Duke vs. Brown PLME

<p>Hi,</p>

<p>I recently found out that I was accepted to Brown University's PLME and to Duke University. I'm ecstatic, but in a bit of a dilemma which to choose.... because I'm not sure that I want to go to Brown's Medical School. I want to pursue an MD/PhD program, but during college plan on majoring in economics. </p>

<p>Having a life outside of academics is very important to me! Can you please compare the merits of both schools: academically, socially, geographically, and in regards to reaserch and intership opportunities? </p>

<p>Thanks so much! :D</p>

<p>Either way you will be in great shape. I think you should consider financial aid (if money is an issue) and base your decision on that. That being said, if both schools are close then I think it’s about fit, because these are two VERY different places culturally. Duke has a much more elitist, southern student body and culture. If you are not used to the South, this can be a shock for many. Whereas, Brown is in the liberal (although elitist in its own right) Northeast. You are going to spend 4 yrs of your life in Durham or in Providence. I would suggest you consider where you will be happiest all other factors considered. BUT YOU CAN’T MAKE A BAD CHOICE!!! Congrats :)</p>

<p>Everytime someone says Duke has an elitist or southern culture, you can automatically disregard everything he has to say about Duke as he has no idea what he is talking about. While it has an incredible southern influence in the terms of southern hospitality, god, and some other aspects, Duke has a very northern/west coast feel to it.</p>

<p>Look into the schools to see which you enjoy more. I’m a current Duke student planning to get an MD/PhD as well, so if you hve any speiic question feel free to PM me. Here’s some random info:</p>

<p>Duke premed:</p>

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<p>Duke social life:

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<p>visit if you can?</p>

<p>snowflake…this is your very first post!..What do you mean, “I recently found out”? (almost two weeks…that’s a lifetime ago!)</p>

<p>And how did you get into Brown’s most exclusive program for pre-MEDICAL students, yet you want to study economics? Either you misrepresented yourself in your application, or you’re misrepresenting yourself here. Somehow I can’t imagine Brown selected you for their BLME program (which automatically gets you into their med school) yet you’re planning on majoring in Economics. Talk about employing their Open Curriculum!</p>

<p>Brown does have an MD/PhD program, and I believe that it accepts a lot of PLMEs (it is an internal program, meaning it does not accept people who attended colleges other than Brown). </p>

<p>limabeans, I hope you’re being sarcastic. Many PLMEs major in something other than a science. </p>

<p>IMO, I would go with Brown PLME.</p>

<p>brown all the way</p>

<p>lima:</p>

<p>one BIG purpose of a med school guarantee is so a student CAN major in a liberal art that is not called bio. :)</p>

<p>Go with Brown. It’s med school is pretty damn good, and just imagine not having to worry about MCATs and other med school related crap.</p>

<p>

Ah, but not all MD/PhD programs are created equal. Brown has a perfectly good combined program, I’m sure, and no doubt it is attractive to Brown students. It does not, however, have one of the relatively few MSTP programs (Duke, Penn, Stanford, Yale, and others do).</p>

<p>In practical terms, that means one would pay more at Brown than at other programs, because the MD parts of the program are not subsidized. </p>

<p>A few comments:
[ul][<em>]Formerly it was possible to have PLME in the bag and apply elsewhere too, but Brown has [recently</a> changed](<a href=“http://www.browndailyherald.com/policy-change-rankles-plmes-1.2057445]recently”>http://www.browndailyherald.com/policy-change-rankles-plmes-1.2057445) its rules about allowing PLME students to apply to other institutions.
[</em>]Duke is a wonderful school, but a guaranteed med school acceptance is not something to be taken lightly. Don’t decide on a whim.[/ul]</p>

<p>Vociferous is correct…the two are very different. Guaranteed med school admissions or not, I would have been absolutely miserable at Brown, and I’m sure many Brown students feel the same about Duke. Hit up ADOCH and Blue Devil Days, if you haven’t already, or at least visit.</p>

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<p>I think since then they have changed it back so PLMEs can apply out without forfeiting their spot because people really complained about that policy change. </p>

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<p>It says on the program website that the first two years of the MD isn’t subsidized, but the rest of the program has full tuition funding. That’s not as good of a deal financially as an MSTP funded program, but in order to get into an MSTP program someone would have to work like crazy in undergrad to get into one. In contrast, a PLME probably already has priority consideration for Brown’s MD/PhD.</p>

<p>If I were you, I would choose Brown. Since you are guaranteed into Brown’s medical school, it will be much easier to have a social life because there will not be the pressure of getting perfect grades. Also, Brown’s open curriculum is a plus. PLME is not an MD/PhD program, although you can choose participate in such a program once in the medical school. Another great thing about PLME is that if you decide that you would rather not stay at Brown for medical school, you are welcome to apply elsewhere. Being in PLME allows you to explore whatever subject matters interest you while also allowing you to have a social life and take the pressure off that comes with being pre-med. If you decide later on though that being a doctor isn’t for you or that you would rather not go to Brown med, you are not locked in and can always choose a different path.</p>

<p>“Everytime someone says Duke has an elitist or southern culture, you can automatically disregard everything he has to say about Duke as he has no idea what he is talking about.”</p>

<p>For the record, I have been to Duke on a number of occasions and I have many friends who have attended Duke as both grads and undergrads. I also know Duke well enough to know that many people are uncomfortable with some of the old school “Southern Gentry” atmosphere that surrounds the campus and the relatively lack of diversity there. One needs to just visit Durham and take note in the economic, social and cultural disparities to understand it. That said, Duke is a fine institution, but I stand by my assessment 100%.</p>

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Shhhhh. Stop letting the cat out of the bag. Personally, I say the less overlap Duke has with the Ivies, the better. There’s a reason people choose Duke. ;)</p>

<p>(Joking aside - though I’m kind of serious - I do disagree very strongly with the above post. Any poster who suggests that Duke is lacking in diversity is either blind, ignorant, or some combination of the two.)</p>

<p>I would choose Brown. It will open more doors.</p>

<p>hey,
thanks for your input! I appreciate it. :slight_smile:
I’m not sure yet, but I think I’m going to go for Brown!</p>

<p>I don’t know why you even bothering asking since 90% of the CC community would recommend any Ivy League school over any non Ivy League school (except for S and M).</p>

<p>Visit both schools if you haven’t. Go ask questions on their respective boards. Do your own research. Make your own decision.</p>

<p>This isn’t Ivy v. Non-Ivy. This is comparing two peers with very different cultures when one is guaranteeing admissions into a strong medical school.</p>