Tanvin | Applied Mathematics; Economics
Biography
Tanvin is a sophomore in the PLME at Brown. PLME has given him the freedom to explore beyond medicine into entrepreneurship, math, and soon, Middle Eastern/Islamic History, while also taking medicine-focused pre-clerkship courses like Diagnostic Radiology at Warren Alpert. This summer, he researched AI-assisted mammography and health literacy with Brown Radiology, joined the PLME/MD Mentoring Program to learn more about the MD journey and residency at WA, and worked with a hometown physician on a digital exercise database for elderly stroke/CVA patients. On campus, he is also expanding his faith and community ties as the upcoming VP of the Muslim Students Association.
One of the most riveting aspects of PLME to me is this opportunity to branch outside of medicine, to create an identity separate from something so important to me and my aspirations my entire life. Exploring outside the sciences for me means finally exploring business, after spending so much of my life immersed in a small restaurant business and managing its finances throughout high school. With dreams of expanding our family business sometime in the future, I get to focus on Economics, towards this path of entrepreneurship and creating a successful restaurant business one day. Additionally, with PLME, I get to set the gripping influence of the pre-med curriculum somewhat aside, but still challenge myself with courses I want to be challenged by, such as math, a subject that gives me the space to think differently. To me, it’s this kind of academic freedom that’s made my PLME experience so fulfilling.
While many of us grow up believing that medicine is a full-time career and that all physicians dedicate the entirety of their lives to the exciting practice of medicine, the PLME truly opens up your eyes to how diverse a physician's interests can be. Whether it's future physicians or current physicians (alumni/physicians I've met through PLME/MD Summer Connections), you have the exciting opportunity to learn about the lives of physicians outside of medicine, including political advocacy, business, sports, and artistic interests such as filmmaking. Think of it like a tree: the trunk emphasizing this uniting desire to provide the utmost care for others via healthcare, and then branches representing all these different paths physicians take, each one growing in its direction, yet still rooted in the same purpose. Meeting other PLME undergraduates who are taking on internships in Washington DC, Wall Street, and even fashion powerhouses like Vogue, I've realized that being a doctor goes beyond just caring for patients, but also about approaching every part of life with curiosity. PLME has shown me that a doctor can take on multiple roles while remaining focused on the common goal of healing and service.
The most shocking thing to me about PLME is the surreal flexibility that it offers, unlike any other combined MD program you will come across. It encourages you to create your academic roadmap, convincing us that there is no proper route to medical school. Additionally, PLME offers the flexibility to S/NC many classes of your choice, allowing students to shift their focus away from constant grade performance, which many of us have long been used to. Apart from some course requirements, you're free to take on whatever extracurriculars you enjoy, join clubs of your choice, and enjoy a life free of MCAT stress. :)
But what truly makes this so special is that, despite its flexibility, there are always so many opportunities that the PLME offers to continue to grow your passions for medicine. Whether it is programs like Summer Research Assistantships, study-abroad programs focused on medicine in different countries, or all the different pre-clerkship electives you can choose from, you're assured to continue growing as an aspiring physician.