“Grades don’t matter,” my freshman biology teacher said, “What matters is actually learning the material, rather than the grade you receive”. More than just mitochondria and chloroplasts, freshman biology taught me to learn in the pursuit of knowledge. At Brown, I see this pursuit of knowledge personified. The open curriculum and unconventional grading system foster a student body that is thirsty for knowledge and has a genuine interest in their pursuits. Why Brown? I want to go to college...

Why are you drawn to the area(s) of study you indicated earlier in this application? If you are “undecided" or not sure which Brown concentrations match your interests, consider describing more generally the academic topics or modes of thought that engage you currently. (150 word limit) I like to eat grapefruits with string cheese. It's an odd combination, but the sweetness of the grapefruits mixed with the savory string cheese is immensely satisfying. Similarly, biochemistry and music, while not a...

Tell us where you have lived - and for how long - since you were born; whether you’ve always lived in the same place, or perhaps in a variety of places. (100 word limit) I was born in Newtown Square: an average sized suburb of Philadelphia. It’s a place where everyone suffered through cotillion, wears North Face religiously, and probably belongs to a local golf club. One might describe its populous as homogeneous. I find it boring. A bastion...

We all exist within communities or groups of various sizes, origins, and purposes; pick one and tell us why it is important to you, and how it has shaped you. (100 word limit) A jubilant prayer erupts from the musical cast, offered up to St. Genesius, patron saint of thieves and actors. It’s a tradition that’s been passed down each year and now, as a theater board member, I’ve been tasked with leading it. As a freshman, I...