Temeraire

What would be the advantages of going to Harvard over Brown PLME? I can think of many solid advantages of going to Brown PLME (guaranteed med school spot, more flexible curriculum, less pressure on me and my parents). However, I can't think of advantages for Harvard that are particularly concrete (the "experience" of being at a top institution with phenomenal classmates, the "opportunities" available). I can attempt to apply to "better" medical schools at both colleges.

As a side note: I've met two other students who are choosing Harvard over Brown PLME, but I have yet to meet someone who chose Brown PLME over Harvard. Does anyone here know of someone who turned down Harvard for a combined med program? I'm planning to commit to Brown (tomorrow?? aggh), so naturally I'm concerned that I might be making a mistake. Is pre-med at Harvard really more valuable than Brown PLME?

dcircle

Hi Temeraire

Of cross-admits to Harvard and PLME, the split is about 50-50. I was a cross-admit at Yale, and chose PLME--but interestingly, the split here is 80-20 in favor of PLME.

You'll certainly find many members of your incoming PLME class who made the exact same decision.

As someone who now advises pre-meds at Harvard, I'm trying to think of some solid advantages of Harvard over PLME but am coming up short. I think the main reason to choose Harvard in this case is if you really just want to be at Harvard (due to personal taste regarding social and lifestyle preferences). Harvard undergrad life is very focussed on tight-knit houses, which is very appealing to some and terrible for others. Harvard undergrads are also super into extracurriculars, like to a degree I've seen no where else. If you write for the Crimson, you'll pretty much live there. Similarly, if you act, play an instrument, etc. There's more all-around intensity, but not necessarily academic intensity. It's hard to describe well, but there is a difference.

In terms of lifestyle, Brown is no slouch either of course (happiest students and all). I would think it's primarily a matter of taste.

Temeraire

dcircle: You've been an immense help to me by offering thorough advice (your position as an advisor even shows through online!). Hopefully, this should be my last question for you.

Are PLME students in general well-prepared for the academic rigor of medical school? I might try to apply out to UT Southwestern or Baylor med because their tuition costs are lower and they are closer to home, so in effect, that in itself might be mitigate any potential slacking off. What's your view?

dcircle

the truth is that some are and some are a little less so. there is a lot of individual responsibility that comes with the lattitude of the program.

most PLME's only got accepted because they were ferocious learners in high school and just incredibly motivated in general (i'd say these folks make up about 80%).

the remainder are people who become a little lazy because of the security of knowing they have a med school spot. of these some fraction is just a bit burned out from high school (apparently some high schools are hyper-competitive), but can kick it into high gear when need be. a very small fraction (maybe one or two in each class) kinda stays lazy all the time--for these folks med school is definitely a bit of a shock.

it really just depends on the person.

just_forget_me

Completely off-topic for this thread, but...
This isn't true!!! If you're the business manager, president, or managing editor, it's a full-time job - but I don't think anyone else spends more than 20 hrs/week on the paper (and many people just write a story every week or two).

tlon_verb

Off-topic as well...

But I know plenty of editors who spend 3-4 hours a day working on the paper. But then again, I only know the people on the Biz Board pretty well.

just_forget_me

(3-4 hrs/day => less than or equal to 20 hrs/week)

tlon_verb

Eh. They like working on the weekends as well.