How does major selection work at Brown University for undergraduate students?

Brown calls majors “concentrations,” and students are expected to declare one by the end of their fourth semester, so typically by the end of sophomore year. That gives students time to explore through Brown’s Open Curriculum, which has no general education requirements and lets students try courses across many departments before deciding.

The process is fairly straightforward. A student explores classes during the first two years, identifies a concentration that fits their interests, and then works with a concentration advisor to complete a concentration declaration plan. Brown has many standard concentrations, and students can also pursue options like double concentrations or an independent concentration if their academic interests do not fit neatly into one existing program.

Once declared, the concentration plan outlines the courses and requirements the student will complete. It is not locked in forever on day one of college, and students can change concentrations later if their interests shift, though doing so becomes easier when it happens earlier because of course sequencing and departmental requirements.