brown plme essays

Undergraduate Admission

Program in liberal medical education (plme).

The Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME) is an eight-year continuum that allows students to combine both their undergraduate and medical school education at Brown.

Brown offers an eight-year program for students who are committed to a career in medicine and who also want a broad liberal arts education. By taking full advantage of Brown's Open Curriculum, PLME students complete a four-year undergraduate program and then proceed directly to Brown's Warren Alpert Medical School. As undergraduates, PLME students may choose to work toward an A.B. or Sc.B. degree in the sciences or toward an A.B. in the humanities, social sciences or behavioral sciences. PLME students may choose any one of the nearly 100 departmental and interdepartmental concentration programs offered at the University.

Undergraduate Years

The undergraduate experience is designed to best prepare students for the last four years of the program, which constitute the medical school years and culminate in the M.D. degree.

During the undergraduate portion of the program, the summer period is free but may be used for independent study, elective coursework or laboratory research. During the medical school years, students may apply to be considered for our MD/MSc program called the Primary Care - Population Medicine program , or choose to partake in our scholarly concentration program. (See  Advanced Scholarship .)

The expected duration of the PLME is eight years. However, students may choose to defer their entry to medical school for one year while they pursue opportunities in other fields such as education, research, public service, government, health care and business.

Visit the Program Website

Applying for the PLME Option

To apply for the PLME option, you must indicate your interest on the Common Application and respond to the additional essay questions.

Many students at Brown who are not enrolled in PLME complete the necessary courses for medical school during the undergraduate experience and go on to successful careers in medicine. We offer extensive health career advising resources  to students who are interested in continuing on to medical school, and Brown students are admitted to medical school at a rate that is almost twice the national average.

PLME Candidates and Early Decision

A student applying early decision to the College and the PLME may be admitted in December to both Brown and the PLME. However, some students may be selected early decision for admission to Brown only and not the PLME. In this circumstance, the student will be bound by the early decision agreement to attend Brown regardless of non-acceptance into the PLME program. Those who apply early decision and are admitted to Brown and not to PLME will be reconsidered for the PLME during regular decision. Those students who do not want to be bound to Brown at early decision without being admitted to the PLME program are asked to apply through Regular Decision.

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Applications to Brown are submitted online via the Common Application. Learn how to apply and start your application.

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First-year applicants, international applicants, all application options.

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Can you get into Brown PLME? (2023-2024)

Important tips to help you get accepted to the Brown PLME Program

If you’re a hopeful future doctor, you’ve probably heard of the Brown University Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME). This prestigious eight-year continuum culminates in a combined baccalaureate-MD, offering automatic admission into The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University after four years of undergraduate studies at Brown University .

PLME is the only program of its kind in the Ivy League.

This innovative program is highly coveted and prestigious. It is well known globally, considered one of the top combined degree programs in the country, if not the world — and with good reason.

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Table of Contents

What is Brown PLME?

PLME has a several-decade-long history, beginning in the 1984–85 academic year. Students may pursue any of the nearly 100 AB or ScB degrees offered by Brown, across the sciences, humanities, social sciences, or behavioral sciences. This gives students the opportunity to explore a variety of interests through Brown’s signature Open Curriculum . They will need to complete pre-med requirements but have the reason to pursue other disciplines through their major, without having to complete any core requirements.

Once students earn their bachelor’s degree, they will automatically be enrolled in the Warren Alpert Medical School. They will be able to defer entry for up to two years to pursue additional opportunities, such as research.

Students who are in good academic standing will not need to submit MCAT scores to matriculate at Alpert.

Brown PLME Application

In most respects, the admissions process for PLME is identical to that of the general undergraduate Brown admissions process. Students will use the Common Application to apply and complete the Brown supplement.

However, in addition to the essays all applicants complete, PLME candidates will need to complete an additional three essays as part of the Common App, which they will find in a separate section via the portal. One of the applicant’s two letters of recommendation must be from a math or science teacher.

Students may apply to PLME either through the regular decision or early decision plan. Early decision is a binding agreement, and students may be admitted to Brown while being deferred or rejected from PLME. In this case, they will still be required to attend the university — one drawback for students who have their heart set on the combined bachelor’s-MD program.

Brown PLME Course Requirements

While there are no specific prerequisites for admission, applicants are encouraged to pursue the most rigorous curriculum available to them, including plenty of honors, AP , and/or IB courses, particularly in STEM subjects. The university also recommends that students complete, at minimum:

• 4 years of English with an emphasis on writing • 3 years of college preparatory mathematics (we recommend four) • 3 years of foreign language (we recommend four) • 2 years of laboratory science above the freshman level (we recommend four years of lab science) • 2 years of history, including American history (we recommend four years of history) • At least one year of elective academic subjects

Brown PLME Average GPA

To be competitive for the Brown PLME program, we recommend an overall unweighted GPA of 3.8+ in the most rigorous classes available to you at your high school.

Brown PLME Average SAT and ACT

The average SAT for accepted PLME students was 748 EBRW and 779 math

The average ACT for accepted PLME students was 35.

Currently, Brown Undergraduate Admissions has a test-optional policy for first-year students, and Brown says that students who are unable to submit ACT or SAT scores will not have a disadvantage in the admissions process — this applies to regular admissions and PLME admissions. However, we recommend PLME applicants have SAT / ACT scores of 1530 / 35 or higher to be competitive.

Brown does not disclose the average GPA for accepted students but it is safe to assume it is at least a 3.8 unweighted.

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Brown PLME Extracurricular Requirements

To be competitive for a program like PLME, not only do you need to have impressive research experience in your background, but we also recommend demonstrating leadership and advocacy skills. Students who are competitive for top-tier schools have usually excelled in at least one area extracurricularly and often two. Successful Brown PLME applicants have excellent in areas beyond, and in addition to STEM-related fields.

For example, you might have done neuroscience research at a local university with a pending publication and be heavily involved in debate having won some national competitions.

Or you might research healthcare inequities in a city near where you live and be an accomplished musician.

Accepted PLME applicants are exceptional from academic, scholarly, and extracurricular standpoints.

PLME Interviews

Sadly, unlike other BS/MD programs, interviews are not currently part of the admissions process.

Instead, PLME applicants are encouraged to submit a video portfolio to showcase their personality, experiences, and backgrounds and help the admissions committee learn more about them.

You can find plenty of sample Brown admissions videos on YouTube but do not try to imitate any of these. Be yourself and create your own idea of how you want to present yourself.

Brown PLME Acceptance Rate

PLME is extremely selective.

Brown PLME class of 2027 admissions data:

• 4,118 candidates
• 74 students were admitted
• Brown PLME Acceptance rate 1.8%

This acceptance rate was less than the Brown undergraduate admissions rate of 5.08% for the same year.

Brown PLME Benefits

Flexibility

Brown’s Open Curriculum and liberal arts education give students the flexibility to explore their talents and interests. This contrasts with many other combined degree programs, where students are required to follow stricter paths and may only choose among certain majors.

Research opportunities

As undergraduates, students may participate in a wide variety of research opportunities, made possible by a number of grants and fellowships. There are also several programs, including assistantships, that are reserved for PLME students.

Advising and mentorship

All incoming PLME students are assigned an advising Dean, who will work with them for their undergraduate years, along with a peer advisor during their first year. They also have the opportunity to engage in a number of mentorship and shadowing programs.

Guaranteed medical school admission

One of the main reasons why PLME is so popular is because it guarantees admission into one of the most prestigious and selective medical schools in the company. You won’t need to worry about completing a rigorous admissions process after your undergraduate education. While you will need to maintain certain academic standards, this alleviates much of the anxiety students typically experience during the med school admissions process.

PLME prioritizes diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). The PLME First-Generation and Underrepresented in Medicine (FURM) Committee, for example, was established to foster community and empowerment among PLME students identifying as first-generation college/medical students and/or as underrepresented in medicine such as low-income, LGBTQ+, and others.

These students are made aware of and have access to internships and scholarships specifically for FURM students, participate in special events, and further awareness of DEI in the college and medical communities.

Is PLME right for you? Being admitted to this highly prestigious, selective program is certainly an achievement. But it’s also important to weigh the pros and cons and remember that this is a program for students who absolutely know what they want to do for their careers — that is, be a physician. If that’s the case for you, then it will give you extraordinary opportunities.

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2022-2023 brown plme supplemental essays and suggestions.

When writing the Brown PLME supplemental essays, be sure you review the Brown supplement essays first as you don’t want there to be topic overlap in between any of the six essays you will need to write. Below you will find some general ideas of how to approach each of the essay topics and what to think about when writing them.

PLME Essay Prompt #1:

Committing to a future career as a physician while in high school requires careful consideration and self-reflection. How do you feel your personal background provides you with a unique perspective of medicine? (250 word limit)

The key words in this essay are “personal” and “unique perspective.” In short, how has your background informed your ideals and values and what are those ideals and values? You want to highlight those aspects of your background and upbringing that are distinctive, the most significant to you, and set you apart from others. Some questions to ask yourself when thinking about what to write:

• Is there anything important to you about your ethnic, religious, or educational background?
• What was your home life like? Where did you live and how did that influence your views?
• What communities were you a part of that impacted you?
• What about your immediate and extended family influenced your outlook?

Now, after answering those questions, think about how the most important elements of your personal background influence your view of medicine. The definition of medicine here is purposefully broad so feel free to interpret “medicine” in your own way. Some questions to ask yourself when addressing the second part of this prompt:

• How will your values and ideals impact your approach to patients?
• How will your values and ideals impact your approach to staff?
• How will your values and ideals impact your approach to solving problems in medical care?
• How will your values and ideals influence your communication skills?
• How will your values and ideals influence your learning throughout your career?

PLME Essay Prompt #2

Healthcare is constantly changing, as it is affected by racial and social disparities, economics, politics, and technology, among others. How will you, as a future physician, make a positive impact? (250 word limit)

This question is asking you what you aspire to achieve in your future career and how you hope to make the greatest impact on others. Ideally, your response should be backed up by evidence in your scholarly or extracurricular profile. So, first think about what experiences you had as a high school student through which you had the greatest impact. Think about the impact you have had in the general areas listed below. Have you made any impact in any of the following:

• Research (any discipline)
• Community service or advocacy work
• Teaching or mentoring
• Leadership roles
• Campaign work
• Entrepreneurship
• Independent study

Once you have identified where you had the greatest impact as a student, think about how this could be extended to a career in medicine and segue into that topic. All of the experience categories above could easily translate to a career in medicine. The key here is that you want to show evidence for the impact that you have already had and you want to show that you will make even more significant contributions in the future. You also want to show that you are adaptable and flexible in your thinking; as the prompt says, healthcare is always changing.

PLME Essay Prompt #3

How do you envision the Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME) helping you to meet your academic, personal and professional goals as a person and as a physician of the future? (250 word limit)

At first glance, this prompt looks similar to the preceding “future” essay. However, this is really a “Why PLME” question. Readers want to understand your goals in terms of your educational and personal interests as well as your professional goals. When writing about what interests you about PLME specifics are super important.

Now, depending on how you answer prompt #2, you may not want to address the part of this prompt that asks about your future goals as a physician and instead you might only want to answer how PLME will help you reach your goals as a “person.” When answering this question you also want to make sure there isn’t much overlap with the Brown Open Curriculum essay (see below). Some things to think about when responding to this prompt:

• What are your academic goals?
• Do you hope to double major?
• Do you hope to study abroad?
• How will this flexibility PLME offers help you become the person you want to become?
• Are there any programs specific to PLME that interest you and why? Hint: PLME has many opportunities in research, pre clinical extracurricular courses, and travel programs .

2022-2023 Brown Supplemental Essays (for reference only)

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)

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Program in Liberal Medical Education

Frequently asked questions.

Got questions? We're here to help. Answers to some of the most common queries can be found here.

All applicants to Brown use the Common Application; there is not a separate PLME application. If you are interested in applying to the PLME, there is a relevant section in the Common Application containing the PLME essay questions. You do not need to apply separately to The Warren Alpert Medical School at the same time.

Apply to Brown

While there are no specific course requirements for admission to Brown, most successful applicants demonstrate preparation for university-level studies through a curriculum that is rigorous across academic disciplines throughout secondary school.

Students at Brown tend to be exceptionally eager to learn and willing to accept academic challenges. The Open Curriculum allows students to explore broadly across many departments in addition to delving deeply into their areas of focus over four years, and we hope applicants will pursue a similarly broad base of knowledge prior to their arrival on our campus.

