<p>I'm currently an electrical engineering student at UCF and I'm thinking about a minor. I plan on getting a master's in biomedical engineering. Apparently, my school offers a minor in bioengineering, which I'm thinking about as it would look good when applying to grad school. However, I also have a strong interest in music, and a minor in music would show that I'm more well-rounded and capable of doing more than solving equations and studying textbooks. No matter which one I pick, I'm still going to take biology and music classes. The bioengineering minor requires me to take one actual bioengineering class along with an upper-division bio class (I planned on doing these anyway) and BOTH organic chem 1 and 2. The music minor would require me to take several more music ensembles along with 2 more music classes (can be intense like music theory or composition, or BS like music history and appreciation). Which one do you think would give me a higher leg up? And if I don't get the minor in music, is there anyway for me to indicate on a degree or application my study of music? Again, I'm still studying both bioengineering and music as an undergrad, but I don't think it would be worth my time to complete minors in both.
I guess part of my question is how do minors affect grad school and job opportunities?
Thanks for your opinions!</p>
<p>Dear Joe1294,</p>
<p>Having just been through the grad process, let me tell you that first off minors don’t mean that much. Second, minors that have nothing to do with target grad program, mean even less. </p>
<p>If you apply for top 10 grad programs in BME, they will want to see the minor in BME, courses in BME and research/publications in BME. Extracurriulars and “well-roundedness” mean very little. Now being well rounded in different research or lab experiences is a different story. But honestly music wont help you get into those top programs. </p>
<p>Now. Having said that. If music makes you happy, do that!!! You can still get into grad school with the music minor. It’s nice to blow off steam sometimes and do what you love. College is all about exploring new things and doing things that make you happy. Work hard in your major and have fun with music. Dont make every decision based on what looks good on paper or helps you get to grad school. :)</p>
<p>Just my $0.02. </p>
<p>Best of luck,
-DV</p>
<p>Okay, thanks! That’s answered my question perfectly. I’ll go ahead and do the BME minor, but I still want to take music classes (just probably not enough to fulfill a minor). I was just wondering if the music minor would help me stand out among other applicants, or if it would help at all during a job interview. But I see that the BME minor would help so much more.</p>
<p>Minors rarely matter on their own. Do them if you want to learn the material, not to have a distinction.</p>