I’ve been extremely blessed to be in the position I am in with three absolutely amazing options. I’ve always been set on becoming a physician and was fortunate to be accepted into two of the best combined BS/MD programs.
Brown PLME offers me a stressless undergrad experience, no worrying about GPA or MCAT, just doing the extracurriculars I love, study abroad, research and volunteering without worrying about the stringent pre-med stress, and truly embracing the college experience. I’ll be a part of close community of other PLME students which is really nice as well. However, Brown’s Med school is only ranked 35.
Washington University in St. Louis, on the other hand, has a med school that’s ranked within the top 5. However, the con is that a 3.8 GPA and 36 MCAT score is required. I know if I work hard, I’ll try my best to make the stats and I do get the benefit of not being reprimanded for taking the MCAT multiple times. The problem is that a lot of time and effort will be required to keep up that GPA compared to enjoying my undergrad experience at Brown. Another plus to WUSTL is that since my family makes >$250K, I will be paying $30,000 for Brown and Stanford whereas only $9000 for WUSTL. However, money is not a factor and my parents are willing to pay the price for whatever choice I make.
My last option I’m debating about is Stanford, my dream school since I can remember. I’m from the East coast and always wanted to be in California. Ever since I got in, I’ve been reading more and more about the school and inadvertently fallen more in love with it. Stanford offers so many great opportunities like research, amazing weather and vibrant community where I will always be learning and in awe of my peers. No matter what I want to study, every program is strong, not just the sciences. But I realize that if I truly decided on being a doctor, the combined degree program may be a better choice. There’s no guarantee I’ll get into med school, much less the chance at a med school of either Brown’s or WashU’s caliber. Which decision is best?
Many years ago I faced a similar decision, ultimately attending HPME at Northwestern.
Back then, there were no onerous GPA and MCAT cutoffs potentially restricting advancement to the medical school. As you obviously realize, those cutoffs represent is a major negative with Wash U’s program, their absence a major plus for Brown. Back in the day, I was free to take courses in and out of the sciences with little worry about grades, with few of the stresses pre meds around me inevitably experienced, and yes, that was liberating.
I’d caution about assigning that much importance to the relative rankings of medical schools in making this decision. Brown’s school is very well respected and you will not be in any way thwarted in your ultimate career goals because it is “lower ranked” than Wash U.
I can’t speak to money - $80k is a lot to turn down - but your parents seem to have provided that answer already - you’re fortunate they have the resources they do.
And finally there’s Stanford. If it truly is that “dream school” I’d personally tell you to think very carefully about saying no. You may well in these next four years change your mind about medical school, despite your seeming certainty now. Stanford will open doors like few other schools can. The Bay Area experience will be a wonderful adventure to any East Coaster. You are obviously exceptionally talented to have accomplished what you have to date - playing it safe in a combined medical program when your heart appears to lie elsewhere may be something you ultimately come to regret.
@hl54321 this is probably the most informative table: https://www.aamc.org/download/321508/data/factstablea23.pdf (note, the MCAT scale has since changed). No one will tell you it’s ‘easy’ but if you’re dedicated to path, you will put in the work it takes to make it. Going to a top tier undergrad like Stanford can help your application, provided you hit the right numbers.
Stanford is hard to pass up, no doubt about it. But if you want to be a physician then I’d recommend you go with Brown - not having cutoffs hanging over your head will allow you to focus more on the college experience rather than hitting a certain number (that’s important). And if you do change majors, Brown offers a great education in other areas too. Having said that, I agree with @Bala about Stanford - it depends just how much your heart is set on going there. Have you visited Brown?
In any case, I’d narrow it down to Brown or Stanford. Great choice either way! Congrats.
See dblazer’s reference. Very hard to quantitate %s of acceptance from individual colleges - lots of self-attrition never factored in. But someone with your track record to date should have a very high probability of acceptance to at least a mid-tier med school.
Generally agree with insanedreamer, both Brown and Stanford are great schools with very high satisfaction rates among students. But they are very, very different from one another in student body, physical atmosphere, and overall experience. If you really like Brown, agree it’s hard to turn down PLME. But if lukewarm about the school, I’d seriously consider heading west.
I am suprised how your bill is only 30k with a parental income over 250k. If you are the only one in college, they would have asked for the full pricetag. If you have a sibling or more, then your price tag becomes full if they graduate ahead of you. Something to keep in kind if these conditions apply.
If you are set on medical school, it is hard to pass up the PLME program. You can still apply to higher ranked medical schools if you wish, but you know you are in at Brown Medical school.
Working very hard as a typical premed from S will lead to a good medical school with (probably likely) or without gap year(s). So, will you have time to explore others outside of premed at S? Ask yourself fairly and realistically this situation. If you are sure your goal being a physician, PLME is nice. Thinking about 4 yrs later is important at this moment.
If I were you, I would go to brown because you will have a stress-free undergrad + the name of your medical school doesn’t matter as much as where you go to residency.
If you are sure you want to be a doctor, PLME is an outstanding program. And with the FA they are offering giving Brown the cost advantage anyway – basically, if you like Brown (campus, vibe, culture, etc.), it’s your best option.
And if you did change your mind and your major and career goals, guess what: you’re still at an Ivy League school, arguably the happiest one. So, no worries either way.
Thank you to everyone who replied! I ended up committing to Brown. I’m 100% set on being a physician and as much as I absolutely loved Stanford, having the freedom to explore and do whatever I enjoy while not being in fear of medical school admissions was an offer to hard to pass up.