Undergraduate Admission
Rural and Small Town Students
Brown University recognizes the academic contributions and valuable perspectives that students from rural and small town high schools add to our community.
Rural and Small Town Students
Brown University recognizes the academic contributions and valuable perspectives that students from rural and small town high schools add to our community.
The STARS Counselor Conference - Northeast Tour application is now live.
September 11 – September 13, 2025; Deadline to apply is May 23, 2025 at 11:59 PM CDT
Brown University brings together talented students from every part of the country. We feel strongly that where you grow up does not define your potential, and that the different perspectives students bring to Brown are essential to our community. As the number of rural and small town students on campus continues to grow, we want to make sure you have the resources needed to learn more about Brown and imagine what your college experience in Rhode Island might look like. It doesn’t matter whether anyone else in your high school has attended or even applied to Brown; every student who comes to campus will explore new academic opportunities, broaden their horizons, and discover new ways of thinking about the world. We hope these resources will help you get a better sense of all that Brown has to offer.
STARS College Network
Brown is proud to be a founding member of the Small Town and Rural Students (STARS) College Network. The STARS Network is a group of 32 of the nation’s most prominent universities dedicated to connecting students to resources and programs that will help them discover, apply to, and attend their perfect college match. No matter where students are, the STARS Network aims to provide them with what they need to succeed. With the generous support of Trott Family Philanthropies and our partnerships with the rootEd Alliance, Khan Academy, and Schoolhouse, the STARS Network offers assistance with the college search and the application process, as well as with academics in the high school setting. We have increased college access programming available for students from small towns and rural communities in the form of free on-campus programs, internship opportunities, and additional information sessions.
For more information, a schedule of upcoming events, and opportunities to get in contact with STARS Network counselors, please visit starscollegenetwork.org.
https://player.vimeo.com/video/988754581
Schoolhouse Portfolios
Are you a Schoolhouse tutor? If so, please submit your Schoolhouse portfolio as part of your application to Brown. Portfolios may be submitted as an external document via email to documents@brown.edu. Please email your portfolio as a PDF document and include your full name and applicant ID in the email.
Fly-in Programs at Brown
In 2019, Brown became the first school in the country to offer a no-cost fly-in program specifically designed for rising seniors from rural and small town communities. This program offers seniors the opportunity to learn more about highly selective admissions from admission and financial aid experts, explore Brown’s campus and life in Providence, RI, and engage with current undergraduates about their college experiences.
In 2024, we expanded our rural fly-in offerings in partnership with the STARS College Network for counselors from rural and small town high schools and community-based organizations to share in these experiences across New England colleges and enhance their college counseling skill set at no cost.
More information about STARS sponsored fly-in programs can be found on the STARS College Network website. Brown University’s programs are listed below:
STARS Counselor Conference - Northeast Tour: September 11 – September 13, 2025; Deadline to apply is May 23, 2025 at 11:59 PM CDT
STARS@Brown Senior Fly-in: October 5 – 7, 2025; Deadline to apply is August 1, 2025 at 11:59 PM CDT
Students applying for the STARS@Brown Senior Fly-in program must be entering their senior year in high school and receive a nomination from a school official. After being nominated, students are encouraged to submit an application and will be considered with a primary focus on academic preparation. We invite any and all educators in rural areas to nominate as many high-achieving students as they see fit.
The 2025 STARS@Brown Senior Fly-in application and nomination form are expected to go live in mid-to-late May. Check back for more details.
Connect with Us
You can learn more about Brown through our recorded information session and on-campus events.
Have questions? Email admission@brown.edu with any questions about the admission process, and financial_aid@brown.edu to learn more about Brown’s generous financial aid program. You can also email askastudent@brown.edu to connect with our best representatives - current students! Finally, make sure to join our mailing list to stay updated on everything related to Brown’s admission process.