The Board of Admission understands that individual academic opportunities may vary by school and by year, and that curricular expectations will also vary around the world. With that in mind, secondary school transcripts should show that students have taken advantage of the learning opportunities available to them. Brown expects that students will take a minimum of four academically rigorous courses, preferably five, across a range of core subject areas each year throughout secondary school. English language and literature, math, the sciences, history, and a second language are considered to be the academic subjects best suited to help students prepare for the intellectual opportunities and interdisciplinary learning environment at Brown. More specific course recommendations are provided below:

English - 4 years, particularly focused on literature and academic writing 

Math - 4 years, continuing through calculus when possible, particularly for students interested in STEM

Science - 3-4 years, including 2 years of lab science and particularly biology, physics, and chemistry when possible

History and Social Studies - 3-4 years, including courses such as history, government, economics and politics

World Language - 3-4 years, preferably continuing with the same language when possible

Brown also encourages the study of music, art, and other electives in addition to the coursework recommended above.

After an extensive review of data, Brown has returned to its previous policy requiring standardized test scores – either SAT or ACT scores – for first-year applicants beginning with the 2024-25 admission cycle. These scores remain one factor among the many we consider in our whole-person admission process. 

We highly recommend that international applicants for whom English is not a first language or a primary language spoken at home submit the results of an English proficiency test. At this time, we accept results for the  Test of English as a Foreign Language  (TOEFL), the  International English Language Testing System  (IELTS), and the  Duolingo English Test . We will also accept the TOEFL IBT Home Edition. Please arrange for Brown to receive the official results. A minimum score of 105 on the TOEFL internet-based exam, a minimum score of 8.0 on the IELTS, or a minimum score of 130 on the Duolingo is expected in most cases. We do not currently accept the IELTS Indicator Examination.

You can visit the Office of College Admission's Standardized Tests page for more information.

Standardized Tests

Interviews are not part of the application process for the current application cycle. PLME applicants are very strongly encouraged to submit a video portfolio as part of the application process. The video portfolio provides a wonderful opportunity for us to learn more about you.

Video Introduction/Alumni Interview

PLME students in good academic standing do not need to take the Medical College Admission Test MCAT to matriculate to The Warren Alpert Medical School.

International students may apply to the PLME by completing The Common Application to the college. For international applicants, permanent U.S. residency or dual citizenship is strongly encouraged. More information for international students is available at the Office of College Admission.

Office of College Admission

Early Decision is designed for students who have placed Brown University as their first-choice school and acceptance into Brown during Early Decision is binding, regardless of whether you are also accepted to the PLME. Therefore, if you are applying to multiple medical or pre-medical programs, you are advised to apply during Regular Decision.

Early Decision

Regular Decision

Yes! The PLME sponsors several international summer travel programs to China, Taiwan and Germany. In addition, many PLME undergraduates elect to take leave for a semester abroad, usually during junior year.

International Summer Travel

Yes! Brown University sponsors a variety of research grants and fellowships open to undergraduate students. In addition, the PLME administers the Summer Research Assistantship (SRA), Summer Research Assistantship in Emergency Medicine (SRA-EM) and Summer Research Assistantship - Emerging Infectious Disease Scholars (SRA-EIDS) programs exclusively for PLME students.

Summer Research Assistantship

Every incoming PLME student is assigned a PLME advising Dean, who will serve as their advisor during the undergraduate years prior to entering medical school. PLME students are also assigned a dedicated PLME Meiklejohn peer advisor for their first year.

The Admissions Strategist

Brown plme: the ivy league bs/md admissions guide.

So, you want to be a doctor, but you don’t want to give up your passion for literature, your interest in marine biology, or your dream of studying Renaissance art in Italy.

Brown PLME may be just the program for you.

Brown University’s Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME) is an eight-year program that combines undergraduate education with professional medical studies.

It is the Ivy League ’s only combined baccalaureate-MD (BS/MD) program. It is frequently ranked right with Northwestern HPME  as one of the nation’s top programs.

Brown states that the program is based on the belief that “a great physician is one whose mind has been enriched by the broadest possible social, cultural, and historical contexts.”

In this guide, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about Brown PLME, including how to get in and what to expect.

About Brown PLME

Brown PLME in its current form was established in 1984.

• The competitive program accepts just 50 highly motivated freshmen each year.
• High school seniors are admitted simultaneously to Brown the College and to The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University.

The goal of the eight-year program is enrichment, not acceleration. It encourages students to pursue their interests and passions in-depth while preparing for careers as physicians.

Students may work toward a bachelor’s degree in the sciences, humanities, social sciences , or behavioral sciences.

Click above to watch a video on Brown PLME.

During the spring of their sophomore year, PLME students develop an individualized educational plan in consultation with a physician-advising dean.

• The plan is consistent with the student’s interests and includes an outlined program of studies, a statement of personal goals and enrichment activities, plans for honors work, study abroad, and advanced degrees, and a copy of the student’s approved concentration program.

After successfully completing their undergraduate studies, students matriculate to The Warren Alpert Medical School. Students expecting to apply to other medical schools should not apply to the PLME.

Benefits of Brown PLME

Brown’s unique program offers many benefits to its students, including flexibility, reduced pressure, and access to a wide range of enrichment activities.

Flexibility

Brown PLME gives students the freedom to explore broad interests and maximize their undergraduate experience, rather than focusing exclusively on medical school admission requirements.

Medical school hopefuls enrolled in traditional undergraduate programs may worry that diverse course selections will not appeal to medical schools. PLME students are already guaranteed acceptance to The Warren Alpert Medical School.

They will still need to take certain required courses, but they can also invest time and energy in other areas of interest.

• As mentioned above, PLME students can pursue a bachelor’s degree in the sciences, humanities, social sciences, or behavioral sciences.
• They can choose any of the nearly 100 concentration programs available at Brown.

PLME students are also permitted to pursue an advanced degree in another area of interest.

• Undergraduate students may delay the start of medical school by one or two years, using this time to pursue opportunities in other fields like public service, research, education, government, health care, and business.

Brown’s Open Curriculum allows students to shape their own education, minus the usual restrictions of core curriculum requirements.

The PLME program ensures that even future medical students can take advantage of this innovative, personalized approach to education.

Get personalized advice!

Reduced pressure.

Applying to medical school is usually a complicated and stressful process. For PLME students, this is not the case.

Before even starting college, PLME students have been accepted to medical school.

• They do not have to apply to medical school or even take the Medical College Admission Test ( MCAT ).

This reduced pressure allows students to explore diverse opportunities without being limited by the usual concerns of future medical students.

Close relationships with faculty also result in less pressure for PLME students, who do not have to make their academic journey alone. PLME freshmen begin a relationship with their PLME advisor during orientation.

• In their sophomore year, PLME students are also assigned concentration advisors by the appropriate department.

In the latter years of the Medical School program, career advisors counsel PLME students on career paths and choices. Students are also encouraged to approach faculty members about areas of expertise. Faculty members are typically eager to share their experience, knowledge, and perspectives.

With a strong support system and no need to apply to medical school, PLME students benefit from a much less stressful path to their medical careers.

Enrichment Activities at PLME

PLME students have access to a wide range of enrichment activities. Below, we’ll list and briefly describe these opportunities.

• Advanced Scholarship – The option to earn an advanced degree in another field (alongside the medical degree)
• Community Service: Community Health Advocacy Program (CHAP) – CHAP teams identify community health issues and create programs to address these issues. Volunteers deliver engaging, interactive health lessons and hold public lecture events.
• International Health – PLME students may participate in international exchange programs with China, Taiwan, and Germany.
• Medicine in Action Program – Students can enrich their educational experience at Brown by shadowing physicians and exploring a variety of clinical settings.
• Research Opportunities – Students who are awarded an assistantship will receive a $3,500 stipend to carry out a research project on campus or at a Brown-affiliated hospital under the supervision and mentorship of a Brown faculty member. Assistantships are available in emergency medicine, biomedical sciences, clinical medicine, and social/behavioral sciences.
• Study Abroad – During junior year, PLME students can participate in the International Honors Program, the Brown Plus One international program, Brown in Denmark, and programs at the University of Edinburgh or King’s College London. Study abroad opportunities are available in Hong Kong, Switzerland, India, China, South Africa, Mozambique, Vietnam, Brazil, Scotland, Denmark, and England.
• Fellowships – Students can apply for 21 nationally competitive fellowships that fund domestic and international independent research and travel, teaching, and post-baccalaureate work or study.

These opportunities further Brown’s goal of producing physicians who have received an enriching education in broad social, cultural, and historical contexts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Before we discuss the application process, let’s look at a few frequently asked questions about Brown PLME.

Can I transfer into PLME after enrolling at Brown?

No, PLME is open only to graduating high school seniors. There is no point of transfer into the program. Students from other Brown programs or other colleges are not considered.

What criteria is used to select PLME students?

According to Brown, “PLME students are selected on the basis of scholastic accomplishment and promise, intellectual curiosity, emotional maturity, character, motivation, sensitivity, caring, and particularly on the degree to which they seem adapted to the special features of the program.”

PLME students should be highly qualified, strongly motivated, and committed to a medical career. The ideal PLME student “wishes to pursue an area of academic interest to an advanced level of scholarship within the framework of a broad liberal education.”

In addition, the College Admission Office recommends that applicants have pursued advanced courses along with:

• Four years of English
• Three years, preferably four, of mathematics, including at least calculus
• Three years, preferably four, of a single foreign language
• Three years of science, including two years of laboratory science
• Two years of history, including American history

Despite these recommendations, there are no specific high school prerequisites beyond those of Brown University.

What are PLME graduation requirements?

• A bachelor’s degree in any concentration
• Satisfactory completion of a minimum of 30 undergraduate academic credits
• In years one through four, demonstration of competence in biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, and the humanities and social sciences
• In years five through eight, demonstration of competence in basic medical sciences, behavioral aspects of medicine, and core clinical areas: internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, psychiatry, and family medicine

What if I want to apply to other medical schools?

Students who want to apply to other medical schools should not apply to PLME. However, PLME students who decide to apply to other medical schools are permitted to do so.

• In doing so, they will be withdrawn from the position being held for them in the Alpert Medical School. They do have the option of still applying to the Alpert Medical School via the standard route.

If students choose to “apply out,” they must notify the PLME Office of their intent by September 15 of senior year or September 15 of each year they are on deferral.

Is there a PLME tour I can take?

There is no specific PLME tour or Medical School tour at Brown. Students may take a campus tour and attend a general information session.

Those who have not previously had the opportunity to visit may visit Brown between mid-April (when they receive admission notification) and May 1 (candidate’s reply dates).

On these later visits, students may sit in on classes and observe the PLME environment.

How to Apply to Brown PLME

There is no separate application to apply to PLME. Students use the Brown application and apply to both Brown and PLME at the same time with the same online application.

Applicants complete the Common Application and the Brown Supplement, which includes three required essays for PLME applicants.

Below, we’ll take a closer look at the Brown/PLME application process.

Entrance Requirements

The following are required or encouraged for admission to Brown PLME:

• Official transcripts ; only top students are admitted
• SAT or ACT scores (SAT essay section and ACT writing section optional)
• Guidance counselor and academic teacher evaluations/ recommendations
• Three Brown essay questions, plus three essay questions specific to PLME applicants
• $75 application fee
• Strongly Recommended – Two SAT Subject Tests, preferably one in either biology, chemistry, or physics
• Strongly Encouraged – Alumni interview or video portfolio (submit portfolio or opt-in to interview via Brown applicant portal after submitting the Common Application)
• Encouraged – A graded paper from English, Literature, History, Economics, or other Humanities/Social Studies class (submitted via Brown applicant portal after submitting the Common Application)

PLME Essays

The three Brown University essay questions are:

• Why are you drawn to the area(s) of study you indicated earlier in this application? (You may share with us a skill or concept that you found challenging and rewarding to learn, or any experiences beyond coursework that may have broadened your interest.) (250-word limit)
• What do you hope to experience at Brown through the Open Curriculum, and what do you hope to contribute to the Brown community? (250-word limit)
• Tell us about the place, or places, you call home. These can be physical places where you have lived, or a community or group that is important to you. (250-word limit)

PLME applicants must also answer the following three questions:

• Committing to a future career as a physician while in high school requires careful consideration and self-reflection. What values and experiences have led you to believe that becoming a doctor in medicine is the right fit for you? (250-word limit)
• Most people describe a career as a physician/doctor as a “profession”, beyond a job. Describe for us what “professionalism” and “the profession of a physician/doctor ” mean to you. (250-word limit)
• How do you envision the Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME) helping you to meet your academic personal and professional goals as a person and as a physician of the future? (500-word limit)

Key Deadlines/Dates

• Early Decision application deadline – November 1
• Early Decision admission notification – mid-December
• Early Decision commitment deadline – January 8
• Regular Decision application deadline – January 1
• Regular Decision admission notification – Late March
• Regular decision commitment deadline – May 1

PLME Candidates and Early Decision

At Brown, applicants who apply Early Decision are asked not to submit applications to any other institutions under early decision plans or single-choice early action plans.

