Texas A&M question??

[AlXguy]

I know about A&M's 80% acceptance rate to med schools. But I can't decide between Bio-chemistry, Biomedical Sciences and Biology as a major.

As a transfer to A&M:

1. Which of these majors will give the best chance of getting accepted into medical school?

2. I know all three of them are a challenging majors, but Which one will give the best chance to maintain a high GPA?

I would really appreciate some suggestions.

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[jsol]

it wont matter. Just do well in all of your sciences classes (expecially pre-reqs for med school) and get involved inside and outside of the medical community and you will be fine. You can be any major now and do well in premed classes and get into med school,

 

[da8s0859q]

I know about A&M's 80% acceptance rate to med schools. But I can't decide between Bio-chemistry, Biomedical Sciences and Biology as a major.

As a transfer to A&M:

1. Which of these majors will give the best chance of getting accepted into medical school?

2. I know all three of them are a challenging majors, but Which one will give the best chance to maintain a high GPA?

I would really appreciate some suggestions.

1. The one you enjoy.

2. The one you enjoy.

You're splitting hairs on this one, cap'n. I'm a student at one of A&M sister schools, and speaking from observation of many a premedical student, I'd say that picking up what you most enjoy is the wise thing to do. Provided you take the usual classes and possibly a spattering of other relevant stuff, I'd imagine you'll be okay.

As far as the second part goes, well, I submit the case of someone I know who didn't do so hot in a biology major class, but likes stuff more like what you'd see in BIMS (immuno, patho, etc.), and is thus more likely to do well in that instead of the crap the bio majors have to put up with.

 

[TheRealMD]

Since when did A&M boast 80% acceptance rate to med school. Heck, since when did ANY school have such high acceptance rates. An even better question is why that would even matter when med schools look at YOU, not what school you went to.

To repeat what other people said, it is much more important for you to do well at whatever you major in than you pick a major that is appealing to adcoms. Because, you see, no one cares what major you were when you apply, whether it was hard or not, or if it was a top school or not, but how you did at the end.

As for keeping up a high GPA, the major you like the most is the one you'll do the best in. Interest in a subject is why people do well in it; it's a fact.

 

[AlXguy]

I read on A&M's Bio-chemistry page, "About 80 % of our students who apply to medical school get accepted - best statistics at the university."

But I'm hesitant of chosing bio-chemistry because according to this site, not many biochemistry majors got accepted to med school. Infact, Biology and Biomedical sciences seem to be the most common majors that got admitted.
http://www.cvm.tamu.edu/bims/documents/OPSAMedchart06.pdf

I enjoy any thing that involves Biology, so that can't help me narrow down my choices.

 

[AlXguy]

anybody else....

 

[crunchymilk]

I'm a senior biology major at Texas A&M University. I would say there isn't a difference. Only difference might be what department your classes are in. Biology is good because it gives a little flexibility on classes, biomedical sciences is a bit easier (imo) because a lot of hours can be obtained by volunteering at a hospital, kill two birds with one stone.

 

[Vvandenn]

I'm a Biomedical Science major and I like it. It's far better than all those B.S classes biology majors take. Ecology? Botany? Yeah, I'll pass.

 

[da8s0859q]

I'm a Biomedical Science major and I like it. It's far better than all those B.S classes biology majors take. Ecology? Botany? Yeah, I'll pass.

If I weren't a psych kiddie, OP, I would definitely side with my fellow A&M buddy here. Not that I haven't enjoyed psychology, but BIMS, for me, is the most interesting since I don't give two ****s about ecology/botany but am interested in pathophys and what have you.

 

[TheRealMD]

If I weren't a psych kiddie, OP, I would definitely side with my fellow A&M buddy here. Not that I haven't enjoyed psychology, but BIMS, for me, is the most interesting since I don't give two ****s about ecology/botany but am interested in pathophys and what have you.

Maybe it's a good thing I didn't go to A&M. Your biology major sounds like "evil" straight from hell.

 

[AlXguy]

hmmm, so its either biology or Biomedical science. Biochemistry seems a bit too challenging (requires all three calculus courses) and total hrs are 132. While biology and biomedical science is 120.

Also, if i am not mistaken not many BICH students maintain a high GPA, as its shown on this website.
http://www.cvm.tamu.edu/bims/documents/OPSAMedchart06.pdf

 

[bluesTank]

STATISTICS OF AGGIES ENTERING MEDICAL SCHOOL IN 2006:
- 78% of Aggies who applied and had a 27 or higher on the MCAT were admitted.
- 96.6% of Aggies who applied and had a 3.5 overall GPR or better AND a 30 or better MCAT score were

Thats a quote from
http://honors.tamu.edu/opsa/pdf_files/Greyform.pdf

We have a very well organized pre-med advisor team, with one HELL of a pre-med advisor herself, Karen Hudson. She alone is probably a significant impact on the high acceptance rates.

I would say biology would be the easiest to maintain a high GPA, with biochemistry as the hardest (you gotta take p-chem, calc I, II, III etc).

