Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My guess is that my kid chose brown because it has a unique combination of reputation (being in Ivy League) and chill/non-competitive atmosphere (due to unlimited pass/fails, no GPAs, and liberal culture). Everyone talks about the open curriculum, but that didn't seem very important to decision making in the end.

I think these factors would make it perfect for younger sibling, but that one isn't very enthusiastic. Probably due to a few years of stories of bad food and moldy dorms-- both of which DC2 is pretty picky about.

No GPAs? I have a kid at Brown. There are GPAs.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid applied a couple of years ago. It was the first year they shifted from interviews to videos and the explanation was Covid restrictions. (It was very early in Covid and I'm guessing their alumni interviewers weren't excited about zoom interviews.)

I have a kid applying this year, and they seemed to have refined (improved, in my opinion) the description of what they were looking for in the video.

My first kid made a simple (frankly, unimpressive) video looking at the camera and merging in photos. Then she showed me the ones other kids made-- many posted them online. And wow. It seemed clear they either hired a videographer or had a very talented family member. For instance, giving a tour of their 'hometown' (NY City) by traveling to all kinds of locations. Very high quality visuals, edits, etc. Some with kind of special effects. Unclear if the 'script' was theirs or not.

FWIW, my kid got in with her iphone propped on textbooks and filming in my dining room. And now the instructions seem to asking for something more clearly along the lines of what she did.

Another parent here. I looked at a bunch online, and the ones that looked more "professional " tended to be from kids who were into filmmaking. (My favorites are the guy with the animated character and the Wes Anderson send up). I think those are great for those kids and don't extend the bar for others. Some videos (my kids' included) had more editing work in them for sure -- cuts, slides with VO, music. My kids used software that came free on my computer, and it allowed them to add extra tracks of photos and sound as well as titles. They figured it out by trial and error, and theirs had a lot of content while conveying a theme. But, kids also got in with videos that are just 1 shot of them talking. There's no "right" way. I think it's nice to show creativity.

Wow. My kid is at Chicago and also had to make an intro video for them. From what I recall he just videoed himself in his room talking about his favorite books. Might have showed the books but I don’t think he used music, pics or any video tools. Had no idea bar was much higher!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid applied a couple of years ago. It was the first year they shifted from interviews to videos and the explanation was Covid restrictions. (It was very early in Covid and I'm guessing their alumni interviewers weren't excited about zoom interviews.)

I have a kid applying this year, and they seemed to have refined (improved, in my opinion) the description of what they were looking for in the video.

My first kid made a simple (frankly, unimpressive) video looking at the camera and merging in photos. Then she showed me the ones other kids made-- many posted them online. And wow. It seemed clear they either hired a videographer or had a very talented family member. For instance, giving a tour of their 'hometown' (NY City) by traveling to all kinds of locations. Very high quality visuals, edits, etc. Some with kind of special effects. Unclear if the 'script' was theirs or not.

FWIW, my kid got in with her iphone propped on textbooks and filming in my dining room. And now the instructions seem to asking for something more clearly along the lines of what she did.

Another parent here. I looked at a bunch online, and the ones that looked more "professional " tended to be from kids who were into filmmaking. (My favorites are the guy with the animated character and the Wes Anderson send up). I think those are great for those kids and don't extend the bar for others. Some videos (my kids' included) had more editing work in them for sure -- cuts, slides with VO, music. My kids used software that came free on my computer, and it allowed them to add extra tracks of photos and sound as well as titles. They figured it out by trial and error, and theirs had a lot of content while conveying a theme. But, kids also got in with videos that are just 1 shot of them talking. There's no "right" way. I think it's nice to show creativity.

Anonymous wrote:My guess is that my kid chose brown because it has a unique combination of reputation (being in Ivy League) and chill/non-competitive atmosphere (due to unlimited pass/fails, no GPAs, and liberal culture). Everyone talks about the open curriculum, but that didn't seem very important to decision making in the end.

I think these factors would make it perfect for younger sibling, but that one isn't very enthusiastic. Probably due to a few years of stories of bad food and moldy dorms-- both of which DC2 is pretty picky about.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:


If they can get in to any other Ivy, seriously go there instead. It's a super woke rich kid mecca who never get defined careers after graduation. Not a lot of pride or school spirit, it's pretty sleepy. You are paying for the name and in certain circles, it's kind of a joke.

