personal statement brown university

Graduate School

Application faqs.

• Application Information

Please see detailed instructions on how to apply for a  fee waiver  on our website. Please note, the official request for a fee waiver is submitted as part of the application, not by email. The fee waiver request must be submitted 14 days prior to your program's deadline. The option for a fee waiver request is located on the payment page after you click “submit and pay”. The Graduate School are not able to review waivers without the submitted application. 

You may email your transcript to  [email protected]  after you have submitted your application. 

No, you may upload an unofficial copy, provided it includes your name and the name of the institution.

Please see Brown University’s  Language Proficiency requirements , either TOEFL or IELTS.

You may request a waiver by emailing  [email protected]  after you have submitted your application. 

Yes, if the program you are applying to requires the test, results must be submitted. The Graduate School receives official scores electronically directly from ETS, as long as you enter the school code 3094.

They should be submitted during the application process.

Personal statements should be 2-3 pages. 

The Graduate School is committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive academic community and educating and training a distinguished and diverse cohort of students. Exposure to a broad range of perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences is essential to fostering both breadth and depth in intellectual knowledge and is an educational benefit.

At Brown, the term “diversity” is used in the broadest sense to encompass many dimensions of students’ backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. Brown welcomes applications to its graduate programs from all qualified individuals, regardless of race, color, religion, age, national or ethnic origin, caste, disability, status as a veteran, language, socio-economic background, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, political ideology, or theoretical approach.

In your application, you will be asked to upload a document responding to one of the following prompts (in 300 words or less):

• Discuss specific examples of how your background, knowledge, and life experiences would influence your ability to both benefit from and contribute to Brown’s inclusive academic community;
• Discuss how you aspire to contribute to our mission to promote diversity and inclusion through your research, teaching, or service.

There is no separate deadline for recommendations, they should be submitted as close to the application deadline as possible for full consideration.

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Application deadlines vary by program. Please refer to the Graduate School webpage for the program of interest. Note, however, that the date is determined using Pacific Standard Time (PST). 

The Graduate School offers incoming doctoral students  five years of guaranteed financial support , including a stipend, tuition remission, health-services fee, and a health-insurance subsidy. Doctoral students in the Humanities and Social Sciences are guaranteed six years of support. This support — which may take the form of a teaching assistantship, research assistantship, fellowship, or proctorship  — helps to defray the cost of tuition, and also provides a stipend to assist with living expenses during the student’s program.

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If Brown University offers you admission to the Graduate School, then you must furnish official transcripts.

No, there is no need to convert it.  Simply report what your GPA is as a number or letter grade.

Department of English

Graduate admission faq.

• Graduate Studies

We receive approximately three hundred and fifty applications each year, and are able to offer admission to only a select handful of prospective students. Our faculty weigh a number of factors when considering candidates.

The department places the most importance on a candidate's personal statement and writing sample.

• These pieces of writing must show, first of all, that the applicant would like to be a part of and is capable of succeeding in a graduate program whose goal is to train students to be professional literary scholars. We look for applicants who are asking provocative and potentially productive literary questions and who are interested in exploring such questions in a rigorous intellectual environment.
• The personal statement and writing sample must also demonstrate that the candidate would fit in well with our program's strengths.
• Third, they must show that the candidate has the skills and abilities required for those who are to be trained in literary studies.

Of course, a candidate's undergraduate and—if applicable—graduate record as well as letters of recommendation are integral to determining admission.

Length and Evaluation Criteria

We have no official requirement regarding the length of the writing sample. We ask that you send us a piece or pieces of your writing so that we can determine from this material if you have the necessary skills to succeed as a graduate student in English and, ultimately, a professional literary scholar at a major university. Such skills would include an ability to produce close, careful readings of texts as well as the ability to situate those readings in the context of a challenging and focused argument. Twenty-five pages would not be too much to send. A four-five page analytical paper would be far too short. Whatever you send, we strongly recommend that you seek the counsel of a faculty member at your present school (if you are currently attending one) or one of your previous institutions who has some familiarity with the current state of debates in literary studies.

Personal Statement

We have no official requirement regarding the length of the personal statement, although the typical length is between one and three pages.

Financial Support

The University offers incoming graduate students six years of guaranteed financial support, including a stipend, tuition remission, a health services fee, a health and dental insurance subsidy, and four years of summer support.  Students are supported by a fellowship in the first year. In years two, three, five and six, students are supported by a teaching assistantship, and in year four by a dissertation fellowship. Financial support is contingent upon students remaining in good standing in the program and making good progress toward the doctoral degree.

General Questions

As a rule, the Associate Director of Graduate Studies/Director of Graduate Admissions meets with students after they have applied and been accepted into the graduate program.

We require three letters of recommendation and you should ask the faculty who both know your work best and are enthusiastic about your work to write for you.

The GRE general and subject tests are not required.

Yes. Brown University requires this exam. Further information can be found on the Graduate School's website .

Yes. Your record, however, must demonstrate substantial coursework and research ability in literary studies.

Yes. However, you must submit electronically two applications and two sets of materials as well as pay two application fees. If you are accepted into both programs, you will only be allowed to matriculate in one or the other.

No. The M.A. program has been indefinitely suspended; however, a transitional M.A., the B.A./M.A. program, and the Open Graduate M.A. program are available to in-house Brown students.

We do not have a Film/Media Studies track within the Ph.D. program. The Department of Modern Culture and Media offers a doctoral program in Modern Culture & Media.

No. Acceptance into the Ph.D. program cannot be deferred from one year to another. If you are unable to begin graduate studies in September, you will need to reapply.

Applications and supporting materials cannot be reactivated from one year to the next.

The deadline to submit an application in CollegeNET is December 15, 2024.

Detailed information and the online application is available on the Graduate School's website .

Email the Graduate School admission staff at  [email protected]  to avoid any mishaps with admission materials

Department of History

Information for prospective students.

Learn about admission to the Ph.D. program in History at Brown University.

Applicants to the History Ph.D. program are advised to read the information here carefully. The Ph.D. Program Overview highlights what is distinctive about the department’s approach to graduate instruction. Organization of the Program provides a summary of the different stages and important milestones of the Ph.D. program. Financial Support directs applicants to sites that explain the guaranteed funding of graduate study as well as the opportunities to apply for grants and fellowships that support research and travel. Applying to the Brown History Ph.D. Program provides information about how applicants should think about graduate study, consider the suitability of Brown’s History program to their interests and needs, and apply to the program; it also explains the department’s admissions process.

