The Brown Curriculum and University-College Explained

<p>hey.. what do you kno about the PLME program at brown?
i'm thinking of applying for regular.. but i'm not very confident..
do you happen to know what they are "looking for"? (based on the current plme kids...)
thanks.. great post btw</p>

<p>Apply, and give yourself the option of getting in w/out PLME as it is very, very selective.</p>

<p>It's a great program, in that you get instant access to med school and have to take fewer med requirements. You also have to take 5 courses outside of the sciences that are somehow linked and complete a major. However, Brown Med School, as my super hot shot doctor uncle puts it, is kind of a "B" med school. It's not bad, by any means, but not fabulous either. What you gain by PLME is auto admissions into A med school and one of the best undergrad education in the country. I don't know if I can say the same about the med school education. But med school is med school, right? I don't really know. </p>

<p>I have absolutely no idea what they are looking for, except for what I can gauge are exceptional stats in addition to everything else. MY PLME friends are very, very smart.</p>

<p>PLME kids are all over the board - they don't look for something in particular, but I get the idea that they know it when they see it. It's impossible to predict PLME chances.</p>

<p>As for the quality of the Med School, ClaySoul is essentially right - it's not the greatest. This may be partially a reputation thing because it is small and traditionally has basically only taken students from in-house. They're actively working to improve its quality and image. As it is, unlike some other post-graduate programs, the quality of the med school from which you get your M.D. doesn't really matter as long as you're just intending to practice medicine.</p>

<p>Finally, note that you are not required to attend Brown Med just because you're a PLME - you can still decide to apply out ant go somewhere else.</p>

<p>Wow this thread is amazing. I've always had the idea that this was what Brown was all about, but I've never really had anyone put it so explicitly. </p>

<p>Way before I even considered college (and, omg, discovered Brown), my style of learning was pretty much this way - I never saw myself as an Arts student or a Science student (which, everyone does in my country). So I was just really upset when I got into Junior college because that was pretty much how it was like, you're either science or arts. </p>

<p>Best part is, the year after mine (i graduated last year), they decided to make it compulsory for all the new kids to do subjects from both the humanities and the sciences, and the kids were all complaining about it!</p>

<p>Anyway, the bad part about this, is that I really really wanna get into Brown because I just know that it's for me, so it's very difficult for me to fill in the apps for the other schools I'm applying to. When they ask, why do you want to go to ______? I'm thinking, "I don't really. I just need somewhere to go in case Brown doesn't work out"!</p>

<p>Again, Jason, great article. Cross my fingers and hope I get into Brown!</p>

<p>Thank you so much, modestmelody! This is really helpful and it makes me even happier that I'm applying!</p>

<p>Thank you so much Jason, for helping to enlighten me about Brown. Your qualms about the admissions office seem to be well placed, as I derived much more from your post than I got from their hour-long information session. I've been looking for a place that values intellectual exploration throughout my college search, and I never quite felt as if I had found one. My experiences with other Ivy League colleges, and those of similar rankings, had convinced me that no such place existed. Following your post, you've completely revolutionized my thinking, and Brown had jumped from being just "another school" on my list to being my top school. Bravo for a wonderful post and the great inspiration you're providing to students.</p>

<p>No problem guys! I'm just glad the post is doing what it should be.</p>

<p>I love this thread so hard. I applied to Brown for the EXACT reason Jason explains-- I love the open curriculum because it gives me a chance to explore all the completely different things I enjoy. </p>

<p>I feel like at my HS, people always want to know what box I fit into, humanities or science. Well, I plan to concentrate in biology, psych, or english...possibly a combintion of the three because I love them all! And Brown says that is okay, and so is taking Archaeology or Russian literature just because you always wondered about it. My "Why Brown" essay was impassioned about the whole idea, and I'm so glad I applied.</p>

<p>Thanks Jason, for explaining the great, openly intellectual side of the Open Curriculum to those who don't see its potential.</p>

<p>That's great, whirlybird! It's people like you who do apply to Brown and end up getting in. :)</p>

<p>Well, I sure hope I'm one of the ones who get in. My stats (GPA, mostly) are a tad below par for Brown, but I hope my enthusiasm and essays encouraged them to take a harder look at me. <em>Fingers crossed!</em></p>

<p>whirly - I feel the exact SAME WAY.</p>

<p>It is because of this post that Brown has just become my #1 choice</p>

<p>brown is the best place on earth</p>

<p>
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It is because of this post that Brown has just become my #1 choice

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</p>

<p>That's one hell of a testament to the importance and power of the Open Curriculum and what it truly means, and how the environment it creates fosters an atmosphere that can attract the best and brightest in the country despite increased competition.</p>

<p>Identity is crucial to a successful university. Identity is one of the areas in which Brown excels over many other schools, much to its benefit.</p>

<p>modestmelody thanks so much for this post! it really pushed me towards brown (i even mentioned you and your post in my why brown blurb!) i am so excited about brown!!! and again, thanks for this fantastic explanation of the open curriculum.</p>

<p>Wow that's very cool.</p>

<p>wow, this is a great post; thank you so much! :D I've been trying to decide on a college after I received all my decisions, and while I was already leaning towards Brown, I'm pretty much decided on it now. Often times, I've felt that I was being pushed by colleges to choose and pursue only one field, which frustrated me because my interests are so varied (humanities, social sciences, sciences, art I love 'em all :) ). From your description of the Open Curriculum, at Brown, I would be able to explore my many interests, and through the exploration, discover my "sweet spot", or what I'm the most passionate about. I'm excited already. Ahhh, but there's so many classes I'd want to take, I wouldn't know where to start...I still feel somewhat anxious about going in so undecided, but knowing that I can at least "explore" takes some of that anxiety away :).</p>

<p>One of the main reasons I applied to Brown was the the life experience I would get: learning to really make my own decisions (right and wrong), taking risks, challenging myself...this post just confirms this :D.</p>

<p>Hey! I was wondering what Brown is looking for in a student? What is a good match?</p>

<p>Do you mean in terms of admissions? That's a really impossible question. </p>

<p>Ask yourself if you are a good fit for Brown, apply if you want, and see if you get in. That's really all you can do. There's no magical formula for Brown specifically.</p>

<p>Wow, modestmelody. Thank you SO much. I posted a (in retrospect ridiculously stupid) thread asking some questions, and you have proved so helpful. I will definitely be looking up all of your posts on Brown. You are very informative, and Brown and the CC community are very lucky to have you. Thank you.</p>