Longhorns

[ellm1205]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I was a chemical engineering major at UT for 3 years, and just switched to biochemistry. Halfway through college, I realized that that CHE was not for me, so I didn't want to torture myself with upper division CHE and bio classes. I can definitely say that engineering is a LOT of work. I hang out with mostly pre-med bio majors, and I always have far more homework and way less free time compared to them. I did enjoy all the math though.
I would have went into BME, but when I entered college, the program at UT was still pretty new and didn't seem too organized. I currently work in a BME research lab, and I heard that the BME degree at UT requires a lot of computing classes, so if that's something you don't enjoy, then you might want to reconsider doing BME. There are tons of cool research opportunities in the BME department at UT if you're looking for that!

As for coursework, bio classes are easy if you're good at memorization and chem should be a breeze. We have some pretty good Ochem professors (Iverson/Anslyn) who will teach you the material really well.

 

[deleted393595]

But teh bars? My friends that are older have told me crazy stories about hobos chasing them down the street.

I have nothing against homeless people, but that place is hobo central. Even saw a prostitute right by the Einstein Bagel's on the outside perimeter of campus.

But duuuude.... Epic bars and epic scenery (if you know what I mean)

 

[AestheticMed]

I have nothing against homeless people, but that place is hobo central. Even saw a prostitute right by the Einstein Bagel's on the outside perimeter of campus.

But duuuude.... Epic bars and epic scenery (if you know what I mean)

Oh yes I completely understand why Austin is known for it's hills 😛

 

[jay2324]

I was a chemical engineering major at UT for 3 years, and just switched to biochemistry. Halfway through college, I realized that that CHE was not for me, so I didn't want to torture myself with upper division CHE and bio classes. I can definitely say that engineering is a LOT of work. I hang out with mostly pre-med bio majors, and I always have far more homework and way less free time compared to them. I did enjoy all the math though.
I would have went into BME, but when I entered college, the program at UT was still pretty new and didn't seem too organized. I currently work in a BME research lab, and I heard that the BME degree at UT requires a lot of computing classes, so if that's something you don't enjoy, then you might want to reconsider doing BME. There are tons of cool research opportunities in the BME department at UT if you're looking for that!

As for coursework, bio classes are easy if you're good at memorization and chem should be a breeze. We have some pretty good Ochem professors (Iverson/Anslyn) who will teach you the material really well.

wow. so what did u switch your major to???

and ya i heard iverson is good, but the chances of me getting him for my class must be really slim because he is probably in high demand right?

 

[mohad]

wow. so what did u switch your major to???

and ya i heard iverson is good, but the chances of me getting him for my class must be really slim because he is probably in high demand right?

Yeah, he's pretty high in demand, but you can talk with him or an adviser and they MIGHT be able to pull some strings. If you can't get him, get Siegel. He's really good. And Colapret isn't half bad, if you like self-learning. His classes are pretty cool cause he talks a lot about the synthesis of drugs since he used to do that before teaching.

 

[jay2324]

Yeah, he's pretty high in demand, but you can talk with him or an adviser and they MIGHT be able to pull some strings. If you can't get him, get Siegel. He's really good. And Colapret isn't half bad, if you like self-learning. His classes are pretty cool cause he talks a lot about the synthesis of drugs since he used to do that before teaching.

ya i basically have it in my head that it doesn't matter what teacher i get cause i'll probably still have to self teach myself.


your at UT also? since the spring would be my first semester, do you think i'll be fine doing a full schedule? I'm a transfer from ACC and idk if i should take 13 hrs like i have been for the last yr, or lighten up since i need to get acclimated to the new university environment.... any advice would be cool man

 

[zwitterion34]

ya i basically have it in my head that it doesn't matter what teacher i get cause i'll probably still have to self teach myself.


your at UT also? since the spring would be my first semester, do you think i'll be fine doing a full schedule? I'm a transfer from ACC and idk if i should take 13 hrs like i have been for the last yr, or lighten up since i need to get acclimated to the new university environment.... any advice would be cool man

Iverson doesn't teach Ochem I in the spring. He teaches Ochem II in the spring always and Ochem I in the fall.

 

[jay2324]

Iverson doesn't teach Ochem I in the spring. He teaches Ochem II in the spring always and Ochem I in the fall.

oh.... i see. well i still didnt think i was gonna take o chem in the spring anyway

 

[zwitterion34]

oh.... i see. well i still didnt think i was gonna take o chem in the spring anyway

You should probably take 12 hours at max during your first semester at UT. It is certainly a different environment from ACC and won't hurt to orient yourself before pushing yourself.