Ph.D. Program Overview

The Ph.D. program in History trains students in the skills of conducting original historical research and crafting original historical arguments. In the course of their work as historians, Brown scholars draw on a wide range of methods and engage with a variety of audiences. While training emphasizes the core skills of academic research, writing, and teaching at the college and university level, the program’s goals do not end there. Many Brown Ph.D. students explore teaching and writing for different settings and prepare for a breadth of careers that value the skills that obtaining a Ph.D. in History entails.

Students are expected to complete Brown’s Ph.D. program in five to six years. As a mid-sized program, the department values and cultivates attentive and hands-on faculty who work closely with students throughout their progress towards a degree. Critically, students in an entering cohort proceed through the program together, so that discussions across fields, geographies, and chronologies are built into the Ph.D. program.

Students accepted into the History Ph.D. program who remain in good standing are guaranteed funding for six years. Ph.D. students not supported by external fellowships work typically as teaching assistants in the second, third, and fifth (and, if relevant, a portion of the sixth) years of their program. There are also opportunities to apply for conference, research, and study grants either through the History Department or the Graduate School.

The information presented here is a summary of the Ph.D. program. For a more detailed description, see the Department of History Graduate Handbook. Prospective students should also read carefully the information supplied on the website of Brown’s Graduate School .

Organization of the Program

The program is divided into two stages:

Stage 1: Coursework and preparation for the Preliminary Exams (Years 1-3) 

During the first and second years, students take seminars that introduce the major historiographical questions and methodologies of various subfields and develop their research skills. They identify the three fields for their Preliminary Exams and begin preparation for the exams, which are usually taken in December of the third year. Students are expected to teach as teaching assistants in their second and third years.

History offers five types of Ph.D. courses, typically to be completed within the first three years of a student’s program:

1)    Required seminars (4): "History Now" features cutting-edge historical research and writing, including that being written by History faculty members; "The Roots of History" traces the development of the historical profession, focusing on the major methodological and theoretical landmarks in that development; an advanced workshop, "Writing History," guides students through the writing of a publishable paper; a Dissertation Prospectus Seminar culminates in the student’s defense of the dissertation plan and proposal.

2)    Field Seminars offer a broad overview of the historiography of particular fields (e.g., Early Modern Europe, Modern East Asia).

3)    Thematic Seminars provide opportunities to explore a particular theme or methodological frame from a transnational and transtemporal perspective.

4)    Special Topics Seminars focus on the historiography of a particular nation or region, historical "event," or historiographical debate. They allow for focused, close training, including in specialized skills and readings in languages other than English.

5)    Independent Study courses, by arrangement with the instructor, offer students, individually or in small groups, opportunities to explore special interests in depth.

In addition, students will receive course credit for attending "The Practice of History," a series of professionalization workshops that provide guidance in grant-writing, applying for jobs, developing inclusive teaching practices, constructing effective syllabuses, etc.

Students typically take four courses per semester. Up to two graduate courses (exclusive of language courses) may be taken outside the department.

A typical schedule looks like this:

Preliminary Examinations 

By the end of the first semester, students should have identified three fields (one major and two minor); these are usually subfields of the primary and secondary fields listed under Fields of Study ). These will be the areas examined in the Preliminary Examinations—three written and one oral exam—usually completed by the end of the fifth semester.

Language Requirement

Language requirements are set by the fields of study. They must be completed before the preliminary examinations are taken at the end of the fifth semester.

Stage 2: Prospectus and advancement to candidacy (Years 3-5/6)

After the successful completion of all coursework, the language requirement, and the preliminary examinations, the student, usually during the course of the sixth semester, develops a dissertation prospectus. Once the prospectus is approved by the student’s dissertation committee, the student devotes full effort (outside of work as a Teaching Assistant) to researching and writing the dissertation.

In the sixth semester, students take the Dissertation Prospectus Seminar, which provides a collaborative structure for the process of identifying viable dissertation projects, selecting a Dissertation Committee, articulating the project in the form of a dissertation prospectus, and, when appropriate, developing grant proposals based on the prospectus. The prospectus, in roughly 15 to 20 pages, states the dissertation topic, sets it in the context of the relevant secondary historical literature, explains the significance of the study, outlines the methodology to be followed, describes the types of primary sources to be used, and provides a tentative chapter outline, a bibliography, and a research plan. During the Dissertation Prospectus Defense, usually held in May or June, the Dissertation Committee reviews the prospectus and provides suggestions and advice to the student. Once the prospectus is approved, the student proceeds to conduct research on the dissertation.

Dissertation

Dissertations can vary significantly between students and among subfields. Students should consult regularly with their advisors during the dissertation research and writing process, to report progress and to ensure agreement on expectations for the dissertation. The most basic standard for a dissertation is that it makes an original contribution to the body of relevant scholarship in its field. The doctoral dissertation should be completed within four years after the student passes the preliminary examinations.

The Dissertation Defense is conducted by the graduate advisor and other members of the Dissertation Committee. Its purpose is to provide a forum for a general discussion of the dissertation—its strengths and weaknesses as a contribution to knowledge and its future prospects.  If the dissertation is approved by the Dissertation Committee, the student has completed the final requirement of the Ph.D. program and can prepare to graduate.

Candidates for the Ph.D. must normally demonstrate satisfactory performance as a Teaching Assistant in undergraduate courses at Brown, or in teaching at another institution approved by the department. A Teaching Assistant usually works as a grader and section discussion leader under the guidance of the faculty member teaching the course. Ph.D. students not supported by external fellowships typically work as Teaching Assistants in the second, third, and fifth years of their program, and one semester in their sixth year. Explanation of the rights and responsibilities of teaching assistants may be found in the Department of History Graduate Handbook . 

Financial Support

Students admitted to the History Ph.D. program who remain in good standing are guaranteed six years of funding; the Graduate School provides the first five years of funding, and the Graduate School and the History Department share responsibility for sixth-year funding. In their first year, students receive fellowship support, which includes tuition remission, health insurance, the health-services fee, and a stipend. In the second, third, and fifth years and one semester of the sixth, students, unless they receive external funding, are supported primarily by teaching assistantships or proctorships, which include tuition remission, health insurance, the health services fee, and a stipend. The Graduate School provides additional summer stipends for five years of a student’s program.

Incoming Ph.D. students receive a relocation stipend to help cover the costs of moving to Brown.

