Brown University to reinstate test requirement, retain early decision, explore legacy connections

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — After months of committee analysis and deliberation, Brown University’s president accepted the recommendations of a committee that examined undergrad admissions practices.

Over six months, the admissions policy committee reviewed and investigated the university’s decision to alter its current Early Decision policy, reinstate standardized test score requirement, and modify its existing preferences for applicants with family alumni.

Brown University President Christina Paxson accepted the following recommendations surrounding these decisions:

• The university will continue to offer its Early Decision option
• Starting with next year’s application cycle (Class of 2029), Brown will reinstate the requirement that first-year applicants submit standardized test scores (SAT or ACT)
• Current practices for applications with family connections, such as “legacies” and children of faculty and staff, will remain unchanged

The U.S. Supreme Court’s June 2023 Decision striking down the consideration of race heavily intensified the university’s commitment to building diverse classes.

Paxson shared in a statement:

“I continue to be proud of Brown’s strong track record of national leadership in cultivating diversity and inclusion as core tenets for sustaining academic excellence. I am committed to ensuring these values are reflected in the way we build our student body. The decisions we have reached regarding Early Decision and standardized test requirements remain true to these values, and continuing to examine family connections is the right decision for the complicated questions this issue raises for our community.”