Gianni

As a rising senior, I'm currently in a serious mode searching for my fit-schools.
I'm an aspiring a doctor, so I narrowed down my choices into a few that I really belong to.

Putting aside the fact that PLME is insanely selective every year (as is probably agreed by all), I want to hear some voices from either PLME students or those who're shooting for it about the advantages this program has over a plenty of other routes.

Prestigious BS/MD program, less or no worry about applying to med schoools, yes we all know that. And that possibly accounts for why this program is extremely popular.

But I want to see some REAL reasons regarding why PLME is definitely worth a shot spending most of your life in the twenties in Rhode Island. Is it REALLY (as many say) one of the fastest ways to become a doctor? What is so unique about PLME?



Let me toss several related sub-questions here.
* Is there Early Action for this program?
* Could anyone kindly tell me where to get PLME/Brown Essay Questions for this year?


Appreciate the comments in advance.

ru4real1666

I'm wondering the same as above. Where are the essay questions for PLME?
and to answer one of the questions, yes there is Early Decision NOT Early ACTION for PLME.

i_wanna_be_Brown

It's not faster (still 8 years for a bachelor's and MD, just like if you didn't do a program), it's easier. I didn't do it, my guidance counselor in high school said you do it if you don't think you'll be competitive in the med school process because Brown's med school, while quality, is certainly not the best. To be honest, I really don't see any reason to do it other than no MCAT/medical application process.

MovieBuff

^^^ I am afraid you are giving a very distorted impression of BS/MD programs in general.

First of all- it is not easier. People take that route so that they do not have to be anxious or worried about going thru a whole application process again in another 2 years and a half. If you can lock a medical school admission with high school credentials, it is certainly something to think about.

Second of all- PMLE students are competing very heavily for those few positions and i do not think that Brown's selectivity is any significantly different than for the rest of the applicant pool. It is ridiculous for someone to think that I did not consider doing it because I wanted to enjoy my college experience and wanted to have the opportunity of attending another school, live in a different city for graduate school, etc.

By the way, I do not know which medical school you would like to attend, but you should know that you are likely to get rejected from more than 50 percent of the schools you apply to. Even USNews ranks Brown at 34 in Research and 27 in Primary Care ( ahead of Duke Medical School and Johns Hopkins Medical School !!!!! ) out of a total of 125 medical schools in the country. If US News is any less controversial in rankings is with Graduate Programs. They are more believable there.

Do you think that you have a secured Harvard admission for med school? (since you are talking about "best")

modestmelody

It should be noted that because many students don't take hte MCATs to get into Brown's med school (since until recently, they were all PLMEs, now it's about 95% PLME), etc, it's difficult to track any sort of statistics for Brown's Med School. The program is also quite small.

However, Brown Med School grads consistently place in some of the most competitive and most difficult to get into internships, fellowships, etc post MD.

Not having to take the MCAT is a huge stress relief for many people and I think this is a large part of the motivation. That being said, I did not apply PLME and don't want ot be a doctor.

afan

It does seem that Brown's residency placement is better than one would expect from its USNews ranking.

jerzgrlmom

Some kids see combined med programs as a way to get through quickly and more cheaply than going the regular route. With 6 or 7 yr programs, they save on tuition, esp with a state school program. Some kids choose the program despite disliking the undergrad environment - they're focused on the end result.

Other kids (potential PLMEs) aren't looking to accelerate. They want the full 4 yr college experience and are in no rush. My son, a PLME, falls into this category and did not apply to accelerated programs. He liked U Rochester's Take Five pgm which allows you to do a tuition free 5th yr undergrad. Evidently, he's in no rush and has many interests he wishes to pursue. As a PLME, he doesn't have to cram all his science/math requirements into his 1st 2 yrs so he's ready to take the MCATs. He can take what he wants when he wants. He doesn't have to spend a year preparing for/applying to and interviewing for med school. Instead of stressing out, he can spend that year studying abroad - something that can be done as a non PLME but in many schools with core requirements, it can be difficult to schedule as an undergrad, especially while concurrently taking MCATs and applying to med schools. Brown also allows (and I believe encourages) PLMEs to take a yr off before med school to do research/volunteer/study abroad or whatever. PLMEs simply have freedom to do as they wish, with the guarantee of med school. As a PLME, one doesn't need to obsess over EVERY grade or class choice, worrying how it will look to med schools. Brown undergrads (PLME or not) have some flexibility/freedom to study what interests them. They can take an occasional course Credit/No Credit if they want to try something new and expect it could hurt their GPA. Sure, PLMEs need to maintain a minimum GPA but honestly, I'm not sure what it is - I think possibly a 3.0. To me, that seems like a big relief but kids at Brown are self motivated and probably work their hardest regardless.

As far as Brown's med school goes, it recently received a 100-million dollar gift and I expect good things to come. I know there are plans to expand and I believe a new med school is going to be built. My son doesn't live by rankings so he's fine with where Brown stands now - but I expect the med school to climb.