All students are encouraged to apply for outside fellowship support as they move into the dissertation phase of the program (usually years four through six). The university will continue to support those who are not successful in winning such fellowships with a combination of research/dissertation fellowships and teaching assistantship/proctorship support, provided they remain in good standing and are making good progress toward the Ph.D. 

In addition, the Graduate School and the History Department provide several opportunities for students to apply for funding for research, conference participation, and language study. The Graduate School invites applications for Conference Travel, Doctoral Research Travel Grants, Joukowsky Summer Research Awards, International Travel Funds, and Global Mobility Research Fellowships. The History Department offers Research and Travel Funds, History Graduate Open Funds, support for language or research-skill acquisition, and aid for the purchase of technology or materials necessary for research.

Consult the Financing & Support page of the Graduate School site for comprehensive and up-to-date information on stipends, insurance subsidies, cost of living in Providence, and other useful planning resources. Internal Funding & Appointments also explains Brown’s six years of guaranteed financial support and provides some information on the travel and research grants managed by the Graduate School.

For more information about funding specific to the History Department, consult "Funding" in the Department of History Graduate Handbook .

Applying to the Brown History Ph.D. Program

Every year the faculty of the Department of History at Brown University receives many questions from prospective students from around the world about our Ph.D. program and the process of applying to the program. The History graduate admissions director, with input from the History faculty, has developed this guide for prospective students. Its first goal is to suggest how you should think through your interest in graduate study of history and, more specifically, in the Brown History Ph.D. program, so that you can make an informed choice about whether to apply to the program. Second, we supply an overview of the application and the materials that you are asked to submit if you do decide to apply. Third, we include a brief description of the admissions process. Please read these recommendations thoroughly before contacting the graduate admissions director or specific History Department faculty members.

1. Before Applying: What do I want to study — and is Brown right for me?

It’s important that you think through carefully what you hope to achieve in a history graduate program and what program will work best for you, given your interests and goals. We recommend that, before you contact either the graduate admissions director or individual faculty members with questions about the Brown History graduate program, you be able to answer these three important questions:

a)      What particular set of historical problems or themes do I want to study?  What region(s) of the world, in what time period(s), do I want to make my area of specialization?

b)    What are my qualifications for advanced work in history, and particularly in the problems, regions, and periods that I have identified as my areas of interest?

c)     Is the Brown History PhD program a good fit for me, given my specific interests and past training in history?  Are there scholars on the History faculty who work in my area of interest?

To elaborate:

a)      In order to make a persuasive application and in order to know which faculty member(s) you would like to work closely with at Brown, candidates have to be able to explain what particular historical questions they are interested in investigating; and in what region(s) of the world, over what time period(s). Stating simply a general interest in history or even a general interest in one particular period and place—for example, the Italian Renaissance—is not enough. What is it about the Italian Renaissance that is of interest? How would your study of a particular theme or problem relevant to the Renaissance contribute in a new and original way to our understanding of that topic?

The application will ask that you identify one and possibly two fields of interest; and the personal statement (also part of the application) will ask you to explain in some detail what your specific interests in history are.

If you are admitted to the program, you will find that you will have many opportunities to explore fields outside your areas of interest. Students are in fact encouraged to enroll in seminars outside their particular specializations—the History faculty believes that much can be learned, in terms of theory, methodology, and potential for fruitful comparison, from participation in class outside a specific field. And the relatively small size of the History program means that students often have to learn from work done in fields outside their own area of focus.

But, in thinking about your career in a graduate program—and in writing an effective application—it is important to be able to write persuasively about the particular historical questions and issues that engage your interest and that motivate you to apply to a Ph.D. program.

b)    What are your qualifications for advanced historical study in your field(s) of interest? What kind of knowledge base do you bring to your topic? What kind of course work have you done in history that is relevant to your area of interest? If languages other than English are required for research in your topic of interest, what progress have you made in learning those languages? Has any research or work you have done either inside or outside the academy strengthened your knowledge or your expertise in historical research?

Your personal statement should include some reference to your qualifications. And the writing sample that you are asked to submit should be a paper of roughly 20-25 pages that reflects your ability to do historical research, to analyze primary sources, to synthesize evidence from both primary and secondary sources in a persuasive historical analysis—and, of course, to write clearly and construct a well-organized argument.

c)      Is the Brown History Ph.D. program a good fit for your interests and qualifications? The faculty, in assessing applications, wants to make sure that graduate students will be able to find the resources and faculty guidance that they need to pursue their research projects. If there is no one on the faculty who can adequately advise a student, then we reluctantly have to decide not to accept them into the program, no matter how brilliant their record in history is or how interesting their questions are. It would not be right to admit a student interested in Enlightenment Europe to the program, for example, if no faculty member teaches that field.

For this reason, it is important that you learn as much as you can about the History program by consulting the History Graduate website . Look at the "Fields of Study" page to see what fields the graduate program offers. Click on the field titles to see the faculty members who work in each field; and then click on the faculty members’ names to learn more about the scholars working within each field. This kind of research will help you learn the strengths of the Brown History program and help you decide whether it is a suitable program, given your own particular scholarly interests. You might also want to look at the "Current Ph.D. Students" page, as that will give you some idea of what our students are doing now. You may also want to consult scholars you have worked with in the past, at college or university or in an MA program; they might be able to help you decide if the Brown program would be a good choice.

Remember, too, that you want to think about how the program as a whole suits your interests.  You will be working with one faculty as your primary advisor, but you will also take courses with other faculty members (some of whom will also be on your preliminary exam and dissertation committees). Do you find enough in the way of faculty resources to provide you with a broad base of intellectual support for your program of study?

After thinking through your goals and carefully researching Brown’s History graduate program, if you still have questions about the program, you may write to the faculty member(s) in your field of interest or the Graduate Admissions Director. In your message, explain as clearly as possible what your interests are. Remember that faculty members are likely very busy during the semester: try to make your questions precise and focused (that is, do not request that a faculty member tell you generally about the program—you should have done enough research ahead of time to be able to ask more specific questions). If faculty members are interested in your application, you will have an opportunity to talk to them during the interview process, to be scheduled after the submission of applications but before January 1 (see below).

2. Applying to the Brown History Ph.D. Program

The online application through the Graduate School website is due on December 1, 2023. It consists of the following components:

a)     Standard form requiring basic information about applicant’s background and educational record. On the form applicants are asked to identify their primary and (if desired) secondary fields of study.   Note that the History Department does not require GRE scores. TOEFL/IELTS scores are required only if English was not the language of instruction at the college or university granting the BA or MA degree. See here for additional information .   

b)      Transcripts from colleges and universities attended.

c)      Personal statement, a 3-to-5 page (double-spaced, in 12-point font) essay (see below).

d)       Writing sample (see below).

e)     Three letters of recommendation (uploaded separately, by your recommenders). We strongly recommend that these letters be from scholars familiar with your academic record.

