Brown Supplemental Essays 2025-26

Brown Supplemental Essays

If you’re wondering how to get into Brown, a solid strategy begins with strong Brown supplemental essays. The Brown University supplemental essays allow you to show the admissions team who you are, what you care about, and how you’d enrich Brown’s campus community.

Brown University is a private institution located in Providence, RI. Founded in 1764, Brown is one of the eight Ivy League schools. According to U.S. News, the Brown University ranking is #13 in National Universities. As a competitive school, the Brown supplemental essays are a vital part of the admissions process. To learn more about the Brown University acceptance rate, Brown University ranking, and Brown application deadline, check out our Brown University page. 

In this guide, we’ll take a look at the Brown essay prompts and provide you with some tips on how to write the Brown supplemental essays. Before you start working on your Brown University supplemental essays, you should first make sure you understand the prompts and requirements. So, let’s look at some quick facts about the Brown essays. 

Brown Admissions: Quick Facts

Please note that essay requirements are subject to change each admissions cycle, and portions of this article may have been written before the final publication of the most recent guidelines. For the most up-to-date information on essay requirements, check the university’s admissions website.

How many essays does Brown University require? 

All Brown University applicants must submit the Common App personal statement, choosing from one of the seven Common App essay prompts. Since the personal statement is not a school-specific essay, we won’t include it in this application essay count. So, how many Brown supplemental essays are required to apply? 

In addition to the personal statement, there are three Brown supplemental essays and three short answer questions that all first-year students need to submit. Responses to the three essay prompts should be 200-250 words long. The word lengths for the short answer questions vary by prompt, ranging from 3 to 100 words.

While this may seem like a lot of Brown essay prompts, we aren’t finished yet. There are additional Brown supplemental essays for the university’s specialized undergraduate programs.

Brown essay requirements for specialty majors

If you are interested in applying to the Brown Program in Liberal Medical Education, or PLME program, you will need to submit two additional Brown PLME essays to complete your application. Like the other required Brown University supplemental essays, the Brown PLME essays form an extremely important part of the application process. 

If you are planning to apply to the Brown-RISD Dual Degree Program, you will need to write one additional Brown essay. We will expand on this Brown essay prompt and the Brown PLME essays later on in this guide.

Understanding the Brown essay requirements

So, let’s review: most applicants will complete six Brown supplemental essays (three essays and three short answers). If you apply to the PLME program, you will complete six Brown supplemental essays AND two Brown PLME essays, for a total of eight Brown essays. If you are applying to the Brown-RISD Dual Degree Program, you will complete one additional essay, for a total of seven Brown supplemental essays. And, of course, regardless of which program you apply to, you’ll need to submit your Common App personal essay. 

For more information about the Brown PLME essays and Brown-RISD essay, check out our essay guide for those program-specific Brown supplemental essays. 

In all your worrying about the Brown University supplemental essays, did you forget about your Common App essay? We’ve got you covered. After checking out the Brown supplemental essays, check out this article. In it, you’ll find 39 essay tips from CollegeAdvisor.com’s Admissions Experts on how to write a great college essay. 

What are the Brown supplemental essay prompts? 

In addition to the Common App personal statement, there are six Brown essay prompts to consider as you begin your “how to get into Brown” strategy. We will examine each of the Brown essay prompts below before we discuss how to write the Brown supplemental essays. 

Here are the required Brown University supplemental essays for the 2023-24 admissions cycle:

In each Brown essay, admissions should learn something new about you. Successful Brown supplemental essays will share information that hasn’t been seen elsewhere in your application. Likewise, each response to the Brown University supplemental essays should highlight something different. 

Let’s take a closer look at the Brown supplemental essays. 

Do the Brown essays change?

In short, yes, the Brown supplemental essays can certainly change. Like at most universities, the Brown supplemental essays are subject to change each year. That’s why it’s important to check the admissions website for the most current information on the Brown University supplemental essays.

The Brown University supplemental essays have maintained a similar word count from year to year, although they have varied slightly. This year, all of the longer Brown supplemental essays have a limit of 200-250 words. 

For any college application, always double-check the university’s admissions website so that you have the correct and updated information. Normally, the most current Brown essay prompts will be revealed in the summer months ahead of the early and regular admissions deadlines. 

Brown Supplemental Essay #1: Open Curriculum Essay

The first of the Brown University supplemental essays is about the Brown Open Curriculum. This Brown essay is the university’s take on the why school essay. So, a successful Brown Open Curriculum essay example will do what a successful why school essay does: answer “why Brown?” and “why you?”.

