Transferring To Brown University: What You Need To Know

Brown University does accept transfer students and welcomes them to its campus each year, recognising the important and significant contributions they bring to the community. The university's Open Curriculum is designed for students who take the initiative and demonstrate independence, which is why transfers tend to do well at Brown, both academically and socially. Brown's transfer acceptance rate has been consistently under 8% for the last six years, with 112 out of 2,744 applicants accepted in 2023. To be eligible for transfer admission, students must have completed at least one full year of college study (or its equivalent) and be enrolled full-time for at least four semesters before earning their undergraduate degree.

Application process

Brown University does accept transfer students and applications are submitted online via the Common Application. Here is a detailed breakdown of the application process:

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for transfer admission, applicants must have completed at least one full year of college study (or its equivalent) before their planned matriculation at Brown. Both part-time and full-time students at accredited two- and four-year colleges may seek transfer admission.

University rules stipulate that anyone admitted as a transfer must be enrolled full-time at Brown for at least four semesters before earning an undergraduate degree. Therefore, Brown discourages (but does not forbid) transfer applications from students who will have accrued more than four semesters of college work before their enrollment at Brown.

High school students enrolled in dual-degree or early college programs are ineligible to apply as transfers and must apply as first-year applicants.

Deadlines

The application deadline for transfer applicants interested in fall 2025 entry is 11:59 p.m. (applicant's local time) on March 1st, 2025. The application deadline for sophomore transfer applicants interested in spring 2025 entry is 11:59 p.m. (applicant's local time) on October 1st, 2024.

Supporting Documents

Supporting documents such as transcripts must be completed for a transfer application to be reviewed. Applicants should monitor their application status via the Brown Admission Portal to ensure completion.

Letters of Recommendation

Transfer candidates must submit two instructor evaluations from faculty who have taught them at their current college. These letters must be submitted through the Common Application or sent via email to transferdocuments@brown.edu.

School Reports

The appropriate administrator at the applicant's current or most recent college should complete the College Report (Report of Good Standing) on their behalf. This can be submitted through the Common Application or emailed to transferdocuments@brown.edu.

Mid-Term Report

If the applicant is currently enrolled in college, the Mid-Term Report, found on the Common Application, should list their current courses. They should ask each of their professors to provide a progress grade, and then upload the Mid-Term Report through the Brown Applicant Portal.

Transcripts

In addition to an official transcript showing courses in progress, applicants must submit an official transcript(s) and final grades from all previous college coursework. An interim unofficial transcript of current work may be submitted, but a final and official transcript will be required before enrollment at Brown.

High School Transcript

Applicants are required to have their high school mail an official copy of their final high school transcript. While not required, Brown recommends that transfer applicants also have their high school counsellor send a completed copy of the Common Application School Report.

Video Introduction

Video introductions are due within one week of receiving the application acknowledgement email.

Music Supplement

Music supplements can be submitted through SlideRoom. The deadline to create a SlideRoom account is October 2nd for spring entry applications and March 4th for fall entry applications.

Financial Aid

Transfer applicants interested in applying for federal and institutional financial aid should complete the Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and their CSS Profile.

Eligibility requirements

Brown University does accept transfer students and welcomes their important and significant contributions to the campus community. The eligibility requirements for transfer applicants are as follows:

Completed at least one full year of college study

To be eligible for transfer admission, applicants must have completed at least one full year of college study or its equivalent before their planned matriculation at Brown. This requirement applies to both part-time and full-time students at accredited two- and four-year colleges.

Enrolment duration

University rules stipulate that transfer students must be enrolled full-time at Brown for at least four semesters before earning their undergraduate degree. Therefore, Brown discourages (but does not forbid) transfer applications from students who will have accrued more than four semesters of college work before enrolling at Brown.

Application deadlines

Transfer applicants must submit the Transfer Common Application, application essay questions specific to Brown, and supporting documents such as transcripts by the listed application deadline for their desired entry semester. The fall application deadline for spring entry is October 1, and the spring application deadline for fall entry is March 1.

High school transcript

Transfer applicants are required to submit an official copy of their final high school transcript. While not mandatory, Brown recommends submitting a copy of the Final Report, typically completed by the applicant's high school counsellor.

College transcripts and letters of recommendation

Official college transcripts and two letters of recommendation from college instructors are required as part of the transfer application process.