If accepted, applicants must withdraw all pending applications and enroll at Brown.

• Students who apply Early Decision to Brown and PLME may be admitted in December to both.

However, another possible scenario is that applicants are admitted to Brown only and not to PLME.

In this scenario, students are still bound by the Early Decision agreement and must enroll at Brown, regardless of their non-acceptance to PLME.

• Students who do not want to be bound to Brown at Early Decision without being admitted to PLME are asked to apply Regular Decision.

Applicants who apply Early Decision and are admitted to Brown but not to PLME will be reconsidered for admission to PLME during Regular Decision.

Financial Aid

Brown has a need-blind admission policy. This means that your ability to pay for your education is not a factor in admission decisions.

The Medical School works closely with students to secure the funding that is needed to meet the high cost of medical education.

• Financial aid is provided from sources including scholarships, loans, and part-time employment.

PLME does not have separate financial aid programs; students receive the same financial aid opportunities as traditional Brown students.

Final Thoughts: Brown PLME Admissions

Brown PLME is an excellent option for motivated, high-achieving students interested in both a career in the medical and a broad, enriching educational experience.

If you’re a high school student interested in the program, aim for high test scores and a GPA that places you at or near the top of your class.

• Take advanced courses, particularly in math and science, but don’t neglect your verbal and written communication skills.
• In addition to taking the SAT or ACT, it’s a good idea to complete all PLME’s “recommendations” too.
• That means you’ll need to take two SAT Subject Tests, submit a video portfolio or complete an alumni interview, and submit a high-quality graded paper.

To apply to PLME, simply complete the Common Application and the Brown Supplement , including the three essay questions specific to PLME applicants.

You do not need to complete a separate PLME application.

By following these steps, you’ll increase your chances of being accepted to this unique, highly competitive program.

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Brown University Supplemental Essays

Brown supplemental essays 2023-2024.

If you’re wondering how to get into Brown, a solid strategy begins with strong Brown supplemental essays. With most colleges and Ivy League universities going test-optional , your Brown supplemental essays are a great chance to stand out. 

The Brown University supplemental essays allow you to show the admissions team who you are and what you’d bring to campus. In this guide, we’ll take a look at the Brown essay prompts and provide you with some tips on how to best craft your Brown supplemental essays. 

Following our discussion of three Brown supplemental essay prompts, we will also showcase Brown’s Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME) program. This program allows students to combine an undergraduate and medical school education in just eight years. Applicants to this program must complete three additional specific Brown PLME essays. 

If you’re wondering how to write the Brown supplemental essays, then you’re in the right place. To write strong Brown University supplemental essays, you should first make sure you understand the prompts and requirements. So, let’s look at some quick facts about the Brown University supplemental essays. 

Brown Supplemental Essays- Quick Facts

• Brown University acceptance rate: 6% – Brown is a highly competitive school. 
• 1 half-page (200-250 word) “Why School” essay
• 1 half-page (200-250 word) essay
• 1 half-page (200-250 word) essay 
• 3 half-page (200-250 word) essays
• Brown application info: To apply to Brown, you must complete the Common Application. You’ll submit your Brown supplemental essays via the Common App platform.  
• November 1 for Early Decision 
• January 3 for Regular Decision 
• #1 Brown Essay Tip for how to get into Brown: Complete the Brown University supplemental essays thoughtfully and comprehensively. Use the Brown University supplemental essays to highlight why you are a great fit for Brown. Moreover, start early—begin drafting the Brown University supplemental essays and (if applicable) the Brown PLME essays well ahead of the Brown application deadline.

Please note that essay requirements are subject to change each admissions cycle, and portions of this article may have been written before the final publication of the most recent guidelines. For the most up-to-date information on essay requirements, check the university’s admissions website.

More details about Brown University

Brown University is a private institution located in Providence, RI. Founded in 1764, Brown University is one of the eight Ivy League schools. 

According to U.S. News , the Brown University ranking is #13 in National Universities. Additionally, the Brown University ranking comes in at #14 in Best Value Schools and #25 in Most Innovative Schools. The Brown University ranking reflects its strong performance across a variety of indicators. 

As a competitive school, the Brown supplemental essays are a vital part of the admissions process. To learn more about the Brown University acceptance rate, Brown University ranking, and Brown application deadline, check out our Brown University page . 

How many essays does Brown University require? 

So, how many Brown supplemental essays are required as part of the application? 

The Brown application requires a total of four essays, one of which is your Common App personal statement and the other three are the Brown University supplemental essays. The Common App essay is not just a Brown essay. Rather, it will be submitted through the Common App to all of your schools. There are also three shorter Brown supplemental essays. 

Essay requirements for specialty majors

Then, there are additional Brown supplemental essays for Brown University’s specialized undergraduate programs. If you are interested in applying to the PLME program , you will need to submit the three more required Brown PLME essays along with your Brown application. We will expand on the Brown PLME essays later in this guide. Like the three other required Brown University supplemental essays, the Brown PLME essays form an extremely important part of the application process. 

If you are planning to apply to the Brown-RISD Dual Degree Program , you will need to write one additional Brown essay . Although we will not include the additional Brown essay prompt for the Dual Degree program in this guide, the Brown supplemental essays we cover below should give you enough direction to write this Brown essay. 

Understanding the Brown essay requirements

So, let’s review: most applicants will complete three Brown supplemental essays. If you apply to the PLME program, you will complete three Brown supplemental essays AND three Brown PLME essays, for a total of six Brown essays in addition to the Common App personal statement. If you are applying to the Brown-RISD Dual Degree Program, you will complete one additional essay, for a total of four Brown supplemental essays, plus your Common App personal essay. 

For more information about the Brown PLME essays and Brown-RISD essay, check out our essay guide for those program-specific Brown supplemental essays. 

Brown University: PLME and Brown-RISD Essay Guide

In all your worrying about the Brown University supplemental essays, did you forget about your Common App essay? We’ve got you covered. After checking out the Brown supplemental essays, check out this article . In it, you’ll find 39 essay tips from CollegeAdvisor.com’s Admissions Experts on how to write a great college essay. 

What are the Brown supplemental essay prompts? 

In addition to the Common App personal statement, there are three Brown essay prompts to consider as you begin your “how to get into Brown” strategy . We will examine each of the Brown essay prompts below before we discuss how to write the Brown supplemental essays. 

Here are the required Brown University supplemental essays for the 2023-24 admissions cycle:

In each Brown essay, admissions should learn something new about the applicant. Successful Brown supplemental essays will share information about students that hasn’t been seen elsewhere in the application. Likewise, each response to the Brown University supplemental essays should highlight something different. 

Let’s take a closer look at the Brown supplemental essays. 

Brown Essay Prompt #1

The first Brown essay prompt might look easy at first glance. It asks you to address two things. First, this Brown essay prompt wants you to highlight one of your academic interests. Then, it wants you to explain how you will use the Brown Open Curriculum to your advantage as you explore your academic pursuits.  

Successful Brown University supplemental essays will refer to the specific qualities that only Brown can offer its students. If you do not know much about the Brown Open Curriculum , you’ll want to start there. The Brown Open Curriculum is unique to Brown University. It’s also one of the reasons the Brown University acceptance rate is so low—Brown’s unique teaching model attracts many hopeful applicants. 

With the Brown Open Curriculum, students at Brown can develop their own personalized course of study. Brown Open Curriculum essays should be unique and personal to each student. To write a strong Brown essay, you’ll want to explain how the Brown Open Curriculum will benefit you specifically in regard to your academic interest(s). 

We’ll check out some tips to write a successful essay for this first prompt later in this guide. However, on your own, it may be helpful to research a Brown Open Curriculum essay example in order to see what’s worked in the past. 

Brown Essay Prompt #2 

This Brown essay prompt is all about learning from your experiences. These Brown supplemental essays will likely focus on your communities and circumstances. What challenges did your experiences bring? How did you overcome, learn from, or adapt to the aspect of your life that you discuss? 

With this Brown essay prompt, you should also showcase what makes you unique. These Brown University supplemental essays should highlight how applicants will enrich the larger Brown community. Be specific in your response to this Brown essay prompt. Which community at Brown do you see yourself joining? Moreover, how exactly will you contribute to this community? Successful Brown supplemental essays for this prompt will allow admissions to envision the positive impact applicants will have on campus. 

Brown Essay Prompt #3

This Brown essay prompt is all about self-reflection, perspective, and compassion. How do you connect to the world around you? And, specifically, what makes you happy? Finding the joy in everyday things is a large part of each person’s well-being. Successful Brown supplemental essays will show that you can find joy in the simple things as a curious observer and participant in the world around you. 

Successful Brown supplemental essays will vary greatly. However, the goal of this Brown essay is the same as many other college essays: show admissions who you are and how you navigate the world. 

Do the Brown essays change?

In short, yes , the Brown supplemental essays can certainly change. Like at most universities, the Brown supplemental essays are subject to change each year. That’s why it’s important to check the admissions website for the most current information on the Brown University supplemental essays.

For example, this year, the wording of the first two Brown essay prompts slightly changed from last year. However, the third Brown essay prompt changed completely. The Brown University supplemental essays have maintained a similar word count from year to year, although they have varied slightly. This year, all the Brown supplemental essays have a limit of 200-250 words. 

Indeed, for any college application, always double-check the university’s admissions website so that you have the correct and updated information. Normally, the most current Brown essay prompts will be revealed in the summer before the admissions deadlines. 

Brown Supplemental Essays #1: Open Curriculum Essay

The first of the Brown University supplemental essays is about the Brown Open Curriculum. This Brown essay is the university’s take on the why school essay. So, a successful Brown Open Curriculum essay example will do what a successful why school essay does: answer “why Brown?” and “why you?”.

The purpose of a why school essay is to help the admissions committee understand the reasons why you want to attend this school. A strong why school essay, and why Brown essay, will incorporate specific details that relate to the school’s mission, values, opportunities, or programs. 

You’ll find similar versions of this why school essay prompt in the supplemental essays for NYU, Stanford, and UPenn. In order to write your best Brown University supplemental essays, you’ll want to look at Brown supplemental essays examples. You can read more about this type of college essay in our college essay examples guide . 

Let’s look at this first essay 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 pursue them at Brown.

Addressing this brown essay prompt.

As we mentioned earlier, the Brown Open Curriculum essay prompt is twofold. This Brown essay prompt asks you to elaborate on one of your academic interests along with how you will use the Brown Open Curriculum to pursue that interest. 

Before you start writing the first of the Brown supplemental essays, you will want to research the Brown Open Curriculum . You can look through Brown’s website to explore more facts about the Brown Open Curriculum and its unique attributes. While you are doing your research, take notes on what aspects of this offering excite you the most. 

Once you’ve learned more about the Brown Open Curriculum, you’ll want to start brainstorming . Think about how the Brown Open Curriculum can help you reach your own academic goals. To do this, you’ll first need to think about your own academic interests. Then you can tie it into the opportunities you’ll have with the Brown Open Curriculum. 

Are you interested in multiple academic fields or careers? What courses are you hoping to take to further these interests? Finally, how would the flexibility of the Brown Open Curriculum help you develop your interests? 

With only 250 words for the Brown Open Curriculum essay prompt, you’ll want to make every word of this Brown essay count. Get to the point quickly and provide specific examples about your academic interests and plans. Then, spend the rest of the Brown essay describing how the Brown Open Curriculum will help you pursue them. 

What is Brown Open Curriculum? 

The Brown Open Curriculum was first introduced in 1969 . From its founding, the Brown Open Curriculum was created by faculty and students to offer undergraduates the freedom to explore and combine ideas across disciplines. The Brown Open Curriculum gives students the flexibility to choose their own courses and be “the architect of their own education.” 

In other words, students are not required to complete a set of core courses for graduation. Instead, the Brown Open Curriculum allows students to create their own personalized course of study. 

Most students at Brown will sample a wide range of courses in various subjects before selecting one of Brown’s 80+ academic concentrations to study in-depth. As a result, the Brown Open Curriculum produces an intellectual environment where students can explore courses in all disciplines. 

The Brown Open Curriculum essay is Brown’s version of the Why School essay. That means that when approaching the Brown Open Curriculum essay, you’ll need to be specific with your examples. Additionally, you’ll need to show not only what you’d gain from the Brown Open Curriculum, but also what you’d bring to it. 

Brown Supplemental Essay #2

Next, let’s move on to the second of the Brown supplemental essays. 

The second of the Brown University supplemental essays is about how you see yourself within the larger community at Brown. The purpose of this type of essay is to show how you could make a positive impact on the campus community.  

