Hi, I'm thinking about applying to Brown next year and I'm undecided about my major. Can someone please tell me which majors are considered the easiest at Brown University?
While it's understood that you're looking for an "easier" major, it's important to note that each student's perception of difficulty can vary greatly depending on their individual strengths, passions, and experiences. What one student may find easy, another might find challenging.
Brown University is known for its Open Curriculum, which means you're encouraged to explore a wide range of subjects that interest you, rather than sticking to a defined general education curriculum. The point of the Open Curriculum is to encourage students to engage in what they're truly interested in - this in turn should make your major less difficult, as when you're passionate about the subject matter, you're more likely to be motivated to tackle even challenging coursework.
However, if you are looking for a major that generally requires less technical and objective understandings (like math and the sciences), you might consider areas in the humanities or social sciences, such as Anthropology or English. These areas usually require more subjective analysis, essay writing, and interpretive thinking, which some students find to be more accommodating of a wider range of skillsets. However, perceived difficulty is very subjective - some people struggle with the more open-ended thinking required by these fields.
Additionally, it's not always about finding the easiest path. Engaging with challenging material can be enormously rewarding and beneficial in the long run, especially when it aligns with your interests or career goals. Consider exploring various disciplines during your first few semesters before settling on a major, and make sure to take advantage of the opportunities to engage with faculty for guidance, as no matter which major you pursue, you'll assuredly encounter difficult coursework somewhere along the way.
Finally, it's worth noting that at Brown, students are often evaluated through letters and written evaluations, in addition to traditional grades, reflecting the university's commitment to personalized and comprehensive education. So, consider your own learning style and how you'd grow throughout your time there, rather than focusing on the "ease" of the major.
If you do end up applying to Brown and want tips on how to maximize your chances of acceptance, I'd check out this blog post from CollegeVine, which breaks down how to tackle their school-specific supplemental essays: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-brown-university-and-plme-essays/. The essays are a great opportunity to showcase how you'd fit into Brown's distinctive learning environment.
Good luck with your future academic endeavors!
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.