<p>I will be entering college as a freshman next year and I am currently signed up as a bioengineering major. People say that this is one of the more difficult majors for pre meds because the amount of studying required to get the necessary GPA (3.7+) limits opportunities for extracurriculars such as research, volunteer work, and shadowing. This argument seems logical, so I am thinking about switching to a chem or biochem majo. Is this a good idea? Should I stick with BioE in case I decide not to go to med school in a couple years? </p>
<p>How possible is it to get that high of a GPA in bioengineering?</p>
<p>How strong a student are you </p>
<p>What school will you be attending.</p>
<p>I am a very strong student, especially in math and science. I am a Banneker/Key scholar at the University of Maryland College Park.</p>
<p>Would chemistry or biochemistry have any advantage over bioengineering?</p>
<ul>
<li>Still have to take time consuming lab courses.</li>
<li>Generally less [grade</a> inflation](<a href=“http://www.gradeinflation.com%5Dgrade”>http://www.gradeinflation.com) in science than engineering, though your school may differ.</li>
<li>Chemistry and biochemistry have worse job and career prospects than bioengineering if you do not go to medical school. (However, bioengineering’s job and career prospects are not as good as some other types of engineering.)</li>
</ul>
<p>Though the engineering classes (ie thermo, fluids, systems, etc) have more grade inflation than the pure sciences, is there any benefit? Engineering classes such as those named above are probably extremely difficult anyway, so is there really a benefit (since I’ll be studying a lot anyway). </p>
<p>Also, with the large workload ([Sample</a> Program for Undergraduates, Fischell Department of Bioengineering, B.S. degree, Clark School of Engineering, University of Maryland](<a href=“http://www.bioe.umd.edu/undergrad/ug-program.html]Sample”>http://www.bioe.umd.edu/undergrad/ug-program.html)), especially during junior year, would there be much time for clinical volunteer work and research as compared to a biochemistry or chemistry major?</p>
<p>Good question. I’m a Chemical Engineer, having the same issues. Although I have a 3.96, I feel like it’s going to get harder. I’m a very strong student in BCMP courses, but I have no idea what engineering classes are going to be like.</p>