Cornell undergraduate

[Heyigotnoclue]

Asking this for someone I know who is about to graduate with a degree in mechanical engineering from Cornell. He is now thinking of medical school. He feels that his GPA which is a 3.65 (no C's, all A's and some B's) would hurt him if he started the process. I explained that he would need to do either a postbacc or DIY required classes which would help his GPA. Aside from all the prerequistes required, how would an admissions committee look at said GPA, especially coming out of Cornell engineering which is notoriously rigorous and has very little grade inflation. I've been friends with this student for years and I am aware of how Cornell engineering grinds the kids into dust.

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[Mr.Smile12]

We have articles he should read.

How to Engineer a Health Professional Career - SDN

The Student Doctor Network provides free tools, resources, and advising services to help students become health professionals.

www.studentdoctor.net

We highlight Carle Illinois, which has developed an engineering-based medical curriculum.

Q&A with Carle Illinois College of Medicine: Developing Innovation and Entrepreneurship as Health Professionals | SDN

The Student Doctor Network provides free tools, resources, and advising services to help students become health professionals.

www.studentdoctor.net

Cornell engineering majors have gotten into medical school. Ask the prehealth advising office. They'll help with crafting a plan.

 

[LunaOri]

3.65 does not necessarily mean he needs a postbacc. I’d like to see an MCAT score.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

A transcript is also important. Also your friend should create their own account and ask their own questions.

 

[Heyigotnoclue]

A transcript is also important. Also your friend should create their own account and ask their own questions.

No harm in helping out a friend.

 

[chilly_md]

No harm in helping out a friend.

It is noble, but it is typically easier for us to speak directly to them then playing telephone or waiting a while for specific details. It also enables them to come back with follow-up questions.

 

[roadhogmain]

Totally possible but your friend should figure out why they want to switch. Hard to go through 4 years of any Cornell STEM major without a passion for it.

 

[Heyigotnoclue]

Yes, perhaps he should start his own account. It was such a preliminary dicusssion and I'm not sure he would follow through. It did get me thinking about it in that I'd like to know, for my own curiosity, how a STEM degree form a rigourous school is looked upon, especially with a lower GPA.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Yes, perhaps he should start his own account. It was such a preliminary dicusssion and I'm not sure he would follow through. It did get me thinking about it in that I'd like to know, for my own curiosity, how a STEM degree form a rigourous school is looked upon, especially with a lower GPA.

We blind many of our screeners to the identity of the institutions. Often, we don't even give them the GPA.

 

[LizzyM]

3.65 does not necessarily mean he needs a postbacc. I’d like to see an MCAT score.

If he hasn't taken all the pre-reqs for medical school (o-chem, bio I and II, maybe biochem) then he NEEDS a post-bac to add those to his transcript. But first, perhaps, some shadowing and volunteering to be sure that a service oriented career is right for him and that he knows what the practice of medicine is like and what he can expect if he makes it a career.