Brown University is one of the original eight Ivy League schools in the US. It has over 3,000 graduate students, and some of them had to answer interview questions for Brown University graduate school in order to get in. However, grad school interview questions are not always a part of the graduate admissions process. Each program determines its own admission requirements and some programs hold interviews, while others do not. This article talks about the Brown graduate school programs that use interviews, as well as some common interview questions and how to answer them with an expert.
Getting an interview invitation from Brown University is exciting! It means your application has impressed the admissions committee and they want to get to know you better. However, the interview is also a chance for you to evaluate Brown and determine if it’s the right fit for you.
Going into your Brown interview prepared with answers to common questions will help you feel less stressed. It will also enable you to provide thoughtful responses that highlight your strengths, interests, and enthusiasm for Brown. Here are some of the key Brown University interview questions to think about before your interview:
Why Brown University?
This is likely to be one of the first questions asked at your Brown interview. Admissions officers want to see that you’ve thoroughly researched the school and can articulate specific reasons why you’re interested in attending. Think about academic programs extracurricular activities campus culture, location, notable alumni, and other factors that attract you to Brown. Be as detailed as possible and avoid generic answers that could apply to any school.
What Can You Bring to the Brown Community?
Brown values students who will positively contribute to the campus community. Be ready to share unique experiences, perspectives, talents, leadership qualities, and other assets you can offer. Consider ways you might get involved through academics, extracurriculars, volunteer work, and more. Emphasize skills and interests that would allow you to collaborate with and enrich the diverse Brown community.
Why Do You Want to Study Your Chosen Major at Brown?
Admissions wants to admit students who will thrive in Brown’s open curriculum Be prepared to discuss your current academic interests and why you feel Brown would be a good place to explore them Mention specific opportunities like courses, research, professors, and study abroad options related to your prospective major. Share how your interests have developed over time and where you hope your studies will lead after Brown.
What Are Your Goals After Graduation?
Brown wants to know how you envision using your education moving forward. Talk about academic interests or research you hope to pursue in graduate school and career fields you may enter. Focus on options closely aligned with Brown’s academic environment. Emphasize interests tied to making a difference in the world through learning, innovation, and leadership.
What Do You Like to Do Outside of Academics?
Brown seeks well-rounded students who are engaged beyond just studying. Share creative hobbies sports cultural interests, travel experiences, jobs, internships, volunteer work, and other ways you spend your free time. Tie these activities back to skills gained and discuss how you’ll continue pursuing your passions at Brown. Unique interests will help you stand out.
Why Are You Interested in Studying Abroad?
With 80% of Brown students going abroad, this is often asked. Even if you aren’t sure yet, discuss what draws you to study abroad, such as gaining new perspectives, improving language skills, experiencing other cultures, learning in your field, etc. Mention Brown options that excite you, like the International Scholars Program or Year Abroad Program. Share relevant travel or cultural experiences.
How Did You Hear About Brown?
Admissions is curious about what sparked your interest. Was it an alum, college guide, website, campus visit, or other experience? Share your first impressions and what motivated you to apply. Discuss resources that got you excited about Brown. Mention conversations with current students, tours, info sessions, and outreach events if applicable.
What Do You Think Makes Brown Unique?
Demonstrate you understand Brown’s campus culture and values. Highlight standout qualities like the open curriculum, diverse student body, flexible concentrations, vibrant arts scene, undergraduate research opportunities, vibrant community, free spirit, social consciousness, etc. Discuss why these factors appeal to you specifically. Avoid generalizations that could apply to any university.
How Do You Handle Challenges and Pressure?
Brown expects students to deal with academic rigor and busy schedules. Reflect on times you faced difficulties related to coursework, activities, jobs, family life, etc. Share strategies you used to overcome challenges like stress management, time management, goal-setting, self-care, help-seeking, perseverance, and balance. Emphasize what you learned in the process.
What Would You Add to Brown?
Admissions wants students who will make a difference on campus. Share ideas like starting a new club, writing for a student publication, organizing event, volunteering, conducting research, etc. Base suggestions on current interests, prior experiences, and knowledge of Brown. Alternatively, discuss perspectives lacking at Brown that you would contribute.
How Do You Make Difficult Decisions?
Brown’s open curriculum requires self-direction. Explain your decision-making process in areas like academics, extracurriculars, career planning, etc. Discuss factoring in personal passions, gaining input, researching options, listing pros and cons, and determining fit. Emphasize being reflective, weighing tradeoffs, and taking responsibility for your choices.
How Do You Handle Failure or Criticism?
Brown students face academic and personal setbacks. Share an example of a failure, rejection, or constructive criticism you received. Discuss your initial reaction and how you productively moved forward from the experience. Emphasize perseverance, learning, self-improvement, emotional management, help-seeking, and maintaining perspective. Demonstrate maturity and growth.
What Are Your Strengths and Weaknesses?
Focus on strengths directly relevant to succeeding at Brown like intellectual curiosity, time management, collaboration, leadership, communication skills, etc. When discussing weaknesses, share areas you have improved on rather than fatal flaws. Emphasize self-awareness, ongoing personal growth, and desire to keep developing your capabilities.
