<p>Hi All. I'm a going to be a senior in a public high school this fall. I've been wanting to do a BS/MD or BA/MD program all my life at a great school. I was wondering... which is harder to get into: HPME at Northwestern or PLME at Brown?</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>Statistically, PLME has a lower acceptance rate (less than 5 percent or something ridiculous), however both are incredibly difficult to get into and both present challenges that are different from one another. I only know of one person who got into both this year (8yearman). </p>
<p>Northwestern’s data is a little different in terms of acceptance rate, since a couple thousand request applications, and about 1200 receive the applications. The challenge for Northwestern is that each stage of the application process is different and they look at different things during each. Getting an application shouldn’t be too hard, just make sure you follow the deadlines, and receiving it is based on your SAT scores/GPA, for the most part. Once you receive an application, your ec’s, essays (definitely important) are weighed the most. I got to the interview stage and so I’m sure someone who got in can comment on how to perform extremely well there. I think that people who say that its a blank slate once your at the interview are obviously wrong since the interviewers (m4, faculty, and the head hpme person) read over your applications and conclude certain strengths/weaknesses that they ask you about during the application-so yes they factor in all of this. Going back to your question, I think that because of the interview (depending on who you are), the application process is easier or harder. Its easier to those who obviously can stand out and impress Dr. Green. PLME is probably harder in the sense that your essays are weighed A TON, since they never even meet you in person to assess your personality and your strengths in that area. </p>
<p>So, overall, both are obviously extremely difficult. Don’t make the mistake of “falling in love” with the programs because there is a larger chance you will be dissapointed. However, after going through the process, I do not think it is such a “crapshoot” as many suggest. People who get interviews at a lot of places generally will get into one combined program, if not more. People who are qualified, for the most part, WILL receive interviews if you apply to maybe 5+ programs. However, you will get rejected from programs like GWU, and you could get an interview at NU, so in a sense, it is unpredictable.</p>
<p>Both are the hardest ones to get in. The difference is irrelevent. They are much harder to get in than their Med. Schools if you going “regular route” So, if you do not get in, just try 4 years later “regular route”, if Northwestern and Brown Med. Schools are your goal. Resoanbly strong Med. School applicant has very good chances at getting at both. However, very high caliber HS graduate needs to have lots of luck to get into HPME or PLME.</p>
<p>what do you mean the difference is irrelevant? If you mean the specific numbers (acceptance rate)-then yes you’re correct. </p>
<p>However, if you mean that the process for an applicant-and the difference is irrelevant-then obviously that’s wrong. PLME probably weighs essays a lot more because they never meet you in person-so as an applicant, your focus is entirely different.</p>
<p>“PLME is probably harder in the sense that your essays are weighed A TON, since they never even meet you in person to assess your personality and your strengths in that area.”</p>
<p>But your local Brown alumni will conduct an interview, they may say something on the report. Although i don’t know how much weight it may count…</p>
<p>True, my local alumni talked briefly about PLME and why it interested me but it was entirely different from the HPME interview procss. The PLME office may or may not receive the interview input, so as far as people have concluded in the past-the essays for PLME have most significance.</p>
<p>The local Brown alumni interviews rarely go to the PLME office - I had the luck to be interviewed by a PLME grad, and the PLME admissions people didn’t even know until I told them later. Those interviews are really for Brown, not PLME.</p>
<p>Just to second everyone else: for PLME the essays are by far the most important. Make sure you say what you need to say in them.</p>
<p>“The local Brown alumni interviews rarely go to the PLME office” - why are you so sure?
PLME admission office still can pull out the interview info if they like. Although the interview is for Brown.</p>
<p>I got into both two years ago and can say that i agree with everything that kbbm24 said. The other thing is that many people get interviews for hpme and then get rejected from both northwestern regular undergrad and to hpme. it’s not because you weren’t qualified for northwestern regular undergrad. it’s because they figure that the only reason you are applying to northwestern is for hpme, so if you are rejected from hpme, then you probably wouldn’t even consider northwestern regular undergrad as an option. if you actually really would want northwestern regardless of hpme, you really have to stress that in your application and interview.</p>
<p>Okay. And sorry, my mistake in my first post. I’m going to be a SOPHMORE in a public high school this fall. HPME has been my dream for so long. I’ve considered Brown’s PLME for a long time because it is closer and it’s an Ivy League, but Northwestern is better ranked. I’ve also considered The University of Pittsburgh’s Guaranteed Admit Program because that’s the highest rank but it doesn’t have the greatest undergraduate school and HPME is an accelerated program with a great undergrad! Can I have some advice on which program I should focus on? Also, what should I do that will help me get into these programs (like hospital volunteering, shadowing, community service, etc.)?</p>
<p>Also Case Western’s PPSP in Medicine interests me because Case has a great med school and my brother&aunt both went there. The Rice/Baylor program seems great too but it’s not the greatest undergrad. Where do you guys think is the best option? Brown’s PLME, Northwestern’s HPME (again, my favorite), Pitts’ GA Program, Rice/Baylor, or Case’s PPSP? Thank you so much for your opinions!</p>
<p>P.S. Right now, I’m just worrying about which program I want to focus on. I’m not that worried about academics as I am number one in my class. But could you guys actually also give me some extracurriculars I should focus on as I said in my previous post? THANKS A BUNCH.</p>
<p>I know that the USNWR rankings don’t really matter, but there is a reason that Rice is pretty high up that list. Rice is a great school. Also the three things that almost every ba/bs/md person has is </p>
<p>Volunteering
Research
Shadowing</p>
<p>Some other extracurricular activities that I’ve seen is a job in a doctor’s office</p>
<p>Try and do those things, but for research try and make sure that it’s legit (don’t run gels for 5 hrs/ a day)</p>
<p>Also I’ve seen a lot of people on CC do like Intel and Seimens competitions, but I’m sure there are many people who are in bs/md programs that didn’t do that.</p>
<p>DirectMed: Rice undergrad is every bit as good as the others on your list, with broader opportunities to participate in medically-related research as an undergrad due to Rice’s involvement with the Texas Medical Center, the largest medical complex in the world (see Rice Bioscience Research Collaborative).</p>
<p>Hi. Sorry, I meant to say that Rice is too far away from where I live.</p>
<p>I do not believe that you are up to choosing UG yet. Your criteria is not what you need to consider. When time comes, you will need to visit schools, research them, talk to current students, walk around campus and see where you would fit the best. Then you decide. You are just too young, enjoy your HS, it is precious, do not worry about college yet.</p>
<p>Hahaha thanks.</p>