You’ve spent countless hours perfecting your Common Application, but if you’re planning to attend Brown University, you’re not done yet. Read how to write brown supplemental essays here.
The Brown supplemental essays give you the chance to stand out and show the admissions committee why you’re a perfect fit for their unique academic environment. These essays allow you to show your personality, values, and intellectual curiosity in a way that goes beyond grades and test scores.
Brown’s open curriculum, focus on interdisciplinary learning, and its commitment to community engagement make it one of the most sought-after Ivy League schools. And with so many bright students applying each year, learning how to stand out through your supplemental essays is important.
In this guide, we’ll discuss why these essays are so important, what common mistakes to avoid, and how to write brown supplemental essays that truly reflect who you are.
Let’s get started
Why Brown Supplemental Essays Are Important
Brown’s supplemental essays are not just additional boxes to check off on your application. They’re an important part of how the admissions committee determines whether you’re a good fit for the school. While your GPA, test scores, and extracurriculars matter, the essays give you an opportunity to speak directly to the committee in your own voice.
What makes Brown unique is its open curriculum, a system that allows students to take charge of their education.
The supplemental essays help Brown understand how well you would do in such an environment.
Are you self-motivated? Do you seek intellectual challenges outside of the traditional boundaries? How do your personal values align with Brown’s commitment to diversity and community?
Each essay gives insight into different aspects of your personality and intellectual approach, and helps the admissions officers see the full picture of who you are.
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What to Avoid When Writing Brown Supplemental Essays
Writing college essays can be stressful, but knowing what to avoid can help you steer clear of common mistakes that might weaken your application.
Here are a few mistakes you should avoid when writing Brown’s supplemental essays:
1. Generic Responses
One of the biggest mistakes applicants make is giving answers that could apply to any school. If your essay could be copied and pasted into another application without much change, it’s not specific enough. Brown is looking for thoughtful, detailed responses that reflect why their school is the perfect fit for you.
2. Overly Formal or Robotic Tone
While it’s important to be polished and professional, you should avoid sounding too stiff.
The admissions team wants to get to know the real you, and that won’t happen if your essay sounds like it was written by a robot.
You should aim for a conversational tone that still shows your intellectual ability.
3. Repeating Your Resume
Another common trap is repeating information from your resume. The admissions committee already knows about your extracurricular activities and academic achievements.
Use the essays to provide new information about who you are, what motivates you, and how you think.
4. Ignoring the Word Count
Brown’s essay prompts come with word limits, and you need to stick to them. Writing too much can make your essay feel unfocused, while writing too little may suggest that you haven’t put enough thought into your response.
4. Trying to Be Someone You’re Not
It’s tempting to write what you think the admissions officers want to hear, but authenticity is important. Brown is looking for students who are true to themselves, and admissions officers can easily spot insincerity.
How to Write Brown Supplemental Essays
Now that you know what to avoid, let’s talk about how to write Brown supplemental essay.
1. Understand the Prompts
Each of Brown’s supplemental essay prompts is designed to reveal a different aspect of your character, values, and goals.
Before you begin writing, make sure you fully understand what each question is asking. You should read each prompt multiple times and take notes on initial ideas or reactions.
2. Reflect on Your Experiences
Once you’ve understood the prompts, think deeply about your personal experiences that relate to them. Brown wants to see how your unique background and perspective will contribute to their community. You should reflect on academic interests, extracurricular activities, and personal challenges that have shaped who you are.
For example, if Brown asks why you want to attend their school, focus on specific aspects of their curriculum, values, or campus culture that resonate with you.
You should avoid general statements like “I want to go to Brown because it’s prestigious.” Instead, explain how the open curriculum aligns with your desire to explore multiple disciplines, or how you’re drawn to their community service programs.
3. Be Specific
You need to be specific in making your essays stand out. When describing why you’re interested in Brown, cite specific programs, professors, or clubs that align with your interests.
Similarly, when writing about your personal experiences, avoid vague statements. Go into the details that make your story uniquely yours.
4. Show, Don’t Tell
Rather than simply stating that you’re curious, passionate, or driven, use anecdotes and examples to show those qualities in action.
Did you organize a community project that brought together different groups of people? Did you pursue an independent research project out of pure curiosity? Use specific examples to demonstrate the traits that Brown values.
5. Edit and Revise
After you’ve written your first draft, take time away from it before revising. When you return, read it with fresh eyes and ask yourself: Does this sound like me? Have I answered the prompt clearly? Does my personality come through?
It can also be helpful to have a trusted teacher, counselor, or friend review your essays. They can offer review and feedback and catch any grammatical errors you may have missed.
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Samples of Brown Supplemental Essays
Now that we have discussed how to write Brown supplemental essay, here are some samples idea of how to approach your own essays:
Sample 1:
Prompt: Why Brown?
Response: Brown’s open curriculum is the perfect fit for my interdisciplinary interests. As someone fascinated by both political science and environmental studies, I often find that these two subjects are deeply interconnected.
At Brown, I can explore the intersection of these fields without the constraints of a traditional core curriculum. Additionally, Brown’s commitment to sustainability initiatives on campus speaks to my desire to be part of a community that takes environmental stewardship seriously.
Sample 2:
Prompt: Tell us about a community you are a part of and how you contribute to it.
Response: As a member of my local youth theater group, I’ve found a space where creativity and collaboration flourish. I’ve contributed by leading workshops for younger members, where I help them gain confidence both on stage and off. With a supportive environment, I’ve seen students, once too shy to speak up, become leading actors in our productions.
Final Thoughts on How to write brown supplemental essays
Writing compelling Brown supplemental essays can seem overwhelming, but it’s a great opportunity to show who you are beyond your academic achievements.
In this guide, we have discussed how to write Brown supplemental essay. As well as the mistakes to avoid when writing your essays.
However, you need to take the time to reflect on your experiences, understand the prompts, and be true to yourself
This will help you write essays that resonate with the admissions committee.
Also, you need to be specific, authentic, and thoughtful in your responses.
We hope you find this guide helpful. Good luck on your application.
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FAQs About How to Write Brown Supplemental Essays
How long should my Brown supplemental essays be?
Each prompt has a word limit, usually around 200 to 250 words. Make sure to follow the guidelines for each essay prompt carefully.
Can I use the same essay for multiple schools?
While some parts of your essays may overlap, you need to tailor your responses to Brown’s specific prompts. Generic essays may not stand out.
Should I mention specific professors or programs in my essay?
Yes Mentioning specific courses, professors, or programs that interest you shows that you’ve done your research and are genuinely interested in Brown.
How many supplemental essays does Brown require?
Brown requires three supplemental essays. However, check the current application requirements.
Is it okay to write about personal challenges in my essays?
Sharing personal challenges helps to show growth and resilience. Just make sure to focus on how the experience shaped you and what you learned from it.