Top tiers

[imadome]

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[sinombre]

Long time lurker, first time poster. I am literally losing sleep over this. For admission to top tier schools from a below-average/average state school, does it make more sense to major in something easy and have time to buff up volunteer stuff or is it better to take a hard major and have less-developed activities?

I KNOW that everyone says major doesn't matter, but I feel as though having a high GPA in a difficult major from a state school will show adcoms at top tier schools that I actively pursued the most rigorous academic opportunities available rather than taking an easier route at a less academically rigorous schools.

Again, this question only applies to top tier schools. For low to mid tier, I am sure taking the easy major with strong ECs is the best way to go but I do not think this holds true for top tier.

The bolded part... that's all you really need to know. Don't over-think it.

 

[imadome]

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[sinombre]

Sorry if this is ignorant or neurotic, but does this still apply for extremely tough majors like electrical engineering or something? I feel as though top tier schools, which are heavily involved in medical research, would favor an engineer with good stats since stuff like electrical/mechanical/chem engineering is really useful in modern medical research.

Once again, I apologize for my neurotic nature but I hope people can give me genuine advice.

Haha, no need to apologize. You might get some slack for picking a difficult major, but not much. At the end of the day, getting a high GPA matters much more than what classes you took to earn it.

 

[tennisguitar]

Long time lurker, first time poster. I am literally losing sleep over this. For admission to top tier schools from a below-average/average state school, does it make more sense to major in something easy and have time to buff up volunteer stuff or is it better to take a hard major and have less-developed activities?

I KNOW that everyone says major doesn't matter, but I feel as though having a high GPA in a difficult major from a state school will show adcoms at top tier schools that I actively pursued the most rigorous academic opportunities available rather than taking an easier route at a less academically rigorous schools.

Again, this question only applies to top tier schools. For low to mid tier, I am sure taking the easy major with strong ECs is the best way to go but I do not think this holds true for top tier.

This is how I'm guessing the ad-coms typically think: 4.0 = 4.0.

That said, a 4.0 in an easier major with more well-rounded involvements > 4.0 in a difficult major with little to no outside activities. Above all, you should pursue what interests you most, because your passion for learning will carry you a long way in the process--it will prevent you from burning out and probably make you a better student. If your passion is in a difficult major, that's great--go for it. If it's in an easier major, that's fine too, and it won't be the precluding factor in your med school admissions.

As far as upper tier is concerned, I can tell you that it's unique involvements that more effectively get you into the upper tier schools than success in a difficult major. If you were to look at Harvard Med's class for instance, you'd find your BME and astrophysics majors, but you'd also find plenty of students who were philosophy, sociology, music, etc. majors--and most of them, regardless of major, will have been involved in really meaningful service, leadership, student government, social justice, etc. roles.

Side note: Though a major cliche, you will find that the MCAT is the great equalizer, and in my opinion, though the knowledge you gain from the most difficult science majors may benefit you on this test, you can certainly perform very well coming from a easier major as well if you put in the effort.

 

[Ellie Arroway]

Do a major you will enjoy that will inspire you to work hard at it, AND have great ECs. You should be aiming to be excellent in both your academics and clinical/community work, not shortchanging one for the other. If you are really excited about electrical engineering, maybe you should do that? Though I'm not sure if I understand that choice unless you are planning to go MD/PhD and design medical tech.

Remember, even "easy" majors have to do the scientific prereqs. It's not like you are giving them nothing to go on if you don't choose a science major. But go with something you think will enrich your life & practice in some way.

 

[darkjedi]

If you focus on getting a great GPA and crush the MCAT, it won't really matter what school/major are you at (unless it's an Ivy/Stanford/MIT). Just make sure you also do substantive EC's and research, which also should be done, no matter which school you are at.

 

[imadome]

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[RogueUnicorn]

won't speak re: admissions but i will say engineering can provide you with a very unique and potentially disruptive skillset if you're of that inclination

 

[darkjedi]

First and foremost, thank you all for your prompt and thoughtful replies.

I do understand that it is important to do what you enjoy but it seems as though one has to give. If I did EE, I would enjoy the classes but would have little time to do other stuff (met with an advisor to plan out a schedule and it's a lot of course loads each semester plus summers). If I did a less rigorous major, say psychology (no offence but there are just less requirements for this major) I would have summers free and maybe even a semester or two free to have some really meaningful experiences.

As the above poster mentioned, people at top schools are very unique in their accomplishments. In this scenario of EE vs psych, the EE would be unique due to major but the psych major would be unique due to strong ECs and experiences.

Assuming GPA/MCAT are more or less equivalent in both scenarios, which would be preferable to heavy research schools?

Assuming you are capable of getting the same grades in both major, then EE would likely see a slight bump in the application.

There is also the consideration that you should major in something that can potentially still be of value if you graduate and decide not to pursue medical school as well. Psych majors are a dime a dozen and it is incredibly difficult for someone with a bachelors in psych to find a decent job. EE is a much better industry as far as hiring prospects go, especially if EE is something that piques your interest more anyway.

