Does Brown welcome Atheists?

Colleges & Universities A-Z Brown University
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<p>Hi guys!! It’s my first time in this forum. This is going to be a long story, but I would REALLY appreciate it if you guys can evaluate me on my chance to Brown PLME program. I understand it is very tough program, but I have a faith that admission committee would appreciate what I’ve been through.</p>

<p>The only thing that can seperate me from other applicants is my history. Unfortunately, I am no Asian math-genius -_-;</p>

<p>I am an international student who immigrated here about 5 years ago.
I went through several foster family b/c my parent’s divorce/bankrupsy. I dropped out of high school and went to Korea and worked as a translator. When I earned enough money and came back to US to finish my high school, the family trouble started again, and I was placed in a foster family with strong Baptist values. I was driven to succeed, so my GPA was perfect, and soon I was voted NHS president in my junior year. Also, I worked as a columnist in local newspaper. But I always felt out of place because I felt like they were proselytizing, not accepting what I believe. My counselor was so discouraging in letting me apply to Ivy Leagues, she even told me that she thinks AP won’t do any good to me(I wanted to study AP by myself since school didn’t have any. I took AP psyc and got 4…not really good, I know). When I came out of the closet and told them that I am an atheist, all of them turned their back on me, labeling me as a “devil,” “a fool,” and such. Counselor encouraged me to stay in school, so I did for awhile, but soon I realized that teachers did not accept my values. My English teacher graded me harshly based on my belief, and her comments on my essay were …well… in my opinion, proselytizing. My foster family said, “If you are not a Christian, we can’t keep you here.” So I dropped out of high school for the SECOND TIME( I know, it’s dumb). </p>

<p>I took Biology and semester of Chemistry.<br>
I took two and half years of English/other major subjects.
I was president of two different major clubs. One as a freshman, one as a junior.</p>

<p>I am planning to take ACT since I don’t have any SATIIs. I am applying as ED.</p>

<p>Work experiences include: Deli clerk, Waitress, Translator, and Patient Care Technician at Telemetry Unit.
Volunteering experiences are almost none b/c I moved so much.</p>

<p>Visa Status: I have applied for a greencard, and will get citizenship before medical school.</p>

<p>What do you think? Am I enough for PLME?</p>

<p>p.s. I am going to attach extra essay explaining all these extenuating circumstances.
p.p.s. I am going to take some classes at comm. college after submitting as ED.</p>

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<p>Wow! At first glance, you look like a very driven applicant with a great story to tell.</p>

<p>You haven't given us enough specifics about how you actually did in high school (GPA, rank, SAT scores etc) to tell us if you would be accepted to Brown or PLME. PLME in particular probably would not take you unless you had shown a commitment to medicine (done some kind of internship in a hospital, volunteered to do EMS training, or something like that), so I don't know if you have that kind of experience, but it would definitely be a plus on your application. Also, being "no Asian math-genius" is not a disadvantage for PLME admissions -- the program practices very strong affirmative action, which amounts to an extremely low admit rate for Asian math-geniuses.</p>

<p>In terms of Brown admission (non-PLME), as long as your scores are pretty good and you've made your extenuating circumstances clear in your essay, then I'd bet you'd have a pretty good shot. You sound like exactly the kind of person Brown wants -- someone who can think for yourself, someone who is absolutely committed to taking charge of your education, and obviously quite bright. </p>

<p>To answer the title question of your post, absolutely. There are plenty of atheists at Brown. There are also plenty of religious people and religious groups, but for the most part they do not prostheletize. Occasionally in the Ratty you'll see table slips with bible verses put out by Christian groups, but that's pretty much the extent of it. Probably the largest religious community on campus is Hillel, the Jewish community building / umbrella organization. They're extremely welcoming of non-Jews and non-believers into their services and activities if you are interested in learning more about Judaism or just think that a particular activity sounds interesting, but they never try to convert anyone.</p>

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<p>SAT scores will really help you in this situation. If you have good SAT scores then colleges will see that you're smart. It's already evident that you're hardworking from all the jobs you've had. In your case, GPA won't be a good indicator of academic promise because your school was biased and you went through a lot of troubles.
If you write good essays and have high test scores, then you should be fine.</p>

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<p>Wow . . . do you go to a Christian high school or something? Of course Brown and other ivy league schools will welcome athiests, they don't discriminate against people because of their beliefs. There are many athiests where I live (including myself) and they aren't treated in any way like people have treated you. Because of your past history and experiences, and that you've tried so hard for your education (everything definitely wasn't handed to you on a plate) it makes for a unique applicant. Under these circumstances, I think you have a very good chance, and it would be even better if your test scores came out well.</p>

