Thinking of going straight Bio

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AestheticMed

AestheticMed

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I'm starting to actually think that this has to be the best option for med school. Currently I'm set up for BME. But I mean honestly if high GPA is really all that is necessary besides MCAT scores etc, then doesn't it make sense to just do straight Bio over BME which apparently kills GPA?

Then one might say but there is an overabundance of Bio majors applying so do humanities. But humanities wouldn't truly prepare you for med school even if you got the pre reqs b/c a Bio major would let you take the upper level Bio/Chem.

Also, I've read numerous times they don't care how hard your major is as long as your GPA is high. Therefore it doesn't really matter if you took the hard arse Eng class when the Bio major is going to be much easier to achieve a high GPA.

Any thing I'm missing here? B/c honestly I can't truly see myself doing anything besides medicine, so I'm thinking that the major that would prepare me the most w/ the highest GPA would be Bio.

Plus I'm in Texas so that 90% in state rule.
 
Do what you want, if you are interested in engineering classes then go ahead and stay BME although it might be a rough ride.

Some of the physical sciences can be tough, so if you enjoy the subject and are good at it then go for it.
 
what is there gay bio i'm not aware of?
 
AestheticMed said:
I'm starting to actually think that this has to be the best option for med school. Currently I'm set up for BME. But I mean honestly if high GPA is really all that is necessary besides MCAT scores etc, then doesn't it make sense to just do straight Bio over BME which apparently kills GPA?

Then one might say but there is an overabundance of Bio majors applying so do humanities. But humanities wouldn't truly prepare you for med school even if you got the pre reqs b/c a Bio major would let you take the upper level Bio/Chem.

Also, I've read numerous times they don't care how hard your major is as long as your GPA is high. Therefore it doesn't really matter if you took the hard arse Eng class when the Bio major is going to be much easier to achieve a high GPA.

Any thing I'm missing here? B/c honestly I can't truly see myself doing anything besides medicine, so I'm thinking that the major that would prepare me the most w/ the highest GPA would be Bio.

Plus I'm in Texas so that 90% in state rule.
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You will not need upper level chem for med school. I have never heard of any P-Chem questions popping up on exams. Per many med students claims: a solid understanding of Gen Chem (buffers, acids/bases, etc) will suffice.

I agree that certain upper level bio courses might be helpful for early exposure (biochem, histology, whatever) but majoring outside the sciences does not preclude you from taking these classes -- typically one only has to complete a couple bio pre-reqs before the upper level classes are "unlocked", per se.

In other words, major in what you like (as long as what you like ensures a high GPA :meanie:)
 
Right but simply b/c Engr is much harder to attain a higher GPA in and the fact that they don't care that its harder, why not just do that? I mean I'm fine with doing Bio or BME. But if one is harder than by efficiency terms shoudn't I take what gives me the most output out of less input?
 
AestheticMed said:
Right but simply b/c Engr is much harder to attain a higher GPA in and the fact that they don't care that its harder, why not just do that? I mean I'm fine with doing Bio or BME. But if one is harder than by efficiency terms shoudn't I take what gives me the most output out of less input?
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If you like Bio and BME equally, I think that bio would be the safer bet and as you said - have more output.
 
Since you're not exactly dead set on BME and practical considerations (free time, GPA) seem important to you, do bio. I did it: had tons of free time and ended up with a good GPA. It's an easy major (at least at Texas A&M).
 
paul411 said:
Since you're not exactly dead set on BME and practical considerations (free time, GPA) seem important to you, do bio. I did it: had tons of free time and ended up with a good GPA. It's an easy major (at least at Texas A&M).
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Right, my only objection to is was the abundant amount of people applying w/ that degree. But after reading SDN I didn't know they don't care about the ease/hard of the major.

Also, I chose it b/c if I didn't get into a med school at least I would have a Eng degree. But yeah.
 
AestheticMed said:
Right, my only objection to is was the abundant amount of people applying w/ that degree. But after reading SDN I didn't know they don't care about the ease/hard of the major.

Also, I chose it b/c if I didn't get into a med school at least I would have a Eng degree. But yeah.
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Having a well thought out "Plan B" so to speak is never a bad thing. If you like math, I'd recommend engineering.
 
If I had to choose between the two, I would go with Biology. Maybe you can still take a few engineering courses like statics, circuits, programming, materials, or fluid mechanics on the side, though? An extra class or two may give you a 'taste' for engineering, without the long-term commitment. If you go this route, you can leave the door open to a Masters in BME, if you later decide that you would rather work in industry. Also, this path will force you to take the Calc-based Physics series...which is better preparation for the MCAT, grad school, and life😀 imho.
 
