2012-2013 Brown University Application Thread

[thrilled]

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does brown consider applicants by complete date or by undergrad school when making decisions?

 

[drd714]

does brown consider applicants by complete date or by undergrad school when making decisions?

They seem to be rejecting by order of complete date. The first wave of rejections was all August completions, and the wave two days ago was September completions.

 

[ayushman80]

Hey guys, I know there is a lot of axe going around. For those guys who did not get accepted, we wish you guys the best of luck in your future pursuits! To the guys who have interviewed; please update everyone on what you thought of Brown on your visit.

 

[fourhumours]

Hey guys, I know there is a lot of axe going around. For those guys who did not get accepted, we wish you guys the best of luck in your future pursuits! To the guys who have interviewed; please update everyone on what you thought of Brown on your visit.

So Aside from my whole pants fiasco, the Brown Interview experience was amazing!

you start off with meeting with Barbara and Melissa and Barabara knows you name before you even introduce yourself and knows your application forward and backward. It was really nice to know that they put just as much effort into knowing you as you put into applying! Barbara is also really funny during her presentation...she sorta reminded me of Jim Gaffigan (not physical looks but humor) and made the whole day much less stressful (which I was super nervous because it was my first interview day).

the financial aid presentation was interesting but ultimately its hard to make that nearly as interesting as the presentation about the school.

Iorek gave us the tour which was fast paced (since he only had like 30 miuntes) and he was really good at it. one thing that struck me is how almost every student seemed to be in high spirits and happy, it was a little ridiculous but very encouraging. the facilities are amazing obviously because of the new building. I really liked the building and the attempt to make it very bright (through windows) and open.

the lunch with students was actualyl really awesome as well because the students just talked to all of us honestly and gave us great pointers and anecdotes about the school. it was hard to decide which students to listen to because they were all so useful.

the interviews were also great! my student interviewer threw me off by opening with 'i am going to ask you a controversial question' and then we discussed providing free healthcare and afirmative action. despite the topics it was actually very relaxed and fun. he also gave great pointers about interviewing in general and selling brown (and if possible made me want to go there even more).

the faculty interview was a bit more tense in terms of vibe but still good. he asked more traditional questions, but was still good I think.


all in all, I have nothing to compare it to, but Brown was amazing and I don't see how any school could top that experience. I hope that those of you who haven't heard yet get an II. fear not about low GPA's, mine is 3.49, it really seemed that brown wants the best fits and interesting people who they know will work hard and create a great community.

I don't know about an tips or pointers since the day is so well planned and great.

I wanna go there so badly haha.

 

[drd714]

So Aside from my whole pants fiasco, the Brown Interview experience was amazing!

you start off with meeting with Barbara and Melissa and Barabara knows you name before you even introduce yourself and knows your application forward and backward. It was really nice to know that they put just as much effort into knowing you as you put into applying! Barbara is also really funny during her presentation...she sorta reminded me of Jim Gaffigan (not physical looks but humor) and made the whole day much less stressful (which I was super nervous because it was my first interview day).

the financial aid presentation was interesting but ultimately its hard to make that nearly as interesting as the presentation about the school.

Iorek gave us the tour which was fast paced (since he only had like 30 miuntes) and he was really good at it. one thing that struck me is how almost every student seemed to be in high spirits and happy, it was a little ridiculous but very encouraging. the facilities are amazing obviously because of the new building. I really liked the building and the attempt to make it very bright (through windows) and open.

the lunch with students was actualyl really awesome as well because the students just talked to all of us honestly and gave us great pointers and anecdotes about the school. it was hard to decide which students to listen to because they were all so useful.

the interviews were also great! my student interviewer threw me off by opening with 'i am going to ask you a controversial question' and then we discussed providing free healthcare and afirmative action. despite the topics it was actually very relaxed and fun. he also gave great pointers about interviewing in general and selling brown (and if possible made me want to go there even more).

the faculty interview was a bit more tense in terms of vibe but still good. he asked more traditional questions, but was still good I think.


all in all, I have nothing to compare it to, but Brown was amazing and I don't see how any school could top that experience. I hope that those of you who haven't heard yet get an II. fear not about low GPA's, mine is 3.49, it really seemed that brown wants the best fits and interesting people who they know will work hard and create a great community.

I don't know about an tips or pointers since the day is so well planned and great.

I wanna go there so badly haha.

Thank you for the info! I wanna go there so badly too, haha.

 

[markyb03]

We should be hearing back late next week or the week after that right? For those of use that interviewed in late Sept. or early Oct?

 

[FijiGNR89]

Pretty sure we should be. They said the first day the adcomm meets is nov 1 and they'll be making a decision on us then (I interviewed 10/10). They also said we should expect an answer within 2-3 days of then.

So close!

