Brown PLME....How Good Is It?

BrownAlumParent
Mon, 25 Jul 2011 18:12:02 +0000

I’m not a current PLME student, LOL, it was MANY years ago I went through Brown’s program, but I do have contact with current PLME and regular premeds.
“How good is PLME”: That is of course totally relative to what you want out of, and what you put into ANY program anywhere in the US. However, Brown’s undergraduate experience for a premed is tough (as it should be) and is excellent. The PLME students I believe have about 2 courses less to take that “premed” students have to for most med schools. (one chem, and one physics semesters) but many choose to take them anyway. (Maybe to keep the MCAT option open). They are mildly envied by their premed peers since they could take a bit lighter approach to studies, and they get a bit more (advising/study help if needed) but they tend to work just as hard, as like most Brown students they are self motivated. In general Brown is much less cutthroat than a lot of similar caliber college “premed” environments. (not easier!!, just I don’t hear the stories of people refusing to help others study, sabotaging others grades etc that I have heard from the medical students I teach from other undergrad schools.I think having the PLME students helps the undergrad experience that way for all the premeds.)
Bruno posted the match results above. Brown Med School Students go to excellent residencies. (and note the number matching in very hard to match such as ophthalmology etc also). Residency selection depends on many factors and Harvard etc is not the best place for everyone. (I’m probably considered one of the “unprestigious” grads, since I went to a mid range residency in Primary Care, but I knew it was the field and area of the country I wanted, and practice successfully and happily. If I had wanted to be the world’s foremost CVT surgeon, if I had that ambition, yes probably I would have still gotten there.) Brown like most of its similar med schools does have grads who are “tops in their field” but most MDs in the world really are just good working docs. Most high school students who start out thinking they are going to be premeds, never even “make it” to med school. (Many appropriately deciding that they really have a different passion, not just those who don’t “cut it” as a premed.)
So, the end reply is that PLME is excellent because if accepted (the BIG if) you will get to med school. (unless you find that other passion.) AND, Brown undergrad is a great place to be. (and if you eventually decide you want to be at Harvard etc for residency, yes, you have a better chance than at many other schools). PLME should be (and admissions really seem to be looking for) the students who have been able to decide that they are able to make the decision at this point that they really are ready to decide they ARE going into medicine, really want to do that through the PLME route, and really want to be at Brown. (and of course are incredible stand out students at this early point in the long road to that MD/specialty credential.)