PinkSummer09

Brown is probably my first choice REACH school. I really like the idea that students can take courses that they are unsure of Pass/Fail. I just visited today, and I really fell in love with the campus.

I plan on raising my ACT score: I took the test the first time not knowing ANYTHING about its format (I earned a composite score of 30), but now I have a book that I'm using to study. I took the SATs twice, but I found that my scores were average (600 to 690 for each component) and I was better-suited towards the ACT. I would really prefer to NOT take the SATs again.

Also, would my chances improve if I applied early?

Thank you for all of those that respond, and best wishes to all of you!

PinkSummer09

I forgot to mention...click on my username then go to "Biography" and click on the link or copy/paste to view my profile. It's probably easier to "Chance Me" that way )

Poseur

I don't consider myself knowledgeable enough to chance you (as a rising senior and Brown hopeful myself), but good luck -- you're definitely in the running! Valedictorian... nice. And your outside of school activities look great; the dance thing is definitely unique and you've clearly put lots of time into it (since you were two!) Your resume is very impressive but of course no one can say anything for sure, especially at an amazing school like Brown.

I'll let other people address the 'applying early' thing; I mean, as far as chances improving, it is a smaller pool and there is a chance of being deferred to regular decision (a second chance, sort of) but keep in mind that the people who apply ED to Brown are a self-selected group. Also, remember that Brown offers early decision, which is binding. (As much as I love Brown, I probably won't apply ED because I'm too indecisive a person to commit to something, haha.)

PinkSummer09

Thanks for all of your help. It's nice to hear from people our age and to get their opinions on the colleges...as much as I wish I could find the time and money to visit every school on my wish list, it just isn't possible. I'm aware of the early decision option, but I'm also rather indecisive! Anyways, thank you for the encouraging words and good luck next year!

PinkSummer09

Anyone else? :]
I'm really interested to hear how I could stand out on my application to Brown! Will applying early decision/action help me?

PinkSummer09

I forgot to mention that I'm a white female, and my school does not regularly send people to top schools...most go to community college. I am taking the hardest course load my school offers (we only offer something like 8-10 AP classes). As far as I know, no one from my school (at least not for a VERY long time) has attended Brown...I'm not aware of anyone in the school district attending the university either.

fireandrain

The acceptance rate of students applying ED is higher than those applying regular decision, but you should not assume from that statistic that it means it is easier for you to get accepted. Many ED acceptances go to athletes, legacy and development candidates, which skews the statistics.

Do you need financial aid? If you do, then run the financial aid calculators, have discussions with your parents about cost, etc. You should be very cautious about applying ED if you need financial aid.

As a white female, your chances of acceptance are even lower, because of the gender imbalance of applicants (close to 60% of applicants are female, and Brown likes to have as close to a 50-50 male/female ratio). Unless, of course, you want to concentrate in engineering, computer science, math or a hard science -- Brown wants to increase the number of women in those areas.

You don't mention where you live. If you come from an underrepresented part of the country (like North Dakota), then your chances might be higher.