Standardized test scores

Brown is test-optional for transfer applicants, but if applicants wish to include test scores (SAT or ACT) for review, they must be submitted by February for fall entry or by September for spring entry.

Supplemental materials

Transfer applicants are encouraged to submit a 2-minute video introduction via the Brown Applicant Portal. Additionally, those accomplished in music can include supplementary materials through SlideRoom.

Acceptance rate

Brown University does accept transfer students and has a comprehensive and detailed process for transfer admissions. The university welcomes transfer students each year and recognises the significant contributions they make to the campus community.

The acceptance rate for transfer students at Brown University is highly selective, with a rate of under 8% for the last six years. In 2023, the acceptance rate was 4.1%, with 112 students admitted out of 2,744 applicants. The year before, in 2022, the acceptance rate was 5.3%, with 149 students admitted out of 2,828 applicants. The university has a history of accepting transfer students from a diverse range of colleges and universities worldwide, including community colleges, small liberal arts colleges, and national universities, reflecting the variety of perspectives and backgrounds of its undergraduate student body.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for transfer admission, applicants must have completed at least one full year of college study (or its equivalent) before enrolling at Brown. Both part-time and full-time students from accredited two- and four-year colleges may apply for transfer admission. However, Brown University discourages (but does not forbid) transfer applications from students who will have accrued more than four semesters of college work before enrolling. Students who have already completed a bachelor's degree at another college are ineligible to apply as transfers.

Application Process

Transfer applicants must submit the Transfer Common Application, including the application essay questions specific to Brown, by the listed deadlines for their desired entry semester. Supporting documents, such as transcripts and letters of recommendation, are also required for a complete application. While interviews are not offered, applicants are encouraged to submit a two-minute video introduction.

Academic Requirements

Brown University seeks academically successful candidates who will contribute positively to its undergraduate community. The university values applicants who have demonstrated engagement both inside and outside the classroom and are expected to continue doing so at Brown. Over the last three years, the average college GPA of accepted transfer applicants was between 3.86 and 3.91, indicating a high level of academic achievement. Additionally, those admitted in 2023 had ACT scores ranging from 34 to 36 and SAT scores ranging from 1510 to 1580.

Transferable credits

Brown University accepts most liberal arts courses taken at other colleges and universities as transferable credits. The University will transfer credits for courses that are similar to those offered in its curriculum.

If you are curious about which of your classes will be transferable, you can check Brown's online course search to see if the University offers a similar course.

Brown will not award transfer credits for correspondence courses, courses taken during summer programs, or courses taken as part of a dual enrollment curriculum. The University also does not award transfer credits for AP test scores.

When a student is accepted, the acceptance letter will include a preliminary credit estimate and information about the semester level at which the student will enter. However, the final number of transferable courses will not be determined until the University has access to the student's final college transcript from their most recent completed term before enrolling.

The final transferable credit is determined by the College after a student enrolls. Brown does not award transfer credits for courses taken at non-regionally accredited institutions or the international equivalent. The institution must be either a regionally accredited 2-year or 4-year degree-granting college/university in the United States or the international equivalent in an F-1 visa student's home country.

There are no institutions with which Brown has an established articulation agreement for transfer credit. However, additional information about transfer credit policies for incoming transfer students is available from the University.

Financial aid

Brown University does accept transfer students, and they are encouraged to apply through the Common Application. The university welcomes transfer students, recognising the significant contributions they make to the campus community.

Brown University offers limited financial aid for transfer applicants. The university is need-aware when making decisions on transfer applications, meaning an applicant's ability to pay for tuition, room, and board is considered when making an admission decision. The exception to this policy is for US military service members or veterans, who are considered on a need-blind basis and should apply using the Veterans Application. Brown guarantees to meet the full demonstrated need of all admitted students.

Transfer applicants who may need financial aid at any point during their time at Brown must submit a financial aid application with their initial transfer application. Admitted transfer applicants who did not apply for aid in their original transfer application are not eligible to apply for financial aid later on.

International transfer students must apply for and receive a University need-based scholarship at the time of admission to be considered for financial assistance. They must complete the CSS Profile to be considered for any financial aid resources at the university.

US citizens and permanent residents, as well as DACA/undocumented applicants, should apply for financial aid as transfer students.

Frequently asked questions