The seventh-oldest higher learning institution in the U.S., Brown University was the first North American college to accept students without regard to their religious affiliation.
Its admission rates are among the most competitive in the nation at 5%, and its undergraduate population is just shy of 10,000.
Brown is small enough to find one’s niche easily and large enough to explore various interests and intellectual pursuits.
Brown is located in Providence, Rhode Island – an eccentric city that extends along the Narragansett Bay.
Artistic and architectural attractions dot the town. At WaterPlace Park, students walk past Venetian-style bridges and local street art displays.
The free WaterFire celebration includes a hypnotizing lights display along the water and must be experienced by all Brown students and Providence visitors.
Students can also be seen buzzing in and out of bistros, bakeries, and delis in the Little Italy section of Historic Federal Hill.
Students attending Brown will join the ranks of some of the nation’s greatest writers, inventors, leaders, and humanitarians.
As of June 2022, the school is associated with nine Nobel Prize winners, a U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice, 99 US Congresspersons, and 38 Olympic medalists.
In the sections that follow, we’ll share key information about Brown’s most popular majors, then explore some of their traditions, exciting extracurricular activities, and acclaimed sports teams.
What Majors & Academics Are Brown Known For?
For the last several years, computer science and economics have ranked among the top two undergraduate degree programs at Brown.
Most recently, Brown presented computer science diplomas to 21.8% of the graduating class! Some of Brown’s newest computer science graduates progress to work in exciting positions at Disney, Deloitte, the Washington Post, and Google.
The economics department offers several combined tracks, where students can marry their studies in economics and one of the following fields: computer science, mathematics, or applied mathematics.
Brown economics professor Emily Oster was recently named one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People for 2022 based on her most recent publication – The Family Firm.
As home to the nation’s oldest engineering and applied mathematics programs, it is no surprise that both majors’ popularity persists today. Applied mathematics students get many opportunities to engage in interdisciplinary research.
At the Carney Institute for Brain Science, for example, applied mathematics students and faculty may collaborate on projects studying neural networks in the brain, novel indicators for neurodegenerative diseases, or retinal imaging.
There are even three student groups dedicated to supporting and fostering connections among students in applied mathematics.
Brown’s engineering majors pursue a degree in one of six concentrations. 41% of engineering majors are female, making Brown a supportive environment for a historically male-dominated field.
Recent engineering student projects at Brown have focused on heart repair procedures, building space-craft compatible robotic arms, and bubble growth in carbonated beverages.
Is Brown a Good School?
Students love Brown University for its Open Curriculum, which came about in 1969 after a student lobbying effort.
In essence, the Open Curriculum strikes out the notion of mandatory requirements and challenges students to design their own pathways. Students can also opt to take any class on a Pass/Fail scale.
With a 6:1 student-to-teacher ratio, Brown students receive more individual attention from their professors than their peers at other universities. On top of that, teaching quality is exceptional – Brown was recently ranked #4 in best undergraduate teaching.
Brown graduates go on to work in lucrative positions at top companies like Meta, Spotify, and SpaceX.
The median earnings for a Brown graduate amount to almost $79,000, while the median starting salary of computer science graduates is the highest in the United States! The school also ranks #3 for its number of successful startup software developers (following MIT and Princeton).
Brown is easily one of the best universities in the nation, and other eminent sources agree. The Wall Street Journal and Times Higher Education both ranked Brown #5 in their Best Colleges edition.
Brown Traditions
The first of many Brown traditions started at the Van Wickle Gates, gifted to the class of 1876 by Mr. Van Wickle.
The gates only open upon three annual occasions: convocation, mid-year convocation, and graduation. Rumor has it that if you go through the main door more than two times, you won’t graduate, you’ll never marry, and you’ll be forever cursed!
The Campus Dance – held in September – dates back to the mid-1800s. At the time, commencement celebrations involved concerts, speeches, and class dinners.
Dancing became the most popular activity by 1886, and today, over 14,000 guests show up to dance and listen to music under streams of hundreds of paper lanterns.
In the middle of the spring semester, Brown’s Class Coordinating Board puts on Gala, the only school-wide formal dance of the year.
Major performers like Ray Charles, Bob Dylan, and Bonnie Raitt headlined back in the 1960s. Today, thousands of students attend the themed event with contemporary performers like Kendrick Lamar, Modest Mouse, and Lauryn Hill.
