How to Write the Brown Supplemental Essays and Get Into Brown

Brown University has a reputation for being quirky and creative, but don’t let the tie-dye fool you. Beneath the free-spirited vibe is a school that’s just as demanding as its Ivy League peers. Brown wants students who can juggle rigor and originality—the kind of achievers who ace calculus in the morning and write poetry about quantum physics by night. Let’s get into how to tackle Brown’s supplemental essays with the perfect mix of substance and flair.

Brown Supplemental Essay Prompts

Prompt #1: Why Brown?

Brown’s Open Curriculum allows students to explore broadly while also diving deeply into their academic pursuits. Tell us about an academic interest (or interests) that excites you, and how you might pursue it at Brown. (250 words)

Prompt #2: Your Community

Students at Brown find a home in our inclusive community—a place where people are valued for being exactly who they are. Tell us about a place or community you call home. How has it shaped your perspective? (250 words)

Prompt #3: Your Impact

Brown students care deeply about their work and the world around them. Students find contentment, satisfaction, and meaning in daily interactions and major discoveries. Tell us about something that brings you joy. (250 words)

How to Tackle Each Prompt

Prompt #1: Why Brown?

This isn’t your standard “Why us?” essay. Brown’s Open Curriculum is the star of the show, so your response should highlight how you’ll thrive in an academic environment without guardrails.

Step 1: Pick a Macro Topic That Requires Many Angles Choose a big, complex subject that fascinates you—something that demands an interdisciplinary approach. Think topics like climate change, the ethics of AI, or the intersection of medicine and sociology. This shows you’re ready to think deeply and creatively within Brown’s Open Curriculum.

Step 2: Get Creative With Connections Brown loves interdisciplinary thinkers. Show how you’d connect two (or more!) seemingly unrelated fields. For example:

• Studying neuroscience and visual art to create therapeutic tools for mental health.
• Exploring computer science and political theory to design fairer election systems.

Step 3: Name-Drop Brown Resources Mention specific courses, professors, or programs. For instance, highlight a class like “The Moral Brain” or a professor’s research that aligns with your interests. Show that you’ve done your homework.

Pro Tip: Brown’s Open Curriculum isn’t just a fun fact—it’s the backbone of their identity. Explain why having this freedom matters to you and how you’ll use it to fuel your intellectual growth.

Prompt #2: Your Community

This essay is all about connection. Brown wants to see how your environment has shaped you and how you’ll bring that perspective to their campus.

Step 1: Forget the Obvious Think beyond broad, generic definitions of community. This isn’t about where you’re from or a major identity marker unless you have a unique story tied to it. Instead, focus on a group or shared experience that’s specific and personal—something that feels like a secret handshake only your community would understand.

Step 2: Highlight Shared Values What connects you to this community? Maybe it’s resilience, curiosity, or a shared love for offbeat humor. Show how these values have shaped your perspective and approach to life. For example, being part of a scrappy robotics team might have taught you how to innovate on a shoestring budget while building close friendships.

Step 3: Reflect on Your Impact Community is a two-way street. How have you contributed? Maybe you’re the one who always lightens the mood during tough times, or the person everyone turns to when things go sideways. Show how your role in this community has prepared you to add something unique to Brown’s campus.

Step 4: Tie It Back to Brown How will your experience with this community help you contribute to Brown’s inclusive campus? Maybe it’s made you a better listener, collaborator, or advocate for underrepresented voices.

Prompt #3: Your Impact

This prompt is about what lights you up. Brown wants to know what brings you joy—and how you channel that joy into making a difference.

Step 1: Go Philosophical Joy doesn’t have to be a simple hobby; it can be tied to something deeper. Maybe the joy of stargazing makes you feel connected to the infinite, or your love for playing the violin is rooted in the way music creates a shared human experience. Show that your joy isn’t just a surface-level interest but a window into how you see the world.

Step 2: Show, Don’t Tell Paint a vivid picture of what this activity looks like. Instead of saying, “I love playing piano,” describe the feeling of nailing a difficult piece after weeks of practice, or how the notes seem to reflect your emotions back to you.

Step 3: Connect to Impact How does your joy inspire or influence others? Maybe your fascination with astronomy got your entire neighborhood looking up at the stars. Or your passion for sustainable cooking led you to host workshops on reducing food waste. Show how your joy spills over into the world around you.

What Works

1. Be Specific: Avoid vague or generic statements. Ground your essays in detailed, personal examples.
2. Show Your Flare: Let your creativity shine. Brown loves unconventional thinkers, so don’t be afraid to get a little weird.
3. Tie It to Brown: Always bring your essays back to how you’ll grow at Brown and contribute to their community.

Final Thoughts

Brown’s supplemental essays are your chance to show that you’re more than just a high achiever—you’re a curious, passionate individual who thrives on exploring new ideas and making connections. Be bold, be authentic, and don’t be afraid to let your personality shine.

At Top Dog, we know what it takes to craft essays that make Ivy League admissions teams take notice. Ready to bring your story to life? Let’s get to work.