How do you come up with unique ideas for Brown's supplemental essays?

A strong Brown supplemental essay stands out when you connect your personal interests and experiences directly with what Brown specifically offers, beyond surface-level points like its open curriculum or quirky vibe. It’s pretty common for students to default to mentioning the open curriculum, but what stands out is how you tie that flexibility to your unique goals and aspirations.

Start by reflecting on your genuine interests, quirks, or problems you hope to solve. Then, look for Brown programs, classes, clubs, or even certain campus communities that are a true match for those interests. For example, don’t just say “I love the open curriculum because I’m curious.” Instead, get specific: Maybe you’re obsessed with climate justice and want to design a course path that combines environmental science, policy, and interactive media. Point to a particular research project, professor, or even Brown’s Swearer Center for Public Service, and explain how you’ll use Brown’s resources to pursue your interdisciplinary curiosity.

For the “Why Brown” essay:
- Focus about 70% on Brown-specific details and 30% on why your own preferences and experiences align with what Brown offers.
- Look up unique courses, research centers, or student-led initiatives. For example, if you want to study cognitive neuroscience but also love philosophy, talk about designing your own blend of classes, referencing Brown’s Neural Systems course and the Cogut Institute for the Humanities.
- Bring in your authentic voice. Give a brief but meaningful real-life example: “In my junior year, I designed an independent research project investigating language loss in immigrant families. Brown’s commitment to academic independence and its Language and Thought Lab feel like the next frontier for me.”

Try to avoid what everyone else is writing. Instead of saying you love freedom or, "I want to explore many disciplines," show a genuine scenario in your life where academic flexibility led to something unexpected, and connect it to Brown’s ethos.

Personal anecdotes intertwined with specific Brown features are memorable. For example, if a book you read changed how you think about education, mention that moment and then show how you see yourself discussing it at the Brown Bookstore’s student seminar series.

The best essays always sound like only you could have written them—and only for Brown. Put as much detail as possible from your own life and tie it tightly to what Brown will let you do. Research deeply, but stay grounded in your unique story.

If you feel stuck, start your draft by writing about a moment when you felt most intellectually alive (in or out of school), then research until you find something at Brown that feels like a natural extension of that moment.