Application deadline
15 May 2026
Extended general Brown Pre-College deadline.
In-person Program
Emerging Minds: How Children Learn to Think and Think to Learn
A cognitive development course exploring how children learn, reason and remember, with research activities that connect psychology theory to practice.
Last verified: 9 Oct 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy
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Emerging Minds at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility
Current status
Upcoming
Eligibility
Students completing grades 9-12
Age range / Year group
Ages 14-18
Location / Region
Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States
Cost
$5,786; $4,482
Duration
2 weeks
Format
In-person
PsychologySocial Sciences
Language: English
Accommodation: Single, double or triple residence hall rooms
Meals: Residential: 3/day; commuter: 1/day
Certificate / Outcome: Digital CeCertificate of Completion
Sessions / cadence: 5 x 3-hour classes; 2-3 hours/day homework
Campus resources: Libraries; fitness, athletic and aquatics centers
Assessment: Instructor Course Performance Report
Emerging Minds summary
Emerging Minds examines how children develop knowledge and learn to reflect on their own learning, using cognitive development research.
Memory, language, reasoning and social cognition provide the academic core; a participant described research papers, testing-room tours and experiment simulations.
It suits students who want to investigate developmental psychology through research and test their interest in further study.
What is Emerging Minds: How Children Learn to Think and Think to Learn?
Emerging Minds is a Brown University Summer@Brown course about cognitive development. It examines how children gain knowledge, reason, imagine and think about their own learning through classic and contemporary research.
The academic focus spans memory, language, reasoning and social cognition from infancy to adolescence. A participant described touring child testing rooms, creating research papers, meeting researchers and simulating experiments with classmates, giving a practical example of how the subject can come to life.
Why Succeed highlights Emerging Minds
Its focus on cognitive development gives students a specific branch of psychology to investigate in depth.
Classic and contemporary research connects questions about learning to scientific investigation.
A participant’s account of papers and experiment simulations suggests useful opportunities to practice research.
The instructor’s Course Performance Report gives students written feedback on their engagement.
Residential and commuter options let families choose different campus experiences.
Who is Emerging Minds for?
Best for
Students curious about how children learn who want to explore developmental psychology, research writing and collaborative experiments.
Not ideal if
You need college credit or prefer a tightly supervised day with little independent study or time management.
Is Emerging Minds worth it?
This course is a strong fit when your aim is to test a serious interest in developmental psychology. Its research focus and participant-reported practical activities offer more substance than choosing a summer experience solely for a university name.
The value depends on using the academic work and feedback thoughtfully. It awards no college credit, requires substantial independent work and should not be treated as a route into Brown undergraduate admission.
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A practical overview of cost, accommodation, meals, dates and provider details to review before deciding.
Cost and what is included
$5,786; $4,482; includes Three-hour weekday classes., Residential housing and three meals daily., One campus meal daily for commuters., Fitness, athletic and aquatics center access., Program activities and excursions., Library resources and study spaces., Digital certificate upon successful completion and an instructor report..
Accommodation
Single, double or triple residence hall rooms
Meals
Residential: 3/day; commuter: 1/day
Provider details
Review the Brown Pre-College Programs provider page and official sources before making a final decision.
Dates and logistics
2 weeks; Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States.
What to check before committing
Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what is included with the provider.
Compare this program with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.
Compare with similar programsHow much preparation does Emerging Minds need?
Effort level
High academic commitment.
Best started
Allow four to six weeks before a future application deadline, then begin arrival planning at least three weeks before class.
Main challenge
Balancing research and writing with independent campus life.
Typical preparation
Draft your application essay and gather current and previous academic-year grades.
Arrange English testing if required, and allow time for any recommendation you choose to submit.
Practice taking research notes and explaining what an experiment can show.
Plan travel, health forms and a family communication routine before arrival.
Useful if
You want to test your interest in developmental psychology.
What do students do on Emerging Minds?
