Community College

[vmotivation]

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Hey guys, I'm new to the thread, and this is my first post. Sorry if this topic has been discussed already,

I'm currently a community college student (CA Community College, if that matters; only my second semester), and I just had some questions about medical school.

I'm not sure what I want to major in. I love math and physics, so engineering seems like the route to go. I was thinking of majoring in biomedical engineering, or chemical engineering (just as a backup in case I don't get into medical school).

Here are my questions:

1. I know that since I am at a community college, I'm at somewhat of a disadvantage. I would have to take all of my pre-med requisites here (except for one), so I know it's imperative to keep a high gpa.

But, do I have to maintain a 4.0 GPA since I'm at a CC? I'm going to try my best to, but are there medical students who did go to CC and got into a medical school without have a 4.0 GPA at a CC?

2. A for extracurriculars, I'm in two clubs. One which is an honors society, and the other being a club for engineers and scientists. My friend and I are thinking of starting up another club, in which we would be co-presidents. I'm also looking to volunteer at a hospital, and shadow my pediatrician. However, I have not found any volunteering opportunities just yet, but I will stay persistent.

What other extracurriculars can I do, to express leadership?

3. As for major, I was thinking of majoring in Biomedical engineering (which is a difficult major), but I know that if I don't get into medical school, there aren't many job opportunities for this major. That's why I was thinking of majoring in Chemical engineering, as a back up plan.

What do other people do, like yourselves, as a back up, in case you don't get into medical school?

Thanks for all the help, guys. I'm sorry if this topic or questions have been answered before in previous threads.

 

[nicolemeooow]

Hey guys, I'm new to the thread, and this is my first post. Sorry if this topic has been discussed already,

I'm currently a community college student (CA Community College, if that matters; only my second semester), and I just had some questions about medical school.

I'm not sure what I want to major in. I love math and physics, so engineering seems like the route to go. I was thinking of majoring in biomedical engineering, or chemical engineering (just as a backup in case I don't get into medical school).

Here are my questions:

1. I know that since I am at a community college, I'm at somewhat of a disadvantage. I would have to take all of my pre-med requisites here (except for one), so I know it's imperative to keep a high gpa.

But, do I have to maintain a 4.0 GPA since I'm at a CC? I'm going to try my best to, but are there medical students who did go to CC and got into a medical school without have a 4.0 GPA at a CC?

2. A for extracurriculars, I'm in two clubs. One which is an honors society, and the other being a club for engineers and scientists. My friend and I are thinking of starting up another club, in which we would be co-presidents. I'm also looking to volunteer at a hospital, and shadow my pediatrician. However, I have not found any volunteering opportunities just yet, but I will stay persistent.

What other extracurriculars can I do, to express leadership?

3. As for major, I was thinking of majoring in Biomedical engineering (which is a difficult major), but I know that if I don't get into medical school, there aren't many job opportunities for this major. That's why I was thinking of majoring in Chemical engineering, as a back up plan.

What do other people do, like yourselves, as a back up, in case you don't get into medical school?

Thanks for all the help, guys. I'm sorry if this topic or questions have been answered before in previous threads.

1. Um no u r not necessarily of any disadvantage. At least I didnt feel that way. I didn't have a 4.0 at CC and it didnt kill me.
2. I never joined any clubs, just fyi.
3. Pick a major that u r interested in.
I was planning to get a degree in MPH if i didn't get in.

 

[LuciusVorenus]

Hey guys, I'm new to the thread, and this is my first post. Sorry if this topic has been discussed already,

I'm currently a community college student (CA Community College, if that matters; only my second semester), and I just had some questions about medical school.

I'm not sure what I want to major in. I love math and physics, so engineering seems like the route to go. I was thinking of majoring in biomedical engineering, or chemical engineering (just as a backup in case I don't get into medical school).

Here are my questions:

1. I know that since I am at a community college, I'm at somewhat of a disadvantage. I would have to take all of my pre-med requisites here (except for one), so I know it's imperative to keep a high gpa.

But, do I have to maintain a 4.0 GPA since I'm at a CC? I'm going to try my best to, but are there medical students who did go to CC and got into a medical school without have a 4.0 GPA at a CC?

