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Except for a very few students (primarily recruited athletes), most people are very unlikely to get into Brown, just given that something like 80-90% of the applicant pool is qualified and under 9% are accepted. Brown doesn’t just accept based on the highest grades or travel. The essay is incredibly important, and they’re looking for fit. The pool also varies from year to year, and some decisions might vary based on the mood of the reader of the application, too. There are far stranger things than the “top” student being rejected and a “lesser” student getting in.</p>
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Rejection happens in many facets of life. Jobs, socially, college…I didn’t get into my top choice school, nor was I hired for a TAing position the first time I applied, but I’ve still ended up with a great academic situation, and I’m now the one with great input on the hiring of TAs for a course. Letting fear of rejection get in your way will reduce the number of opportunities you have in general. Do be reasonable about your chances - few people get in, but don’t assume you don’t have a chance if your scores are in range.</p>