All BS/MD programs are fiercely competitive, but Brown’s Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME) is infamous for being particularly difficult to get into. It is the only BS/MD program offered by an Ivy League institution, giving the already prestigious class of programs a notable boost in prestige.
Naturally, increased student interest and tougher admissions competition result from this prestige. The program’s acceptance rate is only 2. 3%, less than half that of Brown%E2%80%99s already low general acceptance rate of 5 5%. This means that only three applicants out of every hundred are actually accepted, which is a very low rate.
Consequently, we will discuss Brown PLME’s ins and outs in this article. We’ll start by discussing the program’s definition and what it offers students. After that, we’ll discuss how to apply and what they’re looking for. Last but not least, we’ll discuss how to approach the PLME essays to improve your chances of admission. Let’s jump in!.
What is Brown PLME?
PLME has a several-decade-long history, beginning in the 1984–85 academic year. Students may pursue any of the nearly 100 AB or ScB degrees offered by Brown, across the sciences, humanities, social sciences, or behavioral sciences. This gives students the opportunity to explore a variety of interests through Brown’s signature Open Curriculum. They will need to complete pre-med requirements but have the reason to pursue other disciplines through their major, without having to complete any core requirements.
Students will automatically be enrolled in the Warren Alpert Medical School after receiving their bachelor’s degree. They can postpone entry for up to two years in order to pursue other opportunities, like research.
Students who are in good academic standing will not need to submit MCAT scores to matriculate at Alpert.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
The admissions process for PLME is largely the same as the general undergraduate admissions process at Brown. Students will apply and complete the Brown supplement using the Common Application.
But in addition to the three essays that are required of all applicants, PLME candidates will also have to complete three more as part of the Common App, which they can find in a separate section via the portal. Mathematics or science teachers are required to write one of the applicant’s two letters of recommendation.
Students may use the regular decision or early decision application processes to apply to PLME. Students may be admitted to Brown while being deferred or rejected from PLME under early decision, which is a legally binding agreement. One disadvantage for students who are determined to enroll in the combined bachelor’s-MD program is that they will still need to attend the university in this situation.
Brown PLME Course Requirements
While there are no specific prerequisites for admission, applicants are encouraged to pursue the most rigorous curriculum available to them, including plenty of honors, AP, and/or IB courses, particularly in STEM subjects. The university also recommends that students complete, at minimum:
Four years of English with a focus on writing; three years of college-preparatory math; four years of foreign language; two years of laboratory science above the freshman level; two years of history, including American history; and at least one year of elective courses. [vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
Brown PLME Average GPA
We advise a cumulative unweighted GPA of 3 in order to be competitive for the Brown PLME program. 8 in the most challenging classes you can take at your high school.
Brown PLME Average SAT and ACT
The average SAT for accepted PLME students was 748 EBRW and 779 math
The average ACT for accepted PLME students was 35.
Currently, Brown Undergraduate Admissions has a test-optional policy for first-year students, and Brown says that students who are unable to submit ACT or SAT scores will not have a disadvantage in the admissions process — this applies to regular admissions and PLME admissions. However, we recommend PLME applicants have SAT / ACT scores of 1530 / 35 or higher to be competitive.
The average GPA for accepted students is not made public by Brown, but it is safe to assume that it is at least a 3. 8 unweighted.
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Brown PLME Extracurricular Requirements
We advise demonstrating leadership and advocacy skills in addition to having impressive research experience in your background to be competitive for a program like PLME. Students who are in the running for elite schools typically excel in two or more extracurricular activities.
For instance, you might have participated in debate and won some national competitions while conducting neuroscience research at a nearby university that is scheduled to be published.
You could also be a talented musician and conduct research on healthcare inequities in a city close to where you live.
The PLME applicants who are chosen are the best in terms of their academic, scholarly, and extracurricular achievements.
Unfortunately, unlike other BS/MD programs, we do not currently conduct interviews as part of the admissions process.
Instead, PLME applicants are encouraged to submit a video portfolio to showcase their personality, experiences, and backgrounds and help the admissions committee learn more about them.
There are many examples of Brown admissions videos on YouTube, but you shouldn’t try to copy any of them. Be authentic and develop your own vision for your personal brand.
