2012-2013 Brown University Application Thread

Discover Your Odds of Getting into Medical School
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To anyone still curious if Alpert Medical will still offer interview invites (http://brown.edu/academics/medical/admission/interview-process):

"Interview Process

Interview days are held twice weekly beginning in September 2012. Applicants will be invited by email to schedule interviews on selected dates (Thursdays and Fridays) through March. Applicants are expected to schedule their interview online as soon as the invitation is received. All applicants will be notified by the end of February 2013 whether or not they will be invited to interview."

So, looks like those of us still waiting to hear back for a potential interview invitation, we have until the end of February to receive one.

Good luck to all of you! And congrats to those of you who received good news, quite the amazing feat 🙂
 
Just as an FYI in answer to the many questions about acceptances this year, Brown will be accepting 100-120 initially for 60 spots. I have no idea where those US News and World Report stats came from.
 
aloepathic said:
Just as an FYI in answer to the many questions about acceptances this year, Brown will be accepting 100-120 initially for 60 spots. I have no idea where those US News and World Report stats came from.
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They're probably older - they say 109 people matriculated. But if it's 100~120 initially, that number may go up in March/April. Though with the large increase in applicants, there may be less spots ultimately available per person, and a higher overall retention rate?
 
Bearstronaut said:
They're probably older - they say 109 people matriculated. But if it's 100~120 initially, that number may go up in March/April. Though with the large increase in applicants, there may be less spots ultimately available per person, and a higher overall retention rate?
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Not to be cocky here, but go back one page and tell me what in my posts about the %acceptance rate hasn't settled this issue.
 
AllDay24 said:
Not to be cocky here, but go back one page and tell me what in my posts about the %acceptance rate hasn't settled this issue.
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Often people may discuss things after you think they've been decided. There's also little guarantee your numbers are correct, other than your assertion that they are. Aloepathic provided more information and is likely a better resource - being a student - than the many different websites that all roughly disagree with each other's numbers. Your previous posts didn't address that resource.

Regardless, this is irrelevant. People will be accepted or not. I don't see the value, though, in criticizing those who are talking about things you feel have been decided.
 
The odd thing about this form of communication is that you're more likely to talk about nothing. But there's no harm in light speculation. Brown has stop releasing official numbers so all numbers on this board regardless of source will be in good fun and for our own masochistic entertainment. haha.
 
The information reported off of U.S. News can be skewed in a variety of ways (I spent a good deal of time researching this for academic purposes). I would have the utmost faith in aloepathic's assessment.
 
Certainly was not my intention to come off that way, just not sure what exactly is wrong with my reasoning. Just used US News stats, subtracted # of non-AMCAS people accepted (~60) from 209 because they are not interviewed. The numbers are correct, unless US News made them up, and they are in line (in terms of a 55% acceptance rate) with what is reported on Wikipedia for the 2009 cycle. Aleopathic is right but the #accepted total is more important than #accepted initially without waitlist.
 
Well, there's a slight discrepancy though, AllDay24. Aleopathic is saying they accept 120 initially (post-interview). US News is saying they accept 180 total (post-interview and post-waitlist). If we conflate the data from both sources, it suggest 60 are accepted from the waitlist, which is preposterous because it would mean the entire class of 60 non-PLME comes from the waitlist.

It's either Aleopathic's estimate is too low or US news' estimate is too high. It's more likely that US news is wrong, but there's not way to know for sure. Like I said, all in good fun, really.
 
oncosankenobi said:
Well, there's a slight discrepancy though, AllDay24. Aleopathic is saying they accept 120 initially (post-interview). US News is saying they accept 180 total (post-interview and post-waitlist). If we conflate the data from both sources, it suggest 60 are accepted from the waitlist, which is preposterous because it would mean the entire class of 60 non-PLME comes from the waitlist.

It's either Aleopathic's estimate is too low or US news' estimate is too high. It's more likely that US news is wrong, but there's not way to know for sure. Like I said, all in good fun, really.
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More likely, they would accept 60 people, 20~30 go elsewhere, they accept another 30, 20 or so go elsewhere...etc.

On another note, I know Brown is H/P/F, but do they rank students?
 
Actually, AllDay24, you're taking 60 from 209 to suggest they accept ~150 total. Sorry, I misread. That actually makes a lot of sense. 150 accepted (post-interview and post-waitlist) out of 280 interviewed. If we take aleopathic to be correct, then 120 will be accepted post-interview. That would leave 30 students to be taken off the waitlist. This gives Brown a recruitment rate of 60/150 = 40%, which again, is pretty consistent with a lot of school.

