Hi everyone!
I am extremely excited that I was accepted into PLME class of 2019/2023, but was wondering about a couple of things as I struggle with choosing it over Columbia (finances is not a concern). Just a bit of context: I would be a Health and Human Biology concentrator at Brown, and a Medicine, Literature and Societies major at Columbia. I’m interested in biomedical research, creative writing, and global health.
- How abundant are opportunities in those areas for PLME students specifically? I know that PLME has their own research grants and Council, but is there any additional benefits than being a regular Brown pre-med (besides assured med school admittance of course).
- If I decide to apply out of PLME in senior year, how harshly does the program look down on it? My hometown has a few top 20 medical schools and if I get into one of those, it would make medical school a lot cheaper for me since I’ll be living at home.
- Are all/most people who apply out successful in getting into another medical school/have there been several cases where people are left medical school-less? Is it a disadvantage to apply to other medical students as a PLME student?
- How’s the PLME social scene? Do they stick together or disperse throughout the Brown community?
Note: I don’t anticipate applying out to other medical schools, but may do so if the financial burden becomes too great.
Thanks so much for any input!
- Benefits - extra advising, extra research opportunities, etc. Besides all the benefits of being a Brown student.
2/3. By applying out, you would lose your slot in the Brown med school. Some students do choose to apply out, but to do so you’ll need to forgo your spot at Alpert and go through the same admissions process as every other pre-med student. I only know of two who applied out from my year - they were both admitted, but that doesn’t say a lot.It’s a bit more common that students complete their degree at Brown and go on to other pursuits outside medicine - that’s a few people per year.
- Housing is the same as for any other Brown undergrad, and there are no PLME-specific classes or activities, besides the student senate (which a minority of PLMEs are involved in). Some hang out with each other, but it's more common that they don't.
Just in general to you: the process of applying to medical school is a painful and expensive one. Most students these days are taking a year or two off between college and med school, even coming from schools like Columbia. PLME allows you to forego the application process, but only if you’re really invested in going to Brown and Alpert.
I’m a bit confused at your remarks on finances. You say that finances are not a concern when choosing Brown or Columbia, but then talk about a financial burden later on. Any private med school is going to essentially cost you the same amount - living expenses are very minor in comparison to tuition. An in-state med school will most likely be less expensive, so you should consider whether you want to go that direction and live with the possibility of not being admitted or of having to take a few years off.
This alone is a big reason to go PLME: “the process of applying to medical school is a painful and expensive one.” My sister went the traditional route and it is absolutely brutal.
Thanks for all of your replies! I’ll definitely take all the information you gave me into consideration as I make my decision.
I was looking at past threads, and it seemed like in the past (circa class of 2011 I believe?), PLME students could apply out and if they don’t get in anywhere, could get a spot in AMS a year later. That doesn’t happen anymore, right?
@bruno14 Clarification for the finances bit: Brown and Columbia would cost the same for undergrad for me. However, I have family living close to ~10 of the top 20 schools, so if I were lucky enough to be admitted to them, I could live with them. I know living expenses are pretty minor (maybe around $30k over the four years depending on the city?), but it could also mean I can stay closer to family since Brown is far away from home. Also to be honest, I expected medical school living expenses to be the same as undergrad living expenses, but now that I looked it up, it’s not really the case.
@bioenglishnerd: Correct. That used to be the case (ended with my class - 2014/2018), but no longer is. If you apply out now, you lose your spot completely.
The medical school living expenses are estimated based on many students staying close to school for convenience and that makes it expensive. In Houston I know students who stay at home and attend the medical school. When they are doing rotations, it does not really matter where they stay.
Thanks for all of your replies!
@bruno14 I know Alpert Medical School gives out merit scholarships-- are these also given to PLME students? Or are they not because PLMEs are already “locked in” anyways? Thanks in advance!
@bioenglishnerd: Med school aid is need-based, not merit. PLMEs have the same eligibility for need-based scholarships as traditional admits.
http://brown.edu/academics/medical/financial-aid/eligibility-scholarships-and-loans/ams-scholarships