His cursor hovers over the email containing his decision that could decide the next four years of his life. His anticipation fills the room as he reflects back on his hard work and experiences. Giving up summer for internships, volunteering, and cramming extracurriculars into his tightly packed schedule has dwindled down to this moment. 

Senior Sanil Desai will be attending Brown University in their PLME program. PLME is the program in liberal medical education. The program allows students to have flexibility with their majors and guarantees them a position in Brown’s Warren Alpert school of medicine. This program is unique because the students do not have to apply or take the MCAT.

“I was a little scared to open the decision letter, I didn’t expect much but when I opened it I was really excited and grateful for the opportunity,” Desai said. “I think this program suits my goals because it allows me to explore my interests in different fields such as comp sci and healthcare policy.”

His efforts in the medical realm extends all the way back to his freshman year where he volunteered in different branches of St. David’s hospitals. While volunteering Desai worked with patients and gave him insight in healthcare. Desai said that even if you’re not interested in medicine he recommends volunteering at hospitals because of how much you can take away from the experience.

“I’ve been interested in healthcare since I was little,” Desai said. “My mom and a lot of my extended family works in healthcare so I heard a lot about their experiences. Not all of it was positive but the negatives made me want to make it better and have a positive influence on people’s lives. I also feel like it’s really important in the overall development of the world. If I’m going to use my skills to do something, I’d rather use my talents to have a direct impact on humanity and you can do a lot of good in healthcare.”

Desai’s experience in the medical field did not stop at volunteering. The summer going into his senior year, he fulfilled two internships. One of them being at University of Texas at Galveston medical branch where he worked with a principal investigator. During his time in Galveston, Desai researched the effect of certain proteins on fruit flies and their neurological effects. This included conducting experiments and helping write sections of a research paper.

“It was really interesting and I enjoyed the process all together,” Desai said. “Conducting experiments and doing research broadened my experience in the healthcare world and allowed me to work closely with a professional.”

His second internship took place all up in Denver at the University of Colorado’s medical school. He stayed there for a month and a half and used data analysis programs to find trends in data that was public health related. At the end, he put together a poster and paper to put in a presentation.

“I enjoyed being able to use my experience in data science,” Desai said. “I think these internships helped not only with experience but also solidifying my commitment to the medical field. I got to work in experiments but also in medical policy.”

Desai’s hard work was not only reflected in his time at hospitals or research centers. He will be graduating as rank 4 of the 2024 class. 

“My parents always believed that I could accomplish a lot of things so that always helped me,” Desai said. “Other than that I feel like I don’t want to waste my potential. One of my biggest fears is that I won’t be able to achieve everything I am capable of and that inspires me.”

According to Desai, under the PLME program, Desai will not have to decide his major until his sophomore year but he is eager to see where Brown will take him. He is thankful for his family supporting and pushing him to get to where he is today and to his teachers for the opportunities they have provided him with.

“I’m grateful for all of the amazing teachers at Cedar Park who go out of their way to help you.” Desai said. “From all of my coaches who gave me the opportunity to run with and lead the team without being in the period. To teachers like Mr. Marsh and Mr. Babich who always made an effort to get to know me beyond just the classroom. To my band directors who taught me the importance of hard work and disciplined effort.  And to teachers like Mr. Henri who was eager to sponsor the garage band club and gave me genuine advice I hope to carry with me.”