early Action programs.  Candidates considered admissible by the Office of College Admission are reviewed by the PLME Advisory Selection Board. Decisions are communicated to PLME applicants just as they are to other Brown applicants. It is expected that the number of PLME applicants will greatly exceed the places available each year.

PLME applicants are strongly encouraged to submit a video introduction as part of the application process as it is a wonderful opportunity for us to learn more about you.  If you plan to submit a video introduction please do so within a week of submitting your application. Once logged in to your Brown Applicant Portal, you will be given the option to submit a two-minute personal video introduction.While you will not be able to upload your video until you receive Brown Applicant Portal access, we encourage you to record your introduction in advance of the corresponding deadline. This will allow you to upload as soon as you receive your login credentials and ensure that your submission is added to your application as soon as possible. 

Video Introduction

Plme candidates and early decision.

A student applying early decision to the College and the PLME may be admitted in December to both the College and the PLME.  However, some students may be selected early decision for admission to the College only and not the PLME.  In this circumstance,  the student will be bound by the early decision agreement to attend the College regardless of non-acceptance into the PLME program.   

Those who apply early decision and are admitted to the College and not to PLME will be reconsidered for the PLME during regular decision.

Those students who do not want to be bound to the College at early decision without being admitted to the PLME program are asked to apply through Regular Decision.  

Early Decision Information