@anlb2016 : FWIW, BME can, in theory (if it medical schools were less GPA sensitive, it would likely be the optimal major and usually yields larger MCAT returns along with less memorization oriented neuroscience programs. Any STEM dept mainly focused on applications, especially interdisciplinary perspectives, is advantageous for handling the MCAT), be a wonderful pre-med major IF you are willing to work harder than in most natural sciences. You can get around what fdgfg suggested would be a problem (ECs), by really focusing on a few EC’s and doing them well (they could even be BME or major related) and then getting in the hours of volunteering and shadowing in when you can allot time to do so.
I know some BME majors from Georgia Tech who did really well and ended up in medical school. Sure they were smart, but so are you.
Before considering it, I would maybe see how general chemistry goes for you and if you find yourself enjoying it (because it is the more problem solving oriented course you are in as a freshman) or at least doing well. If you are like the many who thinks it is unusually hard (it isn’t-fairly standard, probably just way too many pre-healths in there making it feel much more tense than it should be), then BME may not be the pathway for you. However, if you think you may enjoy problem solving in another discipline or are still interested in the concept of BME, once you get physics (calc. based-which I imagine is the only offered at Vanderbilt) and biology done (and well), you can explore interesting upperlevel courses in either biology (I saw the materials from the genetics course and it was one of those that differed in a good way, very problem solving oriented) or even BME (maybe one of the intro. levels in BME). You can diversify your schedule in within your science course work without actually majoring or minoring in a different area of science or math than intended.
If you intend to do research, there is also that and a potential honors thesis, where I would honestly recommend taking a graduate level course in the field even though it is not required there. Graduate courses in biology are usually much more systems and experimentally focused and also graded relatively lenient so you get your cake and can really enjoy it in that you learn the skills you should be in STEM (and those skills are actually tested) and you can very well score really well (at many schools, undergrads, who are more grade conscious, tend to outperform grad. students in STEM courses).
You’re at an elite school. Many people do what you are suggesting (as a pre-med) and much more, while maintaining a life. The trick is to gauge your performance and drive and then determining if you are one of those folks. Your freshman year performance will be revealing in terms of that. And note that it doesn’t have to be perfect, but if you go one of the more difficult routes, you need to have done well enough so that you can confidently move on to higher level course work in a more challenging department, or at minimum reflect and know how to improve your study habits so that you can improve where you need to.
@fdgjfg : Is that fair for the social sciences?lol. Unlike many STEM courses, the assessment is not based on midterms or finals for many of them. They tend to mostly use other assessment methods that usually involve deeper engagement and understanding of the material (lots of writing and at least one major research assignment or paper…also, the class-room setting is generally more lively and many instructors do much more than lecture), unless you typically took larger courses in the social sciences, but I imagine even those had a solid reading load and a major writing assignment(s).