logo
episode-header-image
Sep 2024
6m 42s

S3E17: How to Get into Brown University ...

Thomas Caleel
About this episode

In this episode of the "Admittedly" podcast, host Thomas Caleel provides an in-depth analysis of the Brown University supplement. He highlights the unique aspects of Brown's educational philosophy, particularly the open curriculum, and offers advice on how to approach each of the supplemental essay prompts.

Summary of Key Points:

1. The Open Curriculum: Brown's open curriculum offers students the freedom to design their own academic path. Thomas emphasizes the importance of understanding this concept deeply and explains how applicants can illustrate why this educational model suits them and their goals.

2. Community and Growth: The second essay allows applicants to share a meaningful aspect of their background and how it will contribute to the Brown community. Thomas encourages applicants to focus on their personal growth and identity, and how these experiences will shape their engagement on campus.

3. What Brings You Joy: For the third essay, Brown asks applicants to discuss what brings them joy. Thomas advises students to dig deep into the core of what drives their passions and tie that positivity and energy to how they envision their future at Brown.

4. Short Answer Questions: Brown’s short answers include describing yourself in three words, discussing a meaningful extracurricular activity, and imagining a class you would teach. Thomas stresses the importance of showing personality and creativity, while maintaining consistency across the entire application.

5. Why Brown (in One Sentence): The final challenge is explaining why Brown is the right fit in just one sentence. Thomas encourages applicants to express their connection to Brown’s unique values and educational model simply and directly, from the heart.

The Brown supplement is an opportunity to showcase how you’ll thrive in the open curriculum and engage with the Brown community. By following Thomas's advice, applicants can craft a thoughtful, authentic application that reflects their fit for Brown.

For more insights and tips on college admissions, follow @admittedlypodcast on TikTok and Instagram.

Up next
Aug 21
S4E26: The Joy of Tutoring: Arun Alagappan on Reducing Anxiety and Unlocking Potential
In this episode of the Admittedly Podcast, Thomas Caleel sits down with Arun Alagappan, founder and president of Advantage Testing, one of the most respected names in academic tutoring and test preparation. A Princeton and Harvard Law alum, Arun has spent nearly four decades rede ... Show More
28m 18s
Aug 15
S4E25: The 2025 Admissions Reality — How Funding Cuts, Student Visas, and Campus Culture Will Shape This Cycle
In this episode of the Admittedly Podcast, host Thomas Caleel takes a strategic pause to break down the seismic shifts hitting higher education right now—and what they mean for your application this year. From sweeping funding cuts at top universities, to uncertainty for internat ... Show More
19m 38s
Aug 3
S4E24: The Road Starts Early — Middle School Advice With Dr. Peggy Burich Smith
In this special episode of The Admittedly Podcast, host Thomas Caleel sits down with Dr. Peggy Burich-Smith, a senior counselor at Admittedly and a veteran educator with over 30 years of experience in independent school leadership. Together, they explore what it really takes to r ... Show More
41m 58s
Recommended Episodes
Aug 2018
EP030: How to Get in to Stanford, Harvard, Berkeley or Yale Ft. Marcella De Laurentiis
Episode 030: How to Get in to Stanford, Harvard, Berkeley or Yale Ft. Marcella De Laurentiis Featuring: Marcella De Laurentiis, College Admissions Specialist Mentor Bio: Marcella started her career working in the admissions office at the University of Chicago, her alma mater. Lat ... Show More
38m 11s
Sep 2024
152: From Classroom to Freelance to Higher Education ID, A Journey of Learning with Josephine Coco, Instructional Technologist, Empire State University
In this episode, Holly Owens and Josephine Coco discuss the journey into the field of instructional design and technology. Josephine shares her personal story of returning to education later in life, the challenges she faced, and the importance of mentorship and networking in the ... Show More
59m 28s
Jul 2024
The inside scoop on HBS Essay Question #1: B-Schooled episode 214
For the first time in more than a decade, Harvard Business School has updated its essay questions. In this much-anticipated series, we sit down with HBS alum and longtime SBC consultant Yvette to talk about each of these questions and share suggestions, tips and strategies regard ... Show More
38m 28s
Apr 2023
Eric Thomas: I Can, I Will, I Must (Compilation)
Today's motivation is all about being more than average. Audio Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8UT0iVne24 More about Dr. Thomas: Eric Thomas is a world-renowned motivational speaker, author, and consultant. He is known for his high-energy speaking engagements and his ... Show More
24m 42s
Jul 2024
The 20s stories #9 - Equal opportunities & life projects
“Everyone is born equally capable but lacks equal opportunity.” - Pierre Omidyar In this episode of The 20s Project, hosts Jacqueline and Christina are joined by Yanis Maazi, a student from HEC Paris pursuing a dual degree with Sciences-Po, to explore the intricate concept of equ ... Show More
35m 39s
Jul 2024
The inside scoop on HBS Essay Question #2: B-Schooled episode 215
For the first time in more than a decade, Harvard Business School has updated its essay questions. In this much-anticipated series, we sit down with HBS alum and longtime SBC consultant Yvette to talk about each of these questions and share suggestions, tips and strategies regard ... Show More
36m 46s
Mar 2024
Derron Wallace, "The Culture Trap: Ethnic Expectations and Unequal Schooling for Black Youth" (Oxford UP, 2023)
How does race matter in schools? In The Culture Trap: Ethnic Expectations and Unequal Schooling for Black Youth (Oxford UP, 2023), Derron Wallace, the Jacob S. Potofsky Chair in Sociology at Brandeis University, tells the contrasting stories of two schools in the UK and USA. The ... Show More
55m 19s
Sep 2024
Melissa Osborne, "Polished: College, Class, and the Burdens of Social Mobility" (U Chicago Press, 2024)
Why do people go to college? In Polished: College, Class, and the Burdens of Social Mobility (U Chicago Press, 2024), Melissa Osborne, an associate professor at Western Washington University, explores the experiences of students from low income and first-generation backgrounds wh ... Show More
47m 40s
Sep 2024
Melissa Osborne, "Polished: College, Class, and the Burdens of Social Mobility" (U Chicago Press, 2024)
Why do people go to college? In Polished: College, Class, and the Burdens of Social Mobility (U Chicago Press, 2024), Melissa Osborne, an associate professor at Western Washington University, explores the experiences of students from low income and first-generation backgrounds wh ... Show More
47m 40s
Aug 2021
Episode 137:How to Self-Advocate for yourself within a Toxic School Culture
In this episode, Franchesca interviews Kwame Sarfo-Mensah from Identity Talk for Educators to discuss how toxic school cultures weigh on the mental health of educators. Kwame Sarfo-Mensah is a 14-year veteran urban educator and the founder of Identity Talk Consulting, an independ ... Show More
38m 10s