Brown Undergraduate Admission

“My life after Brown has opened doors I could never have imagined without the guidance, resources, and connections I gained while at Brown University. The Brown Alumni Network runs DEEP; immediately after graduation, I was connected with alumni who helped make my jump into the real world easier. I graduated in late May, and by June, I had already started a part-time job as a Jr. Celtics coach.

After finishing the summer with the Jr. Celtics, I faced a decision: continue my basketball career overseas or pursue an opportunity in the NBA. I chose the NBA. I am currently the youngest member of the Cleveland Cavaliers coaching staff.

I am grateful for the mentorship of my basketball team captains, David Mitchell and Tamenang Choh, who pushed me to step out of my shell and make the most of the Brown campus. Through Brown, I traveled to El Potrero, Panama, to build a basketball court from scratch, and then flew to Los Angeles a week later to attend the Black Student-Athlete Summit. During my junior year, I began making short films with Brown Motion Pictures and Brown Original Series, eventually achieving a dream of mine—having a film shown at the Avon on Thayer Street.

What shaped me most were the people who challenged me to take full advantage of every opportunity. My piece of advice: When you are offered opportunities, do them. Challenge yourself and go for it. From the highs and lows, you will experience every emotion as a student, but enjoy it. We only get one life, so why not fill the picture frame with as many memories as you can!

From giving high-fives to elementary students to speaking on panels, participating in leadership programs, and receiving academic support, I got to experience the world because of Sean Hendricks and Victoria Mealer-Flowers of Student Athlete Development. I’ll always shout them out for giving a kid like me the chance to take full advantage of the cards they were dealt. Best four years of my life, proud to call the Brown community my home. ”

Aaron Cooley ‘25
Assistant Video Coordinator, Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA)
Concentration: Modern Culture Media
| Alumni 🐻

As we reflect on this past weekend’s Commencement, we want to honor our graduating tour guides, whose passion and dedication have helped shape our program and the experiences of so many prospective students and families.

We are endlessly grateful for all they have given to Brown and know they will continue to make a lasting impact wherever they go next. Congratulations, Class of 2026 🤎🐻

“For me, the decision to come to Brown was driven by a desire for “change within boundaries.” I wanted an environment different from the small, conservative community I grew up in, but one that still offered personal connection. Brown fit both; while it’s vastly different from Spangle, WA, there is a robust support network for rural students. Associations like RS@B made the transition smooth, and the variety of clubs made finding a community easier than I anticipated.

Brown has allowed me to radically reinvent myself. Having applied as a prospective Political Science/Economics concentrator, I now find myself in Neuroscience, a trajectory change that would be hard at more restrictive institutions. One thing that struck me most is the collaborative nature of the students. Brown is full of ambitious people, but rather than competing, they are encouraging. This supportive peer relationship is something for which I am profoundly grateful.

By eliminating general education requirements, the Open Curriculum has given me flexibility unafforded elsewhere. Coming in with a weaker chemistry background but seeking the pre-med track, it was easier to bring myself up to speed without worrying about a plethora of unrelated core requirements. Navigating a dual concentration is also much more feasible here.

My favorite thing is the unique community. Because you’re surrounded by talented students, there’s no shortage of models for success. Furthermore, with such a diversity of experiences, there’s always someone who has been through what you’re going through and can help.

A significant experience for me was adapting to college-level STEM. My rural high school didn’t offer AP Chemistry or Biology, so I was apprehensive. Ultimately, talented instructors and helpful peers made the subject manageable. I was heartened by the efforts to level the playing field for students who didn’t have the same early research opportunities as those from urban or private schools. This has given me a strong desire to support future students as a TA or mentor.”

Mitchell H. ‘29
Neuroscience
🐻

“In early October of my senior year, I had to convince my orchestra teacher to let me leave early for a Brown information session. That moment was pivotal. What drew me to Brown was the commitment to supporting students. Coming from a high school where I valued close relationships with teachers, it was comforting to hear that professors here welcome you to chat about more than just coursework. It strips away intimidation and makes the academic journey feel collaborative.

Brown has helped me continue my interest in journalism while balancing the complexities of being pre-med. To have the opportunity to take journalism classes while writing for campus publications like the Brown Daily Herald and Brown Alumni Magazine has been amazing.

The Open Curriculum has shaped my journey by allowing me to explore unique classes that have broadened my perspectives. I have taken courses in Africana Studies, Linguistics, Anthropology, and Public Health which have challenged my preconceived notions—learning that will prove beneficial as a future physician. For example, a course called ‘Pathology to Power,’ taught by Professor Sarah Skeels, focused on disabilities. I learned and unlearned topics like representation in media and the evolution of medical practice. It is important for a physician to be well-rounded and to empathize with a diverse patient population.

What I love most are the people. I was nervous about moving across the country and finding a group I could lean on. I have found friends who supported me through both wins and hardships, which has helped my personal growth.

My experience as a first-generation student has been great. From the start, I had support through the Bridge Scholars program, which provided insight into coursework and an introduction to resources like the Sheridan Center, Residential Life, and Health Services. Now closing my sophomore year, I am grateful to have had this foundation and to teach other incoming students about them!”

Nyria D. ‘28
Biology Sc.B on Cell and Molecular track
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“I chose Brown partially because of the Open Curriculum, which allows me to craft my own scholastic journey, but more so because of the sense of belonging I felt the moment I arrived. Everyone I met was incredibly friendly and welcoming. I knew I had to be a part of this amazing community!

Because of the Open Curriculum, I have taken classes I would normally never have encountered. What starts as curiosity or simply accompanying a friend during the shopping period has opened up niche horizons; even when a course is out of my comfort zone, the flexibility ensures I never feel overly stressed. I am grateful to continue exploring new possibilities!

My favorite thing to do in Providence is rock climbing. If you take a RIPTA bus for about 20 minutes, you arrive at Rock Spot, a local gym where everyone is friendly and the climbs are continuously updated. I love going there with friends every few weeks, especially when I need to relieve stress.

My experience at Brown as a rural student has been amazing. There are groups here that ensure students like myself always feel accepted and heard. The transition to a larger city like Providence was not difficult, and while I have met people from all over the world, it is nice to have a community with similar experiences to rely on.

I plan to go to Law School after graduation, though I’m still deciding whether to take a gap year. I still have plenty of time, so I am going to keep exploring until then!”

Jack M. ‘29
Undecided (Likely History)
🐻