What Else Should We Know About You?
This open-ended question allows you to highlight new information not covered previously. Share meaningful life experiences, challenges overcome, accomplishments, passions, future goals, reasons Brown is a top choice, or anything else that helps the interviewer understand you. Be genuine and add color to your application.
Do You Have Any Questions for Me?
Always bring questions because it shows your engagement. Inquire about the interviewer’s experiences, favorite campus traditions, insights on academic departments, interesting research, etc. Avoid basic questions answered on Brown’s website. Jot down notes during your interview to spur ideas.
Thorough preparation is key for acing your Brown University interview. By thinking through your responses to these common questions in advance, you can go into your interview with confidence. Relax, be yourself, and let your personality shine through. Showcase your intellectual curiosity and desire to join the Brown community. With practice and study, you’ll be ready to make a outstanding impression!
Brown University Graduate School Interview Questions: Doctor of Medicine Primary Care-Population Medicine
- How will your unique attributes (e. g. add to the diversity of the Alpert Medical School community (e.g., cultural or socioeconomic background, way of life, work experience)?
- You never know what kind of patient you will have as a doctor. Please list or describe in detail the things or situations from your past that show you can work with people from multicultural backgrounds.
- What book or movie has influenced your philosophy of life?
Because I was born into a diverse family, I think that my unique qualities will add to the diversity of the Alpert Medical School community as a whole. My mother is from the Puebla nation, and my father comes from a rural Ohio Irish-German family. They met in college while they were both studying to be teachers. They’ve been together ever since, and seeing how they live their lives taught me a lot about how important it is to understand and exchange cultures.
But I believe diversity is not only represented by ethnic or racial background. Diversity must encompass everything from our cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds to our life experiences, passions, and work history. In pursuit of this type of diversity, I signed up to volunteer at a rural clinic in St. Mary, Georgia, through the “Rural Health Outreach Program. I was drawn to this project’s goal of giving poor people in rural areas access to health care, even though I’m from Maine.
In addition to working with patients, I helped reach out to the community, which taught me a lot about the history and customs of the area, which was something I wanted to learn while I was in St. Mary. These experiences in St. Mary helped me see the problems that rural areas face in a new way and made me feel responsible for working to improve healthcare access and outcomes.
Throughout my medical journey, I have actively embraced working with individuals from multicultural communities. One experience that stands out is my involvement with a group of Syrian refugee children in Rhode Island. I knew they were having a hard time getting used to a new country and culture, so I used my love of soccer to connect with them. Even though it was very cold outside, I set up indoor soccer sessions for the kids, giving them a sense of continuity and comfort. Through the game, we developed trust, fostered teamwork, and bridged cultural gaps. Seeing their smiles and the strength they showed made me believe even more in the power of kindness and shared experiences. This experience showed me how well I can work with people from different backgrounds and made me even more determined to provide healthcare that is welcoming and sensitive to different cultures.
It’s not a book or a movie; it’s an Italian miniseries that has helped me a lot in life. I saw it for the first time when I was in my second year of college and on an exchange program to Milan. The English title is “The Best of Youth,” and the story is about a family with two sons and their friends, parents, spouses, and children who have been together for decades. There is no main plot or story, and the movie is eight hours long, so I can’t summarize it all here. But the character who is depressed and ends up committing suicide is the one who has had the most impact on me.
This was a powerful look into how depression can sneak up on you because the character was having problems but had a network of people who cared about them and were there for them. However, even that was not enough to save them. I thought there must be a lot of people like this who are hurting inside but can’t or won’t show it or ask for help. I decided then that I would never take for granted how easy and powerful kindness and compassion are. Saying “hello” or asking how someone is doing with genuine sympathy is what this mini-series taught me.
Article Contents 12 minread
The grad school interview requirement at Brown is different and mostly program-based. Not all programs will hold interviews. Some require it, like the MBA program, Education, and of course the Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University, which holds interviews for both its MD program and its MD/PhD program.
College Interview – WHAT TO DO | Advice From a Brown University Student
FAQ
Do all brown applicants get interviews?
Does Brown do in person interviews?
How long does it take to get hired at Brown University?
What questions should you ask during a brown admissions interview?
During the Brown admissions interview, your interviewer will be trying to get a clear idea of the kind of impact that you’ll make on campus, which is why they might ask this question. This can be a good opportunity to highlight community service work that you are passionate about or talk about leadership roles that you’ve held.
Does Brown offer interviews?
While Brown no longer offers interviews, these frequently-asked questions can spark inspiration for what to include in your video introduction and/or Brown supplemental essays. Brainstorming your responses can also provide great practice for admissions interviews with other universities.
Should you ask a brown interviewer if you have any questions?
When your interviewer asks if you have any questions, you should always say yes. Asking your own questions demonstrates that you’re engaged in the interview and that you’re eager to learn even more about Brown.
What is the purpose of a brown admissions interview?
Part of the purpose of the Brown admissions interview is to get a sense of how you think and to imagine the impact you could make on campus. Take some time to reflect on your academic achievements so that you are prepared to answer this question. Remember that this is about innovation, not academic excellence.
