Jul 28, 2026
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By Justin Neiman, Former Ivy League Admissions Officer
If you’re applying to Brown University during the 2026–2027 admissions cycle, the supplemental essays will be an important part of your application. These questions give you an opportunity to show Brown what excites you intellectually, how your background has shaped you, and what brings you joy.
By sharing specific, authentic, and meaningful responses, you can help the admissions committee imagine the kind of classmate, community member, and contributor you would be as part of the Class of 2031.
Brown has not yet posted questions labeled for the 2026–2027 application cycle. The questions below are from Brown’s 2025–2026 application and are included for planning purposes. We will update this page when Brown confirms the new prompts.
The following questions are from Brown’s 2025–2026 first-year application. We will update them when the 2026–2027 prompts are released.
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.
Word limit: 200–250 words
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.
Word limit: 200–250 words
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.
Word limit: 200–250 words
What three words best describe you?
Limit: 3 words
If you could teach a class on any one thing, whether academic or otherwise, what would it be?
Word limit: 100 words
In one sentence, Why Brown?
Word limit: 50 words
Brown’s questions are designed to reveal both your intellectual interests and your personality. Taken together, the responses should help the admissions committee understand how you would use Brown’s academic freedom and participate in its community.
Brown is unlike any of its peers in the Ivy League. Brown’s Open Curriculum is at the core of its academic identity. Your responses should show that you understand and are excited by the freedom and responsibility it offers. Don’t just list subjects you like; connect them. Explain how you might use the Open Curriculum to blend disparate interests or explore a topic from multiple angles. This demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of what makes Brown unique.
Avoid broad generalizations. Instead of just saying you're "curious," provide a concrete example of a time you followed a question down a rabbit hole. The most effective essays tell a story and use specific details to show, not just tell, what you've done and why it matters. Brown wants to see the person behind the accomplishments.
Think about your entire application as a whole. Do your essays, activities list, and letters of recommendation tell a consistent and compelling story about who you are? A strong application has a clear narrative that ties your experiences, passions, and goals together. This helps admissions officers understand not just what you’ve done, but what motivates you and how it all points toward your future at Brown. Not sure what a narrative looks like? Check out this blog post!
This may sound obvious, but it's a frequent pitfall. Take the time to deconstruct each prompt. Does it ask for a specific experience? A reflection on your worldview? A discussion of your academic interests? Make sure your response directly and thoroughly addresses every part of the question.
Typos and grammatical errors can distract the reader and suggest a lack of care. A fresh pair of eyes can catch mistakes you’ve overlooked. Before you submit, be sure to proofread your work.
Brown’s supplemental essays allow you to demonstrate intellectual independence, personal perspective, and genuine enthusiasm. Strong responses are specific, reflective, and distinct from one another.
Because Brown’s 2026–2027 questions have not yet been confirmed, use the latest available prompts to begin planning but verify the final wording before submitting.
Selective Admissions provides personalized admissions strategy, narrative development, and essay support for students applying to Brown and other highly selective universities. Contact Selective Admissions to learn more.
If you’re applying to Brown University during the 2026–2027 admissions cycle, the supplemental essays will be an important part of your application. These questions give you an opportunity to show Brown what excites you intellectually, how your background has shaped you, and what brings you joy.
By sharing specific, authentic, and meaningful responses, you can help the admissions committee imagine the kind of classmate, community member, and contributor you would be as part of the Class of 2031.
Brown has not yet posted questions labeled for the 2026–2027 application cycle. The questions below are from Brown’s 2025–2026 application and are included for planning purposes. We will update this page when Brown confirms the new prompts.
The following questions are from Brown’s 2025–2026 first-year application. We will update them when the 2026–2027 prompts are released.
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.
Word limit: 200–250 words
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.
Word limit: 200–250 words
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.
Word limit: 200–250 words
What three words best describe you?
Limit: 3 words
If you could teach a class on any one thing, whether academic or otherwise, what would it be?
Word limit: 100 words
In one sentence, Why Brown?
Word limit: 50 words
Brown’s questions are designed to reveal both your intellectual interests and your personality. Taken together, the responses should help the admissions committee understand how you would use Brown’s academic freedom and participate in its community.
Brown is unlike any of its peers in the Ivy League. Brown’s Open Curriculum is at the core of its academic identity. Your responses should show that you understand and are excited by the freedom and responsibility it offers. Don’t just list subjects you like; connect them. Explain how you might use the Open Curriculum to blend disparate interests or explore a topic from multiple angles. This demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of what makes Brown unique.
Avoid broad generalizations. Instead of just saying you're "curious," provide a concrete example of a time you followed a question down a rabbit hole. The most effective essays tell a story and use specific details to show, not just tell, what you've done and why it matters. Brown wants to see the person behind the accomplishments.
Think about your entire application as a whole. Do your essays, activities list, and letters of recommendation tell a consistent and compelling story about who you are? A strong application has a clear narrative that ties your experiences, passions, and goals together. This helps admissions officers understand not just what you’ve done, but what motivates you and how it all points toward your future at Brown. Not sure what a narrative looks like? Check out this blog post!
This may sound obvious, but it's a frequent pitfall. Take the time to deconstruct each prompt. Does it ask for a specific experience? A reflection on your worldview? A discussion of your academic interests? Make sure your response directly and thoroughly addresses every part of the question.
Typos and grammatical errors can distract the reader and suggest a lack of care. A fresh pair of eyes can catch mistakes you’ve overlooked. Before you submit, be sure to proofread your work.
Brown’s supplemental essays allow you to demonstrate intellectual independence, personal perspective, and genuine enthusiasm. Strong responses are specific, reflective, and distinct from one another.
Because Brown’s 2026–2027 questions have not yet been confirmed, use the latest available prompts to begin planning but verify the final wording before submitting.
Selective Admissions provides personalized admissions strategy, narrative development, and essay support for students applying to Brown and other highly selective universities. Contact Selective Admissions to learn more.
Former Admissions Officer, Harvard University
Former Assistant Dean, Stanford University
I’m a college admissions counselor and the founder of Selective Admissions. I help students navigate the college application process and position themselves as competitive applicants to top universities.
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