The parts of the application that receive the closest attention from the faculty are " 3 ," the statement of purpose, and " 4 ," the writing sample. The personal statement  (3-5 double-spaced pages, typed in 12-point type) should first state your particular historical interests—as explained above, the particular issues or questions that you are interested in investigating and in what field(s); describe your strengths and aspirations as a historian; and explain the ways you think the Brown History Department, both individually and communally, is suited to support you in pursuit of your interests and goals. Please note that your application will be read both by faculty members in your prospective field and faculty members outside your field (see below). It is important, then, while stating your specific interests in history, to make your statement accessible to faculty members not in your area of interest.

The writing sample should be an essay (or a chapter from a senior or MA thesis) that demonstrates your ability to do historical work—that is, to do research in primary and secondary sources, forge a historical argument from your analysis of these courses, present the argument clearly and effectively, and explain its significance to the relevant field of historical study. There is no strict page limit on the writing sample; we suggest a paper of between 20 and 25 pages, double-spaced.

After faculty members have reviewed the applications in their field, they will contact applicants of interest with whom they have not met already to schedule an interview (via e-mail, telephone, or Zoom) of no more than thirty minutes.  Please note that you should check your email box regularly between December 1 and January 1 to see if you have received any requests for an interview. Please note, too, that not all applicants will receive such requests. During the interview, applicants are asked to reply to a standard set of questions: about themselves and their research project; their motivation for pursuing the Ph.D. degree in general and specifically at Brown; their career goals; and any challenges they have overcome in the past. At the end, applicants have an opportunity to ask questions of the faculty member(s).

3. The Admissions Process: How the History Department decides whom to accept into the Ph.D. program

We look for applicants who are asking provocative historical questions and who are interested in exploring such questions in a rigorous and inclusive intellectual community. From an applicant pool of approximately three hundred applicants, we carefully choose a class of about 8-to-12 Ph.D. students whose interests and strengths seem to fit particularly well with the intellectual configuration of the department.

Applications to the Ph.D. program are first reviewed by the faculty members in the field(s) of each applicant. For example, if you have listed Latin America as your first area of interest and Science, Technology, Environment and Mathematics as your second field, your application will be reviewed first by the Latin American faculty; and second by the STEaM faculty.

Faculty members will contact applicants of interest with whom they have not met already to schedule an interview (via e-mail, telephone, or Zoom) of no more than thirty minutes. The interview must be scheduled to take place by January 1 at the latest. Applicants are asked to reply to a standard set of questions about themselves and their research project; their motivation for pursuing the Ph.D. degree in general and specifically at Brown; their career goals; and any challenges they have overcome in the past. At the end, applicants have an opportunity to ask questions of the faculty member(s).

The faculty members in each field then decide which candidates they would like to admit and present a ranked list of these candidates to the central History Graduate Committee, which is composed of faculty from a variety of different fields. Application files are thus reviewed both by faculty members in the fields identified by the candidate and by a committee of scholars most likely outside that field of specialization. The Graduate Committee reviews all the recommended applications and selects from them a draft final admissions list. Because the Graduate School limits how many applicants we can accept into the program, the Committee cannot accept all the applicants recommended by the specific-field faculty. After this list is approved by the Department of History and the Graduate School, candidates are notified whether they have been accepted or not, usually in February.

Questions about the program in your field(s) of interest should be directed to the faculty members in that field (as explained above, consult the "Fields of Study" page of the History Graduate website . 

Political Science

Graduate admission.

• Graduate Program

Learn about about admission to the Doctoral program in Political Science at Brown University.

Degree and Financial Support

The department accepts applications only for full time study for the Ph.D. in Political Science. All admitted students receive five years of funding, including tuition, health insurance, and a generous stipend. Those in their sixth year and in good standing will receive similar financial support. 

Ph.D. Program Requirements

Application Materials

The admissions application deadline is December 18th each year for admission the following fall. Late applications are not accepted. 

All applicants for the Ph.D. in Political Science are required to submit GRE General Exam test scores, a writing sample, a personal statement, transcripts, and letters of recommendation. We do not rank applicants by GRE scores, and no minimum score is required to apply. We use a holistic admission process in which we review the entirety of each applicant's application, looking for evidence that the applicant is a good fit for our program. We strongly encourage you to review our website, our faculty, and their research areas before applying.

Personal Statement

We ask that prospective students provide us with a personal statement of 1000-1500 words which includes the following: reasons for deciding to do graduate work in the major field you have chosen (i.e., American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, or Political Theory); a statement concerning your past work (study and research) in your chosen field; your plans for study at Brown including issues and problems you want to address; and the faculty member(s) with whom you are interested in working. 

Writing Sample

We also ask that prospective students provide us with a sample of written work, in English. This is usually a thesis chapter and/or a longer essay. We strongly recommend that students select one piece of work that best represents their writing style. Your sample should be no more than 30 pages. It is strongly encouraged (but not obligatory) to choose work roughly in the subject area in which you plan to do research.

TOEFL/IELTS

Additionally, the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or the IELTS (International English Language Test System)   is required of all applicants whose native language is not English. For specific details, please see consult the  Graduate School website .

Anthropology

Ph.d. admissions.

• Graduate Studies
• Ph.D. Program

Brown University's Ph.D. Program in Anthropology offers:

• a stimulating, challenging, yet supportive intellectual community
• a highly productive and diverse group of faculty members with a broad range of research and teaching interests
• close mentoring for graduate students
• a supportive graduate student community
• generous funding packages, with additional funds available for supplementary training and field research
• an outstanding record of graduate student success in winning external research grants in national and international competitions
• a strong record of placing graduates in desirable academic and professional positions around the world

The  Application Deadline is December 1st  of each year.  Applications are made through the Graduate School's online application portal on the  Graduate School’s website . You will be asked for a personal statement of two single-spaced pages, which should convey your intellectual trajectory, describe your scholarly/research interests, and articulate why Brown’s anthropology department is the right intellectual fit for your research. Other application components are your academic transcripts, three letters of recommendation, and a writing sample. GRE scores are not required.  International applicants whose native language is not English must submit official scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exams.