AestheticMed said:
Right, my only objection to is was the abundant amount of people applying w/ that degree. But after reading SDN I didn't know they don't care about the ease/hard of the major.

Also, I chose it b/c if I didn't get into a med school at least I would have a Eng degree. But yeah.
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There are a crap ton of people applying with any degree, they will not care if you're another bio major or another engineering major.

Please, pick the easiest major that you have at least some interest in. You don't get brownie points for being a soldier.
 
You always hear from those who are science major saying humanities is easy 🙄
 
As an incoming freshman, I've also been thinking about this.

For medical school (Plan A), it's probably easiest go with just biology. But medical school's a tough bet.

For industry (Plan B), taking a more difficult or quantitative major might (a big "if," given the economy and employability of B.S.'s) yield better results than pure biology.

I've chosen to hedge my bets with a biology and biostatistics double major. If I don't get into medical school, biostatistics opens up the possibility of a Plan C -- namely, further education in statistics or biostatistics, both of which are very employable. And, given how biostatistics interacts with public health issues, it might not hurt Plan A.

I guess you have to decide which outcome is most likely, and go from there.
 
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At my school the exercise physiology degree has all the pre reqs except for ochem2. So it has a good mix of classes and can teach you a lot about health. The best major is the one that you can get done with the quickest while still taking all the pre reqs. After Exercise Physiology the quickest degree would be Biology at my school.

So I suggest just taking the quickest route to med school! Also, engineering degrees are disgustingly long and difficult for someone who doesn't plan on going into that particular field. Makes more sense to go an easier route to allow more time for application building activities.

So yeah, ditch BME.
 
AsianPersuasion said:
You always hear from those who are science major saying humanities is easy 🙄
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I think that humanities is actually pretty easy compared to the physical science courses I have taken. That said, I do not think it is easy to be a pre med humanities major because a lot of the humanities classes, while not particularly difficult, take way too much time.
 
Who cares? Just do what you want. This is a typical neurotic SDN thread.

facepalm3.jpg
 
Sesom said:
I think that humanities is actually pretty easy compared to the physical science courses I have taken. That said, I do not think it is easy to be a pre med humanities major because a lot of the humanities classes, while not particularly difficult, take way too much time.
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Everyone has their strengths and interests. I mean I suck at physical sciences, but others can succeed if not thrive in it, while failing to grasp other disciplines.
 
I am actually BME and premed for one of the reasons stated above: I wanted something to fall back on in the case that I didn't receive admission into medical school.

But keep in mind that it will be probably tougher to get those A's and more grueling (here at GT we have to take senior design and cell tissue engineering labs that apparently take over your life)...it's up to you if you think you would like biomedical engineering then take it, if you think maybe you want to get a bit more free time, then maybe bio is better.

Somewhere I read that BME majors only make up 2.4% of accepted or applicants to medical schools I can't remember, but I feel like coming from that small demographic can't hurt, especially if adcoms want to say like yeah look at us and our diversity of majors at our med school
 
More than likely I will be switching to biology for similar reasons. It is a relatively easy science major. It also contains a ton of fun options for classes like macroevolution, genetics, some crazy lab where we make a mutation and just study wtf happens to it all semester.

🙂
 
You can always do a masters in BME if you dont pursue medicine
 
For a second, I thought that your thread titled said that you were going straight bi. :laugh:

If I could do it over again, I'd go straight biology. 🙂
 
I got a degree in general biology because it allows you take a variety of upper level courses. This can't be said for a degree in microbiology, biochemistry, etc.
 
tima said:
I got a degree in general biology because it allows you take a variety of upper level courses. This can't be said for a degree in microbiology, biochemistry, etc.
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Well it's not that I don't wanna do Bio. The strongest argument I have is the fact that you're screwed if you don't get into med school w/ a Bio degree. That's truly the only reason I'm debating a full switch.
 
Why not start as BME and pull out sophmore year if it gets too bad? i know tons of people who did that and did great. IMO as an engineer you'll finish all your early pre-reqs quick so youll have that upper hand if you switch
 
AestheticMed said:
Well it's not that I don't wanna do Bio. The strongest argument I have is the fact that you're screwed if you don't get into med school w/ a Bio degree. That's truly the only reason I'm debating a full switch.
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Which do you want? To be a Biomedical engineer or a doctor? If it's the latter then take the route of least resistance.
 
Most competitive research jobs require a master's or Ph.D. An undergraduate degree won't go too far in this job market.