Which circles?

Anonymous wrote:


If they can get in to any other Ivy, seriously go there instead. It's a super woke rich kid mecca who never get defined careers after graduation. Not a lot of pride or school spirit, it's pretty sleepy. You are paying for the name and in certain circles, it's kind of a joke.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:the video essay was tough

My 2024 worked on the application for RD. Did the essays but completely rebelled against the video essay. He got in ED at another school so it became a non issue. But it made me think he was not the right fit for Brown. Kids who would be a good fit at Brown would love to do the video essay. The scenario is a bit similar to U Chicago prompts. In a way, the school apps filter out for fit.

I am not sure how many kids actually love the video essay. My DC did it and was accepted. But he regarded it more as a necessary evil and means to an end.

Well, will he then see his English classes or his math classes as a necessary evil? Maybe Brown wants kids who are naturally enthusiastic about learning and trying new things.

The joy of the open curriculum is that you don’t have to take those classes if you don't want to.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:the video essay was tough

My 2024 worked on the application for RD. Did the essays but completely rebelled against the video essay. He got in ED at another school so it became a non issue. But it made me think he was not the right fit for Brown. Kids who would be a good fit at Brown would love to do the video essay. The scenario is a bit similar to U Chicago prompts. In a way, the school apps filter out for fit.

I am not sure how many kids actually love the video essay. My DC did it and was accepted. But he regarded it more as a necessary evil and means to an end.

Well, will he then see his English classes or his math classes as a necessary evil? Maybe Brown wants kids who are naturally enthusiastic about learning and trying new things.

Anonymous wrote:My kid applied a couple of years ago. It was the first year they shifted from interviews to videos and the explanation was Covid restrictions. (It was very early in Covid and I'm guessing their alumni interviewers weren't excited about zoom interviews.)

I have a kid applying this year, and they seemed to have refined (improved, in my opinion) the description of what they were looking for in the video.

My first kid made a simple (frankly, unimpressive) video looking at the camera and merging in photos. Then she showed me the ones other kids made-- many posted them online. And wow. It seemed clear they either hired a videographer or had a very talented family member. For instance, giving a tour of their 'hometown' (NY City) by traveling to all kinds of locations. Very high quality visuals, edits, etc. Some with kind of special effects. Unclear if the 'script' was theirs or not.

FWIW, my kid got in with her iphone propped on textbooks and filming in my dining room. And now the instructions seem to asking for something more clearly along the lines of what she did.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:the video essay was tough

My 2024 worked on the application for RD. Did the essays but completely rebelled against the video essay. He got in ED at another school so it became a non issue. But it made me think he was not the right fit for Brown. Kids who would be a good fit at Brown would love to do the video essay. The scenario is a bit similar to U Chicago prompts. In a way, the school apps filter out for fit.

I am not sure how many kids actually love the video essay. My DC did it and was accepted. But he regarded it more as a necessary evil and means to an end.

Well, will he then see his English classes or his math classes as a necessary evil? Maybe Brown wants kids who are naturally enthusiastic about learning and trying new things.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:the video essay was tough

It wasn't supposed to be. You didn't need to be Steven Spielberg. They are fun w. homemade style and not rating on cinematography. It was to replace the interview--and only like, what, 3 minutes long?

Are the videos work-arounds for not being able to directly ask for an applicant's race?

The videos might have originally been meant partly to catch race fakers, such as white kids checking various diversity boxes.

You have this all wrong. Schools are hardly interested in seriously policing this issue. Checking the boy is what matters. A race-faking kid with solid stats is great for everyone. Don't ask, Don't tell, Don't pursue, baby.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:the video essay was tough

My 2024 worked on the application for RD. Did the essays but completely rebelled against the video essay. He got in ED at another school so it became a non issue. But it made me think he was not the right fit for Brown. Kids who would be a good fit at Brown would love to do the video essay. The scenario is a bit similar to U Chicago prompts. In a way, the school apps filter out for fit.

I am not sure how many kids actually love the video essay. My DC did it and was accepted. But he regarded it more as a necessary evil and means to an end.