So I’m a junior in high school right now, and I’ve slowly been narrowing down my list of what major I want to pursue in college. I would like to go on a premed track, but as a biomedical engineer. How good/bad of a choice is this for my chances of getting into a med school (i.e. GPA, MCAT readiness). If you think that this might be the wrong major for me, what major would you recommend and why? Thanks!
It depends.
Engineering is a difficult major for many people, one that takes a toll on one’s GPA.
Med school adcomms won’t give you any leeway on your GPA for being an engineering or physics or math or any other so-called “hard” major. You’ll be expected to have the same 3.7 GPA that a bio or business or sociology major does.
Can engineering majors get into med school?
Sure. I personally know of a number of engineers who are physicians or med students. (For the record, both of my daughters were math majors, one was a math & physics double major–both went to med school.)
Will you be able to maintain the high GPA needed to support a successful med school application as an engineering major?
That is a question I can’t answer because I don’t know you, don’t know what kind of student you are, how strong your math skills are, how strong your math/science preparation is, how well you respond to intense competition and intellectual challenges, what your self-discipline and study skills are like, etc. It’s question you need to ask yourself and it’s something you need to seriously discuss with people who know you well. Perhaps your parents or a trusted math or chemistry teacher.
What’s the “best” major for med school?
Short answer–the one you will do best in and earn the highest GPA.
Longer answer–you need to balance the need for a high GPA with the choice of a major that you enjoy so you aren’t miserable in undergrad and with a major that offers you the best chance for a Plan B career since 75% of freshman pre-meds never even end up applying to med school and every year 60% of med school applicants never get an acceptance. How you choose to balance all these conflicting needs is a very personal decision and one only you can make.
As for MCAT prep–no major will prepare you for the MCAT.
You prepare you for the MCAT.
To score well, you need very strong critical reading skills, good data interpretation skills, a thorough understanding of statistics/statistical analysis, the ability to apply known facts to novel & unfamiliar situations, as well a mastery (and quick recall) of basic concepts in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, physics, psychology, sociology and human behavior.
Studying your major may help you develop the necessary skills, but no particular major will in and of itself teach you these skills.