Architecture concentration at Brown

PikachuRocks15
Tue, 11 Aug 2020 04:56:22 +0000

Disclaimer: I’m an incoming First-Year at Brown who applied ED, was deferred, and ultimately accepted RD. While I cannot speak to the specifics of coursework at Brown, or to the Architecture concentration given that I applied for pre-med/Public Health, I can definitely provide ADVICE regarding the admissions process for Early Decision applicants.

l highly, highly recommend that you apply Early Decision to Brown IF AND ONLY IF the following are true:

1. You LOVE Brown (not just the campus and the Open Curriculum, but you would be happy to spend the next four years in Providence) and would 110% attend if admitted.

2. You are extremely confident that you can present a well thought out and crafted application by the ED Deadline of November 1st.

3. You and your family can afford Brown if admitted (run the financial aid calculators if applicable.)

After your academics (courses/GPA/test scores,) which demonstrate to the Admissions Committee that you are capable of handling the coursework at Brown, Admissions turns to the rest of your application (essays, interview, letters of recommendation etc) to gain an understanding of how you would take advantage of the resources at Brown and the Open Curriculum (through your essays, yes, but also through how you’ve taken advantage of your high school’s resources,) and would go on from Brown to become an Architect whom Brown would be proud of to call their alumni in the future.

Like many other prospective applicants to Brown, you’re interested in the Open Curriculum, which is definitely the most well-known feature of Brown. However, one characteristic separating those truly interested in Brown rather than applying solely based on “name” or prestige is the depth of research your application shows: do your essays, interviews, letters etc demonstrate how you’ve explored interest in Architecture throughout high school, how you plan to explore Architecture and your other interests (see below for an explanation,) and will go on from Brown to pursue your career goals.

Regarding “other interests,” Brown Admissions is definitely interested in an in-depth answer to this question, and rightfully so, given that an entire essay is devoted to your potential usage of the OPEN CURRICULUM, rather than simply “Why this major,” that some other schools might ask. Brown wants to know that if you’re studying Architecture but are also interested in a foreign language, that you have taken the TIME to explore these secondary interests while in high school: whether through coursework, high school club/extracurricular activity involvement, competition etc. You need to explain why Brown is the BEST fit for you given the academic freedom that the Open Curriculum will provide you with.

Hope that helps! Good luck with admissions!