How should I compare my admissions chances at the University of Maryland and Brown?

Treat Brown as a high reach for virtually every applicant, including students with exceptional grades and activities; evaluate the University of Maryland separately by your residency and intended major, since it can range from a realistic target to a reach. Brown’s applicant pool is unusually deep, and its highly individualized review means no academic profile makes admission predictable. At Maryland, strong grades in a rigorous curriculum and preparation for your chosen field are more useful indicators, though popular limited-enrollment programs can be substantially more selective than the university overall.

For Brown, first check whether your transcript shows sustained rigor at the highest level available, especially in courses connected to your interests. Then assess whether your activities reveal intellectual curiosity, initiative, and a distinctive contribution rather than simply a long list of leadership titles. Brown’s Open Curriculum makes a clear academic reason for wanting flexibility and interdisciplinary exploration especially relevant, but it does not turn a strong profile into a likely admit.

For Maryland, compare your record to recently admitted students from your own high school or district when possible, and distinguish in-state from out-of-state results. Maryland gives meaningful consideration to academic performance, course rigor, grades in core subjects, and demonstrated preparation for the major or school you select.