 

[jay2324]

You should probably take 12 hours at max during your first semester at UT. It is certainly a different environment from ACC and won't hurt to orient yourself before pushing yourself.

thats what i was thinking as well. But im still going to be taking some tough classes because thats all i have left

 

[zwitterion34]

thats what i was thinking as well. But im still going to be taking some tough classes because thats all i have left

Beware of labs because even though they are worth 2 hours; they require a lot of time. Take exercise classes (weight lifting, scuba diving, ballroom dancing, etc.) to help you reach that limit of 12.

 

[jay2324]

Beware of labs because even though they are worth 2 hours; they require a lot of time. Take exercise classes (weight lifting, scuba diving, ballroom dancing, etc.) to help you reach that limit of 12.

Exercise classes? I'm paying 5k for this school...I don't wanna take exercise classes bro.

But ya I've heard labs are crazy. Oh and are there alot of gunners?

 

[zwitterion34]

Exercise classes? I'm paying 5k for this school...I don't wanna take exercise classes bro.

But ya I've heard labs are crazy. Oh and are there alot of gunners?

I mean it's competitive. It's based on a curve. So you want to be top of your lab section. In Gen Chem lab the competition is less severe, but the ochem labs are very competitive (grades will be based on ranking). Many students (~85%) also have old lab reports which is really unfair for people who are completely honest. If you fail to mention certain things in your report, there will be deductions and people with old reports are able to do this quite easily.

 

[zwitterion34]

What kind of degree are you pursuing? Just out of curiosity and what pre-req courses (Biology, Chemistry, Calculus, etc)have you already taken at ACC?

 

[jay2324]

What kind of degree are you pursuing? Just out of curiosity and what pre-req courses (Biology, Chemistry, Calculus, etc)have you already taken at ACC?

The only pre rec I've done is chemistry 1,2 and English 1,2. And I was going to apply to natural sciences for chemistry and try and apply in the fall for the BME program

You think that's impossible?

 

[zwitterion34]

The only pre rec I've done is chemistry 1,2 and English 1,2. And I was going to apply to natural sciences for chemistry and try and apply in the fall for the BME program

You think that's impossible?

I don't know too much regarding the BME program. As long as you work hard anything is possible. Sorry if you were a generic Biology major I might have been able to offer more help... Good luck with your studies!

 

[AestheticMed]

I don't know too much regarding the BME program. As long as you work hard anything is possible. Sorry if you were a generic Biology major I might have been able to offer more help... Good luck with your studies!

How's the financial aid for UT? B/c I've always considered going there but I thought that they don't give out alot.

 

[ellm1205]

wow. so what did u switch your major to???

and ya i heard iverson is good, but the chances of me getting him for my class must be really slim because he is probably in high demand right?

I switched to biochemistry.

yea, Iverson is pretty popular, and registration can be a bitch. Upper classmen register first, so if you have some credit hours to get you junior status, it'll be relatively easy to get in.

and I agree labs are crazy competitive. it's based on ranking, so only about 4 people in a lab can get A's. Now its even worse with +/- grading.

 

[jay2324]

I switched to biochemistry.

yea, Iverson is pretty popular, and registration can be a bitch. Upper classmen register first, so if you have some credit hours to get you junior status, it'll be relatively easy to get in.

and I agree labs are crazy competitive. it's based on ranking, so only about 4 people in a lab can get A's. Now its even worse with +/- grading.

wow based on ranking? that kinda sucks tbh. But i think if i work hard i can make an A. But is it still a certain amount of people get each grade? like there has to be some A's, A-'s, B+'s cos thats probably where i'll fall???

 

[jay2324]

I don't know too much regarding the BME program. As long as you work hard anything is possible. Sorry if you were a generic Biology major I might have been able to offer more help... Good luck with your studies!

well you can still kinda help.....how is that going? is bio hard at UT?

 

[zwitterion34]

How's the financial aid for UT? B/c I've always considered going there but I thought that they don't give out alot.

I think the financial aid is strictly need-based and because of the Texas budget cuts the amount will decrease. Here are the statistics for financial aid according to US News

 

[zwitterion34]

well you can still kinda help.....how is that going? is bio hard at UT?

