<p>What exactly does it take to get into the PLME? What else do they look for other than SAT scores? Most people seem to be in the high 1500’s but is this really necessary? Would someone in the low 1400’s be considered? Are there any sites available that give the breakdown on this?</p>
<p>They look for volunteering at hospitals, extrcurriculars involving becoming a doctor, very high stats, must convince them you want to be a doctor and nothing else, and other crap but I'm not an expert so I will go no further</p>
<p>It's extremely competitive. It has been said that they look at people who are interested in medicine for more humanitarian motives than just being a doctor and making money.</p>
<p>yeah, something about more about the "art of medicine" rather than the "science of medicine," too, so extremely high stats aren't necessary.</p>
<p>Hey there--
I was admitted to the PLME for undergrad Class of 2009. A massive problem with this board is the obsession over SAT scores. As a person who scored low on the SATs (1220), I want to tell you that SATs are not the deciding factor for admittance. Although SAT scores overall are probably very high, I believe that personal characteristics are looked at with far more weight. </p>
<p>In my case, an extensive amount of actual work in a hospital (paying) was probably an important factor. In addition, I've had considerable contact with actual patients. Seriously, the best advice I can give you (because I really want everyone to have this opportunity who wants it), is to try to spend time working with actual patients. See, as I have first hand, what it is like to have patients get better, see them get worse or even die--not because you are trying to get into some program, but because you care about them. Actually feel the loss and pain that you will feel as a future physician. That's what the PLME admissions committee looks for: raw, and proven passion. Test scores? OK fine, but don't fret if you don't have stellar scores. Worry instead about what really matters. </p>
<p>If you have any more questions, I'd love to try to help. From my little narrow sliver of perspective I obviously have a limited view, but I'll try to help. </p>
<p>Peace,
Rory
<a href="mailto:rory.merritt@gmail.com">rory.merritt@gmail.com</a></p>
<p>Thanks Rory. Another question...Could research in a lab at one of the top universities all four summers of high school be considered just as good as volunteering in a hospital with actual patients? Or can nothing take the place of that. I have never actually worked with patients but I still know that medicine is my calling. Will it be considered just as good?</p>
<p>Hmm, good question. Because medicine is such a massive field, I would imagine that in-depth, focused research could potentially be a fantastic resource to have on one's resumee. I can't presume to know whether "nothing [could] take the place" of contact with patients, however, medicine could never be done without research. I think the goal of a PLME application is to convince those admission cmtte. members that medicine is for sure what you want to do, but you also want to be well-rounded and even-keeled for the benefits of yourself and future patients.</p>
<p>It's definitely okay to want to go into academic medicine, but you should probably at least get some hospital experience under your belt. How else do you know that you want to be a doctor specifically, and not a researcher?</p>
<p>That's true. I have talked to a lot of people, I have read a ton of books and I have gotten a lot of information at my lab but I realize that this does not take the place of real contact with patients. I had never even heard of the program until a couple months ago and I had thought that I had all of college to do clinical work. I seriously, though, don't have time to volunteer in a hospital as I will be doing research all summer. I just do not know how much this will hurt me or if research is enough.</p>
<p>even if you want to be a researcher, you will still probably want/need to go to med school.</p>