On December 15th, 2023, Brown University shared details about students accepted into the Class of 2028 using the Early Decision process. This might be the final time they use Early Decision, as Brown has put together a group to check out how well it works. The group will give their suggestions in early 2024.

Even though it’s probably the final one, this Early Admission cycle had some significant moments. After the Supreme Court cancelled Affirmative Action in June, this cycle is the first time admissions decisions were meant to be made without considering an applicant’s race or ethnicity. However, some schools like Brown found a legal way to still ask about a student’s background or community. Because of the Supreme Court’s decision on Affirmative Action, Brown chose not to reveal data on the racial makeup of admitted students.

Brown accepted 898 students out of 6,244 who applied Early Decision, which means about 14.38% got in. They turned down 67.6% of applicants and put 16.8% on hold for Regular Decision, which is when they consider them later. This shows a trend of fewer deferrals and more rejections.

This year, Brown got the second highest number of Early Decision applications ever, with the second lowest acceptance rate. The numbers didn’t quite beat last year’s record, but they did admit the largest group of students ever. More and more of Brown’s incoming classes are made up of Early Decision students, and this big group might continue that trend.

Brown Early Decision Admissions Statistics

Brown’s Early Decision Admission Rates

Last year, Brown University accepted 12.98% of students who applied early. This rate was lower than the acceptance rates for the classes of 2026 and 2025, which were 14.6% and 15.9% respectively. These lower acceptance rates happened because more students applied due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Brown also decided to make test scores optional for applicants, which attracted more students to apply, including those without test scores, whom we call “squeakers” at EssayEmbassy. In previous years, including the Class of 2024, Brown’s acceptance rate for early applicants was higher, above 17%.

Here’s a breakdown of Brown’s early admission rates for the past 22 years.

Admissions Cycle	Brown Graduating Class	Brown’s Early Decision Admission Rate
2023-2024	Class of 2028	14.38%
2022-2023	Class of 2027	12.98%
2021-2022	Class of 2026	14.6%
2020-2021	Class of 2025	15.9%
2019-2020	Class of 2024	17.5%
2018-2019	Class of 2023	18.2%
2017-2018	Class of 2022	21%
2016-2017	Class of 2021	21.9%
2015-2016	Class of 2020	22.1%
2014-2015	Class of 2019	20%
2013-2014	Class of 2018	18.9%
2012-2013	Class of 2017	18.5%
2011-2012	Class of 2016	19%
2010-2011	Class of 2015	20.6%
2009-2010	Class of 2014	19.9%
2008-2009	Class of 2013	23.7%
2007-2008	Class of 2012	22.7%
2006-2007	Class of 2011	22.7%
2005-2006	Class of 2010	22.8%
2004-2005	Class of 2009	28%
2003-2004	Class of 2008	28.3%
2002-2003	Class of 2007	25.8%

Brown’s Early Decision Deferral Rates

In the past four times, Brown University has delayed some Early Decision applicants until the Regular Decision round. Look at the numbers below to see how Brown has been deferring fewer applicants each year.

Admissions Cycle	Brown Graduating Class	Brown’s Early Decision Deferral Rate
2023-2024	Class of 2028	16.8%
2022-2023	Class of 2027	19%
2021-2022	Class of 2026	25%
2020-2021	Class of 2025	30%

Brown’s Early Decision Denial History

Here’s a breakdown of the portion of Early Decision applicants whom Brown has decided not to accept directly in the last four rounds.

Admissions Cycle	Brown Graduating Class	Brown’s Early Decision Deferral Rate
2023-2024	Class of 2028	67.6%
2022-2023	Class of 2027	68%
2021-2022	Class of 2026	60.25%
2020-2021	Class of 2025	54.1%

Breakdown of the Brown Class of 2028 Early Decision Admits

This year, Brown University introduced additional essay questions in their application. These questions give potential students a chance to share their various experiences and perspectives, especially considering the changing admissions process.

While Brown hasn’t shared specific data on the racial and ethnic backgrounds of admitted students, they’ve shared other information. For instance, 64 students were accepted into the QuestBridge program, which supports low-income and first-generation students. Additionally, 22 applicants (3%) were accepted into the competitive Program in Liberal Medical Education, an eight-year program that lets undergraduates start studying medicine right away.

53.3% of students who got into school went to public schools, 35.4% attended private schools, and 11.2% went to religious schools. Even though nearly double the number of women applied to Brown compared to men, 52% of those admitted through Early Decision are women and 48% are men. This matches the trend of more men getting into selective colleges.

The percentage of students who are the first in their family to go to college has changed noticeably among those who got admitted. This year, 19% of students admitted early are first-generation college students, which is up from 15% last year.

The students accepted come from 45 states, Washington, DC, Puerto Rico, and 51 countries worldwide. The most common countries represented are Canada, China, the United Kingdom, India, South Korea, Peru, and Singapore. These international applicants make up 12% of Early Decision admissions.

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