Bio courses gets easier as you take more and more because many of the contents in bio repeat itself and to do well in these courses just go over the slides from lecture because that is what the lecturers want the students to understand and learn from the course. For 311D (the second Bio course), try to take it with Zhao. You will hear nice things about this man. I think BA Biology offers more flexibility than BS Biology. For example, you don't have to take Calculus 2 for a BA degree and you get to choose six upper division Bio courses.

 

[jay2324]

Bio courses gets easier as you take more and more because many of the contents in bio repeat itself and to do well in these courses just go over the slides from lecture because that is what the lecturers want the students to understand and learn from the course. For 311D (the second Bio course), try to take it with Zhao. You will hear nice things about this man. I think BA Biology offers more flexibility than BS Biology. For example, you don't have to take Calculus 2 for a BA degree and you get to choose six upper division Bio courses.

ok great advice. But im still not sure what i wanna major in.... i applied for the college of natural sciences but now that i read more about the BME program, i think it sounds fun but people tell me that i shouldn't get into BME because its hard at UT and my GPA could possibly suffer and it wouldnt look any different than a regular pre med typical degree (bio, chem etc.).
Whats your take on this???

 

[AestheticMed]

ok great advice. But im still not sure what i wanna major in.... i applied for the college of natural sciences but now that i read more about the BME program, i think it sounds fun but people tell me that i shouldn't get into BME because its hard at UT and my GPA could possibly suffer and it wouldnt look any different than a regular pre med typical degree (bio, chem etc.).
Whats your take on this???

I've heard that it's really hard at UT.

 

[zwitterion34]

ok great advice. But im still not sure what i wanna major in.... i applied for the college of natural sciences but now that i read more about the BME program, i think it sounds fun but people tell me that i shouldn't get into BME because its hard at UT and my GPA could possibly suffer and it wouldnt look any different than a regular pre med typical degree (bio, chem etc.).
Whats your take on this???

Major in something you want to learn. For instance, my friend is in the business school. He hopes to use what he learned when he establishes his own practice later. I have another friend who is majoring in psychology in the hopes of better understanding patients. You simply have to complete the pre-reqs to be eligible for medical school so major in something that you think is beneficial for you or something that interests you.

 

[jay2324]

Major in something you want to learn. For instance, my friend is in the business school. He hopes to use what he learned when he establishes his own practice later. I have another friend who is majoring in psychology in the hopes of better understanding patients. You simply have to complete the pre-reqs to be eligible for medical school so major in something that you think is beneficial for you or something that interests you.

ok so if i like math and science, do you think engineering is right for me?

im just asking because i dont really know anyone taking engineering at UT at the moment. I think it would be something fun to study but i also think i would probably have to graduate later because im so far behind (im only going to be at pre cal level when i enter UT)

 

[jay2324]

I've heard that it's really hard at UT.

ya, ive heard most BME programs are hard...but it seems so fun imo

 

[AestheticMed]

ya, ive heard most BME programs are hard...but it seems so fun imo

Is that what you are scheduled to go into right now? Just curious b/c I have friends that are doing it in like the next week and they said they already have an assignment or something.

 

[jay2324]

Is that what you are scheduled to go into right now? Just curious b/c I have friends that are doing it in like the next week and they said they already have an assignment or something.

no way man. Im going to transfer into the spring semester into the natural sciences program and than apply for engineering next fall.....ima be way behind

 

[AestheticMed]

no way man. Im going to transfer into the spring semester into the natural sciences program and than apply for engineering next fall.....ima be way behind

Yeah, that's why I was wondering b/c they told me they already have some test on the first day of class that can kick them out of the major if they fail or something. Well, I think you won't be that far behind on first year. I think only diff from NSM major is physics and comp class spring sem. What major are you doing now?

 

[ellm1205]

wow based on ranking? that kinda sucks tbh. But i think if i work hard i can make an A. But is it still a certain amount of people get each grade? like there has to be some A's, A-'s, B+'s cos thats probably where i'll fall???

yea, if you put effort in your lab reports an A is attainable, but it depends on how hard your labmates work too. At the end of the semester, the lab coordinator will decide how many people get each letter grade based on the overall performance, so you just have to get better grades than most others 👍.
I took my labs before the +/- system, and there were ~4 people getting A's in each lab, so I would think now about 2 people get A's and 2 get A-s.

