Doctoral and Select Master’s Programs (2024)

FAQs

What GPA do you need to get into the Brown Masters program? ›

The admissions committee looks for a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Students with lower GPAs are not typically accepted but there are exceptions. Are GRE scores required? The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required, though applicants may submit optional GRE scores to be considered.

A non-refundable fee of $75 is charged for processing each application received by the Graduate School.

As an Ivy League school, Brown receives thousands of applications every year, but accepts fewer than 10% of those applicants.

The Open Graduate Education Program allows select Brown doctoral students to pursue a master's degree in a secondary field. All doctoral students are invited to propose their own combination of studies, free of any disciplinary barrier.

GPA is important for PhD admissions, but it's not the only factor. Prospective PhD students should aim for a GPA of 3.5 or higher, while also focusing on research experience, strong letters of recommendation, and a compelling personal statement to strengthen their application.

Yes, many graduate programs will let you apply with a 2.5 GPA. However, a low GPA means that you must prove your academic readiness in other ways, such as by writing a convincing personal statement or holding many years of professional experience.

The most selective grad schools, with the lowest acceptance rates, include Harvard Graduate School, Stanford Graduate School of Business, and Columbia Business School. Harvard University has one of the lowest acceptance rates in the United States of America, at 4.6%.

It may actually seem easier than you might expect going in, as it felt for me. Midterms and finals were stressful and difficult, chemistry and engineering labs, and especially computer science projects were incredibly challenging and time consuming.

You should also have a 4.1 GPA or higher. If your GPA is lower than this, you need to compensate with a higher SAT/ACT score. For a school as selective as Brown University, you'll also need to impress them with the rest of your application.

Undergraduate Financial Aid

Brown meets 100% of each student's demonstrated financial need. And we do this with no loans — only scholarship grants that do not have to be repaid — included in University financial aid packages.

What is Brown University known for academically? ›

Innovative, student-centered learning

Brown's academic excellence is rooted in a student-centered model of learning. The Open Curriculum is a flexible but rigorous approach to education that pushes students to be creative thinkers, intellectual risk-takers and entrepreneurial problem-solvers.

Graduate Programs

With more than 3,000 graduate and medical students and more than 700 full-time faculty members, Brown offers excellent academic training and mentoring within a supportive environment.

Final Admissions Verdict

If you don't pass their SAT/ACT and GPA requirements, they'll likely reject you without much consideration. To have the best shot of getting in, you should aim for the 75th percentile, with a 1560 SAT or a 36 ACT. You should also have a 4.1 GPA or higher.

Brown does not have a minimum GPA requirement, but your GPA should be exceptional to get accepted. You often need a minimum of 3.9 or 4.0 to stand out and be considered by the admissions committee, since mostly high-achieving students apply to this school.

In general, graduate schools look for a minimum 3.0 GPA, but programs admit applicants with lower GPAs, too. Grades aren't the only way grad schools measure applicants. You also submit letters of recommendation and college essays, among other materials that can help you stand out.

However, an acceptable GPA often starts from 3.0. Some highly competitive programs may expect even higher GPAs.