Course-Based Research Experiences (CRE)

Grades

High school students (grades 9-12, specific grade requirements not publicly detailed)

Age

Not specified in available materials

Citizenship

Not specified; Brown Pre-College serves students from all 50 states and 75+ countries

Prerequisites

Strong interest in STEM research; ability to work independently; capacity for rigorous coursework recommended

Steps

1. Create account on Brown Pre-College portal
2. Complete application form with personal/academic information
3. Submit academic records/transcript
4. Write essay(s) explaining research interests and goals
5. Potentially submit recommendation letters (requirements not fully detailed)
6. Select research track/course from available options
7. Await admission decision

Materials Needed

• High school transcript
• Personal essay addressing research interests
• Possible teacher recommendation letters
• Course preference selections from 6 available research tracks

Timeline

Typical pre-college programs open applications in winter/spring; enrollment targets 6,000+ students annually. Specific 2025 dates not accessible, but recommend checking precollege.brown.edu in January-February

Cost

Cost not listed on accessible portions of website; recommend contacting Brown Pre-College directly for tuition, housing, and meal information

What Judges Look For

• Genuine curiosity and passion for scientific research
• Clear articulation of research interests and questions
• Ability to think critically and design experiments
• Commitment to independent learning and problem-solving
• Academic rigor and strong foundational STEM knowledge
• Maturity and readiness for authentic research (with failure and iteration)
• Communication skills (important for symposium presentation)
• Diversity of background and perspective

Scoring

Specific rubric not publicly available; likely emphasizes research proposal quality, academic preparedness, and demonstrated intellectual curiosity

Common Mistakes

• Generic essays without specific research topic interest
• Overestimating prior research experience without honesty about learning curve
• Poor understanding of what the program entails (not a traditional classroom course)
• Failing to demonstrate genuine STEM passion vs. resume-building motivation
• Weak academic foundation in relevant science fields
• Inability to articulate why Brown CRE specifically suits your goals

Acceptance Rate

Estimated 30-40% based on selective nature and Ivy League standards (exact figure not publicly stated)

Applicants

Unknown for CRE specifically; Brown Pre-College enrolls 6,000+ students across all programs annually

Winners / Selected

Approximately 50-100 students per year across all CRE research tracks (estimated based on program structure)

• Start researching potential research topics 3-4 months before application deadline
• Read recent papers in your field of interest to demonstrate genuine engagement
• In your essay, explain not just WHAT you want to research but WHY—show intellectual depth
• Be honest about limitations in prior research experience; programs expect to teach foundational skills
• Choose a research track aligned with your actual interests, not what sounds impressive
• Highlight any prior scientific pursuits: science fairs, club activities, online courses, independent reading
• Request teacher recommendations from STEM teachers who know your research aptitude
• Emphasize your tolerance for failure and iteration—research isn't always linear
• Use your essay to show you understand this is authentic research, not a predetermined lab exercise
• Follow application instructions meticulously; attention to detail matters
• Apply early; rolling admissions may give slight advantage to early applicants
• Research Brown's specific faculty and lab environment to show why this program specifically appeals

How to Prepare

• Take or excel in AP/honors Biology, Chemistry, or Physics (depending on research interest)
• Read scientific literature in your field of interest via Google Scholar, ResearchGate, or university databases
• Familiarize yourself with the 6 available research tracks and identify which aligns with you
• Learn about research methodology: hypothesis formation, experimental design, controls, data analysis
• Consider attending summer science programs, science camps, or research bootcamps the year before
• Participate in science competitions (Science Olympiad, Intel Science Fair, regional competitions)
• Shadow researchers or conduct informational interviews with university faculty if possible
• Practice scientific writing by keeping research journals or writing lab reports
• Watch YouTube videos on the specific topics (C. elegans genetics, antibiotic discovery, nanotechnology, etc.)
• Develop familiarity with basic statistics and data visualization tools
• Complete online courses in research methodology or your specific field of interest

Resources

• Google Scholar (scholar.google.com) - access scientific papers in your field
• Khan Academy - free foundational STEM content
• Coursera/edX - university-level courses in biology, chemistry, physics, machine learning
• YouTube channels: Amoeba Sisters, Crash Course Biology, PBS Learning Media
• Science Olympiad - competitive science program with research focus
• Regeneron Science Talent Search - similar research competition
• Local university extension programs or community college research opportunities
• Science fair resources and mentorship organizations
• Brown University library resources and faculty websites
• Books on scientific method and research design
• PubMed Central - free access to biomedical research papers

Time Needed

6-12 months of preparation ideal; minimum 3-4 months to prepare competitive application. Build STEM foundation continuously throughout high school; intensive application prep 2-3 months before deadline.

Successful CRE applicants typically have: strong GPA (3.8+) in honors/AP STEM courses; demonstrated initiative in science (science fairs, clubs, self-directed projects); clear articulation of research passion; strong recommender relationships with STEM teachers; ability to articulate nuanced scientific questions; often have prior exposure to research methodology through summer programs, school labs, or mentorships. Geographic and demographic diversity is valued; program draws from all 50 states and 75+ countries.

Brown CRE participation is viewed very favorably in college admissions: (1) Demonstrates commitment to research and STEM at highest level; (2) Provides authentic research experience valued by STEM-focused colleges (MIT, Caltech, top research universities); (3) Brown affiliation carries prestige and credibility; (4) Symposium presentation shows communication skills; (5) Program validates ability to succeed in rigorous academic environment; (6) Particularly impactful for students applying to Brown as undergraduates (shows familiarity and demonstrated ability); (7) Published research or conference presentations resulting from CRE project is extremely valuable. Admissions officers recognize this as selective, merit-based program—acceptance signals strong STEM capability.

• Congressional App Challenge — Tier 3, competition
• ARML (American Regions Mathematics League) — Tier 3, competition
• AMC (American Mathematics Competitions) — Tier 3, competition
• National Science Bowl — Tier 3, competition
• Science Olympiad — Tier 3, competition