 

[jay2324]

yea, if you put effort in your lab reports an A is attainable, but it depends on how hard your labmates work too. At the end of the semester, the lab coordinator will decide how many people get each letter grade based on the overall performance, so you just have to get better grades than most others 👍.
I took my labs before the +/- system, and there were ~4 people getting A's in each lab, so I would think now about 2 people get A's and 2 get A-s.

wow thats pretty crazy tbh. But what is an A- in terms of GPA...and what about A+?

 

[jay2324]

Yeah, that's why I was wondering b/c they told me they already have some test on the first day of class that can kick them out of the major if they fail or something. Well, I think you won't be that far behind on first year. I think only diff from NSM major is physics and comp class spring sem. What major are you doing now?

i applied as a chemistry major....but now i think engineering is really what i want to learn, but i still wanna go to med school.

but i say ima be behind cos I'd be starting at Pre cal in the spring and i'll only be cal 1 if i get accepted into the BME program. I'd expect most UT student in the BME program to be Cal 3 and diff q starting their junior yr

 

[AestheticMed]

i applied as a chemistry major....but now i think engineering is really what i want to learn, but i still wanna go to med school.

but i say ima be behind cos I'd be starting at Pre cal in the spring and i'll only be cal 1 if i get accepted into the BME program. I'd expect most UT student in the BME program to be Cal 3 and diff q starting their junior yr

Lol, most Engr will prob have placed out of Calc 1/2 w/ BC credit. Just take it in the summer. Currently I'm doing BME at another school and you have to be in a Calc to be in Engr.

 

[ellm1205]

wow thats pretty crazy tbh. But what is an A- in terms of GPA...and what about A+?

A- is a 3.67, but there's no A+, which I don't like. Sadly, if you're a low A student, this will hurt you.
Here's the full list of +/- system breakdown: http://registrar.utexas.edu/students/grades

 

[zwitterion34]

ok so if i like math and science, do you think engineering is right for me?

im just asking because i dont really know anyone taking engineering at UT at the moment. I think it would be something fun to study but i also think i would probably have to graduate later because im so far behind (im only going to be at pre cal level when i enter UT)

Many engineers I know don't have very high GPA's roughly ~3.2. I don't think that will help you getting into medical school. I would stay away from engineering.

 

[BMEN]

Many engineers I know don't have very high GPA's roughly ~3.2. I don't think that will help you getting into medical school. I would stay away from engineering.

Engineering is weird like that. No real middle ground. either some one has 3.0-3.3 or 3.6x-3.9x. Its that way in a lot of the programs here, with some few in the 2's

 

[zwitterion34]

This is a 2008 Medical School Entering Class data I picked up from the Health Professions Office regarding the UT students. The first number is the number of applicants and the second number is the number of acceptances. (I will not list every single major represented...)

Anthropology 5,5
Biochemistry 49,22
Biology 262,132
Business 38,30
Chemistry 10,2
Engineering 63,35
English 10,6
Foreign Language 10,4
Geology 1,0
Home Economics 1,0
Honors Program 48,34
Humanities 4,4
Mathematics 6,2
Music 1,0
Nursing 3,0
Philosophy 4,3
Psychology 32,18
Social Work 2,0
Theatre Arts 1,0

There were total of 660 applicants and 354 were accepted from UT.

 

[BMEN]

This is a 2008 Medical School Entering Class data I picked up from the Health Professions Office regarding the UT students. The first number is the number of applicants and the second number is the number of acceptances. (I will not list every single major represented...)

Anthropology 5,5
Biochemistry 49,22
Biology 262,132
Business 38,30
Chemistry 10,2
Engineering 63,35
English 10,6
Foreign Language 10,4
Geology 1,0
Home Economics 1,0
Honors Program 48,34
Humanities 4,4
Mathematics 6,2
Music 1,0
Nursing 3,0
Philosophy 4,3
Psychology 32,18
Social Work 2,0
Theatre Arts 1,0

There were total of 660 applicants and 354 were accepted from UT.

Ouch those engineering numbers hurt. Wonder what the cause is for the lower percentage from engineers compared to TAMU

 

[AestheticMed]

Ouch those engineering numbers hurt. Wonder what the cause is for the lower percentage from engineers compared to TAMU

Yeah, so just do Bio and be in Honors college and you're prob good then. I think probably b/c Cockrell is incredibly hard.

 

[BMEN]

Yeah, so just do Bio and be in Honors college and you're prob good then. I think probably b/c Cockrell is incredibly hard.

