Brown University has released admissions data for the Class of 2029, which has revealed a not-so-stellar showing by this icon of American higher education. Overall, 2,418 students were admitted into the Class of 2029 out of a pool of 42,765 — the smallest applicant pool since the Class of 2024. Of these admits, 907 earned admission through Brown’s Early Decision program, while 1,511 joined via the Regular Decision round. 

Unlike its Ivy League counterparts, Brown University has chosen to share a (relatively!) substantial amount of demographic data about the incoming Class of 2029. This unique transparency allows us to gain valuable insights. But before we delve into that, let’s first compare this year’s statistics with those of previous admissions cycles.

Brown University Admissions Statistics (Class of 2029 – Class of 2007)

Taking a historical view of this year’s admissions cycle contextualizes just how much of a setback Brown’s performance was relative to recent years:

Brown University Class Year	Overall Acceptance Rate	Regular Decision Acceptance Rate	Regular Decision Applications Accepted	Regular Decision Applications Received	Early Decision / Action Acceptance Rate	Percent of Class Filled by Early Applications	Early Decision / Action Applications Received	Early Decision / Action Applications Accepted	Expected Number of Students to Enroll	Total Applications Received	Total Applications Accepted
Class of 2029	5.65%	4.01%	1,511	37,710	17.94%	37.51%	5,055	907	1,700	42,765	2,418
Class of 2028	5.16%	3.81%	1,623	42,654	14.38%	52.82%	6,244	898	1,700	48,898	2,521
Class of 2027	5.08%	3.88%	1,730	44,532	12.98%	51.70%	6,770	879	1,700	51,302	2,609
Class of 2026	5.00%	3.60%	1,651	44,503	14.60%	52.70%	6,146	896	1,700	50,649	2,547
Class of 2025	5.40%	3.50%	1,652	41,028	15.90%	52.10%	5,540	885	1,700	46,568	2,537
Class of 2024	6.90%	5.40%	1,733	32,232	17.50%	48.00%	4,562	800	1,665	36,794	2,533
Class of 2023	6.60%	5.20%	1,782	34,444	18.20%	46.20%	4,230	769	1,665	38,674	2,551
Class of 2022	7.20%	5.70%	1,829	31,936	21.00%	44.30%	3,502	737	1,665	35,438	2,566
Class of 2021	8.30%	6.90%	2,027	29,554	21.90%	41.70%	3,170	695	1,665	32,724	2,722
Class of 2020	9.00%	7.66%	2,250	29,360	22.10%	40.20%	3,030	669	1,665	32,390	2,919
Class of 2019	8.50%	7.20%	1,970	27,354	20%	38%	3,043	610	1,605	30,397	2,580
Class of 2018	8.60%	7.40%	2,036	27,344	18.90%	37.40%	3,088	583	1,560	30,432	2,619
Class of 2017	9.20%	8.10%	2,091	25,909	18.50%	36.80%	3,010	558	1,515	28,919	2,649
Class of 2016	9.60%	8.50%	2,204	25,823	19.00%	37.40%	2,919	556	1,485	28,742	2,760
Class of 2015	8.70%	7.50%	2,115	28,150	20.60%	38.90%	2,796	577	1,485	30,946	2,692
Class of 2014	9.30%	8.20%	2,237	27,289	19.90%	38.10%	2,847	567	1,485	30,136	2,804
Class of 2013	10.80%	9.50%	2,152	22,645	23.70%	37.40%	2,343	556	1,485	24,988	2,708
Class of 2012	13.30%	12.00%	2,182	18,170	22.70%	37.60%	2,460	558	1,485	20,630	2,740
Class of 2011	13.50%	12.30%	2,054	16,737	22.70%	35.20%	2,307	523	1,485	19,044	2,577
Class of 2010	13.80%	12.40%	1,982	15,934	22.80%	37.40%	2,379	543	1,450	18,313	2,525
Class of 2009	14.60%	12.70%	1,894	14,877	28%	39.50%	2,030	569	1,440	16,907	2,463
Class of 2008	15.80%	14%	1,872	13,361	28.30%	37.80%	1,907	540	1,428	15,268	2,412
Class of 2007	14.90%	13.30%	1,762	13,234	25.80%	n/a*	1,919	496	1,430	15,153	2,258

n/a* = not applicable since an EA policy was in place

Brown Class of 2029 Statistics in Historical Perspective

For over the past half-decade, Brown has typically received around 50,000 applications each cycle. Not this time around, though — this year’s 42,765 applications mark a decrease of 6,133, while the 5.65% acceptance rate marks an upswing of roughly half a percentage point relative to the Class of 2028. 

However, it’s worth noting that part of this poor performance can be contextualized by the fact that the Class of 2029 is the first class since before the COVID-19 pandemic to be required to submit standardized test scores, with Brown phasing out its pandemic-related test-optional policy in favor of its previous mandatory testing status quo. In other words, this year marks the first admissions cycle in which Brown didn’t have any pesky “squeakers” — Ivy Coach’s term for those seniors who try to get into top schools they aren’t qualified for by withholding test scores. That doesn’t mean other factors didn’t mediate this year’s poor performance, namely Brown’s year of inflammatory PR. However, it still underscores the point that the lowered applications this year were likely anticipated by Brown leadership.

Profile of Brown Admits to the Class of 2029

Now comes the fun part. Breaking down the Class of 2029. Where to even begin?

One major increase from last year is in the percentage of admits who intend to apply for financial aid once on campus, which rose to 73% from last year’s 65%, according to reporting by The Brown Daily Herald. 89 countries are represented in the Class of 2029, with the most-represented countries being Canada, China, the United Kingdom, India, and South Korea. At least one student was accepted from all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, while California, New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Texas were the most common states.

19% of the newly admitted Brown Bears will be the first in their families to attend college, which compliments outreach efforts by the university to increase rural enrollment. This year, admissions officers saw such efforts bear fruit with a 10% increase in rural enrollment.

Of this year’s admitted students, 59.7% attended public schools, 30.4% attended private schools, and 9.5% attended religious schools. As far as unorthodox students go, a mere six students were homeschooled and only three were veterans of America’s military.

Ivy Coach’s Brown Waitlist Assistance

Over the last 10 years, approximately 39% of students who have first approached Ivy Coach after being placed on the school’s waitlist have earned admission because of our tried-and-true method for optimizing a student’s odds of making it off the Brown waitlist.

If you’re interested in optimizing your case for admission to Brown off the waitlist, or if your child has their sights set on Brown for a future admissions cycle, fill out Ivy Coach’s complimentary consultation form. We’ll then be in touch to delineate our services, including our go-forward service for waitlisted candidates.