So, AllDay24, maybe you're right... it was settled. haha. We're a masochistic bunch.
 
oncosankenobi said:
Actually, AllDay24, you're taking 60 from 209 to suggest they accept ~150 total. Sorry, I misread. That actually makes a lot of sense. 150 accepted (post-interview and post-waitlist) out of 280 interviewed. If we take aleopathic to be correct, then 120 will be accepted post-interview. That would leave 30 students to be taken off the waitlist. This gives Brown a recruitment rate of 60/150 = 40%, which again, is pretty consistent with a lot of school.

So, AllDay24, maybe you're right... it was settled. haha. We're a masochistic bunch.
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Lol thanks, either way the acceptance rate is fairly high using whoevers calculations so im happy
 
Hope it works out for everyone 🙂👍

Also: does Brown rank people? I don't want that question getting lost, haha
 
I interviewed at Brown recently and I heard one 2nd year student say that Barbara does a good job of balancing the class. Can someone please explain how the admission process work here. I know some schools, such as UCONN, have a committee that consists of about 21 members who decide through a democratic process whether or not to admit students. My question i guess is whether Barbara is the one who ultimately determines whether a student will be called for an interview/ accepted, or whether she is just a member of the admissions committee.

Barabara is very nice by the way. She is very friendly and says things that keep you smiling all day! Absolutely Nothing personal against her.
 
Hasani said:
I interviewed at Brown recently and I heard one 2nd year student say that Barbara does a good job of balancing the class. Can someone please explain how the admission process work here. I know some schools, such as UCONN, have a committee that consists of about 21 members who decide through a democratic process whether or not to admit students. My question i guess is whether Barbara is the one who ultimately determines whether a student will be called for an interview/ accepted, or whether she is just a member of the admissions committee.

Barabara is very nice by the way. She is very friendly and says things that keep you smiling all day! Absolutely Nothing personal against her.
Click to expand...

One of the current students can probably answer better, but my understanding is that she's just a member of the committee, but due to her personality everyone feels a personal connection to her and her involvement in the process. She's the Director, so she does lead the whole process, and can maybe influence it, but I doubt everything is ultimately her decision.
 
Awwww shucks...was about to send another update, but I just got a rejection email. :-( I know Alpert was a long shot, especially because of the relatively small number of interview invitations, but I felt like this school was a great fit for me, at least on paper. Well, may the force be with the rest of you!
 
Rejected, finally. Complete September 3.7 35
 
Finally rejected today! Complete July. I had that re-review hold status for a bit in December before it disappeared (earlier this month I think?).
 
Sorry to hear everyone 🙁
That may have been it for Brown's interview invite season. You all are great, I can't imagine there's anyone left.
 
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babydragon said:
Come to SoCal traitor:meanie:
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Didn't realize you still frequent SDN, ninja sniper.
It's a blistering 20F in DC, but sadly, so far no love from Cal.
Besides, for Brown, I'll be more than willing and happy to weather the relentless cold, stomach the piercing winds, and bear the brutal blizzards.😉
 
OK, to address a number of points raised:

How many spots/acceptance?
This is not an estimate, this is straight from Barbara's lips. We will be shooting for 100ish acceptances for 60 spots. That is all that matters for anyone on this board, as you are all standard applicants. Brown's admissions profile is complex enough that numbers your finding elsewhere could mean almost anything. We will have half the class made up of standard admits (you guys, the 60 spots) with the remainder made up of post-bac linkage, PLME (the 8 year kids), early identification program (1-2 spots/year for Rhode Island natives going to college in RI who apply in their sophomore year), and a few other random things. Since you fit into none of the above categories and are a standard AMCAS applicant you are shooting for 1 of 100-120 acceptances to fill 60 seats in the class. If the yield is <50% the committee and Barbara will go to the waitlist until the class is filled.

how does the committee process work
Each of your interviewers scored you on 5 different metrics from 1-5 with an averaged 1-5 score produced for each interviewer, which is then further averaged to produce one 1-5 score. If it's high enough, you are auto-admitted (not discussed at committee unless someone vetoes which I've never heard of happening). If it's too low you're auto-waitlisted or auto-rejected (rare). The majority of applicants fall in between and get discussed by the full committee at one of 4 meetings over the course of the year (we only have one left, 2/28). The interviewers give their impression of the applicant, people ask questions, debate, etc, and ultimately everyone votes. The averaged vote of the committee is what determines the acceptance/waitlist status of the applicant. In terms of Barbara's role, she is the Dean, and the most experienced member of the committee. Ultimately she has the same vote as everyone else, but her word carries a lot of weight in debate. Also, she has a large role in 'shaping' the class through waitlist movement and having final say on who does/does not get interviews (although everyone screens files).

