<p>Hi, I am a rising senior who wants to go study medicine in the future.
I am absolutely in love with Brown and the PLME program, and I have done some online searches on the program. </p>
<p>I am basically done with standardized testing: SAT Is , APs, SAT IIs
I have taken 3 SAT IIs so far in Math, History, and Language and did pretty well on them (760+)</p>
<p>The thing is that the Brown PLME site strongly recommends that the applicants take a SAT subject test in science. But I took biology in 9th grade and chemistry in 10th grade and I feel like I forgot alot of things from years ago. I took AP physics C this year and wanted to take the Physics subject test but the SAT physics covers wayyy more than just mechanics portion.</p>
<p>So I am placed in no man’s land. Should I study Emag and Modern Physics by myself and take the subject test before january? I am taking AP physics:emag and AP bio my senior year, and I am not quite sure if taking my time out of my senior year to study for an exam is worth my time. I think sports, school, music, and college apps are going to be overwhelming just by themselves. I am also not a brilliant Physics student either, so I don’t know if I am going to do well on it.</p>
<p>So basically, is it worth it to take a Science subject? I love science and medicine, but I just couldn’t find the right time to take the right test.</p>
<p>Thanks so much!</p>
<p>I don’t know if you have a shot at even being looked at for PLME if you don’t take a science SAT. In addition they like to see that you have taken the highest level of at least one science course that you can in your school every year. It’s not clear that you have from the above? Anyway, with the 9th grade bio and this years AP Bio, I would think you should be able to take the Bio SAT this fall okay with some studying. Also most students taking the Physics AP seem to be at about the same place in their course work, if that (many have not had one and a half AP courses!) so I would think that might be doable also. I would ask your HS guidance counselor re this since they should really know how past students from your school have tended to do, given the same course times.</p>
<p>Physics is not usually the preferred subject for combined programs, but Chemistry is the usual choice.</p>
<p>PLME is a tough ticket. If you are ambivalent about even taking a science SAT, then you have a problem. Your competition is probably turning in SAT IIs and APs in all three subjects.</p>
<p>The competiton will also have research and/or practical experience to back up their interest. They won’t have forgotten; they will have continued to build. If your hs restricts APs or pushes AP physics before AP bio or chem, you should mention that here. But, you’re talking about a program most kids ardently prepare for.</p>
<p>^ I agree. Doing the bare minimum in testing and not having serious research and volunteering in the medical area puts an applicant at a complete disadvantage.</p>
<p>Yes I have to say I am not the strongest applicant for the PLME, as I have done no medical research. But I did volunteering in both within U.S. and in Africa. both medical and general. I really want to join doctors without borders when I am done with med school, and while I was in Africa last month volunteering, I met Brown PLME students , and we talked about our lives for quite a long time! The more I hear and learn, I more my dream grows! </p>
<p>I am hoping to submit Physics SAT by the deadline, so I will have to study a bit extra to cover the information. </p>
<p>Yeah I was really unaware of doing medicine until my Junior year, when I got to read Mountains beyond mountains. After reading the book, I truly got hooked into medicine and social work, and delved more into the subject. It is unfortunate that I got a late start compared to other students who have decided to study medicine earlier, but hey! I am just happy that I decided to do something worthwhile for my life!</p>
<p>Thank you for your responses!</p>
<p>You do not need a science subject test to get into PLME.
I think your other subject tests do a good job in displaying your ability to excel in the liberal arts aspect of the program, but take one if you want. It wouldn’t hurt.</p>
<p>Your interest and the late start make more sense now. Try to capture some of that in your app, including meeting the PLME students.</p>
<p>Are your grades in science courses As? Do you have any AP scores in science subjects? If you have these things, I think they’ll be ok with you not having SAT II scores. If you aren’t making top grades and don’t have AP tests to show, then you should be thinking about self-studying one of those SAT IIs.</p>
<p>I have gotten All A’s but this year i got a 4 on AP physics Exam. I didn’t do so hot on it.
It might be a bit of an inconsistency because I qualified in US physics Olympiad as a semifinalist this year, but didn’t get a 5 on the exam, so I guess i should try to prove myself on the SAT Physics subject test!</p>
<p>If you haven’t already, you need to pull a copy of the Common App and Brown’s supps, incl for PLME. With each new post, we learn more about your experiences- it’s a bit hard to see your strengths piecemeal. Just see how you can best fit all this into the full app. See if you can feel confident you have as many angles covered as you can.</p>
<p>Are AP scores even considered for admissions purposes? If so, are 4’s looked upon unfavorably?</p>
<p>I don’t believe AP scores are heavily considered, but in this case they might be as this student had no science SAT IIs for the PLME adcom to look at.</p>
<p>^
So would 4’s be looked upon unfavorably?</p>
<p>I doubt it would be “unfavorable” since a 4 would be good enough to skip intro bio (BI 20). That being said, obviously a 5 is better.</p>
<p>The issue with a string of 4’s is that so many kids will have all 5’s or mostly. Including in tough courses related to the proposed major. As standardized tests, AP’s, like SAT and ACT scores, are a mark of how well the student learned the coursework and how motivated he/she was to do well on the test. Ie, not just how the kid did with that hs teacher. But, as someone pointed out, the general review is holistic, so you could have a case where 4’s are outweighed by experience and personal characteristics. If the rec is a science S2 and there isn’t one, chances are someone will note that. You have to remember the competition is fierce.</p>