<p>When applying to all my schools this year, I decided to major in Biomedical engineering. My plans were to go to school for 2.5-3.0 (summer terms) years and eventually apply for medical school. I decided to major in Biomedical Engineering because I felt that BME would help me the most. But after visiting some of the Engineering departments at schools, I decided to change my major to Biology. Do you uys think this is a good change? The reason for my change was the lack of free time given to Engineering students at the schools I applied to. I was planning on doing Mock Trial, school newspaper, debate, research and other things; my research showed me that the engineering schedule was too time consuming. </p>
<p>So you want to major in science, do premed, graduate in 2.5 years, and still be competitive enough for med school AND have free time? Not likely.</p>
<p>This also isn't HS where you need (or have time) to do a laundry list of EC's. Most people I know are involved in 1-2 substantial EC's in addition to taking classes. I think you underestimate how much time you will spend studying.</p>
<p>My personnal thought is that you have to dedicated to go to medical school and go through all that cause if your not you'll end up quiting. If you are worried about free time I dont know if medical school would be the best choice for you.</p>
<p>Just remember, once your undergrad GPA and your MCAT's get you an interview... your going to need something to talk about at that interview. Internships, volunteer posistions, and anything with hospital setting experience shows a demonstrated interest and makes you look like you have actually researched/attempted to see if you actually like medicine and aren't just a "I want to be a rich doctor" candidate. </p>
<p>Sitting in an interview with only your gpa/mcat to show is not going to be a fun experience.</p>
<p>Forget the 2.5 - 3year thing regardless of major. </p>
<p>For premed you will have to complete a year of biology with lab, two years of chemisty with lab, one year of physics with lab, the required English , and ususally at least a semester of Calculus - regardless of your major. You also need to factor in studying for the MCAT (which covers those subjects). In addition, medical applicants are expected to have :
1. Clinical experience (volunteering/or working at a clinic, hospital, or shadowing doctors)
2. Volunteer hours working with the general public (doesn't matter in what setting as long as you work with people)
3. Possible research - either helping with research in a lab at the college or local institution or doing your own. </p>
<p>Also keep in mind that most suggest that you do not take your premed courses over the summer (these are shorter sessions and some think that admission reps frown upon them - as they do required courses being taken at a junior college).</p>
<p>You might want to visit the premed discussion thread and do a search.</p>
<p>my cousin got her B.S. and M.S. in BME (took 5 years though) and now she is in med school, she had plenty of time to do whatever, but then again it depends on which school u will attend and how hard the program is .</p>