Engineering vs Pure Science major

[FutureDoctorPlease]

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I need some assistance. I will of course speak to my adviser as well, but I would like some opinions from you guys. I'm currently a chemical engineering major, and my GPA is around a 2.3. The reason is not because of the engineering classes, as I am only a sophomore, but because of extenuating personal circumstances involving family. Now, I do enjoy my major, and may switch to biomedical or specialize in biomolecular engineering, but I have been hearing from others that maybe it would be better to switch my major to something easier, like a biology major. My problem is that I am not sure how hard engineering will be, as my poor grades were due to family circumstances. Right now, I'm doing pretty well (3.5 for the semester), as I have no family issues. Should I take the risk to do what I like, or switch to a field where I would be better suited to manage my GPA? Also, I am aiming to get into a US medical school.. I know things look bleak, but I'm keeping optimistic. I am involved with research, and extracurriculars, volunteering, shadowing, and I got a 38 on my practice MCAT (timed). Can someone here guide me or point me in the right direction?

 

[CyberMaxx]

My opinion is that you should do everything possible to increase your GPA, including changing your major if you feel you can do better in biology (and still enjoy it). By my calculations if you took 15 hrs per semester and made a 4.0 until you graduate your GPA would be 3.5. The average right now for those accepted to medical school is a high 3.6 I believe, and may be up to 3.7 by time you apply. Therefore, I think its in your best interest to do everything you maximize your grade point average.

 

[LuciusVorenus]

Don't do engineering because you think it will help with your application. It won't. Only do it if you're in love with it.

 

[nOchemallday]

What do you plan on doing if you don't get accepted? That may influence what you decide to get your degree in.

 

[darklabel]

I wouldn't do engineering. Its a major known to be a GPA deflator and if theres one thing medical schools love, its a high GPA. Honestly, you don't even need a science major! You can pick an easy major as long as you take the pre-reqs, but in your case, I would pick a science major since your BCMP is low. If I were in your shoes, I would just pick Biology since schools don't care about your major. Get your GPA in the 3.4+ range since if you score a ~38 on the real thing, you'd be good to go.

 

[Starry]

Don't do engineering because you think it will help with your application. It won't. Only do it if you're in love with it.

This is FANTASTIC advice.
Every other person has a "unique" major. No one will really care. It's the numbers that count. Definitely do everything you can to get a high GPA.

 

[Lya]

I majored in pure science, but the large part of my ECs is engineering-based. I was able to keep the high GPA, while I still took the advantage of opportunities that my engineering-heavy college could offer.

I would do it again if I go back to my freshman year. Something to consider, in your case.

 

[pDeluxe]

Don't do engineering because you think it will help with your application. It won't. Only do it if you're in love with it.

This 100%.

Just another thought: if I could do it over again, I would avoid BioE and instead major in CSE, ME, or EE. BioE opportunities are harder to come by, especially if you don't have an MS or 5+ years industry experience.

 

[EnginrTheFuture]

Do NOT, for the love of god, pick a major because you think it will increase your GPA. That is the dumbest, most SDN gunner thing anyone could say to you. This is your undergraduate education!! Do what you will enjoy and succeed in. If I had been a biology major I would have hated my upper division classes and done worse than working hard in engineering. There is no doubt about this. If you think every school you apply to is going to look at a Chemical engineer with a 35+ and a 3.3, and a Biology major with a 35+ and a 3.4 and not give the benefit of the doubt to the engineer before the bio major... you are kidding yourself. I don't care what anyone on here says, I have been through this process first hand and listened to the words of adcoms/interviewers. Maybe not every school will, but there will be some.

Now, if you do not love engineering, this is a whole different story.

And this is ignoring the obvious: You have a 2.3 and hope to get into one of the most competitive graduate degree programs there is (US Allopathic). If you do not succeed, which is a possibility you must consider given the uphill battle you have, are you going to regret not having a degree in engineering over bio? I feel like if you love engineering, you are doing yourself a double disservice by switching to a hard science.

Unfortunately, I am but one person in a sea of SDN neurotics 😉