The purpose of a why school essay is to help the admissions committee understand the reasons why you want to attend this school. A strong why school essay, and why Brown essay, will incorporate specific details that relate to the school’s mission, values, opportunities, or programs. 

You’ll find similar versions of this why school essay prompt in the supplemental essays for NYU, Stanford, and UPenn. In order to write your best Brown University supplemental essays, you’ll want to look at Brown supplemental essays examples. You can read more about this type of college essay in our college essay examples guide. 

Let’s look at this first essay prompt: 

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.

Addressing this Brown essay prompt

As we mentioned earlier, the Brown Open Curriculum essay prompt is twofold. This Brown essay prompt asks you to elaborate on one of your academic interests along with how you will use the Brown Open Curriculum to pursue that interest. 

Before you start writing the first of the Brown supplemental essays, you will want to research the Brown Open Curriculum. You can look through Brown’s website to explore more facts about the Brown Open Curriculum and its unique attributes. While you are doing your research, take notes on what aspects of this offering excite you the most. 

Once you’ve learned more about the Brown Open Curriculum, you’ll want to start brainstorming. Think about how the Brown Open Curriculum can help you reach your own academic goals. To do this, you’ll first need to think about your own academic interests. Then you can tie it into the opportunities you’ll have with the Brown Open Curriculum. 

Are you interested in multiple academic fields or careers? What courses are you hoping to take to further these interests? Finally, how would the flexibility of the Brown Open Curriculum help you develop your interests? 

With only 250 words for the Brown Open Curriculum essay prompt, you’ll want to make every word of this Brown essay count. Get to the point quickly and provide specific examples about your academic interests and plans. Then, spend the rest of the Brown essay describing how the Brown Open Curriculum will help you pursue them. 

What is Brown Open Curriculum? 

The Brown Open Curriculum was first introduced in 1969. From its founding, the Brown Open Curriculum was created by faculty and students to offer undergraduates the freedom to explore and combine ideas across disciplines. The Brown Open Curriculum gives students the flexibility to choose their own courses and be “the architect of their own education.” 

In other words, students are not required to complete a set of core courses for graduation. Instead, the Brown Open Curriculum allows students to create their own personalized course of study. 

Most students at Brown will sample a wide range of courses in various subjects before selecting one of Brown’s 80+ academic concentrations to study in-depth. As a result, the Brown Open Curriculum produces an intellectual environment where students can explore courses in all disciplines. 

The Brown Open Curriculum essay is Brown’s version of the Why School essay. That means that when approaching the Brown Open Curriculum essay, you’ll need to be specific with your examples. Additionally, you’ll need to show not only what you’d gain from the Brown Open Curriculum, but also what you’d bring to it. 

Brown Supplemental Essay #2: Community Essay

The second of the Brown University supplemental essays is about how you see yourself within the larger community at Brown. The purpose of this type of essay is to show how you could make a positive impact on the campus community.  

Therefore, a strong response to this second prompt of the Brown University supplemental essays will address how you see yourself interacting with the diverse community at Brown. You’ll find a similar version of this Brown essay prompt in the supplemental essays for Duke University. 

Now, let’s revisit the second of the Brown supplemental essays prompt: 

Students entering Brown often find that making their home on College Hill naturally invites reflection on where they came from. Share how an aspect of your growing up has inspired or challenged you, and what unique contributions this might allow you to make to the Brown community.

Although this Brown essay prompt is intentionally broad, there are a few ways to answer it. Think about what makes you a unique applicant. What aspects of your personality and perspective would you bring to the table at Brown? Additionally, how do you see yourself making an impact on campus? 

Successful Brown University supplemental essays will be reflective and show growth. Basically, how did your upbringing shape the way you interact, navigate, and contribute to the world around you? Of course, Brown supplemental essays will need to answer the prompt comprehensively. So, choose a moment from your upbringing that was either inspiring or challenging. Then, show how this learning will positively influence your experience at Brown. 

Brown Supplemental Essay #3: Joy

The third prompt of the Brown supplemental essays is all about being a curious and passionate learner. Rather than focusing on the university like in the previous Brown University supplemental essays, the whole purpose of this essay prompt is to learn more about you. Of course, in turn, strong Brown University supplemental essays will allow admissions to gain an understanding of what you’d bring to the campus and community. 