More information for international applicants

Brown’s graduate program is Ph.D. granting, and does not admit students solely pursuing a terminal Master’s degree. Students are admitted on the basis of their excellent academic credentials; strong evidence of the capacity to conduct innovative, rigorous independent research; and interests that align with the department’s overall areas of strength. If you wish to work with particular faculty members, you should make that clear in your personal statement; however, the department makes admissions decisions collectively. Our admissions process is highly selective. Each year, the department receives over 150 applications for graduate study. We have typically made offers of admission to roughly 8-10 students per year, all of whom are guaranteed  six years of stipend  and tuition remission. 

If you have a special interest in the program and are visiting the Providence area, you may contact relevant faculty members well in advance to request appointments. Faculty availability for such meetings will depend on their schedules and commitments. Additionally, feel free to contact faculty members by email.  Most faculty will be happy to respond by email to inquiries from serious candidates regarding the program and individual research interests.

Director of Graduate Admissions

Ieva jusionyte, student affairs coordinator, alana suplido, departmental faculty.

Find faculty contact information, research interests and more.

Undergraduate Admission

Application checklist for first-year applicants.

• First-Year Applicants

Submit Your Application

• Early Decision application deadline - November 1 (11:59 p.m. applicant's local time).
• Regular Decision application deadline - January 3 (11:59 p.m. applicant's local time).
• Complete your application via the  Common Application .
• Brown’s supplemental essays are submitted through the Common Application.
• Submit the $75 application fee or a fee waiver .
• If you are applying to the eight-year  Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME)  or the five-year  Brown|Rhode Island School of Design Dual Degree Program (BRDD)  you must complete the special program essays.

Learn How to Apply

Request School Forms

• Transcript . An official copy of your high school transcript must be sent by your school counselor or school official.
• School Report . The School Report form is available through the Common Application website and must be completed and submitted by your school counselor or school official.
• Midyear School Report and Transcript.  Due February 23 or as soon as possible upon the completion of your first semester or second trimester of your final year of high school, the Midyear Report and Transcript can be submitted online through the Common Application by your guidance counselor or another school official. The Midyear Report includes information such as your GPA and class rank (if your school provides this information), and shares with us whether there have been any course changes or other updates since you have submitted your application. It is accompanied by a Midyear Transcript that includes your most recent available grades. If you are not given midyear grades or evaluations (e.g., home schooled students, some non-U.S. schools), please include a note explaining your circumstances under the “Additional Information” heading on the writing section of the Common Application.
• Counselor Recommendation . Please note that the School Report and Counselor Recommendation are separate items on the Common Application. Be sure to “invite” your school counselor to complete both items.
• Two Teacher Evaluations/Recommendations . Two letters of recommendation from teachers who have taught you in major academic subjects (science, social studies, mathematics, a foreign language or English) must be submitted through the Common Application or sent via email  or fax. Material sent by email or fax should include the applicant's name, date of birth and high school. If sending letters by email, please send as a PDF attachment.
• Bachelor of Science and PLME Recommendations . If you are considering a Bachelor of Science degree or the Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME), at least one of your recommendations should come from a math or science teacher.
• Final School Report and Transcript . Due by June 30 for students who have chosen to matriculate at Brown, the Final School Report and Transcript should be submitted online through the Common Application by your school counselor or another school official. The Final School Report confirms your graduation date and alerts us of any course changes or other updates. The Final Transcript will include your final grades and confirm your successful completion of your secondary education.
• First Quarter/Trimester Grades . Early Decision applicants are required to have their counselor submit first quarter or trimester grades as soon as they are available. All applicants should have their school submit midyear or second trimester grades as soon as they are available.
• Early Decision Agreement.  Early Decision applicants are required to complete the Early Decision Agreement form through the Common Application. This form requires the signature of the applicant, parent/guardian and school counselor. Submitting this agreement confirms your commitment to enroll at Brown if admitted Early Decision.

More about School Forms

Standardized Tests

• For first-year applicants in the 2023-2024 admission cycle, Brown will maintain our test optional policy. More updates and information can be found on our Standardized Tests  webpage.

Supplementary Materials

• If you are accomplished in music or visual art, you may include additional supplements with your application in the Common Application through SlideRoom . You do not need to wait for access to your Brown Applicant Portal to upload music or visual art materials to SlideRoom.

When submitting through SlideRoom, you must create your SlideRoom account and submit your material on or before November 2 for QuestBridge Match applicants, November 2 for Early Decision and January 4 for Regular Decision. All QuestBridge-affiliated applicants submitting a music and/or visual arts portfolio(s) should use the QuestBridge program(s) in SlideRoom; this includes QuestBridge College Match finalists who did not match with a college in the fall but are using the Questbridge Application to apply through Brown's Regular Decision process.  

• We cannot assist students with issues submitting their supplements unless they have created an account in SlideRoom and started their portfolio by November 2 (QuestBridge Match applicants), November 2 (for Early Decision) or January 4 (for Regular Decision applicants). Creating a SlideRoom account and starting your portfolio well before submitting your material is strongly recommended to ensure that you are able to meet the submission requirements.

More about Supplementary Materials

Important Dates

• Early Decision application deadline: November 1 (11:59 p.m. applicant's local time)
• Early Decision letters available online: Mid December
• Regular Decision application deadline: January 3 (11:59 p.m. applicant's local time)
• Regular Decision letters available online: March 28
• Commitment deadline for Regular Decision candidates: May 1

Important Notes When Submitting Documents

• Applicants should submit the majority of their application using the  Common Application  website.
• All official documents, including High School Transcripts, the School and Midyear Reports, Teacher Recommendations, and the Counselor Recommendation must be submitted to the Office of College Admission by the institutions or parties that created those documents. Brown has partnered with  slate.org , through which counselors may upload materials directly for applicants. Official documents can be submitted by email to [email protected]  or by fax to 401-863-9300. We cannot accept official documents that have been emailed or faxed to our office by applicants themselves.
• After an application has been received, the Office of College Admission will send the applicant a username and password that they can use to check the completeness of their application and upload optional supplementary material.
• Applicants with updates that they would like included in their applications are instructed to upload any new information directly via the Brown Applicant Portal. We are not able to accept updates via email.
• Due to processing time, it is likely that any document received by our office will not be entered into our application database until a week after it has been received. If you have recently submitted a document, please understand that it may take a week or more before it is listed on your application account as having been received. We will email you to let you know if any required documents are missing from your application file.
• Please do not submit duplicate documents unless we let you know that a required document is missing. If an item has been sent electronically, there is no need to mail a duplicate hard copy. Receiving multiple copies of the same item can slow material processing time.

