Brown PLME vs Yale

jerzgrlmom
Tue, 08 Apr 2008 20:03:57 +0000

pmyen states “If someone is 100% sure they want to go into medicine, then PLME may make some sense. On the other hand, there is less time to explore other majors and careers in the program, and the whole experience is a bit “pre-professional” rather than a typical college one as you attend certain core classes and programs with a clique of other students from PLME. The also become your main social group. At Yale or non-PMLE Brown, you are fully integrated into the college and are free to discover your calling, which may or may not be medicine.”

I don’t think this is true at all, perhaps he has confused PLME with another combined program. At Brown, you are NOT grouped together with just PLMEs. Yes, all PLMEs have to take those pesky science classes that are required to meet admission standards for med school but so do all non PLME premed students. PLMEs are free to take those courses whenever they want; they don’t have to cram them in all into the first 2-3 years in preparation for MCATs. PLMEs don’t have to take MCATs. MANY PLMEs are not majoring in science, so the students are spread out in all types of classes. So, PLMEs may not have other PLMEs in their classes.

Now, I agree that they may know each other since they have opportunities to get together. I believe there are weekly/monthly events like outside speakers giving talks on all kinds of subjects. They also have some social gatherings. PLMEs pick and choose when to attend. I know my son attended something at the Med School and he was the only freshman PLME there; it was mostly older students (possibly med students, not undergrads). But he had the OPTION of attending. Brown provides tons of opportunities but PLMEs make their own choices. My son is friendly with some PLMEs but most kids he hangs out with are NOT PLMEs.