Q: What does the Admissions team look for in an applicant?

A: We are seeking academically high-achieving students who provide a well-written application essay that highlights their intellectual curiosity, social maturity and self-motivation. We review applications holistically. When determining admissibility, we look at a number of factors including academic performance, motivation, interests and English language proficiency. 

Q: Is there an application deadline?

A: The general application deadline is May 12, 2023. 

Q: What grade reports are required?

A: You must submit grades from the current academic year in addition to grades from the past academic year. Grade submissions must be in English and contain your full name and the academic term represented. Official transcripts are not required. 

Q: How long will it take admissions to review my application?

A: In most cases, admission decisions are made within 15 business days of receiving a complete application. Applications must include all supporting materials to be reviewed. 

Q: Am I applying to a specific program or course?

A: You are applying to the Brown Pre-College Program. If accepted, you will be prompted to submit a non-refundable $300 deposit and can then enroll in any open course you are eligible for based on your age and grade-level. We recommend you consult our Course Catalog prior to submitting your non-refundable deposit. 

Q: Do you offer courses for credit?

A: Brown Pre-College courses are not for credit. Our seven-week, online Pre-Baccalaureate Program for rising, and recently graduated, high school seniors offers college credit.

Q: Will participating in Brown Pre-College help me when applying to Brown Undergraduate admission?

A: Pre-College is not a prospecting program for University undergraduate admissions. Successfully completing a Brown Pre-College course will demonstrate interest in an area of study for general undergraduate admissions. For questions regarding Brown Undergraduate Admission, please contact their office directly by phone at 401-863-2378 or via email at admission@brown.edu.

Q: Are your online courses synchronous or asynchronous?

A: Brown’s online courses include Asynchronous, Mostly Asynchronous and Blended formats: 

• Asynchronous courses do not require students to log in at a set time of day. Students have the flexibility to learn on their own daily schedule. 
• Our Mostly Asynchronous courses include a few optional live sessions each week to supplement course material. 
• Blended courses will include asynchronous content and 1-3 prescheduled, required live sessions each week. 

All online students should plan to spend approximately two hours each day (about 15 hours per week) on a variety of course activities, to ensure they keep current with the associated work.

Q: What level of English Language proficiency is required?

A: Students who participate in Brown’s Pre-College programs must have a strong command of the English language in order to succeed in academic study. International students who don’t speak English as their primary language will be asked to submit either a Duolingo or InitialView language assessment as part of their application submission.

Q: What is a Course Performance Report (CPR)?

A: Students who successfully complete in-person courses that are longer than two weeks or longer and online courses that are three weeks or longer in length will receive a Course Performance Report (CPR) by early fall. The CPR is an assessment by the instructor of a student's work within the course. It normally includes some numerical ratings focused on foundational aspects of the student's quality of engagement, as well as a brief narrative.

Q: Will I be able to enroll in a specific course? 

A: We recommend accepted students confirm their desired course is available prior to submitting their $300 non-refundable deposit. Admission does not guarantee enrollment in a specific course or program.

Q: Is there a deadline to accept my offer of admission and submit my deposit?

A: There is no deadline to submit your non-refundable deposit, however, your deposit must be submitted to enroll in a course. We recommend students deposit and enroll as soon as they’ve confirmed a course of interest is available. 

Q: Can I take more than one course?

A: Please refer to our Enrollment Policies for information about course enrollments per program. 

Q: My course of interest has reached capacity. Am I still able to enroll in the course?

A: Admission does not guarantee registration in a specific course or program. When submitting your application, you are applying to the Brown Pre-College Program, not to a specific course. We recommend adding yourself to the waitlist for your course of interest and enrolling in an open course. 

Q: How does the waitlist work?  

A: Waitlisted students will be notified via email should a space become available for them in a course. Space will open on a rolling basis only if a currently enrolled student drops the course.