2. A for extracurriculars, I'm in two clubs. One which is an honors society, and the other being a club for engineers and scientists. My friend and I are thinking of starting up another club, in which we would be co-presidents. I'm also looking to volunteer at a hospital, and shadow my pediatrician. However, I have not found any volunteering opportunities just yet, but I will stay persistent.

What other extracurriculars can I do, to express leadership?

3. As for major, I was thinking of majoring in Biomedical engineering (which is a difficult major), but I know that if I don't get into medical school, there aren't many job opportunities for this major. That's why I was thinking of majoring in Chemical engineering, as a back up plan.

What do other people do, like yourselves, as a back up, in case you don't get into medical school?

Thanks for all the help, guys. I'm sorry if this topic or questions have been answered before in previous threads.

Two things:

1. If you're majoring in engineering, you can very well stay for 5 years and do a bio minor. The reason I suggest is this because with the extra year, you can hold off on doing your prereqs until you get into a university (if you want). As far as I'm concerned, the only prereqs you'd need to transfer into engineering is math, physics, and MAYBE general chemistry. You can leave Ochem and Bio for junior year.

2. There isn't really a great job market for either of those jobs. With the job market as bad as it is, companies are less willing to hire unexperienced recent grads without any graduate coursework. Bachelors in engineering aren't what they used to be, and you'll be hard pressed to find a good job without a masters. That being said, a BME major can gain admittance into an EE, MAE, or ChemE masters program if they plan their courses right. If you really want to do ChemE do it, but be aware that it's a particularly challenging major and not the best choice for maximizing your GPA.

 

[CaliGirl14]

1. Try to keep as high of a GPA as you can. AIM for 4.0. Make it your standard, not a goal. You're not at a huge disadvantage.

2. Clubs are overrated unless you're the president of it. Focus on volunteering at the hospital, doing some shadowing, perhaps some interesting hobbies, non-medical volunteering, e.t.c

3. I'd agree with LuciousVorenus. I had the same idea of majoring in biomedical engineering if medical school didn't accept me. Then I realized: EFF that. I don't want to be an engineer. I'm going to pick a major I'm interested in and make sure I get into medical school. Besides, majoring in something like engineering will somewhat guarantee you a terrible GPA.
My back up plan is to apply again and again. Don't take no as an answer. Plenty of people don't accept a 'no' from you, why do the same for them?

 

[Cypher321]

Hey guys, I'm new to the thread, and this is my first post. Sorry if this topic has been discussed already,

I'm currently a community college student (CA Community College, if that matters; only my second semester), and I just had some questions about medical school.

I'm not sure what I want to major in. I love math and physics, so engineering seems like the route to go. I was thinking of majoring in biomedical engineering, or chemical engineering (just as a backup in case I don't get into medical school).

Here are my questions:

1. I know that since I am at a community college, I'm at somewhat of a disadvantage. I would have to take all of my pre-med requisites here (except for one), so I know it's imperative to keep a high gpa.

But, do I have to maintain a 4.0 GPA since I'm at a CC? I'm going to try my best to, but are there medical students who did go to CC and got into a medical school without have a 4.0 GPA at a CC?

2. A for extracurriculars, I'm in two clubs. One which is an honors society, and the other being a club for engineers and scientists. My friend and I are thinking of starting up another club, in which we would be co-presidents. I'm also looking to volunteer at a hospital, and shadow my pediatrician. However, I have not found any volunteering opportunities just yet, but I will stay persistent.

What other extracurriculars can I do, to express leadership?

3. As for major, I was thinking of majoring in Biomedical engineering (which is a difficult major), but I know that if I don't get into medical school, there aren't many job opportunities for this major. That's why I was thinking of majoring in Chemical engineering, as a back up plan.

What do other people do, like yourselves, as a back up, in case you don't get into medical school?

Thanks for all the help, guys. I'm sorry if this topic or questions have been answered before in previous threads.

What? Where did you hear this from? I've worked for three different companies thus far in my undergrad, two of which have wanted to hire me after I graduated. The job market is great once you get your foot in the door with an intern or technician job and prove that you have what it takes.