 

[aloepathic]

It was a great experience, indeed. I'll keep my for you -- and for the rest of us SDN'ers that will be hearing our fate in the upcoming weeks...Really hoping for an acceptance from this school. 🙂

On another note, can any students from Brown answer this question:

After interviewing, if I remember correctly, your interviewer fills out some sort of form about you as an applicant. Does your interviewer have to attend and present information about you during the official "admission committee meetings"? For example, one of my interviewers was a physician -- as my interviewer, will he be expected to physically attend the meeting or just submit his form?

Thanks!

You submit a pretty detailed evaluation form, complete with multiple scores on different criteria. The composite score is calculated and if the person's composite score is above a certain number (varies by year) then you're automatically accepted, if it's below a certain number you're automatically waitlisted (rejections are much more rare after an interview but do happen). For those whose scores are in between you are discussed at the committee meeting, which everyone on the committee absolutely makes every effort to attend but in some cases is unable to. I've never seen a meeting where at least one of the student's interviewers were not present though, so you'll have an advocate (or not) at any meeting discussing you.

 

[Frazier]

You submit a pretty detailed evaluation form, complete with multiple scores on different criteria. The composite score is calculated and if the person's composite score is above a certain number (varies by year) then you're automatically accepted, if it's below a certain number you're automatically waitlisted (rejections are much more rare after an interview but do happen). For those whose scores are in between you are discussed at the committee meeting, which everyone on the committee absolutely makes every effort to attend but in some cases is unable to. I've never seen a meeting where at least one of the student's interviewers were not present though, so you'll have an advocate (or not) at any meeting discussing you.

Thanks for the insight -- much appreciated!

 

[doctorwho101]

They seem to be rejecting by order of complete date. The first wave of rejections was all August completions, and the wave two days ago was September completions.

Does anyone know if they look at an entire month of apps when they do rejections? I was complete 9/29 and am wondering whether I actually survived the axe or whether I just haven't been reviewed yet

 

[gentlebeast]

Does anyone know if they look at an entire month of apps when they do rejections? I was complete 9/29 and am wondering whether I actually survived the axe or whether I just haven't been reviewed yet

I was complete a little earlier than you. I thought it should be our turn (9/16 and after) soon. Hope we could hear something this Monday.

 

[doctorwho101]

Fingers crossed for good news, gentlebeast (et al)

 

[Remedies]

Interviewing this week.. super excited! My only regret is that I wish I had scheduled more time to go around Providence for a bit. I guess the few hours I'll spend there the night before will have to do.

EDIT: Hopefully the hurricane isn't giving y'all too much trouble. Stay safe everyone!

 

[markyb03]

Interviewing this week.. super excited! My only regret is that I wish I had scheduled more time to go around Providence for a bit. I guess the few hours I'll spend there the night before will have to do.

EDIT: Hopefully the hurricane isn't giving y'all too much trouble. Stay safe everyone!

Congrats! And definitely try to soak it all in when you are there. I left my interview day feeling amazed and in love, but I wish I would have had more time in providence to explore the area and all that jazz


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[sros16]

Instead of worrying about my upcoming interviews being cancelled, frankly, I'm much more nervous about this week's admissions committee meeting being cancelled. 😉

How are the conditions looking up there in Providence?

Pretty ****ty lol...I go to the university of rhode island, but all rhode island colleges are closed today and tomorrow. (which is both good and bad lol)

 

[Remedies]

Uh-ooooooh.....

I hope my flight doesn't get cancelled on Wednesday...I also imagine the hospitals in the area are going to be pretty busy, so all hands on deck. Will be sure to make for an interesting interviewing experience!

 

[doorner]

Uh-ooooooh.....

I imagine schools will be up and running on Wednesday in time for the AdCom meeting on Thursday.

 

[aloepathic]

Judging by the email today, ad-com meeting is on

 

[496552]

Sorry, but does anyone know if this meeting will simply be covering acceptances or if it will be over potential interview invitations too?

 

[drd714]

Sorry, but does anyone know if this meeting will simply be covering acceptances or if it will be over potential interview invitations too?

Yeah I'd like to know that as well.

 

[aloepathic]

These meetings have nothing to do with interview invites, just going over the interviewed candidates in the fashion I discussed earlier. Interview invites occur on a rolling basis hinging on when the application gets read (and our readers are still slammed, unfortunately).

 

[Remedies]

According to the Providence Journal, T.F. Green reopened this morning so that's good news. DON'T CANCEL MY FLIGHT TOMORROW PLZZ.

PS: How are things up there? Everyone doing well?

 

[BurghStudent]

According to the Providence Journal, T.F. Green reopened this morning so that's good news. DON'T CANCEL MY FLIGHT TOMORROW PLZZ.

PS: How are things up there? Everyone doing well?

