Brown PLME vs Yale

jerzgrlmom
Sun, 06 Apr 2008 13:23:47 +0000

PLME changed their policy with last yr’s class and I believe you are no longer required to maintain a 3.0. Brown doesn’t actually calculate a GPA but let’s face it, it’s not very hard to do (he got all As, so he knows it’s a 4.0).

PLME requires you to take a basic set of 'pre-med" classes and you are required to get A or B in some of them (I believe those are Bio classes but I’m not really sure). I know the info is there on the PLME website if you want details.

There is a good deal of freedom in course selection but despite what people think, a student at Brown doesn’t get to just take whatever they want; they need to fulfill the requirements of PLME and the requirements of their major. Granted some majors have less requirements but science majors use up a big chunk of their courses for their major. Outside of those requirements though, there are NO core courses, no general ed classes, no distribution requirements to fulfill.

I agree with what others are advising. Don’t go to an undergrad program you don’t want just to have the guarantee. Why be miserable for 4 years? I doubt you will do your best academically or socially. My son realized Brown was the only (combined program) school he wanted to attend WITH or WITHOUT the guarantee. So, it came down to Brown/PLME or Yale or Duke. All great choices. I believe he’d be happy at all three but for different reasons. He just felt the Brown/PLME was a win/win for HIM. Others who have different priorities would choose differently and they would do so wisely.

dcircle has a point about not underestimating the guarantee. My son has commented on how stressed out the non PLMEs are compared to the PLMEs. Although PLMEs are still working toward As, it’s not the end of the world if they receive a B. Now that doesn’t mean they slack off, but their life is less stressful. My son has stupidly (in my opinion) chosen to take 4 science classes this semester (orgo, 2 neuro classes and physiology) and is finding it a tough go. I can only imagine how crazed he would be as a non PLME. But then again, at Yale, he wouldn’t have put himself in that position. BUT he likes the freedom to choose his classes and wouldn’t have it any other way.