I'm guessing they are rejecting out of order of date completed, since I was complete mid July and havent heard anything and seen far superior applicants to me get rejected
2012-2013 Brown University Application Thread
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Wow, many people received bad news today. Best wishes to each of you going forward!
For those that are curious, here is my interview day feedback/opinions on the experience...
First, let me qualify my little anecdote by noting that this was my 7th interview, so I am lucky enough to have a reasonable sample size to base my comparisons/conclusions. 🙂
I might as well get my thesis out there now: Brown was the best interview day/experience so far this cycle, IMO. (And it might hold the title permanently!)
Okay, now for details...
Day begins similarly to most interview days (i.e. everyone gathers in a meeting/conference room). However, that is where a lot of the similarities end... Barbara Fuller and Melissa Whiteley have to be two of the nicest/friendliest/down to earth admissions folk that I have crossed thus far on the trail. Do not be surprised when Barbara starts reciting random facts about you right off the bat off the top of her head ("Oh, Blais, it's nice to finally meet you! How's everything going over in XYZ city? Still working on the ABC 123?")... I was kind of shocked really. The only people that took the time to learn about me at my other interviews were my actual interviewers... Brown takes things a step further.
The information session is an improvement over the others I have attended. While the material is similar (admissions procedures/fin aid/etc), the manner in which the material is presented is quite different. Instead of everyone sitting and coldly listening for 1-2 hours to a very boring speaker put everyone to sleep, Barbara/Melissa/et al. were jovial, upbeat, engaging, and...sometimes almost risqué with their jokes. 😀
The tour of the facility was in a temporal sweet spot -- not too long, not too short. We saw what we needed to see and learned what we needed to learn. Basically that the facility is near-perfection aesthetically-speaking, and has all the cool space and gadgets that we'll benefit from during pre-clinical years.
It goes without needing said that the curriculum/concentrations/research opportunities are fantastic.
Lunch was very cool. Some of my prior interview days only had one or two med students attend the lunch session (while others did have several attend). Brown had a handful come and go throughout lunch, but the key takeaway is that I didn't sense any, for a lack of a better word, "BS", coming from them about their opinions of Brown. For example, when talking to students at Duke, one showed hesitation before answering my questions (as if the person was being careful to tailor the answer to paint Duke's portrait in the best light possible) -- other Duke students kept telling us that first year is very intense and that there won't be much time for anything else, but again with hesitation. Brown's students seemed much more laid-back, relaxed, open, and frank.
The actual interviews. Well everyone has different people for the most part. I, personally, had one with a pediatrician (Brown provides the shuttle to/from the hospital) and one with a 4th year student. I have a bit to say about these interviews... First, the physician interviewer was a great guy. He wasn't out to grill me on my EC's or research (here's looking at you, Pitt 😎) and he actually looked like he wanted to be there interviewing me (here's looking at you, WVU). We had a great discussion both about myself and about himself. He gave me the opportunity to lead the conversation instead of him just reading question after question after question from a piece of paper (here's looking at you, Rochester). It was a very good experience and he seemed like the type of guy that you would want as a mentor in med school.
I was then shuttled back to the medical school and had my second interview with a 4th year student. This guy was awesome! I don't know if it was because he was a 4th year with more experience, or what, but he seemed much more collected, skilled and well-spoken than student-interviewers that I have met with at other schools. I told him my goals for medical school and he told me his goals for residency (he is applying ENT). Again, we had an open conversation and he seemed very comfortable (which is important, as the interviewee, it is unnerving to have an interviewer that seems anxious) HECK, he even gave me an impromptu tutorial about a procedure for singers with a particular vocal cord injury. Just like that lol. It was just plain cool. Another very thoughtful move on the 4th year's part was not simply inquiring about me, but also offering me advice for the future. We talked about marriage in med school (he is married; I am engaged) and he offered : SUPPORT! When I mentioned my fiance at my Oakland interview, the only input the interviewer had was "Ah, yea, med school is hard on relationships. [Next topic]" The 4th year student offered guidance and support on how he handled marriage/having a child during school. It was like night and day from other schools. He also offered comforting insight into the culture of Brown's medical school. You may know that Brown is largely stereotyped as the "most liberal" of the ivy's. As a moderately conservative person myself, I was curious if I would stand out like a black sheep among the students. The 4th year assured me that not only was he, himself, conservative -- but, the med school encourages the diversity in opinions as it grants for much richer debates and a wider class-wide perspective on issues. As our time ended, the 4th year was sure to direct me to some awesome local food joints - just another instance of actual interviewer personality. A big takeaway is that this guy was a "product" that represented what Brown helps build: well-rounded, down to earth, talented and intelligent physicians. A very positive indicator if it is something you're aspiring towards 😉 .
