Academic path guidance

[Switz]

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Seeking guidance for my undergraduate and future academic path. Here is my current situation...

Associates in civil tech. (3.4 gpa) currently pursuing a BS in civil engineering (entering junior year w/ 2.9 gpa) at Wentworth Inst. of Tech in Boston. I was accepted for transfer for molecular, cellular and developmental biology program at UC Boulder.

Recently considering a change to prepare for med school. I will not be able to complete all the typical premed courses here, missing 1 gen chem, 2 org. chem. and a second biology course. I have realized that math is not my strongest capability and I am more proficient in science related courses. Only really interested in the environmental side of civil. The move to bio is significant as it would add 1, maybe 2 years of extra undergrad work. I have a strong interest in psychopharmacology, human behavior and effects of environmental stressors. I am interested in psychiatry. Not sure if I should stick with civil for the sake of time and find continuing ed options such as a master’s degree (thinking public health) or a post-bach. program or hop on the opportunity for bio undergrad.

Looking for advice for both academic path possibilities based on the civil route and the bio route. What is my best bet to reach the ultimate goal of med. school acceptance?


Thanks!

 

[Pacna]

I cannot comment on the civil vs bio routes, but apart from that you need to distinguish yourself in the same way that everyone else does.

What I mean by that is that you need to get clinical and volunteer experience as well as shadowing hours. The extra time the bio courses will take you will be absolutely essential to your change in path. I do not think you could do it without them. 1) You need the extra classes to boost that (sorry 🙁) terrible GPA. 2) You need the extra time to pursue the aforementioned experiences.

I'd also recommend getting involved in some research. A good GPA and MCAT are baseline requirements for being considered. To be seriously considered, you need great EC's (extracurriculars). These are activities you're actually interested in (can be engineering-related, for instance) that you pursue for years. Length of time devoted to them > quality > quantity.

I can't stress enough how important straight A's from now on are for you. Get a few more B's and you have little to no chance of serious consideration for MD or DO. You're going to be hard pressed to get that GPA up high enough even with straight A's.

Before you ask, no it does not matter that an engineering major is significantly more challenging than bio GPA. Medical schools will not care nor give you a pass on your GPA, guaranteed.

As for being unsure which degree to pursue, I think that'd be best discussed with an adviser. I can tell you what I'd do: I'd go bio. A 4.0 engineering GPA is nearly impossible (or so I hear) to get, and that number is your biggest challenge.