 

[imadome]

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[imadome]

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[Instatewaiter]

Sorry if this is ignorant or neurotic, but does this still apply for extremely tough majors like electrical engineering or something? I feel as though top tier schools, which are heavily involved in medical research, would favor an engineer with good stats since stuff like electrical/mechanical/chem engineering is really useful in modern medical research.

Once again, I apologize for my neurotic nature but I hope people can give me genuine advice.

More often than not on this board we see people bite off more than they can chew by taking Engineering courses and end up screwing themselves out of getting into any medical school, ever.

Also, worry about getting into medical school period. More likely than not, you will be one of the 75% of pre-meds who aren't premeds at graduation.

 

[sinombre]

won't speak re: admissions but i will say engineering can provide you with a very unique and potentially disruptive skillset if you're of that inclination

Explain yourself son.

 

[medicalpassion]

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[Geebeejay]

Sorry if this is ignorant or neurotic, but does this still apply for extremely tough majors like electrical engineering or something? I feel as though top tier schools, which are heavily involved in medical research, would favor an engineer with good stats since stuff like electrical/mechanical/chem engineering is really useful in modern medical research.

Once again, I apologize for my neurotic nature but I hope people can give me genuine advice.

What do you consider "good stats"? I would consider "good stats" to be the avg matriculate GPA which is approx 3.8. Getting a 3.8 in most engineering programs might actually be harder than medical school.

 

[mcloaf]

More often than not on this board we see people bite off more than they can chew by taking Engineering courses and end up screwing themselves out of getting into any medical school, ever.

Also, worry about getting into medical school period. More likely than not, you will be one of the 75% of pre-meds who aren't premeds at graduation.

Wise words.

 

[gmcguitar4]

Major something you are interested in. Not what you think other people are interested in. For med school..GPA and MCAT are the big factors. They won't even look at what major you are if you don't have competitive numbers.

 

[Amba]

What do you consider "good stats"? I would consider "good stats" to be the avg matriculate GPA which is approx 3.8. Getting a 3.8 in most engineering programs might actually be harder than medical school.

Isn't it more like 3.6? That's a fairly big difference from 3.8

 

[Infarction]

First and foremost, thank you all for your prompt and thoughtful replies.

I do understand that it is important to do what you enjoy but it seems as though one has to give. If I did EE, I would enjoy the classes but would have little time to do other stuff (met with an advisor to plan out a schedule and it's a lot of course loads each semester plus summers). If I did a less rigorous major, say psychology (no offence but there are just less requirements for this major) I would have summers free and maybe even a semester or two free to have some really meaningful experiences.

As the above poster mentioned, people at top schools are very unique in their accomplishments. In this scenario of EE vs psych, the EE would be unique due to major but the psych major would be unique due to strong ECs and experiences.

Assuming GPA/MCAT are more or less equivalent in both scenarios, which would be preferable to heavy research schools?

I agree with the people telling you to do whatever interests you the most.

To answer your last question, the best way into getting accepted into research heavy schools is to do a lot of undergraduate research (while of course, getting a great MCAT/GPA). Whether being an EE major or psych major makes a difference in helping you attain undergrad research is dependent on your university. Some universities have departments that are far better than others in research. I know mine has a relatively small biology department compared to our chemistry department, and undergrad chem majors are preferred over other majors for chem research. I go to a small, not well known private institution and managed to get some interviews at what I guess some would call top tier schools. I'd like to think a large part of that had to do with the amount of research I was involved in during undergrad.

Good luck. 🙂

 

[Geebeejay]

Isn't it more like 3.6? That's a fairly big difference from 3.8

https://www.aamc.org/download/321494/data/2012factstable17.pdf

According to this chart, in 2012 the avg GPA for matriculants was 3.68. Not as tough but still very difficult to maintain this GPA in an engineering program...

 

[LizzyM]

If you are going to walk out of a EE program with a 3.95 every door will swing open. But, EE is notorious for putting a hurt on your gpa. Furthermore, if all you've got is an EE with a 3.95 and very light on the extracurriculars (clinical exposure, community service, leadership, research to name a few) then your application will be too thin to convince adcoms that you know what medicine is all about, that you have a heart for service, the ability to be a group leader and an inquisitive mind that may be driven toward further scientific discovery during med school & beyond.


GPA is first consideration. Major & school are secondary considerations. Also take a moment to consider class sizes and whether by the end of junior year you will have been in classes or other venues that will have given you the opportunity to get to know and to be known by faculty members who can write strong letters of recommendation. Some state schools have huge classes and the pre-med pre-req instructors can't say anything about you other than what you scored on the quizzes and exams and what your final grade was. Those letters don't hurt, but they don't help.

 

[imadome]

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[darkjedi]

There is also the option of taking a gap year, something I like to recommend to all applicants. Going through school non-stop can be pretty stressful, so having a gap year to unwind and pursue your interests outside of academics can be very valuable.