I interview in December so hopefully all will go well weather wise for me.

Besides that, Rhode Island is a mess. I was out of power last night. All the streets are full of debris, and the coast is ruined. Oh well, another hurricane season in the Ocean State.

 

[drd714]

According to the Providence Journal, T.F. Green reopened this morning so that's good news. DON'T CANCEL MY FLIGHT TOMORROW PLZZ.

PS: How are things up there? Everyone doing well?

Depends on the area. I live in the middle of the state. I didn't lose power...just a lot of wind and rain. The Providence area (including the hospitals) are fine. Certainly a lot of cleaning up to do, but we're extremely lucky compared to NYC and NJ. I doubt your flight will be cancelled tomorrow.

 

[drd714]

These meetings have nothing to do with interview invites, just going over the interviewed candidates in the fashion I discussed earlier. Interview invites occur on a rolling basis hinging on when the application gets read (and our readers are still slammed, unfortunately).

Thanks for this info! I have another question. For those applicants that have "survived the axe" so far, what happens to them now? Are they put in a pile and re-reviewed by the readers at some point? Just wondering because I sent in some important updates and a LOI after I "survived" the August rejection wave.

Thanks aloepathic!!

 

[aloepathic]

Thanks for this info! I have another question. For those applicants that have "survived the axe" so far, what happens to them now? Are they put in a pile and re-reviewed by the readers at some point? Just wondering because I sent in some important updates and a LOI after I "survived" the August rejection wave.

Thanks aloepathic!!

Yep, they get re-reviewed periodically (and LOI's or updates are a good way to ensure they do get re-reviewed). Best of luck to you.

 

[drd714]

Yep, they get re-reviewed periodically (and LOI's or updates are a good way to ensure they do get re-reviewed). Best of luck to you.

Thank you! Geez, I want to go to Brown just so I can be friends with aloepathic, ayushman, and lorek!

 

[sunnyfricassee]

Tomorrow is the big day!

Anyone else hoping to hear back other than Marky, FijiGNR89, and I?

If so, come forth now, brethren, and join the party.

Yup!! So excited and nervous and all of those feelings that make me not want to do work today

 

[BurghStudent]

I noticed from the 2010-2011 thread that many people referred to interview invites as 'near acceptances.' Is this still accurate?

 

[Remedies]

Are any of you going to be there for tomorrow's interview?

 

[doorner]

Yup!! So excited and nervous and all of those feelings that make me not want to do work today

Here we go! Are you all thinking we could get word on Friday, or will we have to wait the entire weekend?

 

[FijiGNR89]

Well they said we should find out within 2-3 days of the committee's decision via both email and snail mail... so theoretically we could find out as soon as tomorrow or Friday I suppose, no? At least the email part of it.

I am in such a state of excitement/nervousness, it's absurd. And I'm in NYC downtown with no power, internet, and the like (I'm stealing it from a local hospital's lobby right now), so all I have to do is sit and think about BROWN!

 

[496552]

Yep, they get re-reviewed periodically (and LOI's or updates are a good way to ensure they do get re-reviewed). Best of luck to you.

Thanks! For LOI's, do you happen to know if an email to admissions suffice or would they prefer snail mail?

 

[markyb03]

Thanks! For LOI's, do you happen to know if an email to admissions suffice or would they prefer snail mail?

Dang is Brown a school where an LOI post interview, pre-decision will make a big difference? I'm definitely going to send one if I get wait listed,but I didn't sent one now and they are meeting so soon!


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[FijiGNR89]

Idk, but I sent a letter of interest to brown about a week after the interview. It was a PDF and I emailed it, so I guess I'll answer your question about email vs snail mail in the next few days!

Fingers crossed, toes crossed, eyes crossed.

 

[NCPremed]

Idk, but I sent a letter of interest to brown about a week after the interview. It was a PDF and I emailed it, so I guess I'll answer your question about email vs snail mail in the next few days!

Fingers crossed, toes crossed, eyes crossed.

Did you get an email confirmation that they received your letter? I should have sent my LOI electronically instead of through snail mail hahaha 🙂

to all you guys in the next few days!

 

[FijiGNR89]

I did not actually. Do they send those out?

 

[NCPremed]

I did not actually. Do they send those out?

I have not received one, but I used snail mail to send my LOI in early October. Someone else did receive an email confirmation way back in this thread. Actually, that person received an email confirmation that his update had been added to his file shortly after receiving a rejection email (pre-interview). Guess they had different staff working on adding updates and sending rejections. That person (I believe) sent his update as a PDF attachment to an email.

I think a post-interview LOI is more likely to get personal attention. Also, I imagine they've been really busy with the mayhem caused by Sandy, and maybe it's just kind of random whether or not we get confirmations.