You investigate how thinking and learning develop across childhood and adolescence, combining academic study with research-related activities. A participant’s account offers examples of practical experiences alongside the course’s core topics.
Step-by-step process
- 1
Study classic and contemporary cognitive development research.
- 2
Explore memory, language, reasoning and social cognition.
- 3
Connect research questions to how children learn and reflect on learning.
- 4
Practice research activities; a participant reported papers, testing-room tours and peer experiment simulations.
- 5
Complete coursework and reflect on your experience through the course evaluation.
Emerging Minds dates and deadlines
Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.
Reference date
Programme dates
13-24 July 2026
Applications open
14 January 2026
Brown Pre-College application cycle.
Course enrollment
20 January 2026
Enrollment follows admission and the required deposit.
Final admission decisions
22 May 2026
| Milestone | Date | Timezone | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Application deadline | 15 May 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Programme dates | 13-24 July 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Applications open | 14 January 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Course enrollment | 20 January 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Final admission decisions | 22 May 2026 | Local | Reference date |
Eligibility and requirements
Completing grades 9-12.
Ages 14-18 by June 14, 2026 for the reference cycle.
Strong English proficiency for college-level study.
Brown Pre-College admission and separate course enrollment.
Applicable international applicants submit TOEFL iBT or Duolingo results.
Meet Brown’s in-person immunization requirements.
Attend every class and required residence hall meeting.
How much does Emerging Minds cost?
Residential program fee
$5,786 — 2026 total for one two-week course.
Funding or discounts
- Commuter program fee: $4,482 — 2026 total with one campus meal daily.
- Application fee: $80 — Eligible applicants can request a waiver.
- Enrollment deposit: $500 — Required before course enrollment; generally non-refundable.
- Conditional insurance charge: $80 — Applies to international students and U.S. students without adequate insurance.
- Scholarships: Eligibility restrictions apply; Sibley and PPSD consideration requires a separate application.
What's included
Three-hour weekday classes., Residential housing and three meals daily., One campus meal daily for commuters., Fitness, athletic and aquatics center access., Program activities and excursions., Library resources and study spaces., Digital certificate upon successful completion and an instructor report.
How to apply to Emerging Minds
- 1
Create one applicant account in the Brown Pre-College student portal.
- 2
Complete the application form and write an original 250-500-word essay.
- 3
Upload current and previous academic-year grades in English.
- 4
Pay the $80 application fee or request an eligible waiver.
- 5
Submit required English test results and any declared or requested recommendation.
- 6
Monitor your portal and email for material requests and your admission decision.
- 7
After admission, review Emerging Minds and its requirements before depositing.
- 8
Submit the $500 deposit and complete separate course enrollment.
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What does Emerging Minds cover?
The program covers the following focus areas.
Memory
Explore memory within cognitive development from infancy to adolescence.
Language
Study language as one dimension of how children learn and think.
Reasoning
Examine how cognitive development research explains children’s reasoning.
Social cognition
Investigate social cognition as children develop from infancy through adolescence.
Thinking about learning
Explore how children think about their own learning through cognitive development research.
Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.
What is a typical day on Emerging Minds?
A typical day during the program.
Academic classes
Class meetings may be in the morning or afternoon.
Independent study
Complete homework and course work independently or with classmates.
Campus activities
Choose optional workshops, activities and events around your studies.
Residential check in
Check in face to face and remain on your floor until 6 a.m. ET.
Who teaches on Emerging Minds?
Summer@Brown instructors lead college-level classes and provide office hours for questions about content and assignments. A participant in Emerging Minds also described meeting researchers during the course.
Where do students stay on Emerging Minds?
Residential plan
- University residence halls: Single, double or triple rooms include furniture, wireless internet and cooling.
- Three meals daily: Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served in all-you-care-to-eat dining halls.
- Residential support: Trained staff and resident assistants provide support, with nightly check-ins and staff on call 24/7.
- Laundry and recreation: Residence hall laundry and fitness, athletic and aquatics access are included.