Masters in Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship

PRIME is a STEM-master’s program in the  School of Engineering , that prepares students with core business skills in finance, strategy, marketing, technology evaluation, decision making, globalization and management are provided to assure success after completing the program. Our students experience the process of creating value from technology and learn how to develop and execute embryonic ideas in the market.  The program is designed for students who have an interest in technology innovation management and/or entrepreneurship.  PRIME graduates have secured positions in consulting, investment banking, health/medical companies, information technology, traditional engineering companies, small technology firms and as founders of new ventures.

The application for the Class of 2025 is closed. Brown University's 5th Year applicants please submit by April 1, 2024

Thank you for submitting your application!

• Unofficial transcripts from all Post-Secondary Education  ( official transcripts will be requested upon acceptance )
• 3 letters of recommendation
• CV or resume
• Personal statement: 1000-1500 word personal statement that gives your reasons to pursue graduate work with PRIME. Discuss your interest in technology innovation and/or entrepreneurship and how studying at Brown will further your professional goals.
• GRE scores: Official scores required ( Brown reporting code: 3094) . GMAT scores may be submitted in place of the GRE (There is no departmental / major code for GMAT)
• TOEFL or IELTS Scores: Not required

Brown University is now accepting the at-home version of the GRE. GMAT scores may be submitted in place of the GRE. There is no code for the GMAT. When taking the actual GMAT, you will be prompted to select 5 institutions who you would like to receive your test scores. This service is covered by your GMAT™ exam registration fee.

Brown University is now accepting the at-home version of the TOEFL and GRE. GMAT scores may be submitted in place of the GRE. There is no code for the GMAT. When taking the actual GMAT, you will be prompted to select 5 institutions who you would like to receive your test scores. This service is covered by your GMAT™ exam registration fee.

• 2 letters of recommendation
• Personal statement: ( 1000-1500 words stating your reason to pursue graduate work)  Opportunity to express your interest pertaining to the development of the business and technical foundations for successful careers in areas related to innovation and entrepreneurship. The statement should include examples of your past work in your chosen field, your plans for study at Brown, and your professional goals.
• GRE scores: Not required If submitting: Brown reporting code: 3094
• TOEFL or IELTS scores: Not required
• May be eligible PRIME Scholarship*

*Inquire to [email protected]

Scholarships

PRIME offers some limited merit-based scholarships. These decisions are informed by an applicant's undergrad major and prior technology innovation or entrepreneurial activities given the program's focus. Need and overall cohort composition are also considered. All applicants (domestic and international) are considered. No additional materials are required. Scholarship decisions are made at the time of admission and are final.  Please note that scholarship award amounts and types may change year to year. Students are encouraged to explore work opportunities on the Brown campus. Research and Teaching Assistant positions are available for students to apply to. For information regarding financial aid, please visit the Office of Financial Aid:  https://www.brown.edu/academics/gradschool/financing-support

Joining the PRIME community will enable you with a reliable business foundation, supportive network, and most importantly, the confidence to succeed in the entrepreneurial world.”

Graduate Programs

Biomed: therapeutic sciences.

The Therapeutic Sciences graduate program offers students an intimate, congenial and collaborative learning environment that draws upon faculty experts from the life and physical science departments, as well as physician-scientists at affiliated hospitals.

The Therapeutic Sciences PhD Program was developed to be an expansion and integration of our longstanding PhD programs in Molecular Pharmacology & Physiology (MPP) and Biotechnology (Biotech). Although the Therapeutic Sciences PhD still covers pharmacology, physiology and biotechnology, it also includes other fields that are part of the broader, expanding discipline of therapeutics. For example, the program includes studies of drug targets in the immune system that are important in treating infectious diseases, characterization of brain mechanisms of addiction with an eye toward therapy, studies of molecular interactions in disease processes, understanding and preventing cancer growth and metastasis, and applications of cell- and tissue-based therapies, to name a few of the research foci. Thus, TSGP offers advanced training appropriate for academic and research careers in the fields of biology and medical sciences with a focus on determining disease mechanisms and drug actions, and developing novel therapies. The PhD program is funded in part by an NIH training grant (T32) through the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) Program in Pharmacological Sciences.

Additional Resources

All graduate student research is carried out in faculty research laboratories. In addition to all of the basic research equipment, tools, and facilities, major shared facilities include an electron microscope facility, which houses two high–resolution transmission electron microscopes and a scanning electron microscope; a professionally staffed animal–care facility fully equipped for animal maintenance, large animal surgery, and experimentation; an artificial–organ laboratory; an NMR facility with an 850 MHz (with cryogenic probe) spectrometer; a mouse transgenic and knockout core facility; a proteomics core facility including a Biacore T–100; and a molecular genetics core facility with the capacity to analyze gene–chips are available.

Application Information

Application requirements, gre subject:.

Not required

GRE General:

Writing sample:.

Required (in the form of a personal statement)

Dates/Deadlines

Application deadline, completion requirements.

Students must pass a preliminary research examination according to established schedules, complete and publicly defend a doctoral dissertation, and participate in the undergraduate and graduate teaching programs of the Division of Biology and Medicine. Attainment of the Ph.D. degree normally requires four to five years for Ph.D. candidates and three to four years of graduate work for M.D./Ph.D. candidates.

Alumni Careers

Contact and Location

Graduate program in therapeutic sciences, mailing address.

• Program Faculty
• Graduate School Handbook

6 Brown Essays That Worked + Why Brown Examples

For students writing the Brown supplements for Fall 2022, here is your guide to successful Brown essays.

In this article, I've gathered 6 essays written by admitted students to Brown.

I'll share examples of how regular high-achieving students who got into Brown recently by having stand-out essays.

Are essays all that matter? No, but especially for competitive and test-optional schools, your essays are a very important factor.

Let's jump right in.

What is Brown University's Acceptance Rate?

This past year, a record 46,568 students applied to Brown and just 2,537 students got accepted. Which means Brown had an overall admit rate of just 5.4%.

Since its known as a top Ivy League school, most students applying to Brown already have strong test scores, grades, and extracurricular activities.

Brown University Acceptance Scattergram

That's why its even more important to write essays that help show why you should be accepted.

Especially for Ivy League and other top schools like Brown, your essays make a difference.

What are the Brown Supplemental Prompts for 2022-23?

