Brown University

Getting in is the hard part. Brown University admitted 5.4% of applicants in its most recent reported class, one of the lowest rates in the country. Realistically it is a reach for every applicant, no matter how strong.

Admitted students cluster near the top of the testing range: the middle 50% score 1510–1580 on the SAT and 34–35 on the ACT. Scores at or above that band keep you in contention, but they do not decide it.

The real question is not your odds but your move. That is where Spike comes in: it reads your profile against what Brown University actually rewards, and tells you what to do next.

Check your own numbers against this class →

The Open Curriculum lets you architect your own degree across 80 concentrations — no core, no grades required.

No core requirements; optional Satisfactory/No-Credit grading and no class rank.

• The Open CurriculumNo core · S/NC option · Concentrations, not majors
• Student-led inquiryEngineering · Biology · Public Health
• Discovery through dialogueFree inquiry · Community · Openness

Verified from college.brown.edu and finaid.brown.edu.

• Next deadlineNovember 1, 2026 (ED)
• Regular decisionJanuary 5, 2027
• TestingRequired (2026 cycle)
• Recommendations3 letters
• Personal essayRequired
• ApplicationCommon App

Verified from brown.edu.

The current prompts, straight from the application. These change year to year, so most guides you will find are a cycle behind.

• Based on your understanding of the academic programs at Brown and RISD and the possibilities created by the BRDD program's broadened learning community, specifically describe how and why the BRDD program would constitute an optimal undergraduate education for you. As part of your answer, be sure to articulate how you might contribute to the Dual Degree community and its commitment to interdisciplinary work.

  Up to 650 words

• There is something distinctive about Brown students. It is a blend of intellectual curiosity, creativity, and humility. A commitment to collaboration. An openness to new ideas and perspectives. A desire to make the world better. And it is resilience: the ability to recover and thrive after experiencing difficulties. How will you use these characteristics or others to shape your approach to the Open Curriculum?

  Up to 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.

  Up to 250 words

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

  Up to 150 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.

  Up to 150 words

Every prompt, with how to approach each →

Verified from brown.edu.

The sticker price is about $87,648, but that is not what most families pay. After need-based aid, the average net price is $25,184.

Need-blind for all first-years; the Brown Promise replaces loans with grants.

Ten years after enrolling, graduates earn a median of $93,487.

Verified from brown.edu and the U.S. Department of Education.

“Rigorous scholarship, creative exploration and free inquiry — you craft your own path.”

Brick quadrangles and greens in a walkable arts neighborhood; Boston an hour away.

Is Brown University test-optional?

No. For the 2026 application cycle, Brown University requires SAT or ACT scores from first-year applicants.

How hard is it to get into Brown University?

Very hard. Brown University admits 5.4% of applicants, and the middle 50% of admitted students score 1510 to 1580 on the SAT. Treat it as a reach for every applicant.

When is the Brown University application deadline?

The next deadline is November 1, 2026 (ED). Regular Decision closes January 5, 2027.

How much does Brown University cost?

The list price is about $87,648, but the average price families actually pay after aid is $25,184. Brown University meets full demonstrated financial need.

Is Brown University worth it?

Graduates earn a median of $93,487 ten years after enrolling, and 96% graduate within six years. Value depends on your aid offer and your goals, which is exactly what Spike helps you weigh.