United States
Brown University
Funding
Brown is need-blind for international first-year applicants from the Class of 2029 onward and meets 100% of demonstrated need for admitted students who applied for financial aid when applying for admission. Aid is need-based, not merit-based; family contribution is individually assessed, so this is not an automatic full ride. Some personal/travel costs may not be covered.
Eligibility
Selectivity context: Exceptionally selective. International first-year students including Bangladeshi applicants can apply. Brown requires SAT or ACT for first-year applicants (policy reinstated starting the 2024-25 cycle), accepts self-reported scores initially, and requires the Common Application with Brown supplemental essays. For need-based aid, international applicants MUST submit the CSS Profile; Brown explicitly does not accept ISFAA as a substitute and does not provide CSS Profile fee waivers.
Deadlines
Fall 2027 admissions: Early Decision November 1, 2026 (11:59 pm applicant local time), Regular Decision January 5, 2027. International student CSS Profile aid: ED November 2, 2026; RD February 1, 2027. Brown CSS code 3189; IDOC documents only if requested. Verify deadlines and details directly on official sources.
What Brown University needs for Fall 2027
Draft research from official pages (checked 14 Nov 2026). Not yet verified by a bdesh editor — confirm every date and prompt on the official page. 4 details still being checked.
Rounds and deadlines
| Round | Application | Financial aid | Decision |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Decisionbinding | 1 Nov 2026 | 2 Nov 2026 | mid-December 2026 |
| Regular Decision | 5 Jan 2027 | 1 Feb 2027 | late March 2027 (checklist page) / 'by early April' (Regular Decision page) — official pages disagree |
Essays and short answers
Required250 words
"There is something distinctive about Brown students. It is a blend of intellectual curiosity, creativity, and humility. A commitment to collaboration. An openness to new ideas and perspectives. A desire to make the world better. And it is resilience: the ability to recover and thrive after experiencing difficulties." From President Christina Paxson's 2025 Convocation Address. How will you use these characteristics or others to shape your approach to the Open Curriculum?
all first-year and transfer applicants
Required250 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.
all first-year and transfer applicants
Required150 words
If you could teach a class on any one thing, whether academic or otherwise, what would it be?
all first-year and transfer applicants
Required150 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.
all first-year and transfer applicants
Required250 words
Why medicine?
PLME (Program in Liberal Medical Education) applicants
Required250 words
Why PLME?
PLME (Program in Liberal Medical Education) applicants
Required250 words
Tell us something about yourself, beyond your interest in medicine, that you think will make you a great doctor.
PLME (Program in Liberal Medical Education) applicants
Required650 words
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?
Brown | RISD Dual Degree applicants
Testing
- SAT/ACT required
- English tests: TOEFL iBT (incl. Home Edition), IELTS, Duolingo English Test, Pearson Test of English, Cambridge C1 Advanced / C2 Proficiency (TOEFL 105 (iBT taken before January 2026) / 5.5 (iBT taken January 2026 or later) · IELTS 8.0 · DET 130 · PTE 75 · Cambridge 191)
- Brown 'highly recommends' (not strictly requires) an English proficiency test for applicants whose first/home language is not English and whose secondary-school language of instruction was not English throughout. Minimums are scores expected 'in most cases'. MyBest scores not accepted. Enrolling students who self-reported must send official reports (due May 2027 for fall 2027 entrants) before scores expire.
Recommendations · Interview
- counselor + 2 teacher
- Interview: Not offered
- Application fee: $80 · Apply through Common App
Financial aid for international students
- Need-blind for international applicants
- ✓ Meets full demonstrated need
- Forms: CSS Profile, IDOC (College Board)
- Documents: CSS Profile; If requested via IDOC: 2025 parent income tax returns or non-tax filer statements; employer statements of 2025 earnings if no tax return filed
- CSS Profile code: 3189
Brown says it meets full demonstrated need for admitted students who apply for aid at the time they apply for admission. Need-blind for international first-year applicants since fall 2025 entry (Class of 2029); the finaid page wording still says 'applying to enter in the fall of 2025'. International students who do not apply for aid at admission cannot apply in later years. Aid is need-based only; no merit awards. Submit all materials by the deadline to get a provisional aid decision with the admission decision.
Official pages used
- admission.brown.edu/apply/how-apply
- admission.brown.edu/first-year/application-checklist
- admission.brown.edu/first-year
- admission.brown.edu/first-year/early-decision
- admission.brown.edu/first-year/regular-decision
- finaid.brown.edu/apply/first-year-international
- admission.brown.edu/international/english-proficiency
- admission.brown.edu/international/admission-criteria
- admission.brown.edu/ask/admission-process
- admission.brown.edu/video-introduction
- admission.brown.edu/international/financial-aid