<p>If your school is like Stuyvesant in NYC or Thomas Jefferson in Virginia, then admissions will go lower than the top decile for admits. If you are a recruited athlete or have some other attribute that is heavily desired or incredibly impressive, then Brown will accept lower-ranked students. </p>
<p>But for students at typical competitive high schools, it will be very tough to get into Brown if you are not ranked in the top decile. As you’ll see here ([Brown</a> Admission: Facts & Figures](<a href=“Undergraduate Admission | Brown University”>Undergraduate Admission | Brown University)) the acceptance rate for applicants in the second decile is 2 percent.</p>
<p>And I don’t think legacy will help much. I’ve known double legacies with high SATs ranked in the top 1 percent who didn’t get in. Being a legacy does not negate a flaw in one’s application.</p>
<p>I’m sorry that I can’t be more optimistic for you. You should still apply if Brown is your first choice, but have a good list of other schools and make sure you have a safety you want to attend.</p>