I'm interested in pursuing pre-med and was wondering if anyone knows if Brown is a good school for that? What kind of pre-med support do they offer and how are their research opportunities?
Brown University is an excellent choice for students interested in pre-med. The school has a strong reputation for its undergraduate education, and the open curriculum allows students to explore various disciplines while fulfilling pre-med requirements. Here's an overview of the pre-med support and research opportunities at Brown.
Pre-med support:
1. Advising: Brown offers dedicated pre-med advising through the Health Careers Advising office. This office helps students plan their coursework, navigate the medical school application process, and offers various resources such as workshops and seminars for pre-med students.
2. Peer Mentorship: The Health Careers Peer Advisor Program connects pre-med students with upperclassmen who provide advice and guidance based on their experiences navigating the pre-med track.
3. Medical School Application Help: Health Careers Advising assists students with the medical school application process, providing support with selecting schools, writing personal statements, and preparing for interviews.
Research opportunities:
1. The Undergraduate Teaching and Research Awards (UTRA) program encourages students to engage in research during the summer. Students can receive funding to work on a faculty member's research project or to pursue their own project under the mentorship of a faculty member.
2. The Royce Fellowship offers funding for students to carry out independent research or creative projects in any field. This is a prestigious and competitive fellowship at Brown.
3. Several research centers and institutes at Brown provide opportunities for undergraduate research on interdisciplinary topics relevant to pre-med students. Some of these include the Brown Institute for Brain Science, the Center for Biomedical Engineering, and the Center for Computational Molecular Biology.
4. As a pre-med student, you can also explore research opportunities through nearby hospitals and institutions, such as Rhode Island Hospital, the Miriam Hospital, and the Women & Infants Hospital.
Another factor worth considering is the Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME), which is Brown's combined eight-year medical program. Accepted students are guaranteed a spot in Brown's Warren Alpert Medical School, and they can study more broadly in the liberal arts during their undergraduate years without having to focus solely on pre-med requirements. This can be an attractive option if you'd like to simultaneously pursue other academic interests and have a more flexible pre-med experience.
Overall, Brown's pre-med support, research opportunities, and combined medical program make it a strong choice for aspiring medical students. The open curriculum and dedicated resources ensure that students have a solid foundation to pursue a future career in medicine.
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