Brown Pre-Collegiate Program

Grades

Students completing grades 9-12 (rising 9th through 12th graders)

Age

Ages 14-18 by June 16-17 (varies slightly by year)

Citizenship

No citizenship restrictions mentioned; international students welcome

Prerequisites

None explicitly stated; courses are designed for high school level

Steps

1. Create account on Brown Pre-College Portal (brownprecollege.my.site.com/PCPortal)
2. Select desired course(s) - choose from 300+ options across 1, 2, 3, 4-week, or 5-week hybrid sessions
3. Complete application form with personal information
4. Write required essay (250-500 words for Summer@Brown)
5. Pay application fee (varies by application deadline)
6. Submit application via online portal
7. Receive acceptance confirmation and enrollment details

Materials Needed

• Valid email address
• Personal information (name, address, date of birth, school information)
• Essay (250-500 words): Explain why you're interested in your chosen courses, what contributions you'll make in and outside classroom, any additional information about yourself as a learner/community member
• Application fee
• Optional: school transcript or GPA (if requesting financial aid)

Timeline

Applications typically open in late fall/early winter. Early bird deadlines reward lower fees ($50 before March 1). Standard deadline around April 30. Late submissions ($100 fee) accepted until programs fill. Program runs mid-June to late July. Start planning 4-6 months ahead.

Cost

2024 costs: On-campus 1-week $3,406 (residential) / $2,816 (commuter); 2-week $5,256 (residential) / $4,076 (commuter); 3-week $7,452 (residential) / $5,682 (commuter); 5-week hybrid $9,870 (residential) / $8,100 (commuter). Online courses $3,094-$5,998 depending on length. Application fee: $50-$100 depending on submission date.

What Judges Look For

• Clear demonstration of genuine academic interest in chosen subject area(s)
• Articulate writing ability and thoughtful essay responses
• Evidence of intellectual curiosity and enthusiasm for learning
• Contributions student plans to make to classroom community
• Self-awareness about learning style and goals
• Motivation to experience college-level academics
• Diversity of backgrounds and perspectives (program values diverse cohorts)

Scoring

Not publicly disclosed, but essay quality appears to be primary selection factor. Program emphasizes holistic review rather than numerical scores. Focus on understanding student as learner and community member.

Common Mistakes

• Generic essays that don't explain specific interest in chosen courses
• Writing about wanting to 'get into Brown University' instead of genuine academic interest
• Poor writing quality, grammar, or organization in essay
• Vague descriptions of what student will contribute to community
• Not demonstrating familiarity with course content/Brown's Open Curriculum philosophy
• Submitting late with higher application fees unnecessarily
• Choosing courses randomly rather than creating coherent academic plan

Acceptance Rate

Estimated 40-60% (program accepts broad cross-section of applicants; not highly selective like undergraduate admissions, but competitive given high volume)

Applicants

Thousands annually (exact figures not published, but 300+ courses with 15-30 students per course suggests 4,500-9,000+ total capacity)

Winners / Selected

No 'winners' per se - students accepted to program; approximately 4,500-9,000+ admitted annually across all sessions

• Apply early (before March 1) to get $50 application fee vs. $100 later
• Research courses thoroughly before applying - show specific knowledge of what you'll study
• Choose courses that form a coherent narrative (not random selection) - this demonstrates intentional learning goals
• Write a compelling, specific essay about YOUR intellectual interests, not generic statements about wanting college experience
• Be authentic about what contributions you'll make - community building, peer learning, diverse perspectives
• Consider residential experience if possible - full college immersion is more impactful
• Select a 2+ week course if feasible - longer programs offer better adjustment to campus life
• Mention specific aspects of Brown's Open Curriculum or course descriptions to show genuine interest
• Proofread essay multiple times for grammar/clarity - writing quality matters significantly
• Consider whether summer program aligns with college major/career goals - this strengthens narrative
• If applying for financial aid, include transcript - strong academics may strengthen consideration
• Choose courses taught by faculty (not just instructors) when possible - higher quality instruction

How to Prepare

• Research 5-10 courses that genuinely interest you across the course catalog
• Read course descriptions carefully to understand prerequisites and teaching style
• Brainstorm 2-3 academic interests or passions to weave into essay
• Draft essay answering: Why these courses? What do I want to learn? What will I contribute?
• Have teacher or mentor review essay for clarity and impact
• Research Brown's campus - familiarize yourself with facilities, resources, location
• Consider residential vs. commuter option based on your situation
• Review program calendar and residential life activities to envision your experience
• Prepare application materials (transcripts if needed, references if applicable)
• Set calendar reminders for application deadlines

Resources

• Brown Pre-College Portal (brownprecollege.my.site.com/PCPortal) - official application and course catalog
• Brown University website - admissions.brown.edu for general info about institution
• precollege.brown.edu - official Summer@Brown program site
• IvyCentral.com - summer program guides and application tips
• CollegeVine blog - articles on summer program strategy
• Common App Summer Experiences profile - some programs integrate with Common App
• YouTube videos from past participants (search 'Summer@Brown experience')
• Reddit r/ApplyingToCollege - student experiences and advice
• School guidance counselor - may have past applicant resources

Time Needed

2-4 weeks for thoughtful completion: 1 week for research and brainstorming, 1-2 weeks for essay drafting and revision, 1 week for final prep and submission. Start planning 3-4 months before application deadline for best advantage.

Successful applicants typically demonstrate genuine intellectual curiosity about specific subjects rather than just wanting 'an Ivy League summer experience.' They write clear, well-organized essays showing self-awareness about learning goals. Past participants come from diverse geographic/socioeconomic backgrounds. Many return for multiple summers. Successful students engage actively in residential life, form lasting friendships, and pursue advanced coursework beyond their regular schools. They tend to be motivated learners seeking enrichment, not just resume-building. Program attracts both students excelling in academics and those exploring new intellectual areas outside their school's curriculum. Students with demonstrated passion for STEM, humanities, international studies, and arts are well-represented.

Summer@Brown on college applications is viewed positively but moderately. Admissions officers recognize it as a legitimate Ivy League enrichment experience, which shows academic motivation. However, it does NOT guarantee college admission advantages - Brown's undergraduate admissions is entirely separate from pre-college program. Impact is strongest when: (1) student articulates what they learned and how it connected to college/career goals, (2) program clearly aligns with stated major/interests, (3) student maintained strong academic performance (some programs give performance reports), (4) experience is reflected in college essays/activities list. Most valuable for demonstrating intellectual curiosity and self-directed learning. Less impactful than research, competitions, or leadership roles, but meaningful as part of well-rounded profile. Better viewed by non-Brown colleges as evidence of motivation. Some students report using Summer@Brown experience as basis for 'Why Us?' essay for other schools.

• Harvard Summer School High School Programs — Tier 3, summer program
• Harvard Summer College Programs for High School Students — Tier 3, summer program
• ACT-SO Achievement Program (Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics) — Tier 3, competition
• TMCF Programs — Tier 3, internship
• Harvard Summer School — Tier 3, summer program