Switching to an Engineering/Computer Science Major?

[Djax99]

Hey so I’m an incoming freshman and currently I’m a bio major but I’ve been considering switching my major into comp sci or chemical engineering as a safety plan if I can’t get into med school or if I ultimately decide to switch paths from not pursuing medicine.

I’ve heard doing engineering is a bad idea as a premed and was wondering if this is actually true? Additionally, I was wondering if anyone had any experiences on being an engineering premed/how hard it actually is? Finally, do you guys recommend I make the switch to comp sci/chemE or just stick with bio and fully dedicated myself to pursuing medicine?

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[Cornfed101]

The general advice is to do something that you enjoy and that you can do well in. As someone who studied engineering, I can't really recommend it... It took me 6 years to get my bachelor's degree because the recommendation to take 18 credits per semester is not tenable (I switched from bio). I am a career changer so that doesn't even include the prerequisites for medical school, which I did during a post-bacc.

Comp sci is useful and doable if you are good at it.

 

[Djax99]

The general advice is to do something that you enjoy and that you can do well in. As someone who studied engineering, I can't really recommend it... It took me 6 years to get my bachelor's degree because the recommendation to take 18 credits per semester is not tenable (I switched from bio). I am a career changer so that doesn't even include the prerequisites for medical school, which I did during a post-bacc.

Comp sci is useful and doable if you are good at it.

@Cornfed101 When did you end up switching to engineering from bio (like what year)? I’m thinking of switching to CS/engineering as an option in case I realize I don’t wanna go to med school and was wondering when is the latest I would be able to switch but still be able to graduate in around 4 years?

 

[Cornfed101]

I switched after freshman year. I think it depends on the school, but I didn't know anyone in my major (mechanical engineering) that finished in 4 years. Everyone took 5-6 years even if they started in engineering. For me to finish in 6 I had to take Spring and Summer classes for 2 years.

 

[Djax99]

@Cornfed101 That’s interesting. I personally have a good amount of AP credit that I should technically be able to finish an engineering degree in like 3 years if I load up on credits but yea