To apply to Brown University this year, you are required to write three short essays of 50 to 250 words each.

You can find your Brown writing supplement along with your Common Application essays on your portal.

Here's the Brown supplemental prompts for 2022. The questions on this page are being asked by Brown University:

Brown’s Open Curriculum allows students to explore broadly while also diving deeply into their academic pursuits. Tell us about any academic interests that excite you, and how you might use the Open Curriculum to pursue them while also embracing topics with which you are unfamiliar. (200-250 words)

Brown’s culture fosters a community in which students challenge the ideas of others and have their ideas challenged in return, promoting a deeper and clearer understanding of the complex issues confronting society. This active engagement in dialogue is as present outside the classroom as it is in academic spaces. Tell us about a time you were challenged by a perspective that differed from your own. How did you respond? (200-250 words)

Brown students care deeply about their work and the world around them. Students find contentment, satisfaction, and meaning in daily interactions and major discoveries. Whether big or small, mundane or spectacular, tell us about something that brings you joy. (200-250 words)

6 Brown University EssaysThatWorked

Here are 6 of my favorite Brown essay examples from admitted students.

These essays respond to past and current writing supplement prompts for Brown. I've also included some examples of personal statement essays that worked for Brown.

If you need help getting started writing, this is a perfect way to get inspired and see what's worked.

Table of Contents

• Brown Essay Example #1
• Brown Essay Example #2
• Brown Essay Example #3
• Brown Essay Example #4
• Brown Essay Example #5
• Brown Essay Example #6

Prompt: Open Curriculum

Brown university essay example #1.

Prompt: Brown’s Open Curriculum allows students to explore broadly while also diving deeply into their academic pursuits. Tell us about any academic interests that excite you, and how you might use the Open Curriculum to pursue them while also embracing topics with which you are unfamiliar. (200-250 words)

My primary interest is in languages and linguistics, specifically Spanish, Portuguese and the descent of these languages from Latin which I explored in my IB Extended Essay. Thus, something that excites me about the complete freedom of the Brown curriculum is the opportunity to learn about Hispanic and Lusophone culture, literature and language in an intersectional way through a concentration in Latin American studies combined with classes and undergraduate research in Linguistics. I intend to supplement my language acquisition with practical application through study abroad opportunities at PUC-Rio, Brazil and in Santiago, Chile, perhaps through the Engaged Scholars Program which will allow me to forge deeper connections with the communities and cultures I am studying. I am also attracted by the possibility of a 5-year BA/MA course in Linguistics which will permit me to conduct meaningful and extensive research on a topic I am truly passionate about.

However, I also have an interest in Biochemistry and Molecular biology. The Open Curriculum will enable me to pursue this avenue of study and research without detracting from my principal focus on languages. Therefore, perhaps what I am most excited for is interdisciplinary study at Brown and the possibility of forging unforeseen connections between disparate academic areas and weaving them together into a program of study that will engage, thrill, and inspire me towards a lifelong path of academic inquiry. For example, I am interested to explore how languages and sociolinguistics can be used to promote medical research and provision in Latin America.

Why This Essay Works:

Naming things unique to the school shows you have genuine interest. Listing specific programs, courses, or majors shows you've done your research.

The author's reasons for "Why Brown?" fit into their background and identity. This makes their reasons seem genuine and compelling.

What They Might Improve:

The essay is divided into two parts with distinct answers. Showing how those reasons relate could make the essay more cohesive.

Ending with a sentence "For example..." leaves more to be desired and explained.

Prompt: Brown's Community

Brown university essay example #2.

Prompt: At Brown, you will learn as much from your peers outside the classroom as in academic spaces. How will you contribute to the Brown community? (200-250 words)

At my high school, I reinvigorated and reinvented the linguistics society with the help of a friend, transforming it from a dull discussion of past exam questions to a seminar-style session where I have presented and analysed various interesting aspects of language. In a similar vein, I intend to be a leader and an innovator at Brown, and to create opportunities for likeminded people to discuss shared interests such as linguistics. However, other than creating clubs, I hope to use my experience as a camp counselor and a diving coach to support others within the community, and to set a good example of dedication, energy, and compassion.

Additionally, I have volunteered as a Spanish teacher at a local primary school for three years. Volunteer service is something I would definitely like to continue to undertake at Brown, perhaps through the Community Corps that will allow me to help address social inequality within Providence, or as a teacher and classroom assistant in the Elementary Afterschool Mentoring program at D’Abate school. I can draw on my previous experience and knowledge to hopefully enrich the education of underprivileged children in the local community.

Finally, as an international student, I will bring an element of unique culture to Brown’s campus. Having grown up in the buzzing metropolis of London but visiting America frequently to see family, I have the privilege of a truly dual nationality, and the resultant worldview and cultural references that I hope will enrich the diverse Brown community.

• Variety of Reasons Given: Providing multiple reasons for how you'll contribute shows you aren't one-dimensional. People are complex and showing nuance in your character is important.
• Showcasing Past Experiences: With each point, the author gives examples from their activities and resume. Referencing specific extracurriculars helps build their case and is "proof" of how they'll contribute.

What They Might Change:

• Flow and Writing Style: Listing activities can come off as robotic and uninteresting. Rather, try to find a balance between showing off your achievements and writing in an interesting way.
• Structure: The last paragraph is most compelling because it deals with the author's personality and background, rather than just what they've done. Organizing the essay around your character is better than focusing solely on your achivements.

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Prompt: Why Brown?

Brown university essay example #3.

Prompt: Why Brown, and why the Brown Curriculum? (200 words max)

I believe any college should equip you with tools as you embark upon your journey. Brown provides the necessary. That is what the capstone experience does (not to mention the importance of internships given to Brown Students). You can never know everything about anything. But quench the questions is exactly what the Capstone Experience fosters.

The Open Curriculum was obviously the first thing that caught my eye. In school, you are sometimes forced to take the subjects you don’t like. College shouldn’t be the same. It is supposed to be a fresh start and that is exactly why you should be allowed to take the courses that appeal to you. Here is where the S/NC option was interesting. Only if you know perspectives from all subjects, can you determine a solution; S/NC promotes this. Group Independent Study Projects is also unique. Getting into the course is something hard. But creating your own course is amusing.

I would love to be a part of The Society of Women Engineers because I had to fight with my own family to study Computer Science in the United States. If it means providing the help for people I wish I'd got, never better.

