Brown University
About
Located on Providence’s historic College Hill, Brown University is a world-renowned Ivy League institution best known for its student-centered approach to higher education, epitomized by its signature Open Curriculum which allows undergraduates to design their own course of study without general education requirements. This academic freedom empowers students to dive deeply into Brown’s strongest programs, such as Computer Science, International and Public Affairs, and the highly selective, eight-year Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME). The campus culture is famously collaborative, socially progressive, and intellectually curious, fostering a vibrant student experience where undergraduates actively engage in research and community initiatives. Ultimately, Brown sets itself apart by cultivating an environment of "cooperative pressure" rather than cutthroat competition, prioritizing genuine, self-directed learning over rigid letter grades.
Wikipedia:Brown University is a private Ivy League research university in the College Hill neighborhood of Providence, Rhode Island, United States. The university is the seventh-oldest institution of higher education in the United States, founded in 1764 as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. One of nine colonial colleges chartered before the American Revolution, it was the first American college to codify that admission and instruction of students was to be equal regardless of the religious affiliation of students.
Location
Cost
Admissions
Wondering if Brown University is the right fit for you?
Scout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.
Essay Requirements
Brown University accepts the Common Application. All Common App schools require the personal statement essay. Some schools also require supplemental essays — check the school's page on Common App for current prompts and word limits.
See the current Common App essay prompts for the personal statement options.
Outcomes
Student Body
Programs & Earnings
Institutional
Wondering if Brown University is the right fit for you?
Scout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.