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<p>Wow, where do you live? Sounds like you've been through a lot. Since Ivy league schools in general tend to be liberal (or so I've heard), I think you'll be fine. I do know that Cornell has an atheist society. But anyway, I hope you get in.</p>

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<p>it's hip to be agnostic</p>

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<p>Everyone, I want thank you for such a great encouragement! </p>

<p>ILoveBrown/ Thanks for the post, I agree that they would look for someone who is deeply intrested in medicine. I will surely let them know about that! :D I have some experience in Cardiac Unit and psychiatry Unit. My GPA is 4.0, rank is top 5%, but since I took GED I don't know if they would count my rank. I would be considered as a homeschooled student.<br>
jimbob1225/ I went to two different schools(public and private) and my GPA stayed the same(4.0) so they "might" consider it plus? :D I agree that my ACT will weigh the most in my app...
schrizto/ yes I went to Baptist school in Indiana. A nightmare. Anyway, I will try my best to get the best score as possible.
km7289/I lived in Indiana but now I am reunited with my mom in Arizona.
amor caelestis/ Yes, indeed. :)</p>

<p>My MSN messenger: <a href="mailto:nextworldflower@msn.com">nextworldflower@msn.com</a></p>

<p>I will post in the future whether I did get into Brown. If I don't, that means I didn't get in...-_-;</p>

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<p>That's great that you have some medical experience. Have you taken standardized tests yet?</p>

<p>Best of luck to you! Please do keep us posted on your progress.</p>

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<p>PSAT was really low XD I attribute the low score to my stupidity in English language. I'm scheduled to take ACT on Sept 16...hoping for comp of 31-34. Mmm...what major are you at Brown? Thanks for the post!!!! You really encouraged me ;)</p>

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<p>Hi people,</p>

<p>How do I edit my original thread? I see stupid grammatical errors. It really bothers me.</p>

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<p>I think you can only edit it for a certain number of minutes after you post it.</p>

<p>I'm a rising sophomore at Brown, currently planning to concentrate in Public Policy, although that may still change... we'll see! Please let me know if you have any other questions about Brown, by posting here or PMing me.</p>

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<p>You would make an awsome applicant if you can get a 30+ on the ACT.</p>

<p>We'd welcome you in like every other student...you'd be more than fine!</p>

<p>Hell, I my weak athiest self hasnt been persecuted yet...</p>

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<p>Brown is pretty open to most perspectives so long as the holder of that viewpoint respects the validity of other views too</p>

<p>I'd say give applying a shot with or without the 30+ ACT score. PLME is even more of a crapshoot than the College but regardless of the decision of an imperfect system and imperfect humans, you should hold your head high.</p>

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<p>ILoveBrown/ That's awesome! I hope to see you at Brown!
bobbobbob/ 30+ is what I am shooting for.<em>Crosses fingers</em> Gosh, maybe you and I can be founders of "Atheist Club" at Brown. Whaadaya say? AHAHAHAHA!!:D :D :D
fredmurtz2/ Yes, it's very touchy subject: personal belief. And yes, it's highly possible that I don't get into prestigious program like PLME, but Brown is still a greeeat school to consider. Thanks for encouragement!</p>

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<p>i disapprove of the idea of an atheist club</p>

<p>evangelical atheism sucks</p>

<p>spell properly, ladies and gents. c'mon. "-ism"</p>

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<p>Who says that an atheist club would be evangelical? Almost none of the religious groups on campus are.</p>

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<p>amor caelestis/ I never said that I was going to preach my belief onto someone. Why would I do that after all I've been through with Baptist missionaries? The idea of having a social gathering of atheists would be interesting because I think some of them would find an idea of just talking to another atheist intresting. Think of it as a social chess club. They don't preach that chess is good for everybody, do they? :D</p>

<p>ILoveBrown/ is there a feminist club/sorority? Just wondering.</p>

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<p>allahu akbar burn in hell infidel</p>

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<p>LetsGoAllah/ That's where all the trouble starts! Intolerance.</p>

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<p>There is not a feminist sorority, but there is the Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance (<a href="http://www.brown.edu/web/gab3/view.php?id=67%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.brown.edu/web/gab3/view.php?id=67&lt;/a&gt;) as well as a number of pro-feminist groups within the Queer Alliance.</p>

<p>And LetsGoAllah -- it looks like you just created that name to make a joke, since that was your first post... at the risk of sounding like I have no sense of humor, please don't make posts like that anymore. As a Jew whose relatives have been killed under similar ideologies, and as the girlfriend of an Arab who has been severely harassed because people assume that he believes in that ideology, I really have trouble finding it at all funny.</p>