Non-residential plan
- Commuter classes and activities: Attend classes in person and use campus resources and activities without a campus room.
- Commuter meals and recreation: Receive one campus meal daily and fitness, athletic and aquatics access.
Students bring their own bedding and towels; roommate requests are not honored.
What happens after Emerging Minds?
After completing this program, participants often pursue:
Earn a digital CeCertificate through successful course completion.
Receive an instructor Course Performance Report.
Develop research writing, as described by a participant.
Clarify your interests within developmental psychology.
Practice independent study and campus time management.
The course is non-credit; Brown Pre-College is not a prospecting program for undergraduate admissions.
Where does Emerging Minds take place?
The course takes place on Brown University’s campus in Providence, Rhode Island. Families arrange transportation independently, and residential students check in at Sayles Hall on the Main Green.
Students may explore Rhode Island independently while meeting class and curfew requirements.
Emerging Minds FAQs
The course studies cognitive development from infancy to adolescence, covering memory, language, reasoning and social cognition through classic and contemporary research.
A participant described touring child testing rooms, writing research papers, meeting researchers and simulating experiments with classmates. These activities illustrate that student’s experience.
Summer@Brown schedules three hours of class each weekday, with at least two to three hours of homework daily. Students manage their study time around optional activities.
Summer@Brown courses are non-credit and do not use formal grades. Successful completion earns a digital CeCertificate; this two-week course also qualifies for a Course Performance Report.
Summer@Brown offers a commuter option with in-person classes, campus resources and activities, one campus meal daily, and fitness, athletic and aquatics access. Commuters do not receive a campus room.
Trained student life staff and resident assistants support students, with nightly check-ins and staff on call around the clock. Students are expected to manage their time and seek help independently.
No. Brown Pre-College admission and course enrollment are separate steps. Admitted students submit a $500 non-refundable deposit before enrolling through their student portal.
Brown states that Pre-College is not a prospecting program for undergraduate admissions. Completing the course can demonstrate subject interest, but it should be chosen for the learning experience.
Alternatives to Emerging Minds
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Alternatives to Emerging Minds
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New York
In-person
Best for
Students comparing psychology with neuroscience.
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Upcoming
An online course focused on psychology.
Psychology
03 Aug 2026
From £2895
13-24
Online
Online
Best for
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Medical and biological sciences with psychology subject coverage.
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In-person
Best for
Students comparing psychology with biomedical interests.
Save this program in Succeed to compare it with similar programs, dates, costs and formats in one place.
Compare with other programsContent reviewed by
Ben Stacy
Co-founder, Succeed | Former secondary teacher and educational leader
Ben works at the intersection of education, technology and school adoption, with expertise in how secondary schools evaluate data-driven tools and how education technology is used in practice.
Sources and verification
Source types reviewed
- Pre-College Course Catalog Brown University
- Student Highlight | Pradyu J.
- CeCertificate Access | Pre-College Program | Brown University
- Handbook of Pre-College Policies | Pre-College Program | Brown University
- Summer@Brown On Campus | Pre-College Program | Brown University
- Program Dates and Costs | Pre-College Program | Brown University
- Summer@Brown
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) | Pre-College Program | Brown University
- Financial Policies and Payment Information | Pre-College Program | Brown University
- Application Fee Waivers | Pre-College Program | Brown University
- Admissions Decisions | Pre-College Program | Brown University
- Application Checklist | Pre-College Program | Brown University
- Apply | Pre-College Program | Brown University
- 2026 Program Costs: Breakdown of Fees
- Pre-College Program | Brown University
Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.
What we verified (on 9 Oct 2026)
Course identity verified
Session dates checked
Eligibility requirements reviewed
Residential and commuter fees checked
Application requirements reviewed
Housing and meals reviewed
Certificate conditions checked
How Succeed uses this information
We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.
Emerging Minds: How Children Learn to Think and Think to Learn
by Brown Pre-College Programs
Upcoming
May qualify for the £300 Succeed Programme Award.
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