Therefore, a strong response to this second prompt of the Brown University supplemental essays will address how you see yourself interacting with the diverse community at Brown. You’ll find a similar version of this Brown essay prompt in the supplemental essays for Duke University. 

Now, let’s revisit the second of the Brown supplemental essays prompt: 

Students entering Brown often find that making their home on College Hill naturally invites reflection on where they came from. Share how an aspect of your growing up has inspired or challenged you, and what unique contributions this might allow you to make to the Brown community.

Although this Brown essay prompt is intentionally broad, there are a few ways to answer it. Think about what makes you a unique applicant. What aspects of your personality and perspective would you bring to the table at Brown? Additionally, how do you see yourself making an impact on campus? 

Successful Brown University supplemental essays will be reflective and show growth. Basically, how did your upbringing shape the way you interact, navigate, and contribute to the world around you? Of course, Brown supplemental essays will need to answer the prompt comprehensively. So, choose a moment from your upbringing that was either inspiring or challenging. Then, show how this learning will positively influence your experience at Brown. 

Brown Supplemental Essays #3

The third prompt of the Brown supplemental essays is all about being a curious and passionate learner. Rather than focusing on the university like in the previous Brown University supplemental essays, the whole purpose of this essay prompt is to learn more about you . Of course, in turn, strong Brown University supplemental essays will allow admissions to gain an understanding of what you’d bring to the campus and community. 

Let’s review the third of the Brown University supplemental essays:

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.

At first glance, this Brown essay prompt may seem intimidating. It’s unique and different from most college essays and the other Brown University supplemental essays. Basically, it’s not a why school essay. However, the intention of this essay is the same as the overall goal of all the Brown supplemental essays: stand out to admissions by sharing more of who you are.

Getting creative with your Brown supplemental essays

This Brown essay allows students to get creative. You could speak of the joy of brewing your first cup of coffee, or the simple routine of steeping your nighttime tea. Or, maybe it’s the interaction with the bodega owner that brightens your day, the smile from a stranger as they open the door for you, or talking with your mom while helping her make dinner. The topic for these Brown supplemental essays could be literally anything—as long as you show what brings you joy and why. 

Don’t shy away from getting creative when responding to this Brown essay prompt. Successful Brown supplemental essays will hook the reader from the start and keep them engaged throughout. Of course, don’t go off on an irrelevant anecdote when writing your Brown University supplemental essays. Rather, make sure to fully and comprehensively answer the prompts for each of the Brown University supplemental essays.

What does Brown Admissions look for?

Brown Admissions, like many colleges and universities, uses a holistic approach when evaluating each application they receive. However, Brown University is an Ivy League institution . Therefore, Brown University is considered a highly selective university. 

The Brown University acceptance rate is 6% . The average SAT score for admitted applicants at Brown is 1460-1570. Additionally, the average ACT score is 33 to 35. That being said, there are no official minimum requirements when it comes to GPA, and submitting standardized test scores is optional . However, as such a selective and prestigious university, Brown tends to attract exceptional applicants. This means that simply having good grades and impressive extracurriculars won’t guarantee admission: this is where impactful Brown supplemental essays can make a true difference.

Standing out in the admissions process

The admissions committee wants to see how you’ve taken advantage of the resources available at your high school and within your community. How have you fueled your intellectual curiosity throughout your adolescent years? What did you do to be an active learner and participant in your high school? What have you achieved? And, most importantly, how will you bring all those accomplishments and experiences to the Brown community? These are the types of questions admissions officers ask themselves when reviewing applications. Additionally, these are exactly the things that successful Brown supplemental essays will reveal. 

Because the Brown University acceptance rate is so low, it’s crucial that your Brown supplemental essays stand out. Crafting strong Brown supplemental essays can help boost your chances of admission to this elite university . 

Additional Brown Supplemental Essays

When applying to Brown, students will need to complete the Brown University supplemental essays (there are three!) as well as the Common App personal statement. However, if you’re applying to certain programs at Brown, you’ll need to complete additional Brown supplemental essays. 

If you’re interested in applying to the Brown-RISD Dual Degree Program , then you’ll respond to one additional Brown essay in your application, making your total number of Brown supplemental essays four. Unsurprisingly, this Brown essay focuses on the applicant’s desire and motivation for applying to the dual degree program. The Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) is an art and design school. So, students will want to show the intersection of their artistic experiences, curiosity, and goals with their desire to have a liberal arts education. 

Additionally, students applying to PLME (Program in Liberal Medical Education) will respond to program-specific Brown supplemental essays. That means that PLME applicants will submit six Brown supplemental essays in total—three of the Brown supplemental essays required for all applicants and three Brown PLME essays. We’ll get into the PLME Brown University supplemental essays shortly, but first, let’s better understand the details of the actual program. After all, it would be quite challenging to write stellar Brown PLME essays without first understanding the program. 

What is Brown PLME?

Brown PLME is an eight-year program that combines a student’s undergraduate education with a medical school education. This program is unique to Brown University, and it is the only combined baccalaureate-MD program in the Ivy League. 

The PLME program is ideal for students who want a broad liberal arts education and who are committed to pursuing a future career in the medical field. Students who are accepted into the Brown PLME program can choose to pursue an AB or ScB degree in the sciences, or an AB degree in the humanities, social sciences, or behavioral sciences. 

Once PLME students complete their undergraduate program, they move directly to Brown’s Warren Alpert Medical School . 

How to apply to Brown PLME?

If you are interested in applying to the PLME program, you will need to apply to both Brown and the PLME program at the same time using the same online application. This means that you must complete the three required Brown University supplemental essays in addition to the Brown PLME essays. Also, you must adhere to the same Brown application deadline for Early Decision (November 1) or Regular Decision (January 3). 

There are three additional Brown University supplemental essays that you will need to write if you are interested in applying to Brown’s Program in Liberal Medical Education or PLME program. All three of the Brown PLME essays are required for admission. 

Please visit the Brown PLME website for more information on how to apply. 

What are the Brown PLME essays? 

If you are interested in Brown’s PLME program, you will need to write the Brown PLME essays as part of your Brown application. So, you should start familiarizing yourself with the prompts.

Here are the prompts for the Brown PLME essays: 

How To Write The Brown PLME Essays

The Brown PLME program is a huge commitment. If accepted, you’ll be spending the next eight years completing your undergraduate courses and preparing for medical school. 

Therefore, it’s imperative that you show your desire and commitment to becoming a physician in each of your Brown PLME essays. 

Let’s review the first of the Brown PLME essays: 

Committing to a future career as a physician while in high school requires careful consideration and self-reflection. explain your personal motivation to pursue a career in medicine..

If you have ever volunteered within the healthcare space, received a certification, or participated in healthcare research, then this Brown PLME essay is the perfect place to showcase your experiences. 

Additionally, this prompt asks you to highlight two things: your values and experiences. So, successful Brown PLME essays will be sure that the essay reflects both and not one over the other. 

Next, let’s revisit the second PLME essay prompt: 

Healthcare is constantly changing as it is affected by racial and social inequities, economics, politics, technology, and more. imagine that you are a physician and describe one way in which you would seek to make a positive impact in today’s healthcare environment..

Like the other Brown University supplemental essays, this prompt is broad. You can approach it by demonstrating your understanding of the profession. This could be through your own personal experiences or through the lens of one of your activities. You could also describe how your own beliefs and goals align with the profession.

Either way, you’ll need to reflect on what being a doctor means to you before you start writing. 

Brown PLME Essays #3

How do you envision the program in liberal medical education (plme) helping you to meet your academic, personal, and professional goals as a person and as a physician of the future.

As you approach this prompt, think about your personal interests and goals. Once you have a list of what you hope to achieve, think about how they might connect to medicine. 

Like the other Brown University supplemental essays, you’ll want to get specific in your response. Mention courses, professors, or programs by name. Think about how your values and goals align with the flexibility that the PLME program offers. Additionally, applicants can incorporate what they like about the Brown campus culture and community within these Brown supplemental essays. 

Check out our overview of the PLME program and essay guide to learn more about the Brown University supplemental essays for this specialized undergraduate program. Like with writing all of the Brown University supplemental essays, looking at other Brown supplemental essays examples could help to inspire your writing process for the PLME program. 

How to write the Brown supplemental essays

5 tips for the brown essays, 1. start early .

Start working on your Brown University supplemental essays long before the Brown application deadline. This will give you plenty of time to research the Brown Open Curriculum, brainstorm ideas, write, edit, and revise your essays so that they complement your application. Ideally, you’ll want to have someone else look over your essays, too. This will allow you to gain some feedback on not only grammar and mechanics but also on style and tone. However, be careful with how you implement your feedback. After all, you want the essay to still sound like you.

2. Be genuine 

It will be easy to tell if you are recycling your essays from other applications to use in these Brown University supplemental essays. Be authentic and genuine, and you’ll be sure to stand out from the crowd. While using Brown supplemental essays examples for inspiration can help you get started, you shouldn’t try to mimic them. Tell your own unique story through the Brown supplemental essays. Students often make the mistake of writing what they think admissions committees want to hear. However, they’ll see right through that facade. It may sound corny, but just be you in your essays!

3. Highlight specific resources/programs/opportunities at Brown 

Brown offers exceptional resources and programs to their students. Mention a few by name in your essays to show that you are excited about attending Brown—and you’ve done your research. You could potentially do this in all the prompts, however, be sure to do so when writing the Brown Open Curriculum essay. Basically, your essays for Brown shouldn’t read as though they could be applicable to just any college. Rather, they should read as though they are solely for Brown.

4. Show what makes you unique 

The Brown University ranking is competitive for a reason. Show what makes you a unique applicant and why you would be a great fit for the Brown community. Reflect on impactful moments of your life, but stay away from overly generic and cliche topics. Using these pivotal moments and experiences is a great way to write unique essays. After all, no other applicant has lived exactly the same experiences that you have. 

5. Choose your topic carefully

Make sure that each of your responses to the Brown University supplemental essays highlight different facets of your background, interests, and personality. Each of your essays should build upon your entire candidate profile. The essays are an opportunity to highlight your unique skills, traits, or experiences that allow admissions some insight into you and your life. This way, they will be able to envision you on the campus as a real person, not just another applicant in their expansive pool of qualified candidates. Think carefully and thoughtfully about what you want to shine a spotlight on in these essays. Then, make sure they enhance your application as a whole.

Additional Resources from CollegeAdvisor

Are you still wondering how to get into Brown? Or how to write the Brown supplemental essays? CollegeAdvisor can help. We have an extensive library of articles on our website about college essays. These include guidance on how to write the Brown supplemental essays and Brown University essays examples that worked . Additionally, check out some Ivy League essay examples to better understand what it takes to get into some of the most selective universities in the nation.  

Ivy League Essay Examples

It can be helpful for you to review our past essay guides to get more ideas about how to write your own Brown supplemental essays. You can read our Brown University supplemental essays guide from the 2022-2023 college admissions session here . You can also check out our 2021-2022 guide on the Brown supplemental essays here . 

Or, maybe you want to learn more about life at Brown before you write your Brown supplemental essays. You can watch our Brown virtual college tour webinar to get ideas on how to write the why school essay within the Brown University supplemental essays. You can also learn more about the campus itself from former alumni in our webinar and panel series . 

Virtual College Tours: Brown University

Finally, if you have already written your Brown supplemental essays and gained acceptance to the university, check out how to make the most of your first year at Brown. 

Make the Most of Your First Year at Brown

Brown Supplemental Essays- Final Thoughts

Overall, think of your supplemental essays as an opportunity for the admissions committee to learn more about who you are, what is important to you, and how you will fit into the larger campus community. Show just how you’ll take advantage of the unique Brown Open Curriculum. Use anecdotes, research, and moments of personal growth to really enhance each Brown essay. 

The best supplemental essays will highlight aspects of your personality, background, or interests that are not otherwise seen in the rest of your application. Good luck!

This article was written by Sarah Kaminski. Looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.

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Russia : Omsk Oblast

Contents: Omsk Oblast

1,977,665 Population [2010] – census

1,858,798 Population [2021] – census

139,700km² Area

13.31/km² Density [2021]

The population of Omsk Oblast according to census results and latest official estimates.

Contents: Cities and Settlements

The population of all cities and urban settlements in Omsk Oblast according to census results and latest official estimates.

Source: (2002) (2010) (2021) Federal State Statistics Service Russia (web).

What are your chances of acceptance?

Calculate for all schools, your chance of acceptance.

Your chancing factors

Extracurriculars.

How to Write the Brown University and PLME Supplemental Essays 2018-2019

Perched on top of the College Hill neighborhood in Providence, Rhode Island, Brown University, a member of the Ivy League, is one of the most prestigious colleges in the United States. Brown is currently ranked #14 by the US News College Ranking , and for the Class of 2022, accepted seven percent of total applicants . Notable alumni from Brown include actress Emma Watson, current Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, and World Bank President Jim Yong Kim.

