<p>How long should the answere to the question about ‘your reasons for attending Brown University’ be? and your areas of academic interest? I’ve written about 500 words for that. How many words is the appropriate length? or the required length- since they haven’t specified the word limit on this question? Oh and no, the Brown supplement is not out and this supplement that I found on the net is just last years supplement or something.</p>
<p>And I wanted to to send a recommendation letter from this place where I volunteer to teach slum children english as supplementary material but the lady teachers and the person in-charge at this teaching centre who know me really well are not literate- at least not in english- so the letter would be in their mother tongue which is Kannad. And I really want to send this letter in because it’s something unique, but I’m just worried that Brown may disregard this recommendation letter coz it’s in another language. Or maybe they’ll get a translator to translate it for them? For my sake, I hope Brown has a translator.</p>
<p>Two ideas for the translation: you could type a translation in English for the admissions people, or if someone else in your area can translate Kannad mother tongue into something a bit more known internationally, that might help. Is Kannad a dialect in India? I am just guessing. If so, maybe someone can translate it from Kannad to whatever is more known…Hindi/Urdu? and Brown can take it from the more familiar language. </p>
<p>Actually, I would do both. Send them your English version, and a translation from Kannad to whatever is more universally understood.</p>
<p>I agree that the teacher recommendation letter, and work you do there, sounds very interesting. You might also email ahead to Brown Admissions to ask if they need an official translation or will just take the above as sufficiently “official.” No matter what translations you add, be sure to also submit the handwritten words from the teachers themselves! And keep a copy for yourself, or ask them to write it more than one time. It is a treasure and if it were me, I would always want to keep that letter.</p>
<p>I have no idea on the first question, but hopefully others will. Good luck!</p>
<p>PS: Is there instruction on the Brown website about official translation for letters of recommendation? That might guide you. Check that out first, before you email admissions to ask more about this translation. In general, whenever you write to Admissions, mention that you’ve already searched the website thoroughly for the answer, but just need “further clarification.”</p>
<p>You should call or email Brown about the translation. I’m pretty sure that they don’t have someone readily available who can read Kannad. </p>
<p>As for the supplement: What you are looking at is the old application. This year, Brown is using the Common Ap for the first time. While the old essay questions have been the same for at least 3 decades, we really don’t know whether things will change this year because of the switch to the common ap.</p>
<p>But the question about reasons and academic areas was supposed to be a short answer – 500 words is on the long side.</p>
<p>Uhm… I was at an info session on, like, Monday… and apparently the third essay question is now about an experience or book that inspired you??? Which sucks, because I totally wrote my ‘personal interest’ essay. </p>
<p>They also said that the supplement won’t be out until September…</p>
<p>Regarding the original question: If I were you, I would provide them with an English translation. I don’t think that they’ll doubt you.</p>
<p>Five Hundred Words seems a little long for that essay; I think I wrote half that. Actually, when I applied, they had strict character counts, so I think mine barely made 200 words. Suggestion: don’t sugar coat that section. Get right to the point, referring specifically to programs, courses and organizations that interest you.</p>