For engineering with the intent on going to medical school, remember to research the schools you intend to transfer to carefully. Some are more practical (Cal Poly SLO, Cal Poly Pomona, SJSU) while others are more theoretical (UC's) and the environment that you would excel in is really up to your learning style. Personally I hated being in the UC system and did poorly in it. Conversely,I'm in the CSU system currently and I get A's in my upper division engineering classes. If you end up going engineering, ask yourself which style caters better to you so that you and your gpa don't end up regretting it. And as said previously, only go into engineering if you really enjoy it, otherwise it's a waste.

 

[vmotivation]

Thanks for the all the help, appreciate it.

Cypher321- General consensus says that it is difficult to find jobs in the BME field because the major is too specific. From what I've read upon: companies are looking for a masters degree or a Ph.D in BME, then and only then can you get a job (whether this is true, I'm not sure).

* I'm thinking of majoring in engineering because it's something I like, enoy. I was also looking into applied mathematics, but still not set on what I want to major in. I was thinking of majoring in electrical engineering at first, but the programming aspect was a little too bland and dull for me.

About clubs, my community college does not have a pre-med club. That would be interesting if I could get that going. Just still trying to figure out how to show leadership to med. schools?

 

[csiplon]

Here are my questions:

1.

But, do I have to maintain a 4.0 GPA since I'm at a CC? I'm going to try my best to, but are there medical students who did go to CC and got into a medical school without have a 4.0 GPA at a CC?

2.

What other extracurriculars can I do, to express leadership?

3.

What do other people do, like yourselves, as a back up, in case you don't get into medical school?

Thanks for all the help, guys. I'm sorry if this topic or questions have been answered before in previous threads.

1. I don't think that you are at a disadvantage going to a CC. I went to a california CC and finished with < 3.2 by the time I transfered. My best friend went to the same CC and we were both successful in gaining entry into medical school. The important thing however is your GPA trend. If you get a 4.0 at CC and are less than stellar after you transfer, that may be of a disadvantage to you.

2. I feel you don't have to have an X amount of EC's to be a succesful applicant. Find a gig that can be meaningful to you and that experience will speak volumes to you as an applicant as opposed to the 10 little volunteer stints at various hospitals.

3. My backup was a clincal lab scientist. Because all the baby boomers are on their way to retiring, the job outlook for this field is very good. Supply for this job cannot keep up with the demand for lab scientists currently and its only looking better moving forward. I know at UCLA they make the same if not more than the nurses starting out.

 

[deleted357625]

Hey guys, I'm new to the thread, and this is my first post. Sorry if this topic has been discussed already,

I'm currently a community college student (CA Community College, if that matters; only my second semester), and I just had some questions about medical school.

I'm not sure what I want to major in. I love math and physics, so engineering seems like the route to go. I was thinking of majoring in biomedical engineering, or chemical engineering (just as a backup in case I don't get into medical school).

Here are my questions:

1. I know that since I am at a community college, I'm at somewhat of a disadvantage. I would have to take all of my pre-med requisites here (except for one), so I know it's imperative to keep a high gpa.

But, do I have to maintain a 4.0 GPA since I'm at a CC? I'm going to try my best to, but are there medical students who did go to CC and got into a medical school without have a 4.0 GPA at a CC?

2. A for extracurriculars, I'm in two clubs. One which is an honors society, and the other being a club for engineers and scientists. My friend and I are thinking of starting up another club, in which we would be co-presidents. I'm also looking to volunteer at a hospital, and shadow my pediatrician. However, I have not found any volunteering opportunities just yet, but I will stay persistent.

What other extracurriculars can I do, to express leadership?

3. As for major, I was thinking of majoring in Biomedical engineering (which is a difficult major), but I know that if I don't get into medical school, there aren't many job opportunities for this major. That's why I was thinking of majoring in Chemical engineering, as a back up plan.

What do other people do, like yourselves, as a back up, in case you don't get into medical school?

Thanks for all the help, guys. I'm sorry if this topic or questions have been answered before in previous threads.

- not at a disadvantage
- no many people don't make a 4.0 at a CC it's not a big deal, some CC professors are hard as well
-clubs aren't anything unless you hold leadership positions, start clinical/non-clinical volunteer work.
-and i would advise away from engineering unless you really want to get into that field. If you plan on applying to med school and are set on medicine major in something else. Engineering degree could hurt you bad, happens all the time for people. Also, there shouldn't really be a back-up plan if you have average stats etc. The only thing that could stop you from ever going to med school is if you do something extremely bad but besides that everyone ahs a chance, it might take an extra year for some but they get in.