Brown, founded in 1764, is the seventh oldest institution of higher education in the United States, and is characterized by its Open Curriculum, in which general education requirements are rendered null, freeing its 6,500 eclectic undergraduates to craft their own educational journeys.

Brown University requires a completed Common Application. In addition to the universal essay prompt, Brown requires four supplemental essays, as well as additional prompts if you are applying to the Program in Liberal Medical Education or the Brown-RISD Dual Degree Program . The prompts may seem daunting at first, but we here at CollegeVine are here to help you tackle these essays to the best of your ability!

Want to learn what Brown University will actually cost you based on your income? And how long your application to the school should take?  Here’s what every student considering Brown University needs to know.

The Brown University Supplemental Essay Questions

(1) Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences. (150 words)

(2) Why are you drawn to the area(s) of study you indicated earlier in this application? (You may share with us a skill or concept that you found challenging and rewarding to learn, or any experiences beyond course work that may have broadened your interest.) (250 words)

(3) What do you hope to experience at Brown through the Open Curriculum, and what do you hope to contribute to the Brown community? (250 words)

(4) Tell us about the place, or places, you call home. These can be physical places where you have lived, or a community or group that is important to you. (250 words)

(5) Some schools offer students the opportunity to take national exams in areas such as math and language. These exams include, but are not limited to, AIME, AMC 10, Le Grand Concours, National Spanish Exam, National Latin Exams. If you have taken any of these exams (or any other subject-based national or international examinations), please inform us of the exams and scores you find most meaningful. (250 words)

PLME applicants only:

(1) Committing to a future career as a physician while in high school requires careful consideration and self-reflection. (250 words)

(2) What values and experiences have led you to believe that becoming a doctor in medicine is the right fit for you? (250 words)

(3) Most people describe a career as a physician/doctor as a “profession”, beyond a job. Describe for us what “professionalism” and “the profession of a physician/doctor” mean to you. (250 words)

(4) How do you envision the Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME) helping you to meet your academic personal and professional goals as a person and as a physician of the future? (500 words)

RISD applicants only:

(1) The Brown|RISD A.B./B.F.A. Dual Degree program provides an opportunity to explore your interests and prepare for the future in two distinct learning environments. Considering your understanding of both academic programs, describe how and why the specific combination of the art/design-focused curriculum of RISD and the wide-ranging courses and curricula of Brown could constitute an optimal undergraduate education for you. (650 words)

How to Write the Brown University Supplemental Essays

In all of the supplemental essays, you want to be well researched into specific aspects at Brown, almost as if you were a student there yourself. You want to show the admissions team that you are intimately familiar with Brown’s community and curriculum, and that you believe you are a great fit inside this ecosystem. Doing this will allow you, as the applicant, to stand out from all the other essays pouring generic praise on Brown’s community and curriculum. These prompt guides will help you do just that.

As you approach this set of essay questions, make sure that the final result is a well rounded portfolio, in which essays provide enough contrast to adequately show of your complexities.

For example, the first essay prompt asks about an activity you do, while the next one asks about your intended area of study. If you want to study, say, biology, you don’t want to spend the first essay talking about your research internship when you could talk about it in the second prompt.

In the essay dealing with a community you were a part of, make sure to minimize overlap with it and the Common App essay, as students frequently cover core parts of their identity in both. This supplemental essay is a good outlet for you to explore a niche community that would complement your flagship Common App essay.

Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences. (150 words)

Throughout all four of the general Brown University supplement essays, you have the opportunity to talk about your extracurricular activities and work experiences, but only here are you directly encouraged to place an activity at the center of your essay.

Strategically, you want to choose an activity that captures a large part of your identity (if you haven’t already done so in your Common App personal statement). However, if you feel like you’ve sufficiently talked about your major activities elsewhere, you could use this short prompt to talk about a different, light hearted hobby you may have.

For example, say you have a strong set of conventional achievements and experience in STEM fields, and you’ve already written about them. Here, you could talk about your love for gardening, which you couldn’t really place anywhere else. Using these 150 words to illustrate your feelings when digging into the Earth and awaiting for life to grow out could excellently round out your college profile.

You only have 150 words, so you should avoid summarizing your achievements and duties for too long (this should happen more in the activities and honors sections of your Common App), and talk more in depth about specific experiences that shaped who you are today. You could approach this “briefly elaborate” part in two ways:

(1) You can offer a past tense narrative that immerses the reader in how you were thinking and feeling in a certain situation or moment. For example, you could bring the reader back to a basketball game where your teammate had recently suffered a family tragedy. As the team’s captain, you rallied the team around that teammate, and although you did not win the game, the camaraderie that was built that night elevated the team’s level of play moving forward.

(2) You could use present tense narrative that takes a “slice of life” moment from an activity and walks through your state of mind and emotions as it takes place. For example, if you are into debate, you could choose the moment right before you start speaking, and illustrate to the reader your state of mind that allows you to excel in the round that is about to begin.

For example, if marching band formed a large part of your identity in high school, talk about your junior year season, and what you and your band achieved. Hone in on a breakthrough moment in the year, whether that was a specific tournament or a significant practice session. If you were a section leader, talk about a specific conflict you had to resolve that allowed your team to grow better and stronger.

Moreso than listing how much you won (in marching band or anything else), make sure to emphasize the process behind, and the struggle it took to get there.  Use a specific moment to paint a picture of your dedication to the extracurricular activity. The most effective essays don’t even really mention the achievement at all, but they instead dive into why the activity was enjoyable or meaningful.

You may have also held part time jobs while in high school, which you could also talk about. However, what may be more valuable than talking about the activity itself (“bagging groceries taught me discipline”) may be describing why the job was important for you (“I bagged groceries because I needed to contribute to the family income. At first, I hated how dull the work was, and how I had to work while my friends didn’t, but I eventually came to appreciate both the work and my contribution to my family. Nevertheless balancing work and school remained incredibly hard.”).

Ultimately, this essay shouldn’t describe an activity, but should use an activity to describe you, and what drives you and fascinates you.

Why are you drawn to the area(s) of study you indicated earlier in this application? (You may share with us a skill or concept that you found challenging and rewarding to learn, or any experiences beyond coursework that may have broadened your interest.) (250 words)

In this “Why X major” essay, you first want to think about why exactly you authentically resonate with the subject you chose, and why exactly you want to study said subject rather than others. You should definitely utilize the essay “hints” to guide your process: the “skill or concept you found challenging and rewarding” and “experiences beyond coursework. ”

Focus your essay on a specific topic (cell division) that could illustrate and symbolize a love for the overall topic (biology). If you struggled with understanding this topic, talk about that, and lead the reader to your moment of enlightenment that fostered within you a great appreciation for the subject.

Another key in this prompt is the word area(s) : don’t be afraid to talk about different academic subjects you are interested in, but you should keep it limited to two topics, or even better, an interdisciplinary field that connects the two. Make sure to connect these subjects to specific courses/programs/special features present at Brown, which you would definitely take advantage of if accepted—even though this prompt asks you just about your concentration, the prompt is also asking why you want to concentrate in that subject specifically at Brown.

Here are some examples to illustrate the transition between your past experiences and your potential future experiences at  Brown:

Example 1: If you’re interested in computer science, or are vaguely passionate about the workings of technology, you could talk about a specific side project you worked on, or a difficult language you learned, or a class that you took (if your school did not offer classes, you could talk about the struggles behind self-learning computer science). Then you could mention how much you want to study computer science at Brown, where you could take the famous introductory CS 15 course offered by Professor Andy Van Dam, or how you could pursue computer science in tandem with your interest in fields like anthropology and history because of the Open Curriculum.

Example 2: If you were always a book lover, and put down English literature as your intended concentration, talk about the book(s) that really opened up the world to you, or a piece of writing that took immense effort and time to write. Then, you could connect this interest to studying literature at Brown, where you would be free to pursue your interests in all of the humanities, including literature from all over the world. Name dropping related Brown courses like “Literatures of Immigration” and “Proust, Joyce and Faulkner” could also help. You could even talk about the legacy of contemporary writers who attended Brown, such as Jeffrey Eugenides and Edwidge Danticat and Lois Lowry.

Example 3: If politics, activism, or community work is what you always gravitated towards, talk about your experience on a campaign, or as a political intern, or even in a a school club like mock trial or model UN. You could then talk about studying politics at Brown and taking advantage of its programs such as Brown in Washington, the Swearer Center for Public Service, and ample opportunities to participate in local Rhode Island government activities.

What do you hope to experience at Brown through the Open Curriculum, and what do you hope to contribute to the Brown community? (250 words)

This prompt is quite challenging, because it is asking two very different and expansive questions that you must answer in less than 250 words. The key here will be finding strong examples for each part, and seamlessly transitioning between “open curriculum” and “Brown community.” You may just have to start a new paragraph. However, you may also find that the two are related: your contribution to the campus community will be driven by you growing as a person through taking advantage of the Open Curriculum.

Brown’s Open Curriculum is perhaps the key component that distinguishes Brown from its peer institutions. In Open Curriculum, students have no general education requirements, and instead choose their own classes. In order to graduate, students need only to complete their concentration requirements, as well as two writing class requirements.

However, the Open Curriculum is not for everyone, but rather for those who want to take their undergraduate education into their own hands. Here are a few examples and directions in which to go:

First, the interdisciplinary study option. Say you want to concentrate in computer science, but you’re also interested in its connection to ethics. And on the side, you love ceramics. You could talk about how at Brown, doing all of these things simultaneously is feasible because of a lack of general education requirements. You could also talk about taking advantage of RISD courses as a Brown student, and maybe end with talking about how you would love to combine your interests in computer science and art by taking RISD’s “Stop Motion Animation” class.

Second, the “I’m interested in a ton of things but I have no idea what I want to study” option. Because you have until the end of your sophomore year to declare your major, you can talk about how Brown is a perfect place to fulfill all your intellectual cravings and eventually hone in what exactly you’d like to concentrate in. However, there should be some common pattern or intellectual framework that could unify these seemingly disparate interests. For example, you could unite your interests in sculpture and neuroanatomy as part of your desire to seek understanding through 3D modeling.

Additionally, you could mention Brown’s long class shopping period, the fact that students in every class choose to be there, and the ability to take classes outside of your comfort zone pass fail.

In the second part of the prompt, “what do you hope to contribute to the Brown community,” the admissions team is asking you to do some shameless self promotion: what is unique about you, and how can you add to the already abundant diversity on campus? For this prompt, you could browse through the list of preexisting campus organizations and think about which ones you might join, and why. Using this long list as guidance, think about the thematic areas that align with who you are—maybe there’s two to four clubs that you could join as part of your main extracurricular interest, but feel free to talk about other college activities you’d like to do that you don’t have a lot of experience in, or niche clubs you’d like to try out. Also, if something you want to do isn’t on the list, you could mention how you want to start a new organization on campus.

However, this prompt isn’t limited to club participation, as campus life is so much more than that:

You could talk about the unique set of life experiences you bring, and how that is outside of the traditional narrative of what a “Brown Student” is. Through these experiences, you believe that whether it is in a dorm room, campus newspaper, or panel discussion, you can bring unrepresented point of view to the table. However, because there are tens of thousands of applicants each year, make sure that if you want to go this route, you believe your story is truly unique.

Maybe you love working with the local community, wherever you go. Back home, you worked with local political chapters, and volunteered at under-resourced elementary schools. You could talk about how you would want to carry this over to Brown, and forge intimate connections between the Brown community and the local Providence community.

You could also just talk about how you would love to continue a non-extra curricular or work related hobby to campus. For example, if you love doing street photography, maybe you can talk about creating an Instagram account that features Brown students in cool outfits around campus. This, for you, would be your way of bringing the school closer.

Tell us about the place, or places, you call home. These can be physical places where you have lived, or a community or group that is important to you. (250 words)

This essay prompt is pretty straightforward, but the possibility of things you can write about is boundless. Before you start writing this essay, think considerably about how your different environments have affected you. This could be thought of in matters of race and economic status, or in regards to the specific people surrounding you.

First, let’s look at “ physical places where you have lived.” If you’ve grown up travelling all around the world with, say, a military or foreign service family, talk about living in these foreign environments shaped your adolescence. Say you grew up in North Carolina, but suddenly your father’s job called him to Germany, where you lived for the next four years. Talk about how you had to completely shift your cultural norms, and how you had to overcome uprooting your previous life. You could also talk about place in an abstract sense, especially if your family comes from outside of the United States, or moved to a vastly different part of the country. If you have a tension in identity that comes from being a minority group, or by simply being in a new environment, talk about how you dealt with that, or how that has shaped your identity.