• Ideas and Beliefs: Rather than just saying what aspects are appealing, the author explains why they are attracted to those things. By explaining your perspective, admissions officers are better able to understand your thinking and character.
• Specific to Brown: Listing aspects that are unique to Brown is important to show your interest is authentic. By naming things like the Capstone Experience and S/NC, the author shows their knowledge of Brown and makes their reasons more compelling.
• Writing Style: Some parts of the essay are clunky in wording and could be written more clearly. But the author is an international student, so it is understandable and not the end of the world.
• Structure and Conclusion: There isn't a clear conclusion sentence that ties the essay together. How can you relate the last sentence to your beginning?

Prompt: Area of Study

Brown university essay example #4.

Prompt: Why are you drawn to the area(s) of study you indicated? (150 words max)

There was a time when I was low and afraid to be with myself. That’s when I dived into programming. I always sat with my laptop. But unlike others on Instagram or Snapchat, I was coding. I always kept myself occupied so I wouldn’t think about hardships. But as I was solving those little Instantiation and StackOverflow errors, I realized that any problem in my life had a solution. I could either modify the code and right the wrong, or just keep compiling them, producing no output. So, life is not all that different. That is why I want to pursue Computer Science. I know I can work to keep myself happy. Inevitably, what makes me happy is Computer Science, which is what I want to pursue.

• Intriguing Backstory: Telling a compelling story is about setting the scene. This essay creates vivid imagery by naming specific programming-related things.
• Connects to Bigger Picture: Rather than just saying their major or interest, the author connects it to a more universal idea. Showing the deeper "why" behind your interests makes it relatable and more interesting.
• Writing Style and Flow: Some words are unnecessary, and a few sentences could be made more smooth to read.
• Doesn't Use the Full Word Limit: With 23 words left, the author could have included a sentence or two more. Every word is valuable with short word limits, so use them carefully.

Prompt: Where You've Lived

Brown university essay example #5.

Prompt: Tell us where you have lived - and for how long - since you were born; whether you've always lived in the same place, or perhaps in a variety of places. (100 words max)

I was born in California, USA. When I was about 7 months old, I moved to Bangalore, India. I've lived in Bangalore all my life, until two years ago. I started attending a boarding school, in the same state, but far away from my house. I chose to leave everything behind, even my phone, because I didn't want to be pampered. I wanted to fold my own blanket; to wipe my own tears; to carve my own name; to befriend people my way; to create my destiny. My parents weren't happy at first, but I convinced them.

• Poetic Writing: Interesting writing comes from interesting ideas. And the second to last sentence especially is compelling because it expresses their ideas elegantly.
• Answers Prompt Directly: For supplements especially, make sure to answer exactly what the prompt is asking.
• Be More Concise: Use as few words as possible to say the most you can. Especially for short prompts like this one, every word matters.
• Word Choice: Swapping out words like "house" for "home" can make the tone more natural.

Prompt: Communities and Groups

Brown university essay example #6.

Prompt: Communities or groups: pick one and tell us why it is important to you, and how it has shaped you. (100 words max)

My dad lost his parents when he was young. My mom also quit her job to take care of me. So, if you look at it, she should loathe me. But she doesn’t. She has dedicated her whole life to me. That is why I want to provide a purpose to their lives. Every competition I won, even a small word of praise would lighten their mood. When I am happy they are euphoric; when I am sad they are distraught. It's like they (for)give and forget. So why not follow their footsteps and give it all I got?

• Vulnerable and Authentic: Being vulnerable is an important part of great essays. Talking about sensitive, but real and human topics, makes you more relatable and humanized.
• Explains What Motivates Them: Admissions officers want to know why you're driven to do things. Showing your "why" helps give insight into your character more deeply.
• Doesn't Answer Prompt Directly: Make sure to answer exactly what the prompt asks. Although this essay explains their background and motivations, it doesn't answer the question exactly.

If you're trying to get into Brown in 2022, your essays need to make you stand out from the competition. These 6 Brown essays that worked showcase great examples of what it takes to get accepted into Brown.

There are many lessons and tips to be learned from these supplements:

• Being authentic and genuine is key
• Name aspects unique and specific to the school
• Showcase your motivations and the "why" behind things
• Don't be afraid to be vulnerable
• Use every word carefully and make each word count

If you enjoyed reading these Brown supplements, you'll also like the essays for similar Ivy League schools like Princeton and Columbia University .

What did you think of these Brown University essays?

Ryan Chiang , Founder of EssaysThatWorked

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Princeton Admitted Essay

People love to ask why. Why do you wear a turban? Why do you have long hair? Why are you playing a guitar with only 3 strings and watching TV at 3 A.M.—where did you get that cat? Why won’t you go back to your country, you terrorist? My answer is... uncomfortable. Many truths of the world are uncomfortable...

MIT Admitted Essay

Her baking is not confined to an amalgamation of sugar, butter, and flour. It's an outstretched hand, an open invitation, a makeshift bridge thrown across the divides of age and culture. Thanks to Buni, the reason I bake has evolved. What started as stress relief is now a lifeline to my heritage, a language that allows me to communicate with my family in ways my tongue cannot. By rolling dough for saratele and crushing walnuts for cornulete, my baking speaks more fluently to my Romanian heritage than my broken Romanian ever could....

UPenn Admitted Essay

A cow gave birth and I watched. Staring from the window of our stopped car, I experienced two beginnings that day: the small bovine life and my future. Both emerged when I was only 10 years old and cruising along the twisting roads of rural Maryland...

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Personal statement - common app essay anonymous, personal statement - any topic.

As a 3-year old boy, I recall with clarity my fear of joining other children lined up at the edge of the pool. I remember looking down at a painted black line at the bottom of the pool as if it were challenging me to jump in. I stood alone arms crossed, stealing glances at my mother who didn’t how scared I was. This was a life or death decision. I didn’t want to drown. Suddenly, my swimming instructor called my name and grabbed me at the edge of the pool pulling me into the water. I gasped for air, as I submerged below the surface. Somehow, I started to kick my feet and move my arms. I actually started to swim, and most importantly, I survived.

Twelve years later, I found myself at that same pool sitting on the lifeguard chair, making sure everyone was safe. I was stationed on a hot deck, waiting for children to jump into the 18-foot diving well. I caught sight of a young girl, who cautiously approached the edge of the pool, stared at the same black line at the bottom of the pool, and suddenly jumped into the water. Her arms flew up into the air, and as she sunk, I instinctively dove in after her. Placing my arm across her body, I scissor-kicked my way to safety at the edge of the pool. I felt a rush of pride and accomplishment...

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