Going a little bit more macro, Providence is a pretty awesome city. I spent the majority of my time walking around and exploring downtown, the knowledge district and college hill. It's an aesthetically pleasing environment from an architectural standpoint, also the foliage is a definite plus, too. There is tons of theater events and a lot of outdoor/community activities. Looking at rent prices, things were very reasonable (especially compared to Boston!)
In summation, I think that Brown is the total and complete package. From the schools that I visited thus far, [while all are good/great institutions, fundamentally] each had some sort of glaring downside here or there, IMO (whether it be that the school maintains a "so/so reputation" or pressures you into a certain specialty track or whether it be that you have to live in Durham). On the other hand, I couldn't find anything that I didn't like about Brown: the facility, the location, the curriculum, the people, the culture. They are a complete package.
Here's to adcom decisions!🙂
EDIT: I feel that I should offer at least one downside to the day, right? It only came to me after writing up this review. I wish the interviews were longer. They are supposed to be 30 min each. Mine went around 30-40 minutes. It would have been even better if we could have had the full hour for each interview. But, with time constraints, busy physicians/busy students... Gotta compromise.
Wow! Sounds truly amazing. Best of luck to you, and I hope you get accepted
I managed to dodge a rejection today, but we'll see...
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rejected. stats in mdapps.
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Hey guys, for all those who did not get invited to interview I would like to take the time out to thank you for your guys' interest in Brown. We are very lucky to be so liked by so many students! Please understand that though, this process seems like a little random, there is a method to the madness. We just want to find the people who will really fit our student body. This includes a guessing game on our part. A big part of that guessing game is asking ourselves, "Will this person come here if accepted?". Many things go into this decision. The place where you can really make a case for yourself is the SECONDARY APPLICATION.
For the guys who are still wiating on invites, keep your hopes up! We are working through a deluge of applications this year🙂
For the guys who are still wiating on invites, keep your hopes up! We are working through a deluge of applications this year🙂
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Do you know how good of a sign it is if we survived yesterday's cut? I was complete in late July, so I'm hoping that I might be close to an interview invitation. I'm going to send in a LOI soon; I really love everything I've learned about Brown, and everything you guys have told us!
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Wow thanks for that awesome summary of the interview day Blais (didn't quote it because it takes up a page 🙂 ) seriously it made me SOOO excited to interview this week!!! How was getting to and from the airport? Also, did they give you a timeline for hearing back? How did you feel about COA compared to your other interviews? (congrats on those btw) Here's to hoping we both are in the 77%!
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Sorry to hear about all of the rejections. As you all already know, Brown does most of its cuts at the pre-interview stage. Best of luck to everyone as you make the circuit around other medical schools. Here's some general advice and things that I think are good to know about any school your considering.
A) Always arrange to stay with med students the night before your interview unless of course you have really specific sleep needs (can't sleep on a couch, very light sleeper). Staying with med students gives you the chance to ask candid questions, get to know the school from their personal perspective, and lets you gauge how stressed, relaxed, confident, or friendly the student body is (remember though that even in very small med school classes you're always going to have a very wide range of personalities). It's also nice though since interviewers will often start small chat up with asking you where you're staying and if you bring up your hosts, (especially if you think they've been good hosts), it helps to ease a little more into the conversation.
B) Look for a collaborative/cooperative atmosphere. No one gets through this experience alone. I'm normally an extremely independent studier and I can't tell you the number of times I've been saved from obtuse subject matter by studying histo slide decks and other study materials distributed by amazing classmates.
