The How to Apply page of the Brown University admission office lists four school-specific essay questions for the 2026-27 cycle. Early Decision (ED) closes November 1 at 11:59 p.m. in the applicant’s local time, with decisions in mid-December. Irvine seniors planning to apply early to Brown have a little over three weeks to finish the four essays.
Who Is Affected by the Brown Early Decision Deadline
Seniors applying to Brown University for fall 2027 entry. The key points:
| Item | Brown policy |
|---|---|
| Early Decision deadline | November 1, plus an Early Decision Agreement signed by the student, a parent, and the counselor |
| Early Decision results | Mid-December: admitted, deferred, or denied |
| Regular Decision | Due January 5, with decisions before early April and a May 1 reply date |
| Application fee | $80, nonrefundable; automatic waivers for eligible students |
| Standardized testing | SAT or ACT required again since the 2024-25 cycle, superscored; Early Decision applicants must test by the last October test date |
| Recommendations | Two letters from teachers of major academic subjects; applicants to the Bachelor of Science or the eight-year PLME program need at least one from a math or science teacher |
| Video introduction | Optional, no more than 90 seconds, uploaded by November 4 for Early Decision |
Early Decision is binding. Applicants may not apply to another college under Early Decision, single-choice Early Action, or Restrictive Early Action, and admitted students must withdraw all other applications. Denied students may not reapply under Regular Decision in the same year. Brown states that applying Early Decision does not improve the chance of admission.
What to Do Now About the Brown Early Decision Deadline
Write the four school-specific essays first. The questions are: how the student will use the qualities of Brown students described in the president’s 2025 Convocation address to shape an approach to the Open Curriculum, 150 to 250 words; an aspect of growing up that inspired or challenged the student and what it would allow the student to contribute to the Brown community, 150 to 250 words; what class the student would teach, 100 to 150 words; and something that brings the student joy, 100 to 150 words. PLME applicants answer three additional questions of 250 words each. Planning and revision support is available through the EDUBUS College Essay Bootcamp.
Confirm recommendations and transcripts. The two teacher letters, counselor recommendation, school report, and transcript are all submitted by the school through Common App, and Early Decision applicants should ask the counselor to send first-quarter grades once available. The process for requesting letters is explained in Recommendation Letters: Four Steps for IUSD Seniors.
Place Early Decision within the full college plan. A student may hold only one Early Decision application. College list and early strategy support is available through the EDUBUS University Admissions Planning service, and the binding terms of each early plan are explained in Early Decision vs. Early Action: Which Are Binding.
Sources
- Brown University Admission: How to Apply (accessed October 9, 2026)
- Brown University Admission: Early Decision (accessed October 9, 2026)
- Brown University Admission: Application Checklist for First-Year Applicants (accessed October 9, 2026)
- Brown University Admission: Regular Decision (accessed October 9, 2026)
- Brown University Admission: Standardized Tests (accessed October 9, 2026)
- Brown University Admission: Video Introduction (accessed October 9, 2026)
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