Brown University has announced its plans to reinstate a standardized test requirement for its undergraduate admissions process while maintaining its Early Decision program and continuing to study legacy preferences. These decisions come after months of analysis and deliberation by a committee tasked with ensuring that the university’s admissions practices align with its commitments to academic excellence, access, and diversity.

President Christina H. Paxson shared an executive summary of the committee’s work in a letter to the Brown campus. She confirmed that the university will continue to offer its Early Decision option, which is attractive to prospective students and contributes to enrolling a class that is both highly qualified and diverse. For the Class of 2029, starting with the next application cycle, Brown will reinstate the requirement that applicants for first-year admission submit standardized test scores (SAT or ACT, except in rare circumstances).

The committee’s report highlights that Early Decision applicants tend to have stronger academic records but are less diverse in terms of race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. However, the overall size and strength of the Early Decision applicant pool allow Brown to identify and admit diverse and highly qualified students that reflect the university’s commitments to excellence, access, and diversity. The committee also recommended that Brown monitor data to ensure the Early Decision applicant pool contributes to the excellence and diversity of the student population, maintain Regular Decision as a viable option, and expand efforts to convey financial aid policies to potential applicants.

Francis J. Doyle III, Provost and committee co-chair, emphasized that retaining Early Decision benefits a broad range of admitted students who gain assurance about their college decision early. He noted that Brown’s financial aid policies meet 100% of demonstrated need, and online financial aid calculators can help remove uncertainty about financial aid awards, encouraging Early Decision applicants. Data from recent cohorts show that over 60% of Early Decision applicants express an intent to apply for financial aid, and 15% to 19% are the first in their families to attend college.

Regarding the reinstatement of the standardized test requirement, Brown had suspended this requirement since 2020 due to the impact of the pandemic on testing centers. The committee assessed the impact of test requirements on the applicant pool, student body composition, and student outcomes. They recommended reinstating the requirement, noting that test scores are among the key indicators helping predict a student’s ability to succeed and thrive in Brown’s demanding academic environment. The committee’s analysis indicated that standardized tests provide important information about an applicant’s performance and serve as a strong predictor of academic performance once enrolled.

Committee members found that data from the Classes of 2025 and 2026 showed a strong correlation between test scores and academic outcomes, regardless of the applicant’s background or high school environment. They also noted that test-optional policies might have unintended adverse outcomes, potentially undermining the goal of increasing access. Students from less-advantaged backgrounds might choose not to submit scores, which could actually increase their chances of admission if interpreted in the context of their background. Conversely, more privileged applicants with high scores might benefit from test preparation and tutoring, but strong testing, interpreted in context, can demonstrate their ability to succeed at Brown.

In reinstating the test requirement, Brown will permit exceptions in rare cases where an applicant is unable to take the test. The university will remain test-optional for student veterans, transfer applicants, and Resumed Undergraduate Education students.

Finally, the committee explored data and deliberated extensively about preferences for students with family connections to Brown. Its ultimate recommendation was to develop plans to gain more insights into the complex questions raised by these preferences to inform a long-term decision. President Paxson stated, “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.” She added, “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.”

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News is prepared from public university announcements for general guidance. Policies change frequently; confirm current details with each university admissions office.