<p>In its common data set, Brown indicates the following as “very important” in freshman admissions decisions:</p>
<p>-rigor of secondary school record
-talent/ability
-character/personal qualities
-level of applicant interest</p>
<p>My questions: how is “talent/ability” determined from an application? How can an applicant’s character/personal qualities be revealed besides for the main essay of the personal statement? Besides for applying Early Decision, how can an applicant show his/her high level of interest in Brown?</p>
<p>Recommendations would address talent and ability, also special awards or prizes you have won.</p>
<p>Interest in Brown can be shown by detailed knowledge of what they have to offer that would not be available to the same extent at other comparable universities. For example, as an alum interviewer I had one applicant who was serioulsly involved in sailing and wanted to be near the RI coast.</p>
<p>Another applicant knew details of archaeological digs where Brown students have worked.</p>
<p>other ways of showing interest:<br>
-going to any sort of “Brown Near You” meeting in your location.
-signing up for the viewbook in your junior year.
-visiting campus.
-contacting the admissions officer for your area to address questions (even if it is answered by someone else in the admissions office, your name will be recorded).</p>
<p>call the admissions office, ask to talk to the admissions officer for your region.</p>
<p>just make sure you’re doing it with some actual questions in hand or something you really want to discuss, that you couldn’t get answered from a simple search on the web. don’t waste their time, basically.</p>