Hope that helps
 
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Thanks aloepathic! 🙂

aloepathic said:
Since you fit into none of the above categories and are a standard AMCAS applicant you are shooting for 1 of 100-120 acceptances to fill 60 seats in the class. If the yield is <50% the committee and Barbara will go to the waitlist until the class is filled.
Click to expand...

I've always wondered what'll happen if 65, 75, more than the expected yield of those 100 people say yes. 😛
 
Bearstronaut said:
Thanks aloepathic! 🙂



I've always wondered what'll happen if 65, 75, more than the expected yield of those 100 people say yes. 😛
Click to expand...

I believe that actually happened at Michigan the year I applied. Anyone contacting them to try to wiggle a better financial aid package out of them was given a great offer if they took a one year deferment. That and waitlist activity poaching some accepted students cleared everything right up for them.
 
Can anyone give any insight to what time interviews are during the day for most students?? I know they say be prepared to stay until 4pm, but do most students end up staying until then??
 
Interviews are between noon and 2:30 ish, in half hour blocks.

On my day, no one was left by around 3:30. You can also ask to get an earlier time slot if travel arrangements are a concern. Good luck!
 
aloepathic said:
OK, to address a number of points raised:

How many spots/acceptance?
This is not an estimate, this is straight from Barbara's lips. We will be shooting for 100ish acceptances for 60 spots. That is all that matters for anyone on this board, as you are all standard applicants. Brown's admissions profile is complex enough that numbers your finding elsewhere could mean almost anything. We will have half the class made up of standard admits (you guys, the 60 spots) with the remainder made up of post-bac linkage, PLME (the 8 year kids), early identification program (1-2 spots/year for Rhode Island natives going to college in RI who apply in their sophomore year), and a few other random things. Since you fit into none of the above categories and are a standard AMCAS applicant you are shooting for 1 of 100-120 acceptances to fill 60 seats in the class. If the yield is <50% the committee and Barbara will go to the waitlist until the class is filled.

how does the committee process work
Each of your interviewers scored you on 5 different metrics from 1-5 with an averaged 1-5 score produced for each interviewer, which is then further averaged to produce one 1-5 score. If it's high enough, you are auto-admitted (not discussed at committee unless someone vetoes which I've never heard of happening). If it's too low you're auto-waitlisted or auto-rejected (rare). The majority of applicants fall in between and get discussed by the full committee at one of 4 meetings over the course of the year (we only have one left, 2/28). The interviewers give their impression of the applicant, people ask questions, debate, etc, and ultimately everyone votes. The averaged vote of the committee is what determines the acceptance/waitlist status of the applicant. In terms of Barbara's role, she is the Dean, and the most experienced member of the committee. Ultimately she has the same vote as everyone else, but her word carries a lot of weight in debate. Also, she has a large role in 'shaping' the class through waitlist movement and having final say on who does/does not get interviews (although everyone screens files).

Hope that helps
Click to expand...

Could you tell us what those 5 categories they critique us on? I was rejected, so I'm just trying to figure out where I went wrong.
 
Rejected pre or post interview?

If it's pre-interview, you likely didn't have what they were looking for in their class this year. There's a severe cutoff for an interview invite.

If it's post-interview, you could probably email your interviewer and ask. I've had useful feedback from some of my interviewers at some schools this cycle (knee-high leather boots are distracting, plaid miniskirts are inappropriate, I look better in red, etc.). Maybe they could offer the same.
 
Bearstronaut said:
Rejected pre or post interview?

If it's pre-interview, you likely didn't have what they were looking for in their class this year. There's a severe cutoff for an interview invite.

If it's post-interview, you could probably email your interviewer and ask. I've had useful feedback from some of my interviewers at some schools this cycle (knee-high leather boots are distracting, plaid miniskirts are inappropriate, I look better in red, etc.). Maybe they could offer the same.
Click to expand...

Woah, my world was just turned upside down.... always imagined bearstronaut to be a guy. I know it's not the least bit relevant (and I suppose it's slightly sexist), but I dunno why my mind jumped to that conclusion!

I think the bear in your avatar looks like a boy bear. Maybe that's why 😉

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2
 
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Bearstronaut said:
Rejected pre or post interview?

If it's pre-interview, you likely didn't have what they were looking for in their class this year. There's a severe cutoff for an interview invite.

