Transferring to Brown: your chances, deadlines and credits

Brown lists no formal admission criteria for transfers. It describes applicants as people who are not willing to settle, who put in extra effort and who take less conventional paths.

Source: Brown transfer admission, undated page

Brown says its Open Curriculum is designed for a student who takes unusual initiative and shows unusual independence. It offers that as one reason transfers often do well there.

Source: Brown transfer admission, undated page

Evaluations come from two faculty who taught you at your current college. A TA who taught you counts. If you cannot get two, one can be replaced by a senior-year high school teacher.

Source: Brown transfer application checklist, 2026-2027

Applicants record a 90 second video after they get portal access. Brown says it does not judge production quality. It must start with a clip saying your name and your college.

Source: Brown transfer supplementary materials, undated page

There are no interviews. Auditions and portfolios for visual arts, dance and theater are not reviewed. Musicians may submit a SlideRoom portfolio of up to 15 minutes.

Source: Brown transfer supplementary materials, undated page

Brown's own transfer page shows 2,744 applied, 112 admitted and 73 enrolled for fall 2023, and an average college GPA of admits of 3.86. Its 2022 row combines fall 2022 and spring 2023 entry, so the years are not like for like.

Source: Brown transfer admission by the numbers, 2021-2023 cycles

Brown's supplemental questions are in the Common App under Brown University Questions. The supplements page points there and does not print the prompts or word limits.

Source: Brown transfer supplementary materials, undated page

Eligibility is counted in full-time semesters. For fall 2027 you need two or four semesters (or three, four or six quarters) done before September 2027. More than four semesters and Brown cannot consider you. Three semesters or five quarters makes you eligible for spring entry only.

Source: Brown transfer eligibility requirements, 2026-2027

Summer terms do not count toward those semesters unless your college required them. College credit earned while in high school cannot transfer, and students in dual-degree or early college programs apply as first-years.

Source: Brown transfer eligibility requirements, 2026-2027

You also need the $80 fee or a waiver, your high school transcript, official transcripts from every college, a Report of Good Standing from your college, and a mid-term report listing your current courses and grades. Students not enrolled this term can ask for a mid-term report waiver.

Source: Brown transfer application checklist, 2026-2027

Spring entry is open to US citizens and permanent residents only. Fall entry is also open to international students. Veterans use a separate Veterans Application. Applicants six or more years out of high school use the Resumed Undergraduate Education application.

Source: Brown transfer eligibility requirements, 2026-2027

You get one transfer application per calendar year of entry. Applying in October 2026 for January 2027 uses your attempt, so you cannot also apply in March 2027 for fall 2027.

Source: Brown transfer eligibility requirements, 2026-2027

The spring 2027 deadline was October 1, 2026, with the video due October 8 and the mid-term report due November 3. Decisions come in late November 2026.

Source: Brown transfer calendar, 2026-2027

Your acceptance letter gives a preliminary credit estimate and your entry level. Brown sets final credit after you enroll, once it has your final transcript.

Source: Brown transfer credit, undated page

Brown takes courses similar to its own. A grade of C- or lower cannot transfer, and pass/fail work counts only with official proof of a flat C or better. It gives no credit for AP scores, internships, dual enrollment, correspondence or self-paced courses, summer programs, or courses of four weeks or less.

Source: Brown transfer credit, undated page

Credit toward your concentration is decided by the department after you arrive. Brown says not to assume any class will count. You can petition once you have your credit analysis, just before Orientation.

Source: Brown transfer credit, undated page

Transfers must be enrolled full-time at Brown for at least four semesters before earning a degree. Brown says transfer candidates may not forfeit earned credit.

Source: Brown transfer eligibility requirements, 2026-2027

Brown says transfer admission is need-aware. It says it meets the full demonstrated need of admitted students. Apply for aid with your application, because transfers who do not cannot apply for aid later.

Source: Brown transfer financial aid, undated page

The aid page does not address aid for international transfers or merit aid.

Source: Brown transfer financial aid, undated page