Will’s biggest challenge was deciding how to present himself with so many interests: economics, pre-med, environmental studies, even law. His strategy was to lean into what made him unusual.

So he focused his application around environmental studies, linking his hobbies to a broader academic direction. He was active in his school’s Green Team, worked on community clean-ups, and nurtured everything from vegetables to an avocado tree in his bedroom. That love for plants became his hook. Takeaway: If you find yourself juggling passions, highlight the one that stands out to you.

Having grown up surrounded by Brown alumni and students, Will developed a clear sense of what type of person thrives there.

Takeaway: Brown looks for students who are curious, collaborative, and unafraid to explore. Consider for a moment if this description sounds like you.

Will’s advice to applicants was simple: show genuine enthusiasm.

Takeaway: Demonstrated interest matters. Show the school you’re committed and they might just notice.

• Green Team — Member: Led campus clean-ups, promoted sustainability, and improved the local community. • Gardener — Personal Hobby: Grew vegetables, succulents, and even an avocado tree in his room; turned a love of plants into his narrative theme. • Exploring Economics & Pre-Med — Student Interest: Took coursework and considered pathways in business, medicine, and law, signaling openness to multiple directions. • Fall River Community Tennis Association — Tennis Instructor: combined mentorship, patience, and leadership on the court.

📰 The Walking Brochure Walking Brochure applicants radiate their love for a school. They know its traditions, community, and quirks so well that admissions officers can trust they’ll thrive there — and represent the college proudly. For Will, Brown was always the dream. Even when he explored Dartmouth, Georgetown, or Notre Dame, Brown stayed at the top of his list. He emphasized his commitment in every part of the process: “the person that showed more of a love for the school had more success”. In his two-minute application video, he wore Brown shirts and featured photos of himself in Brown gear, making his enthusiasm visible. Family played a role too — his parents’ positive experiences reinforced his devotion. All of it added up to an unmistakable signal: if Brown admitted him, they’d be gaining a true believer. 🌍 The Advocate Advocates are driven by causes bigger than themselves. Whether it’s social justice, service, or sustainability, they show colleges they’re already working to make the world better — and will continue that mission on campus. Will embodied this through his environmental passion. He built his application around nature, highlighting his Green Team work cleaning up his community and his home projects as a gardener. From growing vegetables to nurturing an avocado tree in his bedroom, he made plants and sustainability the heart of his story. In his essays, he tied those hobbies to an academic vision of studying environmental science. His message was clear: he wasn’t just applying as a student, he was bringing a personal mission to care for the planet. Together, these archetypes made Will’s application shine. Brown didn’t just see a student with wide interests; they saw someone who would champion their campus wholeheartedly while carrying forward a cause rooted in environmental stewardship.

Q: If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self starting this process, what would it be?

• Niche as Narrative — An avocado tree and a gardening habit became more than hobbies; they were the distinctive thread that made Will memorable. • Passion Over Perfection — By radiating genuine love for Brown, Will showed that demonstrated interest can carry more weight than flawless stats. • Freedom to Explore — With economics, medicine, law, and the environment all on the table, Brown’s open curriculum gave Will room to grow into his future.

Q: Why Brown? A: The open curriculum was the biggest draw, because I wasn’t completely sure what I wanted to do. I liked that I could explore many options before choosing something. It also just felt less stressful and more enjoyable—I could really love what I was learning. I had toured the campus before and loved every aspect, including the location. And honestly, Brown just had such a great reputation. I’d only ever heard good things, so it really felt like the place for me. Q: With such strong family ties to Brown, did you always know it would be your first choice, or did you consider other schools? A: I definitely considered other schools. Brown was always the one I wanted most, but I also looked at Dartmouth, Georgetown, Notre Dame, and Vanderbilt. They were appealing, but Brown was always the priority. Q: You mentioned Dartmouth. A lot of students I interview see overlap between Dartmouth and Brown. Why do you think that is? A: For me, it was the people. Both schools seemed to attract students who were happier, less cutthroat, and more active. Compared to what I’d heard about Columbia or Princeton being more stressful, Brown and Dartmouth just felt welcoming. Q: Do you know what you’re planning to study at Brown? A: I don’t have a concrete idea yet. I’ll try different things and figure it out as I go. But right now, economics and environmental studies stand out. I’m also interested in pre-med and a possible career in medicine. Q: Did you highlight those subjects in your application? A: I focused on environmental studies. Some of my hobbies tied directly into that, so I connected them in my essays. I didn’t really mention economics or pre-med. Q: What environmental experiences did you draw from? A: I was part of the environmental club—our “Green Team”—where we did clean-ups and community projects. And a lot of it came from my hobbies. I love gardening. At one point, I even had an avocado tree growing in my room. I’ve grown vegetables, succulents, trees—you name it. That love for plants and nature inspired me to imagine a career working with them. Q: What techniques did you use in your essays to stand out? A: Mainly I emphasized my love for plants and nature, along with being outdoors and active. Most of what I wrote tied into that theme—it kept everything connected. Q: Could you see yourself combining your environmental passion with pre-med down the line? A: Probably not directly. More likely I’ll choose one path once I’m at Brown. I’m also considering law school. If anything ties together, it might be economics leading into law. Otherwise, I see myself figuring it out during college. Q: What advice would you give to a student like you—interested in many different things—on how to build a strong application? A: Pick something niche. My thought was, not many teenage boys are growing plants in their rooms, and I figured Brown would like that. They value unique perspectives. So if you have lots of interests, focus on the one that really stands out and also connects with what the school offers. Q: Having grown up around so many Brown students and alumni, what traits do you think make someone a good fit for Brown? A: Someone who’s active and likes to go out and do things. Someone creative—into art, music, or anything expressive. Also ambitious but not cutthroat: someone who wants to succeed while lifting others up. And Brown is great for people who don’t know exactly what they want to do—it’s such a good place to explore. Q: Did your family’s Brown background influence your decision? A: My siblings didn’t affect me much since we got in around the same time. But my parents did. I look up to both of them, and I’m interested in their careers. I figured if Brown was the right place for them, it could be for me too. They always spoke highly of it, which definitely encouraged me. Q: If you could go back and give yourself advice at the start of the application process, what would it be? A: Honestly, I wouldn’t change much. I was happy with my essays. Maybe I’d study for the SAT earlier, but otherwise, I liked my approach. For other people, though, I’d say: show real love for the school. I’ve seen applicants with decent stats who clearly demonstrated interest do better than those with perfect stats but no connection. That’s something I definitely don’t regret about my application. Q: What advice would you give to a student across the country who loves Brown but can’t visit as easily? A: The video is really important. In mine, I wore a Brown shirt and included pictures of me doing activities while wearing Brown gear. That was where I made sure to show how much I loved the school. Anything you can do—shirts, photos, energy in your answers—helps make it clear.