If it's post-interview, you could probably email your interviewer and ask. I've had useful feedback from some of my interviewers at some schools this cycle (knee-high leather boots are distracting, plaid miniskirts are inappropriate, I look better in red, etc.). Maybe they could offer the same.
Click to expand...

Thanks so much! It was post-interview, so I just want to know so I don't do anything wrong in any other interviews I get.
 
GorillaPanic said:
Woah, my world was just turned upside down.... always imagined bearstronaut to be a guy. I know it's not the least bit relevant (and I suppose the slightly sexist), but I dunno why my mind jumped to that conclusion!

I think the bear in your avatar looks like a boy bear. Maybe that's why 😉

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...

Yea, I'm in the same boat... I always though he she was a guy too.

Sorry, Bear, for the mix up. 😳
 
NVM. I'm pretty sure Bearstronaut was being ironic.
 
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😛 what a mystery!

Anyway, so brown's pretty awesome 🙂
 
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sk15731 said:
Thanks so much! It was post-interview, so I just want to know so I don't do anything wrong in any other interviews I get.
Click to expand...

I would write your interviewer or Barbara and ask. Worst they can say is no, right?
 
sk15731 said:
Could you tell us what those 5 categories they critique us on? I was rejected, so I'm just trying to figure out where I went wrong.
Click to expand...

Doubt Aloepathic will be able to give you the specific criteria (last thing they probably need is for interviewees to try to follow some formula for success but my bet is it's some blend of professionalism (not wearing bearstronaut's knee high leather boots, not cursing like a bostonian watching a bosox v yanks game in a north end pub), motivation to go into medicine, insight into the healthcare field (the capacity to logically think about systemic and ethical issues regardless as to your prior exposure to them), background (your ability to describe how your past experiences will lend themselves to you becoming a clinician), and communication/empathy (do you come across as someone who would be able to connect with your future patients).

I think if it was important to you, you could politely contact your interviewers to inquire if there are any weaknesses you could shore up in the future but the most important thing you can do (and not in a self-destructive ocd manner) is just reflect on it. To be cliche, confidence is good; arrogance is bad. It's always good to voice out your logical thought process when it comes to questions regarding ethics or healthcare system issues. Get to know the school you're interviewing at (one of the best ways being of course that you stay at a student host's place the night before and ask lots of questions!).

Anyhow, apologies if this is no help at all but just wanted to get it out there.

Cheers!
 
GorillaPanic said:
Hey! Your profile yesterday said "female" and today it says nothing! I think...

I feel like I'm taking crazy pills!
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I forgot I had that in there. Thank you for reminding me to change it 🙂 I may as well obfuscate my identity further 😛

Iorek, how does financial aid and the like tend to work (if we're accepted, and for those who accepted)? Any insight into how that process operates?
 
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Bearstronaut said:
I forgot I had that in there. Thank you for reminding me to change it 🙂 I may as well obfuscate my identity further 😛

Iorek, how does financial aid and the like tend to work (if we're accepted, and for those who accepted)? Any insight into how that process operates?
Click to expand...

Hmm unfortunately not much other than the fact that Linda and team try to make it as painless as possible (as always, just make sure to stay on top of the deadlines and also that you're parents are on time with their return as well). My experience with Fin Aid has always been excellent and don't hesitate to e-mail or call them with specific questions; they are of course under a good deal of pressure this time of year but they always seem to make the time to give guidance.

Also, if anyone is waitlisted, I would advice that you also get in all your paperwork as soon as is conveniently possible to the deadline for standard admits, simply because if you get pulled off the waitlist, they'll be able to quickly pull together a package for you (this is especially crucial after the May 15th deadline when you will have to make your admission choice in a very short timeframe).
 
Iorek Byrnison said:
Hmm unfortunately not much other than the fact that Linda and team try to make it as painless as possible (as always, just make sure to stay on top of the deadlines and also that you're parents are on time with their return as well). My experience with Fin Aid has always been excellent and don't hesitate to e-mail or call them with specific questions; they are of course under a good deal of pressure this time of year but they always seem to make the time to give guidance.

Also, if anyone is waitlisted, I would advice that you also get in all your paperwork as soon as is conveniently possible to the deadline for standard admits, simply because if you get pulled off the waitlist, they'll be able to quickly pull together a package for you (this is especially crucial after the May 15th deadline when you will have to make your admission choice in a very short timeframe).
Click to expand...

Thank you! I realized after asking that my question was more specific, and was just coming back to edit it. Does AMS do the whole "here's a massive scholarship" (a la WashU, Chicago, etc.) enticement deal offered with acceptances for some people, or does everyone go through the process and then are given scholarships/financial aid/etc. proportionally together at whatever time they do that?
 
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