Brown PLME Acceptance Rate
PLME is extremely selective.
Brown PLME class of 2025 admissions data:
- 3,516 candidates
- 87 students were admitted
- Acceptance rate 2.5%
This acceptance rate was lower than the 5 admissions rate for undergraduates at Brown. 4% for the same year.
Brown PLME class of 2026 admissions data:
- 3,827 applicants
- Number of students admitted not disclosed
- 61 enrolled
Flexibility
Students at Brown are given the freedom to explore their interests and talents thanks to their liberal arts education and open curriculum. This stands in contrast to many other combined degree programs, where students must adhere to stricter paths and can only select from a limited number of majors.
Research opportunities
Undergraduate students have access to numerous grants and fellowships that enable them to take part in a wide range of research opportunities. Additionally, there are a number of initiatives, such as assistantships, that are only open to PLME students.
Advising and mentorship
All incoming PLME students are given a peer advisor during their first year as well as an advising Dean who will work with them throughout their undergraduate years. Additionally, they have the chance to participate in a variety of mentorship and shadowing programs.
Guaranteed medical school admission
One of the main reasons PLME is so well-liked is that it ensures admission into one of the company’s most esteemed and competitive medical schools. After completing your undergraduate degree, you won’t have to worry about going through a difficult admissions process. This lessens a lot of the anxiety that students typically feel during the application process for medical school, even though you will still need to uphold certain academic standards.
DEI
PLME prioritizes diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). To promote community and empowerment among PLME students who identify as first-generation college/medical students and/or as underrepresented in medicine, such as low-income, LGBTQ, and others, the PLME First-Generation and Underrepresented in Medicine (FURM) Committee, for instance, was set up.
These students participate in special events, raise awareness of DEI in the college and medical communities, and are informed about and given access to internships and scholarships designed especially for FURM students.
Being accepted into this incredibly prestigious, selective program is undoubtedly a success, but is PLME right for you? Consider the advantages and disadvantages, but keep in mind that this program is only for students who are certain that becoming a doctor is what they want to do with their lives. If that applies to you, it will present you with incredible opportunities. [/vc_column_text][vc_column_text].
2022-2023 Brown PLME Supplemental Essays and Suggestions
You should review the Brown supplement essays before writing the Brown PLME supplemental essays because you don’t want any of the six required essays to have a topic that is covered in more than one Brown supplement essay. Below are some general suggestions for how to approach each essay topic and what to keep in mind when writing them.
PLME Essay Prompt #1:
Choosing to pursue a future career in medicine while still in high school requires careful thought and introspection. How, in your opinion, does your individual background give you a particular perspective on medicine? (250 words maximum)
The words “personal” and “unique perspective” are crucial in this essay. You want to emphasize those aspects of your background and upbringing that are distinctive, the most significant to you, and set you apart from others. In other words, how has your background informed your ideals and values and what are those ideals and values? When considering what to write, consider these questions:
- What aspects of your racial, religious, or educational background are significant to you?
- How did your upbringing, where you lived, and how did that affect your worldview?
- What communities were you a part of that impacted you?
- What about your immediate and extended family influenced your outlook?
Now that you’ve responded to those questions, consider how the most significant aspects of your background have influenced how you view medicine. Feel free to apply your own definition of “medicine” since the term is used in this definition in a purposefully broad sense. Consider the following inquiries as you respond to the second part of this prompt:
- How will your beliefs and principles affect how you treat patients?
- How will your beliefs and principles affect the way you treat employees?
- How will your beliefs and principles affect the way you approach problems in medical care?
- How will your values and ideals influence your communication skills?
- How will your morals and principles affect your learning over the course of your career?
PLME Essay Prompt #2
Healthcare is undergoing constant change as a result of a variety of factors, including racial and social disparities, economics, politics, and technology. How will you contribute positively as a future doctor? (250 words maximum)
You are being asked what goals you have for your future career and how you intend to have the biggest impact on people. Ideally, your response will be supported by information from your academic or extracurricular profile. Therefore, start by reflecting on the high school experiences that had the biggest influence on you. Consider the effect you have had in the broad categories listed below. Have you made any impact in any of the following:
- Research (any discipline)
- Community service or advocacy work
- Teaching or mentoring
- Leadership roles
- Writing
- Campaign work
- Entrepreneurship
- Independent study
- The arts
Consider how this could be applied to a career in medicine once you have determined where you as a student had the most influence. Then, move on to that subject. Any of the aforementioned experience categories could be easily applied to a career in medicine. The important thing to remember is that you need to provide evidence of your past impact as well as future predictions of even greater contributions. As the prompt indicates, healthcare is constantly changing, so you also want to demonstrate that you have adaptable and flexible thinking.