If you grew up in the same city your entire life, you may have formed deep connections with a community in your area. This could be your local church, your Taekwondo studio, a refugee center, your grandma’s house, your local baseball field, your neighborhood grocery store, or pretty much anything else. Think about how engaging in activities in a certain place has shaped how you view the world.

For example, by tutoring students learning English as a second language, you have grown in empathy for those who lack the resources to get the educational catch-up they need, mirroring how you yourself struggled learning English in your Spanish dominated home. This has lead you to want to eventually study public policy and education at Brown, so that you can eventually become a bilingual teacher, as well as hopefully influence education policy to address the needs you experienced and saw.

Or you can discuss how you spent countless afternoons getting lost at Costco, fascinated with all the various electronics out for display. Talk about how you spent hours tinkering with all the sample products, which contributed to and symbolized your eventual interest in electrical engineering.

The third part of the prompt, a “group,” is the broadest of all, and you could talk about any structured time spent with one or more people that impacted you. This could be your school’s drumline, your group of friends, or your JV basketball team. This also does not have to be a physical community, but could easily be an online community you found a home in. If you have spent a large chunk of your time talking to groups of people interested in a certain TV show or video game or clothing brand, don’t be afraid to talk about how that influenced your maturation. Anything that substantially shaped who you are today works.

The key here is to emphasize why exactly this seemingly mundane group is close to your heart, and make sure to show rather than tell. Focusing on a dialogue with a groupmate, a person you helped, or specific details in a house that you lived in will allow you to avoid generalities and cliches. These specific moments can easily transition into you talking about your general feelings and point of view about this group. Overall, don’t worry too much about how impressive a particular group sounds on paper. If you dedicate yourself to any group, community, or place, and write candidly about your experience, the passion will inevitably show to the reader.

Some schools offer students the opportunity to take national exams in areas such as math and language. These exams include, but are not limited to, AIME, AMC 10, Le Grand Concours, National Spanish Exam, National Latin Exams. If you have taken any of these exams (or any other subject-based national or international examinations), please inform us of the exams and scores you find most meaningful. (250 words)

Although you should have probably mentioned these tests and scores in the honors and activities section of the Common Application, feel free to reiterate them again here if it is important to you. Make sure to only drop in the award or score itself, and don’t create another essay, as there is plenty of space in the other prompts to do so.

Brown’s Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME) is a prestigious 8 year BS/MD program in which accepted students are automatically accepted into Brown’s Warren Alpert Medical School. The acceptance rate for Brown’s PLME program is just 3.9% . A helpful guide is CollegeVine’s overview to accelerated BS/MD programs, which can be found at this link . Another guide specifically on Brown’s PLME is found here .

Committing to a future career as a physician while in high school requires careful consideration and self-reflection. What values and experiences have led you to believe that becoming a doctor in medicine is the right fit for you? (250 words)

The Program in Liberal Medical Education (as well as other accelerated medical programs) is a huge commitment for 17 and 18 year olds, who are essentially saying that they know what they want to do for the rest of their lives. As a result, Brown admissions officers want to accept candidates whom they believe have tangible reasons as to why they want to become doctors. These reasons may include clinical and laboratory experience, as well as a general passion to improve the well being of others.

In this prompt, reflecting on past experiences is critical. Whether that is shadowing a pediatrician at your local hospital for a summer, volunteering with an organization like the Red Cross, or doing lab research on pancreatic cancer, let the admissions team know that you have past experiences engaging in clinical or laboratory work, and that these experiences have increased your desire to enter the medical profession.

Moreover, bring in your past experiences with the healthcare field, such as seeing a loved relation hospitalized, if they instilled within you a desire to eventually enter and better the industry. As a warning, however, it is easy to fall into the cliche of witnessing an older relative, usually a grandparent, pass away due to illness, and afterwards deciding to pursue medicine as a career. In cases such as these, make sure to make the experience as unique to you as possible, and use this experience as a jumping off point to other activities you have done pertaining to the health field.  

Afterwards, brainstorm the key values you hold for your life. If you are not sure of your values, think back to how you have spent your time: if you’ve spent significant amounts of time volunteering out of goodwill, or caring for family members, or tutoring your peers, chances are, your values may center around caring for others in need, and looking beyond yourself, both of which are critical components of good doctors. A love for interacting with other people and learning about them is a key component in being a doctor, so make sure to illustrate this point through your experiences. Using concrete things you’ve done in the past to color your values is much more powerful than just stating “my values are helping those in need.”

You could even talk about other extracurriculars you’ve tried, but simply did not enjoy as much as health-related activities, to further cement how being a doctor is the only foreseeable career route you see yourself being fulfilled and satisfied in. Overall, just go off your past experiences in health related fields, your current ideas and beliefs, and your future dreams and goals.

Most people describe a career as a physician/doctor as a “profession”, beyond a job. Describe for us what “professionalism” and “the profession of a physician/doctor” mean to you. (250 words)

Essentially, this prompt is asking how important becoming a doctor is for you, and if it is your “calling.” Working as a lifelong doctor is often societally elevated above other jobs, as you are literally saving lives, and doctors are also held to the lofty Hippocratic Oath. Make sure to talk about how for you, becoming a doctor isn’t an arbitrary choice, but something you’ve thought about extensively for a long duration of time. Because the PLME’s goal is to provide much more than a traditional pre-med education, don’t feel limited to talking simply about “ the profession of a physician/doctor” in the narrow sense of the word. Feel free to go above and beyond, talking about your passion for improving the health of others and how you want to see that manifest in the world.

Another possible avenue could be talking about your personal experience with the health field, and how that shaped you seeing doctors in a much more reverential light. Rather than talking about a close relation who was hospitalized, which can easily become cliche, talk about how your experience volunteering in patient care or shadowing shaped how you view the profession. If there is a standout patient whose story mesmerized you, and whose life was transformed by a doctor you assisted, talk about that. Or if through shadowing and becoming close to suffering, you grew to believe in the primacy of healthcare as the basic foundation to living a decent life, talk about that.

You eventually want to wrap up your essay cementing the notion of being a doctor as your “calling” in life, and using a serious tone to show that you couldn’t see yourself doing anything else.

How do you envision the Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME) helping you to meet your academic, personal, and professional goals as a person and as a physician of the future? (500 words)

The Program in Liberal Medical Education is designed to foster intellectual exploration among its cohort of undergraduates, so you definitely want to talk about how your academic interests don’t simply reside in the biological sciences. Talk about how although you want to become a doctor, there are numerous other facets of your identity that don’t fit in the narrow pre-med curricular path. Explain how these interests can be cultivated at Brown, and how they will ultimately allow you to become a better doctor.

Many of the students in the PLME program don’t major in traditional pre-med fields during their undergraduate years, as they are freed from doing so (outside from a few pre-med requirements). Students can thus craft an interdisciplinary education that allows them to pursue interests outside of the narrow pre-med curriculum. Overall, there are so many different academic fields that tie back to the core of being a doctor, and so make sure to express that fully. Here a few examples:

(1) If you have a strong passion for the humanities, mention that, and then talk about how topics like literature and anthropology allow you to grow in empathy and understanding for the world around you. For example, you could talk about your passion for Hispanic cultures, and how you want to continue learning Spanish to form better patient-doctor relations with underserved Hispanic communities in your hometown.

(2) If you’re interested in computer science, talk about your experiences coding, and how you want to be better equipped as the medicine field ultimately will become more technology oriented. You could talk about how you want to be at the forefront of the burgeoning connection between artificial intelligence and health outcomes, and how being in the program will allow you to do so.

(3) There are plenty of classes you can point to that merge the biological sciences with the humanities. Using Brown’s online course catalog, you can pull up titles such as “Medicine and Public Health in Africa,” “Pain and the Human Condition,” and “Health, Hunger, and the Household in Developing Countries” to find courses that interest you and illustrate how you need these intersectional courses to become the doctor you want to be.

(4) You could even mention interdisciplinary programs at Brown’s Warren Alpert medical school, such as its Scholarly Concentration program, which allows students to pursue areas such as Medical Humanities, Medical Technology and Innovation, and Advocacy and Activism. You could also mention the medical school’s Narrative Medicine classes, or its unique MD-ScM program, which combines primary care and population health.

Personal goals and professional goals are often one and the same, but make sure you have personal goals that extend beyond the confines of a career (as mentioned in the previous prompt). Yes, you’d like to become a doctor, but the PLME environment is exactly the one that you need to thrive as a curious human. Talk about your need for Brown’s Open Curriculum to thrive not just as a future doctor, but as a intellectual being who cares about the world. Talk about how being a part of the PLME would allow you to best prepare for the two halves of your career in medicine, science and human interaction, and why you would thrive in this profession that simultaneously juggles both.

Regarding professional goals, you could talk about how being a part of the PLME would mean the rare once in a lifetime chance of satisfying all your intellectual curiosities in undergrad while being able to go to medical school and become a doctor.

The Brown|RISD A.B./B.F.A. Dual Degree program provides an opportunity to explore your interests and prepare for the future in two distinct learning environments. Considering your understanding of both academic programs, describe how and why the specific combination of the art/design-focused curriculum of RISD and the wide-ranging courses and curricula of Brown could constitute an optimal undergraduate education for you. (650 words)

The Brown-RISD Dual Degree program is an intense, highly selective (2-3% acceptance) program in which students must get accepted to both Brown and RISD based on their respective criterion, and then be approved by a joint committee. Students in the program exhibit an intense degree of intellectual rigor, as well as a broad ranging curiosity for both an arts and liberal arts education. The key here is to convince the readers that you are a good fit in this specific program, rather than as a Brown student who takes a few RISD classes or a RISD student who takes a few Brown classes.

In this essay, you must be specific about why you would be a better fit spending five years getting degrees from both Brown and RISD rather than getting one degree from either of the schools. You must show that it is necessary for you to get both degrees, and how you would like to use the knowledge you gain from both schools in your future. However, this does not mean you have to have both majors decided, and you can definitely talk more generally about why you want to pursue a STEM/social science/humanities education in tandem with an arts/design education.

With 650 available words, this essay should feature the same depth as your Common App essay, and should complement it. Although the two should not overlap in content, you can definitely expand on topics you briefly touched on in one essay in the other. Here are a few possible avenues you could explore in this essay:

(1) Students in the program stretch the gamut of possible Brown + RISD major combinations: furniture and applied mathematics, computer science and industrial design, and comparative literature and painting. The program prides itself on this diversity, so explain how your passions and interests are disparate, but also connected to your overall identity. Talk about how being surrounded with other Brown-RISD students will foster your wide-ranging intellectual and artistic curiosities even further.

(2) If you ultimately want to become an artist, you could talk about how important the liberal arts have been and will be for you. Maybe you find literature critical for escaping into the worlds you want to create visually, and you want to dive deeper during your undergraduate years.

(3) Maybe you want to study both biology and industrial design, because you want to base your design work on biomimicry. You could talk about how you would draw equally from both fields, and how you want to design better transportation devices that take from the best methods of nature.

(4) Say you’ve always been interested in your Korean heritage and finding ways to express that through art. As a result, you want to study East Asian history at Brown, where you will understand the context that your parents immigrated out of, and textiles at RISD, where you can craft bojagi (Korean wrapping cloth) with a sensitivity to its historical context.

(5) Maybe you’ve always been passionate about both art and liberal arts, but have no concrete connection between the two, and that’s also perfectly fine. You could talk about how you want to further explore and hone in these passions, so that by your second year of undergrad, you’ll have a stronger idea of what specifically you want to study.

Your art portfolio + your common app essay and other supplemental essays will also speak volumes about who you are, and so make sure to use this essay to highlight parts of yourself previously unmentioned. You’ve also probably spent the previous essays explaining “why Brown,” so use this essay to delve deep into why you would thrive in an arts and design centered environment in conjunction with Brown’s liberal arts curriculum.

Want help with your college essays to improve your admissions chances? Sign up for your free CollegeVine account and get access to our essay guides and courses. You can also get your essay peer-reviewed and improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays.

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• Introduction

Temperate grassland ecosystems

Page snapshot:  An overview of the world's temperate grassland ecosystems and their common species.

Topics covered on this page:  North American prairies ; Overview of prairies ; Prairie species spotlights ; South American grasslands ; Overview of the pampas and puna ; Pampas and puna species spotlights ; Eurasian steppes ; Overview of steppes ; Steppe species spotlights ; South African veldts ; Overview of veldts ; Veldt species spotlights ; Australian temperate savannas ; Overview of temperate savannas ; Temperate savanna species spotlights ; New Zealand tussocks ; Overview of tussocks ; Tussock species spotlights ; Resources .