Well both are about 50% when you look at it


Dwight is incredibly hard too. There's a reason Dwight and Georgia Tech compete for engineering students. Albeit the numbers are smaller for people at TAMU in engineering applying to professional school. I think last round was 17. 14 got accepted. 2 of those applying were EE who did not get accepted. One was a BME who didn't. I guess since the BME program at UT is more geared towards premed than the one at TAMU more people end up applying(not sure if good or bad thing).

 

[AestheticMed]

Well both are about 50% when you look at it


Dwight is incredibly hard too. There's a reason Dwight and Georgia Tech compete for engineering students. Albeit the numbers are smaller for people at TAMU in engineering applying to professional school. I think last round was 17. 14 got accepted. 2 of those applying were EE who did not get accepted. One was a BME who didn't. I guess since the BME program at UT is more geared towards premed than the one at TAMU more people end up applying(not sure if good or bad thing).

That's true. I was under the impression that TAMU was better for Chem and Nuclear, whie GT is better for Comp Engr.

 

[BMEN]

That's true. I was under the impression that TAMU was better for Chem and Nuclear, whie GT is better for Comp Engr.

Dunno how it stands since both GT and TAMU are neck and neck with most of the same programs. I think Tech might have a "better" EE/CompEngr program, while A&M's is the PetE cash cow. Otherwise the other rankings are very similar even for the graduate engineering programs(Mechanical comes to mind)

 

[ellm1205]

Yeah, so just do Bio and be in Honors college and you're prob good then. I think probably b/c Cockrell is incredibly hard.

I'd say do BME if you are really interested. If you are a hard worker, getting a good GPA in engineering is doable. yea, I admit my GPA would be higher if I had majored in bio, but engineering really trains your work ethic. Plus you'll probably do better in PS section of MCAT with all the physics you have to do for engineering, I know I did because of that. I know a few BME's who are pre-meds and they are in pretty good shape for med school.

 

[BMEN]

I'd say do BME if you are really interested. If you are a hard worker, getting a good GPA in engineering is doable. yea, I admit my GPA would be higher if I had majored in bio, but engineering really trains your work ethic. Plus you'll probably do better in PS section of MCAT with all the physics you have to do for engineering, I know I did because of that. I know a few BME's who are pre-meds and they are in pretty good shape for med school.

+1. Engineering will test your work ethic to the limit. Which is a great thing for later not matter what you do

 

[AestheticMed]

This is kinda off topic but I've always been curious about high school correlation to college/med school. Like SAT score to MCAT, or top 10% high school to med school acceptance rate.

 

[BMEN]

This is kinda off topic but I've always been curious about high school correlation to college/med school. Like SAT score to MCAT, or top 10% high school to med school acceptance rate.

0%. High school ranking vary super differently from school to school. There are tons of public high schools in Texas where a 4.3+ is still not top 10% and super competitive. Schools were kids with 4.0 barely make the 25% cut off. On the other hand there are schools with much much more lenient curriculum where one lone gunner can claim a spot at #1 where at other schools he would be not top 10%. This slightly became an issue during the whole Texas schools must accept top 10% applicants.

MCAT is a whole different beast than SAT. The GRE is closer to the SAT so that would be a more valid measure. Some schools like taking HS class rank and MCAT data to gauge their criteria for BS/MD programs

 

[AestheticMed]

0%. High school ranking vary super differently from school to school. There are tons of public high schools in Texas where a 4.3+ is still not top 10% and super competitive. Schools were kids with 4.0 barely make the 25% cut off. On the other hand there are schools with much much more lenient curriculum where one lone gunner can claim a spot at #1 where at other schools he would be not top 10%. This slightly became an issue during the whole Texas schools must accept top 10% applicants.

MCAT is a whole different beast than SAT. The GRE is closer to the SAT so that would be a more valid measure. Some schools like taking HS class rank and MCAT data to gauge their criteria for BS/MD programs

Yeah, I hate that top 10% rule in Texas. I didn't get into UT automatically b/c my school is extremely competitive and our class was only around 470 kids.

 

[BMEN]

Yeah, I hate that top 10% rule in Texas. I didn't get into UT automatically b/c my school is extremely competitive and our class was only around 470 kids.

They got rid of it this past year i thought, or maybe its taking action next year. But i think A&M kept their top 25% and SAT score auto accept.

 

[AestheticMed]

They got rid of it this past year i thought, or maybe its taking action next year. But i think A&M kept their top 25% and SAT score auto accept.

Yeah A&M still has that, but I think UT changed it to top 9% from top 8% for this years applicants.