PLME Essay Prompt #3
What academic, personal, and professional objectives do you have for yourself as a person and as a future doctor? How do you see the Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME) assisting you in achieving those objectives? (250 word limit)
This prompt initially resembles the previous “future” essay. However, this is really a “Why PLME” question. Readers want to comprehend not only your professional objectives but also your educational and personal interests. Specifics are crucial when writing about what interests you about PLME.
Now, depending on how you answer prompt #2, you may not want to address the part of this prompt that asks about your future goals as a physician and instead you might only want to answer how PLME will help you reach your goals as a “person. Make sure there isn’t much overlap with the Brown Open Curriculum essay when responding to this question (see below). Some things to think about when responding to this prompt:
- What are your academic goals?
- Do you hope to double major?
- Do you hope to study abroad?
- How can you use the flexibility that PLME offers to grow into the person you want to be?
- What PLME-specific programs appeal to you and why? Hint: PLME offers a variety of research, pre-clinical extracurricular, and travel program opportunities.
2022-2023 Brown Supplemental Essays (for reference only)
Prompt #1:
With Brown’s Open Curriculum, students can engage in both extensive and in-depth exploration. Tell us about any academic interests you have that you are passionate about, and how you plan to use the Open Curriculum to both pursue those interests and learn about subjects you are not as familiar with. (200-250 words).
Prompt #2:
Students at Brown are encouraged to challenge one another’s ideas and have their own ideas challenged in return, creating a community that fosters a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of the complex issues facing society. Outside of the classroom, this active dialogue is just as prevalent as it is in academic settings. Tell us about a time when a viewpoint that wasn’t yours challenged you. How did you respond? (200-250 words).
Prompt #3:
Students at Brown take their work and the world around them very seriously. Daily interactions and significant discoveries provide students with contentment, satisfaction, and meaning. Tell us about something that makes you happy, no matter how big or small, ordinary or extraordinary. (200-250 words)[/vc_column_text][vc_raw_html]JTNDaWZyYW1lJTIwdHlwZSUzRCUyMnRleHQlMkZodG1sJTIyJTIwd2lkdGglM0QlMjI1NjAlMjIlMjBoZWlnaHQlM0QlMjIzMTUlMjIlMjBzcmMlM0QlMjJodHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnd3dy55b3V0dWJlLmNvbSUyRmVtYmVkJTJGLWFtbU10R2hvcDQlMjIlMjBmcmFtZWJvcmRlciUzRCUyMjAlMjIlM0UlM0MlMkZpZnJhbWUlM0U=[/vc_raw_html][vc_column_text css=”. vc_custom_1660001781092{padding-right: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;}”].
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[ACCEPTED] Brown Video Portfolio (PLME!) Class of 2026
FAQ
Is Brown PLME competitive?
Admission into PLME is extremely competitive. In fact, it’s more than twice as competitive as admission to Brown’s already highly selective general student body (in 2022, Brown accepted 5). 4 percent of applicants, including PLME students).
Can you get rejected from PLME but still get into Brown?
Students may use the regular decision or early decision application processes to apply to PLME. Students may be admitted to Brown while being deferred or rejected from PLME under early decision, which is a legally binding agreement.
What is the easiest BS MD program to get into?
- University of Mississippi Medical Center.
- Mercer University School of Medicine.
- East Carolina University.
- University of North Dakota School of Medicine.
- University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine.
- The University of South Dakota.
- Augusta University.
- University of Oklahoma.
How do you get into the Brown PLME?
Applicants must submit the Common Application “First-Year Application. Candidates must also complete the Brown Supplement, which is accessible from the Common Application website along with the Common Application forms. For PLME applicants, there are THREE (3) required essays in the Brown Supplement.