Let’s review the third of the Brown University supplemental essays:

Brown students care deeply about their work and the world around them. Students find contentment, satisfaction, and meaning in daily interactions and major discoveries. Whether big or small, mundane or spectacular, tell us about something that brings you joy.

At first glance, this Brown essay prompt may seem intimidating. It’s unique and different from most college essays and the other Brown University supplemental essays. Basically, it’s not a why school essay. However, the intention of this essay is the same as the overall goal of all the Brown supplemental essays: stand out to admissions by sharing more of who you are.

Getting creative with your Brown supplemental essays

This Brown essay allows students to get creative. You could speak of the joy of brewing your first cup of coffee, or the simple routine of steeping your nighttime tea. Or, maybe it’s the interaction with the bodega owner that brightens your day, the smile from a stranger as they open the door for you, or talking with your mom while helping her make dinner. The topic for these Brown supplemental essays could be literally anything — as long as you show what brings you joy and why. 

Don’t shy away from getting creative when responding to this Brown essay prompt. Successful Brown supplemental essays will hook the reader from the start and keep them engaged throughout. Of course, don’t go off on an irrelevant anecdote when writing your Brown University supplemental essays. Rather, make sure to fully and comprehensively answer the prompts for each of the Brown University supplemental essays.

Brown Supplemental Essay #4: Three Words

The fourth Brown essay that we’re going to take a look at is one of the very short answer questions. And, when we say very short, we mean it! This Brown essay has the lowest word count at just three words. 

What three words best describe you?

While you may be relieved that one of the seven required Brown University essays is just three words, it doesn’t necessarily make the prompt easier. You’ll need to brainstorm to get the best three words possible. 

When considering what words to list, think about the rest of your application. You don’t want to use an adjective that is obvious from having read your extracurricular list. For example, if you have included four years of art camp, avoid “artistic,” as admission already knows that. 

Think of specific, unique words that will add value to your overall application and candidate profile. For example, you might consider words like “affectionate,” “resourceful,” or “brave.” Remember, consider words that truly describe you, but that won’t have been obvious from the rest of your application. Also consider how the words complement or contrast each other. Maybe you have some contradictions in your personality — what three words could highlight those in a compelling way?

Brown Supplemental Essay #5: Teaching a Class

This is the longest of the short answer prompts, though this essay is really no more than a short paragraph.

If you could teach a class on any one thing, whether academic or otherwise, what would it be?

This prompt invites you to show off your intellectual curiosity — and do a little bragging. After all, if you feel confident enough to teach a class on something, it should be a topic where you see yourself as a genuine expert.

You might naturally gravitate toward an academic interest; it may even be the same one you highlighted in your response to the open curriculum prompt. If you do revisit a similar topic, make sure to take a fresh angle and avoid repeating ideas from your first Brown essay.

That said, choosing a non-academic topic, like how to cook a signature dish or how to beat procrastination, can be a great way to reveal a different side of your personality. You could also spotlight one of your other interests, such as your love of poetry or a particular filmmaker’s work. Whatever you choose, be sure to explain why the topic matters to you. You could even touch on how learning about it could be beneficial or inspiring to others.

Brown Supplemental Essay #6 : Why Brown

The final Brown essay prompt is another very short answer question. This Brown essay has a word limit of 50. 

In one sentence, Why Brown?

While the first Brown essay was a spin on the “why major” and “why this school” essay, this Brown essay prompt is very clearly a “why this school” essay. However, it does give it a slight twist by only allotting applicants one sentence and 50 words. 

If you’ve written any other “why this school” essays, you may be feeling overwhelmed by the task of answering in so few words. However, you’ll just need to be concise with your response. First, consider why you are applying to Brown. What specific course, resource, or professor makes you want to attend? Focus on just one factor, since you have limited space. Therefore, choose the one that interests you most and shares more information about yourself with admissions. 

In this essay, refrain from mentioning the Brown Open Curriculum. You want to get more specific than that in order to set you apart from other candidates. Most students are excited to take advantage of the Brown Open Curriculum — what else is there that has drawn you to Brown? 

What does Brown Admissions look for?

Brown Admissions, like many colleges and universities, uses a holistic approach when evaluating each application they receive. However, Brown University is an Ivy League institution. Therefore, Brown University is considered a highly selective university. 

The Brown University acceptance rate is 5%. The average SAT score for admitted applicants at Brown is 1510-1580. Additionally, the average ACT score is 34 to 35. That being said, there are no official minimum requirements when it comes to GPA. However submitting standardized test scores is required.