Even if you don't get in, you can apply to DO schools if you really want to become a doctor. Your goal right know should be about medical school, not about a backup.


AestheticMed said:
Well it's not that I don't wanna do Bio. The strongest argument I have is the fact that you're screwed if you don't get into med school w/ a Bio degree. That's truly the only reason I'm debating a full switch.
Click to expand...
 
BMEN said:
Why not start as BME and pull out sophmore year if it gets too bad? i know tons of people who did that and did great. IMO as an engineer you'll finish all your early pre-reqs quick so youll have that upper hand if you switch
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My advice is to start engineering, which you won't get to an actual major class for two years, and see how you do in your calculus and calc based physics. If you are getting A's in these, stay engineering. If not, switch to bio and bring your gpa back up. Remember, you can go from eng to bio, but it's very difficult to go bio to eng.
 
equinsu ocha said:
My advice is to start engineering, which you won't get to an actual major class for two years, and see how you do in your calculus and calc based physics. If you are getting A's in these, stay engineering. If not, switch to bio and bring your gpa back up. Remember, you can go from eng to bio, but it's very difficult to go bio to eng.
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Yea this. At OP's UG institution you start engineering courses starting sophmore year, but a good gauge to see how you do are the intro engineering courses and calc freshmen year
 
BMEN said:
Why not start as BME and pull out sophmore year if it gets too bad? i know tons of people who did that and did great. IMO as an engineer you'll finish all your early pre-reqs quick so youll have that upper hand if you switch
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Yeah, that's what I plan on doing at least first sem.

serenade said:
Which do you want? To be a Biomedical engineer or a doctor? If it's the latter then take the route of least resistance.
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Doctor all the way. Can't really see myself doing anything else. Seriously people tell me all the time "you just look like/have the presence of a doctor"

tima said:
Most competitive research jobs require a master's or Ph.D. An undergraduate degree won't go too far in this job market.

Even if you don't get in, you can apply to DO schools if you really want to become a doctor. Your goal right know should be about medical school, not about a backup.
Click to expand...

Ew, DO? lol jk.
 
Don't most people end-up pursing fields they did not major in college anyway? Plus, there is no one major that guarantees you a job, or admissions to graduate school post-graduation.
 
If your goal is medicine, then major in the subject which is a good mix of interesting and easy. Play the game right, or don't play at all is my motto 😉.
 
The systems physiology courses offered through my BME department have provided me with more perspective on medical field than any of my biology courses have ever done. I got a good score on the BS section of my MCAT and owe absolutely nothing to the biology department at my school.

IMO, this is the one field that is most conducive to conducting translational research. Engineering applications have immediate results. If you have an analytical mindset, and especially if you are good at programming, consider BME. The coursework can be taxing, but if you put in the time for your studies, you will do well. Don't let coursework draw you away from a really exciting discipline.
 
As a BME, I'll have to say stick with BME if you like it. I've been exactly where you are and as a senior, I'm glad I stuck with it.

(1) It'll prepare you well for the MCAT. In comparison to my BME classes, the MCAT was a pretty minor deal now that I look back.

(2) More options after graduating. Consider the fact that only a little more than a third of applicants get into medical school. Are you willing to be a high school bio teacher if you don't get into med school?

(3) Colleges take it into consideration. Add at least 0.2 to your GPA if you are a BME compared to an bio major. Easily. If the adcom doesn't take it into consideration, then you shouldn't consider their school, cuz they're idiots.

(4) ITS WAAAAAY MORE INTERESTING THAN BIO. Once you get into you major classes, you'll actually like it and consider staying an engineer.

Don't listen to people on this forum saying that GPA is everything. For one thing, they're on this forum all the time and their perception is out of wack. For another, they're English majors who will have garbage MCATs.
 
commodores12 said:
Don't listen to people on this forum saying that GPA is everything. For one thing, they're on this forum all the time and their perception is out of wack. For another, they're English majors who will have garbage MCATs.
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Kinda ironic that English majors on average have one of the highest mcat scores of all majors eh? But yes, GPA/Mcat/EC's = ~everything.
 
medicalmuscle said:
gpa/mcat is, though

go 4 bio
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You add at least 4-6 points on the MCAT by being a BME without really trying. I'll take that in exchange for a slight dent in GPA any day.

Plus, what if you went bio and didn't graduate with the GPA you expected? Then you don't have much of an excuse do you?
 
serenade said:
Kinda ironic that English majors on average have one of the highest mcat scores of all majors eh? But yes, GPA/Mcat/EC's = ~everything.
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Correlation =/= Causation.
 
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