Brown University PLME and Brown-RISD Essay Guide

In this Brown University PLME and Brown-RISD Essay Guide, we will cover how to approach the 2025-2026 supplementary essays for Brown’s specialized undergraduate programs. First, we will discuss the Brown University PLME essay prompts. Then, we will cover the supplementary essay question for the Brown-RISD dual-degree program.

Brown University PLME Essay Prompts

“PLME” stands for Program in Liberal Medical Education. This is Brown University’s combined baccalaureate-MD program — the only one in the Ivy League. Earning an acceptance to this prestigious program means securing your spot at Brown for undergrad and medical school. This early acceptance means you won’t have to take the MCAT or fill out medical school applications.

Brown University PLME is an 8-year program, from which you will receive your MD upon completion. It is, suffice to say, a huge commitment. With this in mind, Brown wants to accept students who are extremely serious about their desire to become a physician. To gauge this interest and maturity, applicants are required to submit two program-specific essays.

For this essay, you need to show admissions why being a doctor is what you are meant to do. Explain how you’ve gained an understanding of what it means to be a doctor, ideally through your experiences in healthcare. This could be through extracurricular activities like shadowing or volunteering, or it could even be through personal experiences, such as dealing with illness in your family.

In your essay, be specific about what was meaningful about a particular experience and how it inspired your interest in medicine. For instance, you could highlight how the experience helped you understand what a physician does on a day to day basis. Additionally, you could explore how the experience shaped your views on the role of healthcare in society, or on what qualities a good doctor must possess.

The goal of this essay is to explain your personal motivation for becoming a doctor. As such, think of your experiences as a way to introduce and frame your values. Put some serious thought into what you think is important in life. Then, consider how being a doctor aligns with those beliefs and values. For example, you could write about empathy, and connect it both to your experiences volunteering at a hospital.

When writing your essay, don’t forget about “fit.” Include specifics about why this program is right for you. You might mention classes, experiences, or qualities of Brown’s Warren Alpert Medical School that you are looking forward to. Whatever you choose to highlight, be sure to connect those details back to your personal values and goals.

Prompt A

First, you need to brainstorm: what does making a positive impact mean to you? For example, does it have to do with treating or even curing a specific disease? Do you want to focus on delivering a certain level of patient care? Or maybe you want to provide care to a certain community you hold dear to your heart. However you define a “positive impact,” avoid generalizing your goals. The more specificity you can include, the better.

A strong response to this prompt clearly imagines your future as a doctor. However, it also uses specific experiences to show who you are, highlighting your integrity and the ways you’ve consistently followed through on your goals. Grounding your essay in a specific anecdote or experience can help showcase your best qualities while also drawing your reader in.

Prompt B

Where the first prompt looks toward the future, the second prompt asks you to reflect on your past experiences. In some ways, this prompt is similar to the first PLME essay. So, the challenge here will be to differentiate your responses.

In this essay, you need to connect your personal beliefs to a bigger picture. What do you admire about the field of medicine today? Alternatively, what do you hope to change about it? Rather than think about what admissions wants to or expect to hear, look at the prompt through your own lens. What unique perspectives are you bringing to the table?

PLME Essay Tip: No matter which prompt you choose, your essay needs to be colored by your experiences, beliefs, and ambitions.

Brown-RISD Dual Degree Program Essay Prompts

The Brown-RISD Dual Degree Program draws on the strengths of Brown University and Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). Through this five-year program, students receive two degrees: a BFA from RISD and a BA or BS from Brown. The culmination of this interdisciplinary program is a capstone project that relates and integrates content, approaches, and methods from two distinct learning experiences.

To apply, students must submit a program-specific essay to both Brown and RISD. This means completing two separate applications, along with all other required supplemental essays.

The Brown-RISD dual degree program is an incredibly selective program in which students are fully enrolled at both colleges. Therefore, when answering this prompt, you need to emphasize that you would not be able to achieve your personal, academic, and professional goals without attending both schools.

You’ll need to explain your interests in both art and the liberal arts, and how your different interests intersect with and complement each other. For example, maybe you are very interested in medical illustration, and you want to have a solid understanding of both biology and illustration to pursue that career path. Or perhaps you love fashion design and creating clothing, but you also are fascinated by business and hope to start your own brand.

By the end of your essay, it should be clear that both schools will be equally essential in preparing you for your career. In your essay, reflect on how your two areas of focus will work together. How will your studies build upon each other, and where might their differences push you to think in new ways?

Don’t forget to answer the second part of this question as well. The Brown-RISD dual-degree community is small and tight-knit, so demonstrate why you’ll be a great addition. You will have already addressed your own interdisciplinary interests in your answer to the first part of the prompt; now, think about your experiences and beliefs around collaboration and community. For instance, you could talk about the importance of surrounding yourself with people who will inspire and motivate you, or you could write about your excitement at potentially creating art and doing research with other members of the Brown-RISD community.

Applying to Brown University

In this essay guide, we covered how to approach the supplementary essays for Brown University PLME and the Brown-RISD programs. Looking for more resources? Check out our Brown supplemental essay guide and our how to get into Brown guide for more application tips.

This Brown University PLME and Brown-RISD essay guide was written by Elinor Martinez, Brown University ‘21. Looking for more guidance on applying to Brown? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.