C) If there is something that you deeply care about and helped you to make it to this point with your overall well-being intact, make sure that you'll be able to keep up with it in some shape or form. For many of my colleagues, myself included, that's music. For others it's sports (intramurals are always a good time). Figure out what it is to you and keep it up even if you have to do so on a more limited scale.
A) Always arrange to stay with med students the night before your interview unless of course you have really specific sleep needs (can't sleep on a couch, very light sleeper). Staying with med students gives you the chance to ask candid questions, get to know the school from their personal perspective, and lets you gauge how stressed, relaxed, confident, or friendly the student body is (remember though that even in very small med school classes you're always going to have a very wide range of personalities). It's also nice though since interviewers will often start small chat up with asking you where you're staying and if you bring up your hosts, (especially if you think they've been good hosts), it helps to ease a little more into the conversation.
B) Look for a collaborative/cooperative atmosphere. No one gets through this experience alone. I'm normally an extremely independent studier and I can't tell you the number of times I've been saved from obtuse subject matter by studying histo slide decks and other study materials distributed by amazing classmates.
C) If there is something that you deeply care about and helped you to make it to this point with your overall well-being intact, make sure that you'll be able to keep up with it in some shape or form. For many of my colleagues, myself included, that's music. For others it's sports (intramurals are always a good time). Figure out what it is to you and keep it up even if you have to do so on a more limited scale.
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If you haven't gotten a rejection letter yet then you are still in the running. An LOI maybe something you want to look into. My advice would be to make the LOI truly show 1) Your interest specifically in Brown 2) What you can add to Brown. The caveat is not to repeat your amcas application. If you have specific questions about how you might be able to contribute to Brown or how we can further your career, then by all means message any one of the med students on this forum.
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The admissions committee will be meeting on Thursday Nov 1, Dec 6, Jan 17, and Feb 28. Expect an answer within 2-3 days of whichever meeting is immediately following your interview.
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In terms of COA, I would strongly advise you to wait until you get aid packages to even think about this. Need-based and merit-based aid are available pretty much everywhere (yes, even at the 'need-based only schools) and will drastically change the numbers. Unless you go to Tufts (kidding, mostly...).
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I would also emphasize that if you are not truly considering Brown as one of you top choices (top 3 or higher), a LOI is a waste of your and everyone else's time (as well as somewhat disingenuous). If you're still in the running at Brown, you *will* get into medical school somewhere, so don't write a LOI trying to add on an interview here as just another notch in the seasonal belt. The people here love it here, and the people who truly want to be here are pretty obvious in an interview (as are the occasional interviewees for whom this is just another school on the trail).
Can't wait to meet some more of you this week 🙂
Hi there. I guess this is a somewhat more general question but what have Brown medical students been doing (at least this year that you know of) during the breaks? Is it more research oriented or international services?
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Wow, so many of these amazing applicants with high stats are getting rejected. I am sure you guys are going to get into some amazing schools.
I was complete on 8/28, so I will be rejected as well in a week or two. Low mcat, decent, GPA, good ECs. 🙁
I was complete on 8/28, so I will be rejected as well in a week or two. Low mcat, decent, GPA, good ECs. 🙁
I somehow survived this wave of rejections from Brown, but there is a strong chance that i will not get into medical school this year.
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If you say so.
I just mean to ask, how important really was it that if an applicant did not get rejected this time around? Won't there be many more cuts? Based on what I've heard, read about, and seen at Brown myself, I love the school, atmosphere and everything about it. But at the same time, I'm below their averages in every category (in terms of stats), and I'm finding it hard to believe that I would even stand a chance at a school such as Brown.
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Assuming an applicant has been complete long enough to have been read (ymmv) if he/she didn't get a rejection this wave that probably means the app is on a pre-interview hold, meaning it sparked enough interest to keep around but not to offer an immediate interview to. Chances are if it sparked interest here, it will elsewhere too. The season is young.
How long would you consider is long enough to have one's application read?
