Is taking a "hard" BSc a bad idea?

[DanielContreras]

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I want to provide some background so that my question makes a little bit more sense. Back in 2011 I first went to university and did about 12 courses before I dropped out with a 1.67 GPA. Last year I decided I needed to return to university and began to fix my GPA for entrance into university, and I succeeded; this fall I am returning to university to do a Computer Science degree (same degree I was in, in 2011). I know first hand how difficult Computer Science is and I've also seen many of my friends from back in 2011 finish with around 3.0-3.4 GPA's (most of them were originally 4.0 students).

Now, I know I'm motivated and ready to pull my socks up and aim for those 4.0's to get into medical school, but I'm unsure about my approach. I'm worried about taking an 'easier' degree and not getting into medical school because then I'd be stuck with student loan debt and most likely unable to find a decent job in my field; although, I would have a better chance at achieving that 4.0 GPA that I need. But, on the other hand if I took Computer Science and didn't get accepted into medical school then I'd at least have a good backup career.

Also, even if I do miraculously achieve 4.0 in every single class to come (unlikely) my GPA will eventually bottom out at around 3.2-3.4 GPA due to my failure the first time around. I plan to offset this by having a really good MCAT score, extra curriculars, volunteering, etc,.

I know that no one will really have an answer for me as it's highly unknown what the future holds, but what are your opinions? Is there anything I should be focusing on right now to offset the low GPA that I will inevitably graduate with? Do you guys think that pursuing a Computer Science degree is going to work against me?

 

[Starbuxian]

Please remember that you will need to take prerequisite courses for med school. I mean other science courses that normally are not part of a Computer Science curriculum. The upshot of taking Comp Sci is that your prospects of employment are very good should you decide not to pursue medicine.

 

[DanielContreras]

Yes, I'll definitely be taking the prerequisite courses. I need to prepare for them by either retaking the high school courses or teaching myself the content all over again (it's been nearly 10 years since I've seen the material).

But you're absolutely correct, and that's my dilemma. I've actually thought about majoring in CS and minoring in some sort of biology to get an edge on the MCAT.

 

[Blanky]

I plan to offset this by having a really good MCAT score, extra curriculars, volunteering, etc,.

This is literally everyones plan, thats not how MCAT works.

 

[DanielContreras]

This is literally everyones plan, thats not how MCAT works.

I understand that everything is taken into consideration equally but what I'm trying to say is I realize I need to do everything else to the best of my ability since I'll be coming in with a lower GPA. Otherwise what do you suggest? I'm already at a disadvantage

 

[kamakazi5]

Why not just get the degree and use it? It seems like an awesome field. I know it's something I wish I had done lol.

If you are really dead set on med school then start slow and make sure you're making the grades. Yes, your MCAT and ECs can help make up but you will still need a solid GPA. You won't get any slack for a less than stellar GPA in a hard major.

 

[Blanky]

Im stating that everyone has desires and preperations to make their MCAT a strength in their app. Thes test is designed to not allow that for everyone and believe me we are all putting in silly amounts of hours that arent considered sane.

 

[LizzyM]

Can you major in math? Very marketable, maybe not as much of a GPA-slayer as CS. Win-win.

 

[DanielContreras]

Can you major in math? Very marketable, maybe not as much of a GPA-slayer as CS. Win-win.

I've actually thought about that too. I'm just unsure what to major in I guess. Because if I do get accepted into medical school then ultimately it won't matter if I take math or computer science, but both seem very promising to me.

 

[DanielContreras]

Why not just get the degree and use it? It seems like an awesome field. I know it's something I wish I had done lol.

If you are really dead set on med school then start slow and make sure you're making the grades. Yes, your MCAT and ECs can help make up but you will still need a solid GPA. You won't get any slack for a less than stellar GPA in a hard major.

Honestly it may be a really long shot but I've been very interested in eye health for a very long time. I suppose my desire to go to medical school stems from the dream of wanting to become an Opthalmologist.

I also don't know that I want to sit in front of a computer for the rest of my career. But it is indeed a very promosing career.

 

[DanielContreras]

Im stating that everyone has desires and preperations to make their MCAT a strength in their app. Thes test is designed to not allow that for everyone and believe me we are all putting in silly amounts of hours that arent considered sane.

I understand. Thanks for your input. It won't be easy but hopefully they see my effort towards my degree and the upwards trend on my GPA.

 

[TheRealCookieMonster]

I've actually thought about that too. I'm just unsure what to major in I guess. Because if I do get accepted into medical school then ultimately it won't matter if I take math or computer science, but both seem very promising to me.

Applied mathematics? Many kids graduated where I went making >80K per year. And it's less of a ball buster, still tough though.

 

[DanielContreras]

Applied mathematics? Many kids graduated where I went making >80K per year. And it's less of a ball buster, still tough though.

I wouldn't take math in place of going to medical school though. It's still a dream of mine to go to medical school and i will do my best to get there. What I was saying was I considered math as a means to get to medical school. And honestly the income is good whichever way I decide to go. Computer Science pays really well too.

 

[seekere]

Go psych, get high GPA, learn fun/cool ****, take pre-reqs, get into med school, profit.