A whimsical tradition involves Josiah Carberry, a fictional professor of psychoceramics (the study of ‘cracked pots’). On Friday the 13th, students can donate change to cracked pots placed in various campus buildings, meant to go to a fictitious Josiah S. Carberry Fund (the money goes to purchase various library books).
Prominent Clubs & Extracurricular Activities at Brown
Brown has more than 500 student organizations ranging from club sports and performing troupes to governing bodies and community service groups.
Brown Esports is one of the most popular clubs at Brown and the largest esports and gaming group within the Ivy League.
It is made up of students from Brown and the Rhode Island School of Design (in fact, many student groups have shared populations based on their proximity to one another).
The group is open to gamers of all levels, with nearly 100 students competing on various teams.
To say a capella is a popular activity at Brown would be a major understatement – there are currently ten all-male, all-female, and coed a cappella ensembles on campus.
The Brown Derbies, formed in 1982, are the oldest, continually performing tenor-through-bass a cappella group at Brown, with a reputation for high-energy performances.
Those who prefer consuming to performing entertainment may enjoy the guest speaker and/or podcast series from the Brown Lecture Board (known as the BLB).
The BLB organizes recording sessions and on-site lectures with a broad range of cultural figures. Recent visitors have included author John Green, actress Keke Palmer, and comedian Hasan Minhaj.
What Sports Are Brown Known For?
The women’s rowing team boasts the most successful athletic record at Brown – the university’s 7 NCAA national championships have all been won by the women’s rowing team!
Most recently, the group made its 24th consecutive appearance in the NCAA championships.
Brown’s sailing team is one of the oldest and most successful groups on campus. Brown’s current sailing cohort is ranked among the top ten teams in the United States.
When they’re off the water, team members devote significant time to teaching community members how to sail.
The sailing team just recently converted to varsity status as a part of the Excellence in Brown Athletics Initiative.
Brown currently maintains the third-largest number of varsity teams in the United States, and the initiative was designed to transition 11 varsity teams to club sports in order to expand opportunities to a diverse array of non-recruited student-athletes.
In the years to come, the school will invest more in coaching, athletic training, and facility development.
Of the many club sports at Brown, the men’s ultimate frisbee team – known as Brownian Motion – has one of the most impressive records. They have won three men’s national titles, with the most recent victory taking place in 2019. The team is currently ranked #12 in the Ultiworld power rankings.
Why Brown?
Admission to one of the United States’ best universities doesn’t have to break the bank. Brown recently eliminated loans from their undergraduate financial aid packages as part of a new $30 million campaign called the Brown Promise.
Through this effort, Brown meets the full demonstrated financial need of all admitted students.
Award packages may include a combination of state or federal grants and work-study placements, while a university scholarship covers the balance.
On average, Brown disburses $48,000 per financial aid package.
Once at Brown, students will flourish within the Open Curriculum. Unlike standard general education requirements (which mandate classes for which students may have no interest), the Open Curriculum allows Brown undergraduates to construct their personalized educational journeys.
Brown’s many traditions taking place in the charming town of Providence harken images of a quintessential Ivy League education.
The Bear Bargains program offers local perks to students – with a Brown Card, undergraduates are eligible for discounts at fitness centers, restaurants, salons, and grocery stores, among other businesses.
There are countless ways for students to get involved in a variety of student organizations. Politically active students will especially enjoy the social dynamic, where philosophical discussions are frequent and new ideas are welcomed.
Brown is a place where, regardless of background, graduates are likely to move on to fulfilling positions at the forefront of social and cultural innovation.
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FAQs
What is Brown University major known for? ›
Aside from liberal arts, Brown is known for strong science programs, especially in medicine, math and computer sciences.
Why Brown is the best school? ›With a 6:1 student-to-teacher ratio, Brown students receive more individual attention from their professors than their peers at other universities. On top of that, teaching quality is exceptional – Brown was recently ranked #4 in best undergraduate teaching.
What is Brown University proud of? ›Brown students are proud of the school's unique academic opportunities and the freedom it gives them to explore their passions without jeopardizing their education or future career goals.
What is the reputation of Brown University? ›Brown University is ranked #13 out of 443 National Universities. Schools are ranked according to their performance across a set of widely accepted indicators of excellence. Read more about how we rank schools.
