I’ve been meaning to post something like this for a while, because I think it would have really helped me back in 2012, when I had my heart and sights set on Brown PLME. Additionally, I’ve received a few PMs asking how things worked out for me, and I wanted to oblige. I also think now (~October) is a good time to post it, as people will be hearing back from ED decisions. Finally, I want to preface this by saying that this is n=1, and in no way encompasses everyone’s experiences.
In 2012, I made the decision to apply ED to Brown’s PLME program. Looking back, it was likely not the most informed choice (I still did not know 100% that I wanted to do MD. In fact, part of me saw the appeal of the PhD route). However, I committed regardless. My stats were decent (I’m sure you could find it on these very forums with enough digging) and my experiences were decent as well. I even felt my interview went well.
Alas, come ED decisions time, my heart sank as I found out I was wait-listed. This waitlist was fruitless as well, as it eventually lead to a rejection. Needless to say, I was incredibly disappointed. For some reason, this rejection stung a bit more than all the others I received, as I had metaphorically “put all my eggs in the Brown basket.”
However, the point of this post isn’t to tell you how bad it feels to get rejected. It’s to tell all of you out there that there’s a world of opportunity beyond it.
I ended up matriculating at a top 20 private school for an undergraduate degree in Biology. To be frank, the first few semesters were incredibly challenging. Getting A’s was an achievement in themselves, something I wasn’t used to from high school.
However, I eventually committed 100% to the MD track (realized a PhD wasn’t for me). I began to perform considerable research in the biological sciences, even securing independent funding for my project. I had the opportunity to work with patients in a variety of settings. In short, I had the freedom to fully realize that medicine was, in fact, right for me.
This year, I applied via the traditional route to medical schools across the country. About a week ago, I have received an acceptance to a top 10 MD program, allowing me to finally realize my dreams.
What did I gain, and what did I lose? I think it’s important to look at this, as this may be a difficult decision that some of you will be making in the future:
Positives:
- I had the opportunity to fully realize medicine was right before I committed. Sometimes, this is difficult to do at the high school level.
- I had (or was forced to have) the drive to participate in a wide variety of extracurricular settings. As I can personally attest, that drive may or may not be present when one holds an MD acceptance.
- I had the opportunity to apply to a wide variety of MD programs, some of which may be considered “higher tier/ranking” than Brown’s program.
Negatives:
- I had to work rather hard to maintain a good GPA. Add in the fact that I went to an undergrad not known for inflation, which made it a bit harder.
- I had to take the MCAT (I took the new one). One of the most challenging and grueling test prep experiences I’ve personally experienced, which PLME students have the opportunity to bypass.
- Uncertainty. At the end of the day, after all this hard work, there’s still no guarantee that I would receive an acceptance. In fact, roughly 50% of the applicant population are forced to reapply at the end of each cycle, which is a daunting and disenchanting figure.
For me, at the end of the day, the trade offs were worth it. However, it’s easy for me to say that holding the acceptance that I do. For those of you that are rejected from Brown PLME, who have your sights set on being a physician, know that the traditional route, while difficult, will be filled with opportunities. It’s simply up to you to take advantage of them.
For those of you who receive an acceptance from Brown PLME, great job!! You’re already well ahead of the pre-med curve. However, you too will have to make the decision of matriculating or not, and only you can decide what’s right for you and your family.
Best of luck everyone!
(and I apologize if this is in the wrong section. Please let me know and I’ll remove/change it! Thanks!)