Please Chance and match me (art and science centered high school sophomore) for the Brown RISD Dual Degree Program (BRDD)

Chance Me / Match Me
, ,
1

Hi! I’m a sophomore in high school, and the BRDD program is my dream for college, and I’m wondering about my chances! But I also know it’s really really selective, like 20 students per year, so I would love some other college/program suggestions. I want to be a medical illustrator, so I need both a good science (specifically biology) and arts education. Thank you!!

Demographics

  • US Citizen
  • Illinois
  • Public high school
  • No special factors

Cost Constraints / Budget
I don’t have a set yearly budget. Brown is expensive but seems to have a good student aid policy.

Intended Major(s)

Bachelors in biology and BFA in illustration (if BRDD)

If not BRDD, then bachelors in biology with a minor in fine arts/illustration

GPA, Rank, and Test Scores

  • Unweighted HS GPA: 4.0
  • Weighted HS GPA: 5.269
  • Class Rank: unsure
  • ACT/SAT Scores: not yet taken

List your HS coursework

I’m a sophomore, so some of these I haven’t taken yet but plan to in my junior and senior years.

  • English: Hrs freshman English, Hrs sophomore English, AP lang, AP lit
  • Math: hrs algebra 2, Hrs geometry, AP precalc, AP calc 1
  • Science: Hrs bio, Hrs chem, AP bio, AP chem
  • History and social studies: AP world, AP US history, AP gov
  • Language other than English: Spanish 1, 2, 3, and maybe 4, aiming for seal of biliteracy next year. Japanese outside of school, aiming for seal of biliteracy by application time
  • Visual or performing arts: Hrs intro to 2D, hrs intro to 3D, hrs drawing 1 and 2, hrs pre-AP studio art, AP studio art, AP art history
  • Other academic courses: AP computer science principles

If I earn my Spanish seal of biliteracy junior year, I am considering swapping out Spanish 4 for hrs anatomy and physiology. I’m not sure which would be better.

College Coursework
(Include college courses taken while in high school if not included above.)

  • 2 years of Japanese, possibly some art classes.

Awards

Scholastic Art and writing: 3 regional art gold keys, 1 regional art American visions nomination (still being judged nationally), 1 regional writing gold key.

2025 congressional art competition winner in my region.

Extracurriculars
Varsity swim team (will be all 4 years)

Dance classes and company (outside of school)

Spanish club

French club

Volunteering art my local art association

Other local volunteering

Aiming for national honors society

Babysitting

Teacher at local art studio

Essays/LORs/Other
I don’t know much yet, but for the BRDD essay I plan to either write about my aspirations to medical illustration or biology’s influence on my art. If you have any recommendations for this that would be amazing!!

Schools

  • I think I want to apply to Brown ED, then RISD regular decision (and obviously BRDD with both). BRDD is super selective so I have a pretty low chance of getting in. I think my chances of getting into Brown and RISD separately are a little better.
  • I don’t have any other very strong candidates for colleges. I need something that gets me a good biology education but also a good art education. BRDD is obviously the dream, but I know it’s a slim chance, so I would really appreciate any other ideas!!
2

Take a look at RIT for a less reachy school that has what you are looking for: Medical Illustration BFA | RIT

3

Although it seems early, it may be a good idea for your parents to do the financial planning so that they know what would be affordable, or could be affordable depending on some upcoming financial decisions.

4

Thats true! For right now I’m looking into scholarship opportunities as well. I think we could make the cost work with a combination of everything, but we will work on more specific budgeting. Thank you!!

5

The thing with aid is - you’re right, Brown is aggressive and generous. But it depends on how they determine your need as they don’t have merit aid.

It’s unlikely, but not impossible, that you’d get scholarships of significance outside your school of choice.

I would work toward a 4th year of of Spanish and a 4th science (3rd lab science) over AP CS if you can only choose one if Brown is your goal.

image
image911×422 88.4 KB

Here’s a list that you might look into from the Association of Medical Illustrators that might be worth looking into specific to the major. I’m not saying it’s complete but often with such a narrow focus, the leading schools aren’t the big names you’d expect. Part of the beauty with that is, they excel professionally and yet cost less.

Just another path to look at.

Undergraduate Programs

Bachelor’s Degree Majors in Pre-Medical, Biological or Scientific Illustration

Bachelor’s Degree Minors

Post-Baccalaureate Certificates

6

It’s early yet, so take deep breaths and focus on academics and creating a portfolio. Brown is a great school but having to dual enroll with RISD for the medical illustration plan is risky, with a 2-3% admission rate to BRDD. Please have a back-up plan.