What type of student goes to Brown? ›While there are no specific admissions requirements to get into Brown, the admissions team is searching for applicants who display an eagerness to learn and a willingness to accept intellectual challenges. They prefer to see a student get a “B” in an AP or IB class than an “A” in an honors class.
What GPA do you need to get into Brown? ›You should also have a 4.08 GPA or higher. If your GPA is lower than this, you need to compensate with a higher SAT/ACT score. For a school as selective as Brown University, you'll also need to impress them with the rest of your application.
Is Brown the easiest ivy? ›Brown University rounds out our list of the top three easiest Ivy League schools to get into. Founded in 1764, Brown offers an "Open Curriculum" that allows students to build their own core curriculum and explore any of the more than 80 academic programs Brown offers.
Why is Brown so prestigious? ›From U.S. News and World Report to Forbes, prominent rankings in the last year gave the University high marks for its distinctive student experience, world-class teaching and research, and inclusive environment.
Is Brown better than Harvard? ›The overwhelming majority of those who apply to either school will be rejected. The differences start to show up when you look at their rankings. Brown falls within the top 15 universities in the U.S. and among the top 75 in the world, while Harvard falls within the top 5 in the U.S. and in the world.
How hard is it to get into Brown? ›How Hard is it to Get into Brown University? The acceptance rate for Brown is 5%. This means that out of 100 applicants, only five are admitted, making it a very selective school.
Is Brown the best Ivy League? ›
Determining the best Ivy League school can be subjective because each school has strengths that set them apart from the others. While Harvard, Princeton, and Yale tend to rank near the top of most lists, Brown, Penn, and Cornell may rank highest for a particular major or program.
What SAT score do I need for Brown? ›Brown University is extremely selective with an acceptance rate of 7%. Students that get into Brown University have an SAT score between 1440–1570 or an ACT score of 33–35.
What is the Brown University controversy? ›PROVIDENCE — Brown University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Dartmouth College were among 16 schools named in a new lawsuit that claimed it had violated federal antitrust laws and conspired with administrators at other universities to determine financial aid awards for students.
What is the easiest Ivy League to get into? ›1. What's the easiest Ivy League school to get into? While all Ivy League schools have a low acceptance rate, Cornell University has the highest acceptance rate among them. Cornell's acceptance rate is 11%, but try not to get too hung up on the numbers.
How happy are students at Brown University? ›81% of Brown undergraduates say they are happy. Where on College Hill are students happiest?
Can I get into Brown with a 3.5 GPA? ›Can I get into Brown with a 3.5 GPA? Yes, you can get into Brown with a 3.5 GPA. The school does not have an official minimum GPA, but accepted students generally have a GPA near 4.0. Application components like recommendation letters and essays will also be considered and affect your chances of acceptance.
What is the hardest college to get into? ›- 1) Harvard University.
- 2) Columbia University.
- 3) Caltech.
- 4) Stanford University.
- 5) MIT.
- 6) Princeton University.
- 7) Yale University.
- 8) Brown University.
Brown University's average GPA is 3.94. Last year, Brown admitted 2,822 out of 36,793 applicants, making it a challenging institution to get into, even for applicants with the highest Brown GPA and test scores.
Is Brown easier to get into than Yale? ›...
Yale vs. Brown: A Quick Overview.
| Yale | Brown | |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate Enrollment | 5,964 | 7,160 |
| Acceptance Rate | 6.3% | 6.9% |
| U.S. News Ranking | 3 | 14 |
| Middle 50% SAT | 1450-1560 | 1440-1550 |
Do you have a minimum GPA requirement? All applications to Brown are reviewed holistically by a faculty admissions committee. Applicants with GPAs below 3.0 are strongly advised to submit additional evidence demonstrating academic potential.
What is the easiest college to get into? ›
- South Florida State College (Avon Park, Florida)
- St. ...
- Thomas More College of Liberal Arts (Merrimack, New Hampshire)
- University of Texas- El Paso (El Paso, Texas)
- Utah Valley University (Orem, Utah)
- Wayne State College (Wayne, Nebraska)
- Wilmington University (New Castle, Delaware)
Campus happiness: Brown is widely known as the happiest Ivy, perhaps because of students' freedom to choose courses with almost complete autonomy. Students report feeling less competition amongst themselves and an overall sense of campus community.