Credits:  Funded by the National Science Foundation. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. Page by Naomi Schulberg (2023).

Updates: Page last updated August 3, 2023.

Image above: Prairie in Albany Wildlife Area, Wisconsin, U.S.A. Photo by Joshua Mayer (Wikimedia Commons , Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license ).

Temperate grasslands are found at mid-latitudes, and are generally located within continental interiors. They have distinct warm and cold seasons, with temperatures dropping below freezing in the winter. This page will cover temperate grasslands in North America (prairies), South America (pampas and puna), Asia and Europe (steppe), Australia (temperate savannas), and New Zealand (tussocks).

Modern distribution of grasslands (meaning biomes in which the climax vegetation is grass-dominated and lacks tress) and tropical savannas. Modified from figure 1 in  Jacobs et al. (1999)  Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden  86: 590-643 (Biodiversity Heritage Library ,  Creative Commons-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported license , image cropped, resized, reshaded and relabeled).

North American prairies

Overview of prairies.

There are three distinct types of prairies in North America: the Eastern tallgrass prairie, Western shortgrass prairie, and Central mixed-grass prairie. The three prairies support different types of grasses. As the names imply, grasses are taller in the eastern prairies than in the western prairies. 

Map of prairies in North America, created by N. Schulberg.

The prairies are distinct from one another due to differences in rainfall. Rainfall ranges from 12 inches (around 30.5 cm) per year in the western shortgrass prairies to 30 inches per year in the eastern tallgrass prairies. The western shortgrass prairie lies in the rain shadow of the Rocky Mountains and so receives very little rainfall. Precipitation increases with increasing distance from the rain shadow; because of this, the central mixed grass and eastern tallgrass prairies are able to support taller and more diverse vegetation. 

North American prairies are subject to intense weather and temperature fluctuations, as well as natural hazards such as tornadoes. Grasses are the dominant vegetation in this biome. Both cool-season (C3) grasses and warm-season (C4) grasses grow in the prairies, with C4 grasses dominating this ecosystem.

The prairies also support a variety of animals, including both grazers and predators. Prairie dogs, bison, elk, pronghorn, and deer feed on the grass and prairie plants, and mountain lions, coyotes, and black-footed ferrets in turn feed on the herbivores. Birds, such as the greater sage grouse and the mountain plover, are also supported by the prairie and prey on the herbivorous mammals.

Tallgrass prairie in Gensburg-Markham Prairie, Illinois, U.S.A. Photo by Alan Scott Walker (Wikimedia Commons , Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication) .

Mixed grass prairie in North Dakota, U.S.A. Photo by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (Wikimedia Commons , Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license ).

Shortgrass prairie in Nebraska, U.S.A. Photo by Chris Light (Wikimedia Commons , Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license ).

Prairie species spotlights

Buffalo grass ( bouteloua dactyloides ).

Buffalo grass is a perennial C4 grass that is abundant in western shortgrass prairies. It is gray-green in color, with yellow flowers that bloom periodically from April to December. The species is very drought tolerant and spreads prolifically by rhizomes.

Buffalograss ( Bouteloua dactyloides ). Photo from Josep Gesti (Wikimedia Commons , Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license ).

Blue grama ( Bouteloua gracilis )

Blue grama is a perennial C4 grass that is abundant in western shortgrass prairies. It is the most drought tolerant of all native grasses in North America and is able to survive in areas with only 7 inches (about 18 centimeters) of rain annually. It has yellow flowers, which bloom from July to October. 

Blue grama ( Bouteloua gracilis ). Photo by Karan A. Rawlins, University of Georgia Bugwood.org photo 5427813 , Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 United States License) .

Sideoats grama ( Bouteloua curtipendula )

Sideoats grama is a perennial C4 grass that is abundant in central mixed-grass prairies. Stems grow to be 2 to 3 feet (about 61 to 91 centimeters) tall at maturity. Flowers are red, orange, and yellow and bloom from June to November.

Sideoats grama ( Bouteloua curtipendula ). Photo by Chris Evans, University of Illinois (Bugwood.org photo 5560260 , Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 United States License) .

Big bluestem ( Andropogon gerardi )

Big bluestem is a perennial C4 grass that is abundant in eastern tallgrass prairies, with leaves ranging from light yellow to green to burgundy colors. It is found across more than half of the North American continent, with its range extending to the East Coast. It is found in Canada, the United States, Mexico, and Costa Rica. It reaches heights of 6 to 8 feet (about 1.8 to 2.4 meters) when mature. It blooms from August to November, with red, blue, and brown flowers.

Big bluestem ( Andropogon gerardi ). Photo by Chris Evans, University of Illinois (Bugwood.org 5560202 , Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial United States 3.0 License ) .

Yellow indiangrass ( Sorghastrum nutans )

Yellow indiangrass is a perennial C4 grass that is abundant in eastern tallgrass prairies. It has blue-green leaves and yellow flowers with red awns that bloom from August to October. Its stems reach up to 8 feet (2.4 meters) tall at maturity. It is especially abundant in areas subject to occasional flooding and is often found in pure stands in lowland areas.

Yellow indiangrass ( Sorghastrum nutans ). Photo from Karan A. Rawlins, University of Georgia (Bugwood.org photo 5525971 , Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 United States License) .

South American grasslands

Overview of the pampas and puna.

South American grasslands span from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Andes in the West. The climate ranges from subtropical in the north to temperate in the south. Precipitation in the region is lowest in the west due to the rainshadow cast by the Andes, and in some regions there is a dry season in the summer.

The temperate and tropical grasslands of South America are called the pampas. There are three distinct ecoregions within the pampas: the Uruguayan Savanna, Humid Pampas, and Semiarid Pampas. Each of the ecoregions contains a diverse mixture of C3 and C4 annual and perennial grasses. In addition to the pampas, South America also has the puna, which is made up of three regions of montane grasslands in western South America, at high elevations in the Andes mountains.

Map of the grassland regions in South America, created by N. Schulberg.

The grass-dominated pampas of southern Brazil. Photo by Carlos Souto (Wikimedia Commons ,  Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license ).

Uruguayan savanna

The Uruguayan savanna is a region of subtropical grasslands and savannas. The region primarily supports grasslands, but it also has riparian corridor forests and supports species of palm trees. The climate gets increasingly humid towards the northern part of the region, where average annual rainfall is around 1 meter (more than 3 feet) per year. The grasslands support about 400 species of medium-tall grasses. Two common species, Andropogon lateralis and Dallisgrass ( Paspalum dilatatum ), are highlighted below.

Uruguayan savanna. Photo by Tano4595 (Wikimedia Commons , Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license ).

Humid pampas

The humid pampas is located in Argentina and borders the Atlantic Ocean. It includes the areas around Buenos Aires. With an average annual precipitation of 900 mm (nearly 3 feet), it supports a diverse grassland ecosystem. The grasses are mostly of medium height, and common genera include Nasella , Stipa , and Poa . Much of the region has been developed for agriculture or human settlements, and the ecosystem is considered endangered. 

Satellite view of the humid pampas region of Córdoba, Argentina, showing the Las Tunas lake system, 2018. Note that much of the region has been altered by agriculture. Photo by Oton Barros DSR/OBT/INPE (Coordenação-Geral de Observação da Terra/INPE , Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic license).

Semiarid pampas

The semiarid pampas includes areas of Argentina to the west of the humid pampas. It experiences an average annual precipitation of 700 mm (2.3 feet) per year, about a third less than the humid pampas. Rainfall tends to be unreliable, and the species growing in this area tend to be drought resistant. The semiarid pampas shares similar species to the humid pampas and Uruguayan savanna and also supports some long-grass steppe vegetation.

Semiarid pampas, La Pampa, Argentina. Photo by Claudio Elias (Wikimedia Commons, public domain) .

West of the pampas is the puna: a region of montane grassland spanning the Andes mountains in Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina. It is a high elevation grassland and occupies spaces above the tree line and below the snow line, usually from about 3200 m to 3400 meters (about 10,500 to 11,155 feet) in elevation. Different regions of the puna receive different amounts of precipitation and vary in dryness. The average annual precipitation in the wet puna can be as much as 2000 millimeters (about 79 inches), whereas in the dry puna, which has a dry season that is 8 months long, it can be as low as 400 mm (about 16 inches). 

The temperature in the puna ranges from less than 0ºC to 15ºC (32ºF to 59ºF), and the region experiences extreme temperature fluctuations. The dominant vegetation in the puna is similar to the pampas. Common genera of grasses include fescue ( Festuca ) and reedgrass ( Calamagrostis ). The region also contains cushion plants, such as species of Azorella.

Chilean Altiplano (high plain). Photo by Roman Bonnefoy (Wikimedia Commons , Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlke 3.0 Unported license , image resized).

Animals of the pampas and the puna

In addition to grasses, the pampas and punas are home to many animals, including birds, such as the great pampas finch, grassland yellow finch, and greater rhea. Mammals include Geoffroy’s cat (a wild cat about the size of a domestic cat), the maned wolf (a canine resembling a fox), and guanacos (animals that resemble llamas).

Greater Rhea ( Rhea americana ) in Uruguay. Photo by Enrique Manuel González González (Wikimedia Commons , Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license ).

Pampas species spotlights

Pampas grass ( cortaderia selloana ).

Native to Brazil, Argentina, and Chile, pampas grass is the most abundant species of grass throughout the pampas region, as well as its namesake. It is a perennial C3 grass and reaches heights of 8 to 12 feet (about 2.4 to 3.7 meters) at maturity. Flowers bloom during the summer, fall, and winter and are a variety of colors.

Pampas grass ( Cortaderia selloana ), Argentina.  Photo by Fernando de Gorocica (Wikimedia Commmons ,  Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International license , image cropped and resized).

Andropogon lateralis

Andropogon lateralis is a type of bluestem grass ( Andropogon ) that is the dominant species in the northern region of the Uruguayan savanna and is well suited to sandy soils. It is a perennial C4 grass with white flowers.

Andropogon lateralis . Photo from Pablo Preliasco (iNaturalist photo 65505030 , Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International license, image cropped).

Dallisgrass ( Paspalum dilatatum )

Dallisgrass is a clumping perennial C4 grass that is abundant in the Uruguayan savanna. It has rolled leaves and distinctive venation. It spreads rapidly through rhizomes and is considered invasive in several areas. It flowers from spring to fall.

Dallisgrass ( Paspalum dilatatum ). Photo by John D. Byrd, Mississippi State University (Bugwood.org photo number 1391162 , Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 United States License) .

Serrated tussock ( Nassella trichotoma )

Serrated tussock is a common grass in the humid pampas. It is a perennial C3 species with white flowers that bloom from spring to fall.

Serrated tussock ( Nassella trichotoma ) . Photo from USDA APHIS PPQ (Bugwood.org photo number 1149051 , Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 United States License ) .

Mexican feathergrass ( Nassella tenuissima )

Mexican feathergrass is a perennial C3 grass found commonly in the dry pampas. It grows to be 1 to 2 feet (about 30 to 61 centimeters) tall at maturity and is drought tolerant. It produces silvery yellow to light brown flowers that bloom from summer to fall.

Mexican feathergrass ( Nassella tenuissima ), cultivated at Denver Botanical Garden, Colorado, USA . Photo by Drew Avery (Wikimedia Commons , Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license) .

Steppe species spotlights

Needlegrass ( stipa krylovii ).

Needlegrass ( Stipa krylovii ) is a perennial C3 grass species that grows across the Eurasian steppe, ranging from Eastern Europe to Siberia and northern China. It grows to heights of 30 to 50 centimeters (about 12 to 20 inches) and has simple, alternate leaves. Its flowers are arranged in panicles.

Needlegrass ( Stipa krylovii ), Botanischer Garden, Berlin-Dahlem, Germany. Photo by Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz (Wikimedia Commons ,   Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license ).

Stipa korshinskyi

Stipa korshinskyi is a perennial C3 grass species which grows in the western part of the Eurasian steppe, ranging across Russia and Kazakhstan. It grows to be 35 to 70 centimeters (about 14 to 28 inches) tall. It produces numerous vegetative shoots and has paniculate inflorescences that are up to 22 centimeters (about 8.7 inches) long.

Stipa korshinskyi , Omsk Oblast, Russia. Photo by Andrey Efremov (iNaturalist photo 249186422 , Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International license ).

Lessing feather grass ( Stipa lessingiana )

Lessing feather grass ( Stipa lessingiana ) is a perennial C3 grass species that grows in China, Armenia, and Bulgaria. It grows to be 0.5 to 1 meter (about 20 to 39 inches) at maturity. It is a deciduous grass that flowers from summer to autumn. The flowers are arranged in panicles; they are silver-green in the summer and brown in the fall.

