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.

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 be exploring new academic opportunities, broadening their horizons and discovering 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

We are excited to announce Brown’s partnership with the new Small Town and Rural Students (STARS) College Network. The STARS Network is a group of 16 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 will offer 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 virtual information sessions. 

For more information, a schedule of upcoming events, and opportunities to get in contact with STARS Network counselors, please visit starscollegenetwork.org.

STARS QR Code

 

STARS School Logos

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 Program

In 2019, Brown became the first school in the country to offer a fly-in program specifically designed for rising seniors from rural and small town communities. As of 2023, we are excited to announce a partnership with the STARS College Network to continue and expand our rural fly-in program, which will now take place during the academic year with a focus on current juniors.

Together, Brown and the STARS College Network will host a series of no-cost fly-in opportunities for students through the new Small Town and Rural Students (STARS) College Network. The STARS College Network is a consortium of colleges, universities, and access organizations dedicated to creating a more comprehensive approach to college access for rural and first-generation college students.

Several STARS fly-in programs will be offered during the 2023-24 academic year, covering the same content in different locations. Most programs will be three-day, two-night fully funded events in which students will have the opportunity to learn more about the college application process from admission and financial aid experts, explore a college campus and life in the surrounding city, and meet current students at the host institution to learn more about their college experiences. More information about each program can be found below:

Fall STARS Fly-In

Hosted by Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island

October 22 – 24, 2023

Spring STARS Fly-In

Hosted by the University of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois

Date TBD

To apply for these programs, students must be current juniors 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. School officials should visit the STARS College Network events page to nominate students. Applications for the 2023-24 school year programs will close on September 15.

Connect with Us

You can learn more about Brown through our recorded information session and virtual 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.

Resources