What is the hardest non Ivy League school to get into? ›Stanford University has a 5% acceptance rate. The Stanford, California, college was also named by Niche as the No. 2 school for the best academics in 2023. Additionally, the school ranks high on the list of best value colleges in the country.
What is the lowest ivy? ›While many of the Public Ivies enroll tens of thousands of students, the Little Ivies usually have much smaller student bodies. Amherst, Bowdoin College, and Swarthmore College all enroll fewer than 1,850 students.
How much is Brown tuition per year? › Why do people choose Brown? ›The color brown is usually perceived as neutral and natural. Because of this, brown is thought to evoke feelings of warmth, security, and earthiness. Brown does a fantastic job of conveying emotions related to the natural world, as well as connoting organic, wholesome feelings in general.
Which college has the most Brown people? ›- Spelman College (Atlanta, GA): 97.05%
- Mississippi Valley State University (Itta Bena, MS): 95.57%
- South Carolina State University (Orangeburg, SC): 95.10%
- Morris College (Sumter, SC): 94.92%
- Morehouse College (Atlanta, GA): 94.29%
- Claflin University (Orangeburg, SC): 93.65%
...
Cornell vs. Brown: A Quick Overview.
| Cornell | Brown | |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 11% | 6.9% |
| U.S. News Ranking | 17 | 14 |
| Middle 50% SAT | 1470-1560 | 1440-1550 |
| Middle 50% ACT | 32-34 | 33-35 |
Which school is easier to get into? If you're looking at acceptance rate alone, then Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is more difficult to get into. However, each college is looking to fill its incoming class with a variety of students with different strengths, backgrounds, etc.
Is Brown or Duke more prestigious? ›...
Prestige and Rankings.
| Brown | Duke | |
|---|---|---|
| QS World University Rankings | 60 | 42 |
| Times Higher Education | 61 | 20 |
Can you get into Brown with a 2.5 GPA? ›
Brown does not have a minimum GPA requirement. Although this school does not officially report its students' average GPA, any applicant wishing to attend Brown must have outstanding secondary school transcripts. Brown has made standardized tests submission optional for its applicants.
Can I get into Brown without SAT? ›Brown is test optional for all applicants this year. For international applicants, we continue to highly recommend the TOEFL if students are able to access these exams. We will also accept the Duolingo as a means of demonstrating English proficiency.
How many AP classes do you need to get into Brown? ›Ivy League
To be a competitive candidate for admission, you will need to take at least 8 AP® classes, more if you can. It is a good idea to take 1 AP® course in each of the following core disciplines: English, Foreign Language, History, Math, and Science to impress the admissions officers.
Harvard University is ranked as the most prestigious Ivy League School with the highest level ranking.
What are the top 4 Ivies? ›There are four Ivy League schools in the Top 10, led by Yale (No. 2), Princeton (No. 4), Harvard (No. 5) and Penn (No.
Can I get into Brown with a 1300 SAT? ›A 1300 SAT score will preclude you from getting into more selective schools such as Harvard, Yale, MIT, Brown, and others of the same ilk.
Can I get into Brown with a 1500 SAT? ›The middle 50 percent of admitted students scored between 1500 and 1570 on the Math and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing portions of the SAT. The middle 50 percent of admitted students scored between 34 and 36 on the ACT. And then there are facts that will affect your future.
Can I get into Brown with a 1400 SAT? ›There's no absolute SAT requirement at Brown University, but they really want to see at least a 1420 to have a chance at being considered.
What are some little known facts about Brown University? ›Brown University was formerly known as “The College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.” However, in 1804 after Nicholas Brown gave the school a donation of $5,000 (at a time when tuition was only $5), they changed the name to Brown University.
What are the stereotypes of Brown University? ›Some stereotypes are that Brown students are stuck up, wealthy, and extremely academically oriented. There's a stereotype that Brown students are pot heads and superliberals. we all have pink hair and wear birkenstocks. everyone is jewish, lots of hippies, lots of artsy people.
Why is Brown an Ivy League? ›
While Brown University belongs in the Ivy League by virtue of its athletic conference associations, it also sits comfortably alongside its sisters in academic excellence, distinguished alumni, and exclusivity.