 

[FijiGNR89]

Yeah I sent mine in early October. I interviewed on the 5th and sent it in on the 13th. I had called them and asked if an email was acceptable and they said as long as it was in PDF format. Judging by the fact that you didn't get one either, and that there is such a small group of interviewed people at Brown, they probably don't send them. They accept such a higher percentage of interviewees relative to other schools that the LOI's definitely do attract more personal attention from the adcomm. I wouldn't worry about it, and would go ahead and assume they got it. You think we could expect an email from them with a yay or a nay as early as tomorrow?

 

[drd714]

I have not received one, but I used snail mail to send my LOI in early October. Someone else did receive an email confirmation way back in this thread. Actually, that person received an email confirmation that his update had been added to his file shortly after receiving a rejection email (pre-interview). Guess they had different staff working on adding updates and sending rejections. That person (I believe) sent his update as a PDF attachment to an email.

I think a post-interview LOI is more likely to get personal attention. Also, I imagine they've been really busy with the mayhem caused by Sandy, and maybe it's just kind of random whether or not we get confirmations.

I sent a LOI pre-interview and I got an email confirmation. BUT, I called and left a message and asked if they could confirm the receipt of my LOI.
Also, Sandy barely touched Providence. It didn't do much damage to RI's northern area, especially Providence, at all. I would say that people in the admissions office had a day, at most two days, off work this week.

 

[NCPremed]

Yeah I sent mine in early October. I interviewed on the 5th and sent it in on the 13th. I had called them and asked if an email was acceptable and they said as long as it was in PDF format. Judging by the fact that you didn't get one either, and that there is such a small group of interviewed people at Brown, they probably don't send them. They accept such a higher percentage of interviewees relative to other schools that the LOI's definitely do attract more personal attention from the adcomm. I wouldn't worry about it, and would go ahead and assume they got it. You think we could expect an email from them with a yay or a nay as early as tomorrow?

Haha, you might hear back in the coming days, but I am still attempting to score an interview. ;-) Good luck!

I sent a LOI pre-interview and I got an email confirmation. BUT, I called and left a message and asked if they could confirm the receipt of my LOI.
Also, Sandy barely touched Providence. It didn't do much damage to RI's northern area, especially Providence, at all. I would say that people in the admissions office had a day, at most two days, off work this week.

That's good to know...perhaps I'll call to check on my LOI; at the least, maybe they'll have to open my file again haha. I hate harassing admissions staff, but I want to do as much as possible to be considered without being inconsiderate. On paper at least, Brown seems like the place for me, and it looks like you've come to a similar conclusion. Here's to hoping we both get interviews! 🙂

 

[FijiGNR89]

Oooooh! haha sorry NCPreMed, didn't mean to be a douche. 😛

Also, a bunch of us who interviewed got some follow-up email day before yesterday, so the admissions office is still working. At least, that seems like a good assumption.

 

[drd714]

haha, you might hear back in the coming days, but i am still attempting to score an interview. 🙂 good luck!



That's good to know...perhaps i'll call to check on my loi; at the least, maybe they'll have to open my file again haha. I hate harassing admissions staff, but i want to do as much as possible to be considered without being inconsiderate. On paper at least, brown seems like the place for me, and it looks like you've come to a similar conclusion. Here's to hoping we both get interviews! 🙂

Me too! Best of luck to you!

 

[NCPremed]

Oooooh! haha sorry NCPreMed, didn't mean to be a douche. 😛

Also, a bunch of us who interviewed got some follow-up email day before yesterday, so the admissions office is still working. At least, that seems like a good assumption.

Haha, no douchebaggery was assumed. 🙂

 

[496552]

So if I'm to send a LOI, it should be in PDF format? It can't be directly in the email?

 

[markyb03]

Is today the day everyone? Pretty sure my thumbs are going to be glued to my mail and SDN app all day. Hoping for good news for everyone!



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[FijiGNR89]

Dude I'm gonna be GLUED! Good luck to everyone. A decision has been made on us. Intimidating to think about! Hope we all get good news!

 

[aloepathic]

Sorry to dash a few people's hopes but apparently we didn't include people who interviewed last week or this week in the batch for last night (not sure exactly where the cutoff was). To the rest of you, hope you get good news!

 

[doorner]

Sorry to dash a few people's hopes but apparently we didn't include people who interviewed last week or this week in the batch for last night (not sure exactly where the cutoff was). To the rest of you, hope you get good news!

Thanks aloepathic. Do you think it's likely we'll hear back today, or should we mentally prepare ourselves to wait the weekend?

 

[aloepathic]

Thanks aloepathic. Do you think it's likely we'll hear back today, or should we mentally prepare ourselves to wait the weekend?

Usually I would say today, but the ad office went down for a few days early this week so things are still a bit backed up. Blame Sandy 😡