 

[vmotivation]

I'm trying my best to get some leadership positions in some clubs; like I said previously, my friends and I are looking into starting another club.

I'm not sure where I want to transfer, but here are some possible places: UC Davis, UC San Diego, UCLA (if I can maintain above a 3.5 GPA, with some extracurriculars). If I did major in bioengineering, UCSD is a top five school for bioE.

*As far as GPA is concerned, I got a 4.0 my first semester, so anything lower than that is bad, and now I'm obsessed in making sure it stays the same.

I was wondering if anyone is an applied mathematics major? If so, how difficult is it?

-- As always, thanks for the help.

 

[SN1]

Hey guys, I'm new to the thread, and this is my first post. Sorry if this topic has been discussed already,

I'm currently a community college student (CA Community College, if that matters; only my second semester), and I just had some questions about medical school.

I'm not sure what I want to major in. I love math and physics, so engineering seems like the route to go. I was thinking of majoring in biomedical engineering, or chemical engineering (just as a backup in case I don't get into medical school).

Here are my questions:

1. I know that since I am at a community college, I'm at somewhat of a disadvantage. I would have to take all of my pre-med requisites here (except for one), so I know it's imperative to keep a high gpa.

But, do I have to maintain a 4.0 GPA since I'm at a CC? I'm going to try my best to, but are there medical students who did go to CC and got into a medical school without have a 4.0 GPA at a CC?

2. A for extracurriculars, I'm in two clubs. One which is an honors society, and the other being a club for engineers and scientists. My friend and I are thinking of starting up another club, in which we would be co-presidents. I'm also looking to volunteer at a hospital, and shadow my pediatrician. However, I have not found any volunteering opportunities just yet, but I will stay persistent.

What other extracurriculars can I do, to express leadership?

3. As for major, I was thinking of majoring in Biomedical engineering (which is a difficult major), but I know that if I don't get into medical school, there aren't many job opportunities for this major. That's why I was thinking of majoring in Chemical engineering, as a back up plan.

What do other people do, like yourselves, as a back up, in case you don't get into medical school?

Thanks for all the help, guys. I'm sorry if this topic or questions have been answered before in previous threads.

Don't get discourage that you go to CC. Plenty of people got in after they went to CC.
I go to CC too and will be finished with all my prereqs next semester

 

[LizzyM]

Is there an unmet need in your community?

Some ideas:

A need for: blood donors, afterschool activities for inner-city kids, math & science tutoring for kids whose parents can't afford tutors, a way to glean food being thrown away by restaurants and markets to feed people in homeless shelters and soup kitchens? recycling of waste produced at your school (paper, cans, bottles, batteries, ink cartridges), clean up of communal areas such as parks & riverbanks, or even a change in a local or state law.

Find an unmet need, work with elected officials and government administrators, academic leaders, religious leaders, existing non-governmental organizations, fellow students, members of the community or neighborhood to fill the need. Organize others to reach a mutually agreed upon goal.

 

[samuraiR]

What? Where did you hear this from? I've worked for three different companies thus far in my undergrad, two of which have wanted to hire me after I graduated. The job market is great once you get your foot in the door with an intern or technician job and prove that you have what it takes.

For engineering with the intent on going to medical school, remember to research the schools you intend to transfer to carefully. Some are more practical (Cal Poly SLO, Cal Poly Pomona, SJSU) while others are more theoretical (UC's) and the environment that you would excel in is really up to your learning style. Personally I hated being in the UC system and did poorly in it. Conversely,I'm in the CSU system currently and I get A's in my upper division engineering classes. If you end up going engineering, ask yourself which style caters better to you so that you and your gpa don't end up regretting it. And as said previously, only go into engineering if you really enjoy it, otherwise it's a waste.

I dont know where you guys are getting your information but whoever said the job market for a cheme/bioe major is bad is on crack. I know of atleast 50 kids with engineering bachelors only and all of them are working for atleast 55k a year. Granted I did go to a top 20 engineering school (state school) which may skew the results but I think you'd be hard pressed to find many bioE or chemE majors unemployed.