Also the biomedical science department is completely ******ed and have their heads stuck up their asses. They don't give a crap about their students and they think they are so great that they need to make "special" courses separate from other departments for only "biomed science" majors.

 

[TheRealMD]

Thats a quote from
http://honors.tamu.edu/opsa/pdf_files/Greyform.pdf

We have a very well organized pre-med advisor team, with one HELL of a pre-med advisor herself, Karen Hudson. She alone is probably a significant impact on the high acceptance rates.

I would say biology would be the easiest to maintain a high GPA, with biochemistry as the hardest (you gotta take p-chem, calc I, II, III etc).

Also the biomedical science department is completely ******ed and have their heads stuck up their asses. They don't give a crap about their students and they think they are so great that they need to make "special" courses separate from other departments for only "biomed science" majors.

NOW someone qualifies the statistic. I was beginning to think that was a bit fishy. Makes perfect sense.

The only problem is that you'll be applying in 3 years and averages will change. The current 3.6/30 might not go as far then as it does now.

EDIT: After reading that PDF, I wish other schools had something very similar to avoid questions like this. If people aren't on SDN to tell them that you shouldn't go into X major because it's hard, then they'll never be saved from this madness. I think the PDF sums up everything quite nicely.

 

[TRanger]

I just graduated as a Biomedical Science major at A&M and fully recommend it if you are certain that you are going to be pre-med because the curriculum is tailored made for you. Seriously what do you think is more relavent to medical school, Histology/Immunology or Botany/Ecology?

However if you're not 100% sure about medicine then you might should take something else because unfortunately that's about all a biomedical science degree is good for.

Some of the advisors are annoying though. Just go directly by the catalog and only listen to the advisor named Brady and you'll be fine, but almost all the other advisors make some crazy mistakes. I know two of my friends didn't graduate last semester because a crazy advisor signed them up for the wrong class.

Anyway good luck, and GIG 'EM!

 

[AlXguy]

I'll transfer to A&m next fall as a sophomore. So between Biology and Biomedical Science, which one do you guys recommend as a good pre-med program. Which one has more competetion, better professors ?
I think the BIMS majors have higher chance of getting accepted to med schools.

and thanks again for all the help.

 

[AlXguy]

.........

 

[da8s0859q]

I'll transfer to A&m next fall as a sophomore. So between Biology and Biomedical Science, which one do you guys recommend as a good pre-med program. Which one has more competetion, better professors ?
I think the BIMS majors have higher chance of getting accepted to med schools.

and thanks again for all the help.

Like I said, I'd go BIMS. I was a bio major for two semesters and hated it. Not at the A&M main campus, but the course requirements are equally asinine from here to there, imo.

 

[AlXguy]

thanks exi !!!

 

[aggiesarah2007]

I'm the opposite. I would say do not go BIMS. Of course I am biased as a bio major, but I think BIMS brainwashes you into thinking you have to be BIMS to get in. BIMS also only wants you if you're doing vet/human medicine. I also think many of their required classes are overly hard, which can bring your GPR down. Take a major you like. I loved bio but took a lot of genetics classes. (if you are biochem, you will have to take p-chem which is RIDICULOUSLY hard. I say stay bio or BIMS).

Also, while I didn't use the biology advising office very often, I know the BIMS advisors are TERRIBLE. I've known about 5 people who had graduation delayed by at least a semester because the advisors told them the wrong classes to take that would count as electives. (BIMS has different elective choices, which can often be confusing as to what counts)

That's my two cents. But mostly do something you'll like. Bio gave me enough options to take a lot of science classes that I was interested in but that weren't bio department. It was great and I loved it. YAY TAMU. 👍👍👍

 

[Amemus]

Eh, I am not sure how useful it is to know the med school acceptance rates. My school was 100% last year for med and dent applicants. Of course, our premed advisor strongly encouraged anyone who didn't have an excellent chance of getting in to wait a couple years.

 

[AlXguy]

I mean Biology and Biomedical science sound very similar to each other. I guess I can apply as a biology major and if i don't like it I can switch to BIMS after one semester.

 

[AlXguy]

.....

 

[da8s0859q]

.....

Well, you know my opinion. Honestly, if I were in your position (which is to say that I actually liked biology classes when I really don't), I would:

• Read the catalog of courses / degree plans / equivalent of each major;
• Talk to whomever you can dig up that is majoring in each and pick their brains;
• Seriously question yourself as to what sorts of classes you'd enjoy more (honestly, there's gotta be a little inkling in you that's for or against botany vs. immunology and such things);
• Tattoo "I should major in what I enjoy first, with very little regard given to mystical acceptance statistics" on your girlfriend's forehead or other body parts, your monitor, the ceiling above your bed, your favorite Playboy cover, or anything else you're likely to see often;
• Pick one with the knowledge that if you don't like it, you still have options to make the most of your undergrad.

Do consider TRanger's advice and Sarah's dissent from my BIMS preference, especially because they are/were both students of the mothership, unlike myself.

Gig 'em / good luck. 👍

 

[AlXguy]

oh ok...I got it.

thanks.