Brown / How to get in
How to Get Into Brown
Brown admitted 2,418 of 42,765 applicants to the Class of 2029, an overall acceptance rate of 5.65%. Early Decision admitted about 17.9% of its applicants, while Regular Decision sat near 4%. The middle 50% of admitted students scored 1480-1560 on the SAT or 34-35 on the ACT, and roughly 95% ranked in the top 10% of their high school class. Here is the academic profile that keeps you in the running, what Brown weighs most, and where to put your energy.
- 3.9-4.0 (unweighted)
- GPA (middle 50%)
- 1480-1560
- SAT (middle 50%)
Every college publishes how heavily it weighs each part of your application in its Common Data Set. Here is how Brown reads applicants, most important first.
- Course rigor
- Grades (GPA)
- The application essay
- Character and personal qualities
- Class rank
- Test scores
- Recommendation letters
- Extracurricular activities
- Talent or ability
- First-generation status
- Legacy relation
- Geographic origin
- Demonstrated interest
Brown requires SAT or ACT scores.
Early Decision November 1 · Regular Decision January 5 · Supplementary materials (RD) January 7. Applying early (Early Action or Early Decision, where offered) can modestly improve your odds and signals commitment.
Your grades and course rigor are mostly set by now. The highest-leverage things left are your essays and how you frame your activities. Brown reads holistically, so a specific, well-told essay is where you separate yourself from other qualified applicants.
How to get into Brown: FAQ
Is Brown hard to get into?
Brown admitted 2,418 of 42,765 applicants to the Class of 2029, an overall acceptance rate of 5.65%. Early Decision admitted about 17.9% of its applicants, while Regular Decision sat near 4%. The middle 50% of admitted students scored 1480-1560 on the SAT or 34-35 on the ACT, and roughly 95% ranked in the top 10% of their high school class. At Brown, applicants clear a high academic bar first, then stand out through essays, activities, and character.
What GPA do you need to get into Brown?
Admitted students at Brown typically have a GPA around 3.9-4.0 (unweighted) (middle 50 percent). A strong GPA in demanding courses is the foundation, though it never guarantees admission.
What SAT score do you need for Brown?
The middle 50 percent of admitted students at Brown score about 1480-1560 on the SAT. Scores in or above that range keep you competitive.
What does Brown look for in applicants?
Brown weighs course rigor, grades (gpa), the application essay, and character and personal qualities most heavily, alongside a strong academic record. The parts you most control late in the process are your essays and how you present your activities.
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