Lessing feather grass ( Stipa lessingiana ) . Photo by Le.Loup.Gris (Wikimedia Commons ,   Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license ).

South African veldts

Overview of veldts.

The Southern African veldt (also called veld) is an area of temperate grassland in large areas of South Africa and part of southern Zimbabwe. It is located in the continental interior, surrounded by the Drakensberg mountains to the south and east and the Kalahari Desert to the north and west. Its climate supports fewer trees than the tropical savannas to its north. Generally, the veldt consists of an area of treeless grassland with some shrubs and scattered bushes. 

Map of the veldt region, created by N. Schulberg.

Much of the veldt is found in plateaus at relatively high altitude. The climate is characterized by mild winters from May to September and hot summers from November to March. Most of the precipitation falls in the summer during thunderstorms, and frequency and intensity of rainfall is variable. Average annual precipitation ranges from 40 to 120 centimeters (about 15.75 to 47 inches), decreasing from east to western areas of the region. Some areas receive snow in the winter.

The veldt varies in climate, flora, and fauna. Officially, 67 different grassland units within the veldt have been described, which have been grouped into 6 regions: 1) the c entral inland plateau, 2) the dry western region, 3) the northern Areas, 4) the eastern inland plateau, 5) the eastern mountains and escarpment, and 6) the eastern lowlands. Colloquially, regions of the veldt are referred to as “sweet veldts” and “sour veldts,” named according to their palatability to livestock. Sweet veldts are found in regions of the Eastern Cape that are semi-arid with high-nutrient soils, while sour veldts are found in regions with high rainfall and acidic soils.

Overall, the vegetation is strongly dominated by hemicryptophytes (perennial plants with buds close to the soil surface) in the Grass Family (Poaceae). Dominant taxa vary by region, but, overall, the flora and fauna of the veldt overlap with those of the African savanna. For example, one of the most common species in the veldt, red oat grass ( Themeda triandra ), is also abundant in the savanna.

Veldt, Vernon Crookes Nature Reserve, South Africa. Photo by Alexey Yakovlev (Wikimedia Commons , Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license ).

Veldt species spotlights

Weeping lovegrass ( eragrostis curvula ).

Weeping lovegrass is a perennial C4 plant found in the central inland plateau region of the veldt. This region receives between 60 and 70 centimeters (about 24 to 28 inches) of precipitation each year. Purple lovegrass grows to a height of about 30.5 to 61 inches (1 to 2 feet) tall at maturity and flowers from July to September. Its flowers are purple-red.

Weeping lovegrass ( Eragrostis curvula ), South Africa . Photo by Dave Richardson (iNaturalist photo 152721888 , Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Internationa l license).

Lehmann lovegrass ( Eragrostis lehmanniana )

Lehmann lovegrass is a perennial C4 plant found in the dry western region of the veldt, which is located at altitudes of between 1,200 and 1,400 meters (about 3940 to 4590 feet) and receives 45 to 60 centimeters (about 18 to 23.6 inches) of precipitation each year. The plant grows to be 1.5 to 2 feet (about 46 to 61 centimeters) at maturity and produces many seeds.

Lehmann Lovegrass ( Eragrostis lehmanniana ) . Photo from Luke Gallant (iNaturalist photo 15952763 , Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International license).

Small bushman grass ( Stipagrostis obtusa )

The small bushman grass is a perennial C4 plant found in the dry western region of the veldt. It is a common species across both tropical savannas and the veldt in Africa, covering areas of Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa. It is most frequently found on sandy soils. It grows in tufts and produces green flowers.

Small bushman grass ( Stipagrostis obtusa ) in Namibia . Photo from Jon Richfield (Wikimedia Commons ,   Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license) .

Common thatching grass ( Hyparrhenia hirta ) 

Common thatching grass is a perennial C4 plant commonly found in the eastern mountains and escarpment region of the veldt, which occurs at high altitudes (1,650 to 3,500 meters or about 5400 to 11,480 feet) and receives over 1000 mm (more than 3.2 feet) of precipitation annually. It produces many seeds and is invasive in many parts of the world. It grows in clumps and stems are up to 1 meter (about 3.2 feet) tall. 

Common thatching grass ( Hyparrhenia hirta ) . Photo by Luis Fernández García (Wikimedia Commons ,  Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license ).

Giant rat’s tail grass ( Sporobolus pyramidalis )

The giant rat’s tail grass is a perennial C4 plant commonly found in the eastern lowland region of the veldt. The plant can produce up to 85,000 seeds per square meter (about 11 square feet) in a year and is invasive in other parts of the world, including Australia. It is a dense, tufted grass that grows up to 2 meters (about 6.6 feet) tall. It has a paniculate inflorescence and flowers from March to May, with fruiting occurring from May to June.

Giant rat’s tail grass ( Sporobolus pyramidalis ) . Photo by Ricky Taylor (iNaturalist photo 63111047 ,   Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International license) .

Australian temperate savannas

Overview of australian temperate savannas.

The Australian temperate savanna region spans the Australian states of New South Wales, Victoria, and a small portion of southern Queensland. The grasslands are surrounded by deserts to the west and temperate rainforests to the east. There are several non-continuous areas of grassland with different dominant species. 

Distribution of Australian temperate savannas. Map by Every-leaf-that-trembles (Wikimedia Commons , Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license ).

Non-grass plants in the temperate grasslands include several species of eucalyptus trees, such as the red river gum ( Eucalyptus camaldulensis ) and black box ( Eucalyptus largiflorens ). Animals include marsupials, such as the kultarr ( Antechinomys laniger ) and the brush-tailed rock wallaby ( Petrogale penicillata ). The savannas are also home to various birds, including the superb parrot ( Polytelis swainsonii ), the red goshawk ( Erythrotriorchis radiatus ), and the malleefowl ( Leipoa ocellata ).

Australian savanna, Lake Mungo, New South Wales, Australia. Photo by Davidspicerj (Wikimedia Commons , Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International license ).

Temperate savanna species spotlights

Purplish wallaby grass ( rytidosperma tenuius ) .

Purplish wallaby grass is a perennial C3 grass. It is best suited to grow on clay or sandy soils and may reach 1.2 m (nearly 4 feet) tall. It flowers in the spring and produces red to purple inflorescences, for which it is named.

Purplish wallaby-grass ( Rytidosperma tenuius ).  Photo by Harry Rose (flickr , Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license ).

Bristly wallaby grass ( Rytidosperma setaceum ) 

Bristly wallaby grass is a perennial C3 grass. It grows in a clumping form, and may be up to 60 centimeters (nearly 2 feet) tall. It flowers from October to January.

Bristly wallaby-grass ( Rytidosperma setaceum ). Photo by Harry Rose (flickr , Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license ).

Other species

Some other species found in Australian temperate grasslands also occur in Australian tropical grasslands. These include grasses such as speargrass ( Austrostipa scabra ), curly windmill grass ( Enteropogon acicularis ), windmill grass ( Chloris truncata ), and red leg grass ( Bothriochloa macra ).

Speargrass ( Austrostipa  scabra ). Photo by Harry Rose (flickr , Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license ).

New Zealand tussocks

Overview of tussocks.

Grasslands in New Zealand are referred to as tussock grasslands, named after the tussock grasses which dominate the landscape. Tussock grasses have a clumping growth form, which provides fire resistance. There are 190 grass species, including 30 species of native tussock, in New Zealand. There are three genera of native tussocks: Chionochloa ,  Poa , and Festuca . 

Tussock grasslands are found across the South Island and in the central plateau of the North Island. They occur in semi-arid climates, ranging from regions with subtropical climates in the north to regions with temperate climates in the south. Temperatures dip below freezing in the temperate tussock grasslands, and rainfall can be as low as 35 centimeters (about 14 inches) per year.

Map of Tussock grasslands in New Zealand, created by N. Schulberg.

The tussocks are split into regions based on the heights of the grasses. The two regions are short tussocks and tall tussocks. Short tussock grasses are generally less than 50 centimeters (about 20 inches) tall. They grow at lower altitudes, and common species include silver tussock ( Poa cita ), hard tussock ( Festuca novae-zelandiae ), and blue wheatgrass ( Elymus solandri ).

Tall tussocks grasses are generally taller than 50 centimeters (about 20 inches). Tall tussocks are dominated by the genus Chionochloa , which is endemic to New Zealand. They are often found in areas that are peaty and acidic. Common species include red tussock ( Chionochloa rubra ) , and the subspecies copper tussock (subsp. cuprea ). Tall tussock grasslands are found in alpine regions 500 meters (about 1640 feet) above the treeline. These higher altitude regions are called “snow tussocks” and are dominated by narrowed-leafed snow tussock (Māori wī kura, Chionochloa rigida ) . 

The tussocks are also home to many endemic animal species, including the great spotted kiwi ( Apteryx haastii ), and the grasshopper alpine weta ( Deinaacrida pluvialis ).

Tussock grasses, South Island, New Zealand. Photo by Bernard Spragg (Wikimedia Commons , Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication) .

Tussock species spotlights

Silver tussock or wī  ( poa cita ) .

Silver tussock (Māori name: wī) is a perennial C3 species that is endemic to New Zealand. It is a very drought-tolerant species found in the short tussocks and grows to heights of 2.5 feet (about 76 centimeters). It flowers in the summer and produces brown inflorescences.

Silver tussock ( Poa cita ), North Island, New Zealnd . Photo by rempson (Wikimedia Commons ,   Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license) .

Hard tussock ( Festuca novae-zelandiae )

Hard tussock is a perennial C3 species that is endemic to New Zealand. It grows to heights of 70 cm (about 27 to 28 inches) and is found in the short tussock in association with silver tussock grass. It is commonly found on dry, well-drained soil and has a paniculate inflorescence.

Hard tussock ( Festuca novae-zelandiae ), South Island, New Zealand . Photo by John Steel (Wikimedia Commons , Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license ).

Blue wheatgrass ( Anthosachne solandri )

Blue wheatgrass is a perennial C3 species that is endemic to New Zealand. It has blue-grey leaves that are up to 20 centimeters (about 8 inches) long and flower spikes that are up to 40 centimeters (about 16 inches) tall. It is found at elevations up to 1500 meters (about 4900 feet) in the short tussock. It is a clumping grass that blooms in the summer.

Blue wheatgrass ( Anthosachne solandri ), cultivated, Auckland Botanic Gardens, New Zealand . Photo from Krzysztof Ziarnek (Wikimedia Commons ,   Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license ).

Red tussock ( Chionochloa rubra )

Red tussock is a perennial C3 grass that is endemic to New Zealand. Its name comes from the distinctive red color of its leaves. It grows to be 1.2 m tall, and is able to withstand a variety of environmental conditions. Unlike most other species, it has been documented to produce many seeds in response to seeding predation.

Red tussock ( Chionochloa rubra ) . Photo from Krzysztof Golik (Wikimedia Commons , Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license ).

Narrow-leaved snow tussock (wī kura) ( Chionochloa rigida )

Narrow-leaved snow tussock is a perennial C3 grass that is endemic to New Zealand, found only in the South Island. It grows to be around 1 meter (3.2 feet) and is a common species in the tall tussocks. It is found in drier soils and alpine zones and is hardy in cold temperatures. It flowers in the summer.

Narrow-leaved snow tussock ( Chionochloa rigida ), South Island, New Zealand . Photo by John Barkla (Wikimedia Commons ,   Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license ).

Andean Mountain Grasslands Bioregion (One Earth): https://www.oneearth.org/bioregions/andean-mountain-grasslands-nt5/

East Australian Mediterranean Woodlands & Temperate Savannas Bioregion (One Earth): https://www.oneearth.org/bioregions/east-australian-mediterranean-woodlands-temperate-savannas-au4/

Pampas biome (Blue Planet Biomes): https://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/pampas.php

Prairies and grasslands ( Wind Cave National Park, U.S. National Park Service): https://www.nps.gov/wica/learn/nature/prairies.htm

Rio De La Plata Grasslands Bioregion (One Earth): https://www.oneearth.org/bioregions/rio-de-la-plata-grasslands-nt3/

Articles, reports, & book chapters

Mark, A. F. 2007. Story: Grasslands. Te Ara, The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. https://teara.govt.nz/en/grasslands

Palmer, A. R., and A. M. Ainslie. 2005. Grasslands of South Africa. In:  Grasslands of the World , J. M. Suttle, S. G. Reynolds, and C. Batello (eds.) Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Plant Production and Protection Series 34.  https://www.fao.org/3/y8344e/y8344e08.htm

Scientific articles

Sala, O.E. 2001. Temperate Grasslands. In: Chapin, F.S., Sala, O.E., Huber-Sannwald, E. (eds.), Global Biodiversity in a Changing Environment. Ecological Studies , 152. Springer, New York, New York. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-0157-8_7