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I was complete 8/20. If I'm still in the running, I'd be shocked and honored and send an LOI. It'd be great. 😎
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It seems some people have had excellent turn-around times. I submitted my secondary on 9/7 (there is no complete email right?), and haven't heard back. I shouldn't be worried right?
I'm a 'Lil Rhody resident, so Brown is way high on the list 🙂
I'm a 'Lil Rhody resident, so Brown is way high on the list 🙂
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I just cannot read up on the school's site without getting super excited for the interview. The whole curriculum is amazing. And the electives? Playwriting and Medicine? Intro to Surgery? are you kidding me? THIS SCHOOL LOOKS AMAZING.
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I am sure that you will be fine. I am a fellow res of RI and have odd stats (i guess I am non-trad). low GPA decent MCAT and like you a masters and I got an II. hold out hope, I think Brown, like undergrad, really does care about your fit, so as long as you made yourself interesting and not cookie-cutter in the essays I am sure you are fine.
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I actually just looked through those this morning. I WANT TO GO HERE SO BAD. Hopefully I can convey that during my interview!
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+1 i sent an email a couple of days ago and haven't gotten a response
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Seconded. What about "Wilderness Medicine"? SO COOL. I work with a lot of Brown profs (attendings at Rhode Island Hospital) and they're all super nice, interesting, and wicked smart. I would do anything to get in here! Sending in my LOI today and trying to meet with as many Brown docs as possible!
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So excited to interview here tomorrow! I've been trying to think of the perfect combination of begging them to let me in because Brown is so awesome and playing it cool.. Pretty sure the first option will come will come the most naturally but I don't want to act desperate haha
Or should I just profess my love all out?
Or should I just profess my love all out?
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In your position I would profess my undying love for Brown, falling to my knees in passionate supplication with desperate tears streaming down my face as I offer the sacrifice of my firstborn child and the eternal gratitude of myself and my descendants who will swear by blood oath their allegiance to the venerable Alpert Medical School of Brown University. Shucks, I hope that doesn't sound desperate! ;-)
In any case, after your interview don't forget to hop on here to let us know how it goes! Good luck!
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lol!!
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First born child maybe a bit much, blood oath should be good enough! LMAO!In your position I would profess my undying love for Brown, falling to my knees in passionate supplication with desperate tears streaming down my face as I offer the sacrifice of my firstborn child and the eternal gratitude of myself and my descendants who will swear by blood oath their allegiance to the venerable Alpert Medical School of Brown University. Shucks, I hope that doesn't sound desperate! ;-)
In any case, after your interview don't forget to hop on here to let us know how it goes! Good luck!
WRNI put up this story about a couple MS2s at Alpert: http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/w...re.Docs.We.take.a.year.long.journey.with.them
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I called the office before I sent mine, asking if it was ok to email a pdf of my letter, and she welcomingly said of course! But since I sent it, I haven't gotten any response. So...I don't know.
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At least for post interview letters, I think it's just about always better to start off with a physical letter since it's a tad more formal and takes more effort (if they continue the correspondence over e-mail than I would oblige them by responding in kind). For pre-interview though I have no idea since they might prefer electronic correspondence simply because it doesn't pile up.
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Been out of town for a while... came back to see a lot of the axe going around.
Sorry guys (totally not sure how I am surviving the axe at some places)
Sorry guys (totally not sure how I am surviving the axe at some places)
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I already posted this in the Cornell thread (I got the axe there), but this captures my feelings about not being cut from Brown last Friday:
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when does the next batch of decisions come out?
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This
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On a layover on my way back home from the interview, and I all I can say right now is "Wow."
I'll give the full details later but what an absolutely AMAZING day. They work really hard to make the day FUN and to make you feel welcome. I have never met happier med students. Brown is now definitely firmly at the top of my list after this. The admissions committee makes the whole day an experience and definitely succeed.
Overall, just wow brown... wow
And to those that got rejected, someone on the adcom expressed how they wished they could interview so many more applicants but end having to turn away so many qualified people, so they try to focus mostly on fit and the Brown community
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According to the website, correspondance can be sent to:
The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University
222 Richmond Street, 1st Floor
Box G-M
Providence, RI 02912
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