Hi! I’m currently a Junior majoring in Biomedical Engineering at one of the best BME schools in the world, and I’m feeling very unsure about my future (aren’t we all?). I have had very little experience in research (about one full semester) mainly due to the fact that I really did not enjoy it and I don’t feel passionate about it. Through undergrad I realized that while I do love science, I don’t love the tedious work behind it. I’d rather look at the big picture/finished product, understand the science behind it, and move forward with commercialization. I’ve been interested in the biotech/business analytics aspect of the field (I work in tech transfer) but I know that my current education isn’t enough to get me a career. I’ve been thinking about getting a Master’s in BME, Engineering Management, or biotechnology, and then going to medical school in an effort to build up the knowledge and prestige that will make me more marketable as a management consultant or something similar. But I’m not sure if my profile is competitive enough. I have a 3.2GPA with 2Cs and a W (im gonna get it to a 3.5 by the time I graduate even if it kills me), strong leadership/volunteering, and decent work experience in tech transfer. I plan to take the GRE this summer, and I only have two average recommendations that I know I could get. Also, which such little research experience and little interest, I may have to do the non-thesis option for grad school.
Overall, I’m just trying to collect as much advice as I can about what direction I should go in with my life. So, my questions are:
1.) What can I do in the next 2 semesters to be more competitive for grad school?
2.) Should I get a Masters in something outside of BME?
3.) Is getting a MS then MD really necessary? Is there a better educational path to take?
4.) Would it be worth it to take a gap year to really understand what I want to do in life?
Have you looked into clinical engineering? I was a biomedical engineer and most of my internships / experience were in clinical engineering departments (sometimes called biomedical engineering). I enjoyed the medical technology in action in a large clinical setting and, in my career, was involved in business decisions regarding purchasing large monitoring systems, large expansion / construction projects (ER/Trauma rooms), etc. I realize this isn’t graduate school, but it might interest you and even a short shadowing or internship in several hospitals near your university might expose you to other aspects of BME to help you decide which step to take next. Ultimately, I ended up with in medical device development, but I certainly enjoyed the clinical engineering environment as well.
@hopeamity - My son is also a junior BME major with similar credentials. (3.46 GPA with an ME minor and one semester of research.) Here are some Masters programs that he is thinking about:
Georgia Tech Master of Biomedical Innovation and Development (MBID) Program
https://funginstitute.berkeley.edu/programs-centers/full-time-program/program-design/
UC San Diego M.Eng. - Bioengineering: http://be.ucsd.edu/master-engineering-degree
Cal Berkeley M.Eng. - Bioengineering: http://bioeng.berkeley.edu/meng
Master of Translational Medicine: http://uctranslationalmedicine.org/
Washington Master of Applied Bioengineering:
https://bioe.uw.edu/academic-programs/graduate/master-applied-bioengineering/
Cornell Master of Engineering - Biomedical Engineering:
https://www.bme.cornell.edu/bme/academics/graduate/meng/index.cfm
Minnesota M.S. - Biomedical Engineering (No Thesis): http://bme.umn.edu/grad/msb.html
Purdue: M.S. Biomedical Device Development
2 semesters + Summer M.S. Biomedical Device Development
https://engineering.purdue.edu/BME/Academics/Graduate/Degree_Options/MS/BDD
M.S. - Biomedical Device Development with Industry Immersion (5 semesters -3 on campus, 2 for
internships
https://engineering.purdue.edu/BME/Academics/Graduate/Degree_Options/MS/BDDImmersion
Southern Cal M.S. in Biomedical Engineering (Medical Device & Diagnostic Engineering)
https://bme.usc.edu/academics/graduate-programs/m-s-medical-device-diagnostic-engineering/
@azmomof3 @Beaudreau thank you for your help! I’ll look into clinical engineering and those programs!