What is the least snobby Ivy League? ›The correct answer is almost certainly Cornell. It's a much bigger school in terms of number of students, and includes a number of schools -- not just the core arts & science school. Does attending an Ivy League school really matter? YES.
What is the lowest GPA ever accepted Ivy League? ›We've always stated that the lowest GPA student we've ever helped get into an Ivy League school had a 3.3 unweighted GPA.
What is the lowest Ivy League GPA requirement? ›None of the Ivy League schools have a minimum GPA requirement for applications, which means anyone can apply regardless of their GPA.
What is the median family income of students who attend Brown University? ›According to a New York Times study, the median family income of a student at Brown University is just over $200,000. About 19 percent of students come from families who earn $630,000 or more per year, while just 4.1 percent come from families making $20,000 or less per year.
What is the gender breakdown at Brown University? ›Student Gender Distribution
Brown diversity statistics show that there are a total of 9,948 students enrolled at Brown University, with male students making up 47.65% (4,740) of the student body and female students making up 52.35%.
Kansas State University (Manhattan, KS)
We aren't kidding when we say Kansas State sweeps the rankings, earning top accolades in categories like students who love their college, the college with the happiest students, and the college with the best quality of life.
- Natural resources and conservation (1.6%)
- Philosophy and Religious Studies (1.6%)
- Foreign languages, literatures, and linguistics (1.9%)
- Communications/journalism (2.1%)
- Health professions and related programs (2.4%)
- History (2.6%)
- Public administration and social services (2.7%)
- Psychology (3.2%)
Since granting its first Doctor of Medicine degrees in 1975, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University has become a national leader in medical education and biomedical research.
What are the top 3 majors at Brown University? ›The most popular majors at Brown University include: Computer Science; Econometrics and Quantitative Economics; Biology/Biological Sciences, General; Political Science and Government, General; Engineering, General; History, General; Public Policy Analysis, General; English Language and Literature, General; Public ...
What is most unique about Brown University? ›
Brown University is one of the very few institutions in the US with an open curriculum. As a matter of fact, it's the only open curriculum Ivy League. At Brown University, students can design their own program or major by choosing their preferred courses rather than taking a set of core courses.
Why is Brown University in the Ivy League? ›While Brown University belongs in the Ivy League by virtue of its athletic conference associations, it also sits comfortably alongside its sisters in academic excellence, distinguished alumni, and exclusivity.
What is the smartest Ivy League? ›The best Ivy League school in 2022 is Harvard, followed by Princeton and Yale based on this ranking method.
What is the lowest Ivy League school? ›What Are the Cheapest Ivy League Schools? The cheapest Ivy League schools include The University of Pennsylvania, Harvard University, Dartmouth College, and Princeton University.
What is the least competitive ivy? ›Cornell is considered the "easiest" Ivy League to get into because it has the highest Ivy League acceptance rate. While it's easier, statistically speaking, to get into Cornell, it's still challenging. It's also important to remember that students apply directly to one of Cornell's eight undergraduate colleges.
What is the lowest GPA ever accepted to Brown? ›Yes, you can get into Brown with a 3.5 GPA. The school does not have an official minimum GPA, but accepted students generally have a GPA near 4.0. Application components like recommendation letters and essays will also be considered and affect your chances of acceptance. What kind of students get into Brown?
Is Brown harder to get into than Harvard? ›An incredible 32,724 students applied to study at Brown in 2021, but only 1,665 were admitted, resulting in an acceptance rate of 5.0%. An unbelievable 57,786 hopefuls applied to Harvard in 2022 and only 2,320 were accepted, for a rate of 4.1%.
What is the average GPA for Brown Med school? ›The average GPA for acceptance at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University is 3.83, but the minimum requirement is 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale). 3. What is the average MCAT? The average MCAT score for The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University is 517.
What College is best known for medicine? ›- Harvard University.
- Stanford University.
- Johns Hopkins University.
- Yale University.
- Columbia University.
- University of California - Los Angeles.
- University of Pennsylvania.
- University of Washington.
| 2022-2023 Cost of Attendance | MD'23 | MD'26 |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | 67,268 | 67,268 |
| Health Services Fee | 1,036 | 1,036 |
| Student Activity Fee | 70 | 70 |
| Recreational Fee/Record Fee | 70 | 170 |