In one sentence, Why Brown? (50 words)

Here are the prompts for the Brown University supplemental essays:

Like our other Brown essays examples, this essay highlights the writer’s cultural background. They weave this fact into their academic interests: it’s clear that they care about how culture affects mental health and psychology. Moreover, they even found a specific professor whose work speaks to issues that affect their culture.

Whenever you write a “why school” essay, make sure to do as much research as possible. Read their whole website, look up classes and majors, research professors and see what research they’ve published, and look for any interesting clubs or organizations. As of our Brown University open curriculum essay examples, this essay highlights a key feature of Brown’s educational ethos.

To effectively answer the “Why Brown?” prompt in one sentence, under 50 words, you need to be concise yet impactful. A stellar answer to this question will show Brown that you’re able to zero in on specific details that are indicative of what Brown has to offer. Reflect on what draws you to Brown. This could include the Open Curriculum, a particular program or department, the campus culture, research opportunities, or the inclusive and collaborative community. Naming these things without excessively elaborating will demonstrate an awareness of the school’s culture and offerings within the limited word count allotted. Make sure each word adds value and directly addresses why you are excited about the prospect of attending Brown.

And that’s a painful lesson. (324 words)

As soon as I got home, I went to google and started researching. I wanted to understand what caused malaria and how I could ensure it didn't kill someone else's mother. In researching malaria and how to care for it, I learned how important it is to have access to good healthcare.

The next of our Brown essays examples asks about your background and upbringing. This essay is a chance for you to tell the Brown admissions committee something about you. This should include where you grew up, what your values are, and how you developed them.

I wanted to join the efforts of those who strive to provide that healthcare every day, and the more I learn about medicine, the more I want to pursue it as a career. My love for science, puzzle-solving skills, and desire to help people make medicine the perfect fit for me. Furthermore, as a naturally curious person, the idea of a profession where you never stop learning especially appeals to me. (240 words)

The third of our Brown essays examples also mentions Brown’s open curriculum. So, as you’ve likely realized, the open curriculum is an important part of what makes Brown unique.

Next, let’s move on to some other Brown essays examples.

Though this prompt in the Brown essays examples seems like a simple question, this student understood that the admissions committee doesn’t really care about your address or the color of your bedroom. Instead, Brown wants to learn about the way your childhood home has affected you.

Here’s an essay written for another school that would work well here.

Bring it back to you. Although the prompt asks you to talk about a perspective you encountered that was different from your own, remember that the person reading your application ultimately wants to know more about you. This writer centers her essay around her father’s disapproval of her LGBTQ+ advocacy/volunteer work. But she makes sure to bring their difficult conversations back to how it informed her own perspective and the compromises she had to make as a result of her father’s beliefs. Think about how you can weave yourself into the story as you write. Why? This will make you an active participant (rather than a passive observer) in your own story.

In one sentence, Why Brown? (50 words)*

The fourth of our Brown essays examples also touches on how the student’s upbringing has led them to desire an inclusive community. Colleges often represent themselves as havens of inclusivity. Many of them also include essay questions that speak to community or diversity. Even if the college doesn’t ask explicitly about those qualities, your essay should still reflect your chosen university’s values. You can find these values on schools’ or in other official communications.

In one sentence, Why Brown? (50 words)

Now, let’s move on to other Brown supplemental essay examples. Still, note that many tips we’ve covered can apply to your Brown University supplemental essays regardless of the prompt!

4. In one sentence, Why Brown? (50 words)*

Brown’s Open Curriculum allows students to explore broadly while also diving deeply into their academic pursuits. Tell us about any academic interests that excite you, and how you might pursue them at Brown. (200-250 words)