As such a selective and prestigious university, Brown tends to attract exceptional applicants. This means that simply having good grades and impressive extracurriculars won’t guarantee admission: this is where impactful Brown supplemental essays can make a true difference.

Standing out in the admissions process

The admissions committee wants to see how you’ve taken advantage of the resources available at your high school and within your community. How have you fueled your intellectual curiosity throughout your adolescent years? What did you do to be an active learner and participant in your high school? What have you achieved? And, most importantly, how will you bring all those accomplishments and experiences to the Brown community? These are the types of questions admissions officers ask themselves when reviewing applications. Additionally, these are exactly the things that successful Brown supplemental essays will reveal. 

Because the Brown University acceptance rate is so low, it’s crucial that your Brown supplemental essays stand out. Crafting strong Brown supplemental essays can help boost your chances of admission to this elite university. 

Additional Brown Supplemental Essays

When applying to Brown, students will need to complete the Brown University supplemental essays as well as the Common App personal statement. However, if you’re applying to certain programs at Brown, you’ll need to complete additional Brown supplemental essays. 

If you’re interested in applying to the Brown-RISD Dual Degree Program, then you’ll respond to one additional Brown essay in your application. Unsurprisingly, this Brown essay focuses on the applicant’s desire and motivation for applying to the dual degree program. The Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) is an art and design school. So, students will want to show the intersection of their artistic experiences, curiosity, and goals with their desire to have a liberal arts education. 

Additionally, students applying to PLME (Program in Liberal Medical Education) will respond to program-specific Brown supplemental essays. We’ll get into the PLME Brown University supplemental essays shortly, but first, let’s better understand the details of the actual program. After all, it would be quite challenging to write stellar Brown PLME essays without first understanding the program. 

What is Brown PLME?

Brown PLME is an eight-year program that combines a student’s undergraduate education with a medical school education. This program is unique to Brown University, and it is the only combined baccalaureate-MD program in the Ivy League. 

The PLME program is ideal for students who want a broad liberal arts education and who are committed to pursuing a future career in the medical field. Students who are accepted into the Brown PLME program can choose to pursue an AB or ScB degree in the sciences, or an AB degree in the humanities, social sciences, or behavioral sciences. 

Once PLME students complete their undergraduate program, they move directly to Brown’s Warren Alpert Medical School. 

How to apply to Brown PLME?

If you are interested in applying to the PLME program, you will need to apply to both Brown and the PLME program at the same time using the same online application. This means that you must complete the required Brown University supplemental essays in addition to the Brown PLME essays. Also, you must adhere to the same Brown application deadline for Early Decision (November 1) or Regular Decision (January 3). 

There are two additional Brown University supplemental essays that you will need to write if you are interested in applying to Brown’s Program in Liberal Medical Education or PLME program. Both of the Brown PLME essays are required for admission. 

Please visit the Brown PLME website for more information on how to apply. 

What are the Brown PLME essays? 

Here are the prompts for the Brown PLME essays: 

The first of the PLME essays is essentially another “why major” essay. You’ve likely seen it before. The second prompt actually gives you the choice between two prompts. However, both center around the impact you’ll make in your future field of medicine. 

Now that we know the prompts, let’s look at how to approach the Brown PLME essays. 

How To Write The Brown PLME Essays

The Brown PLME program is a huge commitment. If accepted, you’ll be spending the next eight years completing your undergraduate courses and preparing for medical school. 

Therefore, it’s imperative that you show your desire and commitment to becoming a physician in each of your Brown PLME essays. 

Let’s review the first of the Brown PLME essays: 

Committing to a future career as a physician while in high school requires careful consideration and self-reflection. Explain your personal motivation to pursue a career in medicine, and why the Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME) will best meet your professional and personal goals.

For this Brown essay, applicants will first need to reflect on why they want to go into medicine. You can use anecdotes to display what first sparked your interest. It is a good idea to show that this isn’t a whim. You might demonstrate how you first found the interest, and how it’s been a constant ever since. Committing to a career in medicine is a large undertaking; you need to show that you are seriously passionate about it!

The second part of this Brown essay asks, “why PLME?” What about this program will allow you to meet your future goals, both personal and professional? Be specific about opportunities only offered at PLME. Obviously, it is an accelerated program; therefore, you should mention another unique quality that has sparked your interest to differentiate yourself from others. Is there a specific research opportunity, professor, or concentration that will allow you to reach your future goals in medicine?

