Harvard vs. Brown PLME

northeastdreamin
Tue, 16 Apr 2013 20:08:18 +0000

Note: I just posted a very similar thread on the Brown page, but I wanted the Harvard perspective as well, so SORRY if you’ve seen this twice!

Hey everyone! I’m a long time lurker of this board but I just decided to make an account so I could get everyone’s input on a decision I’m having a tough time making.

I was fortunate (and lucky) enough to be accepted to some amazing schools (Harvard, Brown (PLME), MIT, Yale, LSE, Penn (LSM), Notre Dame, etc) this application round, and at the moment, I’m swinging back and forth between two amazing places: Brown and Harvard.

Harvard has the unparalleled name recognition and that’s great and all, but it’s not the most important thing to me. I love Harvard because I think that their blend of academic/intelectual spirit with social life/extra curricular involvement is something I would really enjoy. I want to stay busy and yet still have a good time in college. I don’t mind tough classes or having to work hard, but I need that fun and relaxing component as well. I definitely feel Harvard has that. What concerns me are the Harvard pre-med horror stories, the possibility of not getting into a “good” medical school (or any medical school), and the lack of strong pre-professional advising. I’d probably go crazy taking the MCAT, trying to find a balance in my courses/grades/social life, and worrying about applications all over again. I feel like Harvard is the riskier option, but the reward could also be bigger (like getting into HMS).

The questions I have are directed towards current Harvard undergrads (especially pre-meds):

1. What has your experience as a Harvard student been like? (Stress levels, extra curricular involvement, etc)

2. Did you turn down any BA or BS/MD programs to go to Harvard? If so, why?

3. Do you ever wish you were in a guaranteed medical program? If you could do it all over again, would you apply/go to one?

4. What experiences have you had at Harvard that you couldn’t have had anywhere else?

As for Brown, I think saying that I love it is probably an understatement. I actually applied ED to PLME and got deferred, so it was originally my first choice. Now, with Harvard on the table, I’m not as sure… The main thing pulling me to Brown right now is that the offer of the guaranteed spot at a really good medical school is really really hard to turn down.
But no doubt Harvard has the prestige/recognition factor. The way my uncle (a Harvard alum) puts it is, “a Harvard diploma gets you places.” Still, I’m sure that I’d get a great education at Brown while also having a really good time. As far as the quality of education goes, I don’t see a huge difference between the two. The open curriculum really appeals to me, but so does the more focused approach in education that I’d probably take at Harvard.

At this moment, I’m probably leaning a little bit towards Brown (ADOCH was pretty awesome); but honestly, I’ve been changing my mind every day for the past week. I know I’m really lucky to be in this position, but life would have been A LOT easier if I had only been admitted to one… But alas, the apocalypse - oops, I mean May 1st - is approaching. What are your thoughts? Have you been in a similar position? What did you decide? If you were me, what would you choose and why?

I know I’d be happy at either of this schools, and it’s just killing me. AHHHH. Please please please try to convince me either way.

Thanks in advance!! I know this is a long post but I’d really appreciate your thoughts/advice :)