Next, let’s revisit the second PLME essay prompt: 

Healthcare is constantly changing as it is affected by racial and social inequities, economics, politics, technology, and more. Please respond to one of the following prompts (250 words): 

• How will you, as a future physician, make a positive impact?
• How has your personal background uniquely shaped your perspective on the field of medicine?

For the second of the Brown PLME essays, you have the choice between two prompts. However, both essentially ask about your future in medicine. Choose to respond to the prompt that most excites you to write about. If you’re unsure of which prompt to write on, brainstorm various topics on both. From that list, choose the most meaningful item. 

If you decide to respond to the first option, you’ll need to consider your future goals in medicine. Be careful not to repeat information from the first PLME essay. You should add new information that admissions hasn’t yet seen. You might consider mentioning a specific problem. Your essay would then go on to explain how you’d want to fix it. But, the issue should be specific and personal to you. Stray away from general and cliché topics — the more niche, the better. 

The second prompt asks applicants to dive into their background and how it relates to what they’ll bring to the medical field. You might use an anecdote to set the scene. No matter what you choose to write about from your background, just be sure to relate it back to your future in medicine. It should be clear how this lived experience has affected you and your perspective on medicine. 

Brown-RISD Supplemental Essay

The last essay prompt we’ll discuss is for applicants to Brown’s dual degree program with RISD. Here is the final Brown supplemental essay prompt:

The Brown | RISD Dual Degree Program draws on the complementary strengths of Brown University and Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) to provide students with the opportunity to explore and engage with diverse spheres of academic and creative inquiry.

Considering your understanding of the academic programs at Brown and RISD, describe how and why the specific blend of RISD’s experimental, immersive art and design program and Brown’s wide-ranging courses and curricula could constitute an optimal undergraduate education for you.

Reflect on how you might integrate or synthesize content, approaches, and methods from these two distinct learning experiences. Additionally, how might you contribute to the Dual Degree community and its commitment to interdisciplinary work? (650 word limit)

Not only is this the longest Brown supplemental essay prompt — it’s also the one with the largest word count! Essentially, it’s a double Why School essay plus a community essay, all rolled into one. Phew.

You’ve got plenty of room to work with here, but just like in your personal statement, every word needs to count. Applicants to this program should be familiar with both schools — especially their teaching styles and course offerings. Once you’ve done your research, your job is to make a compelling case for why this unique combination is the perfect fit for you.

This is a big prompt to tackle, and it deserves a guide of its own. To dive deeper into how to write the Brown | RISD essay (and the PLME essay, too), check out our Brown University: PLME and Brown-RISD Essay Guide.

How to write the Brown supplemental essays

Additional Resources from CollegeAdvisor

Are you still wondering how to get into Brown? Or how to write the Brown supplemental essays? CollegeAdvisor can help. We have an extensive library of articles on our website about college essays. These include guidance on how to write the Brown supplemental essays and Brown University essays examples that worked. Additionally, check out some Ivy League essay examples to better understand what it takes to get into some of the most selective universities in the nation.  

It can also be helpful to learn more about life at Brown before you write your Brown supplemental essays. You can watch our Brown virtual college tour webinar to get ideas on how to write the why school essay within the Brown University supplemental essays. You can also learn more about the campus itself from former alumni in our webinar and panel series. 

Brown Supplemental Essays- Final Thoughts

Devising a plan for how to get into Brown is no easy task. With Brown University ranking high consistently, you’ll need to craft an exceptional Brown application. The Brown essays will play a crucial role in sharing valuable information about yourself with admissions. 

When approaching these essays, remember that no cliché or generic Brown Open Curriculum essay example will impress admissions. As such, choosing the best topic for each prompt is an important part of getting started. You’ll notice that every successful Brown Open Curriculum essay is unique to the student. Therefore, you won’t be able to simply mimic other essay examples. Use them as inspiration to write your own. To write your best essays, you’ll need to do some reflection on your interests, values, skills, and personality traits. How will they play into your future at Brown?

After reading this essay guide, we hope you feel better prepared to tackle the many Brown essays! If you feel like you need personalized help, reach out to our team of expert advisors. We’ve helped thousands of students and families through the college admissions process. Our expert advisors can help you craft your best Brown application and stay on track with your Brown essays. Maximize your admissions odds so that you can start visualizing your first year on Brown’s campus — long after acing your Brown application!

This article was written by Sarah Kaminski. Looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.