Hello, I am currently a senior in high school and just put in my applications with an intended major in biomedical engineering. The minute I heard about the major, I had an instant fascination with the designing of prosthesis. For the next couple months, when I would tell people what I was interested in, they would give me the “good luck” face quince and question me.
My issue is, I am very sensitive and take everything to heart. I take into consideration what people have to say. I know this is going to be challenging. I have had two teachers say, “So many people switch out of these majors, you should look into something different” and a few classmates that say, “why do you think you can do this?”
I am not looking for the attention here. I am having a crisis within what I want to major in. I have taken physics, and finished with a 94 average. This class was difficult for me, but I accepted the challenge. I am in Calculus this year. What insight can you guys give me? with an SAT score of just under 1100, will I be able to become an engineer?
My ACT score was a 20, with a high score in math and science and a lower score in english and writing.
Engineering in general is very competitive and your test scores indicate that this major will be a tough admit.
What is your GPA?
How are you currently doing in Calculus? Any AP/IB courses?
How have you done in your other Science classes?
Which schools are you applying?
When did you first get interested in Biomedical Engineering? Do you have any EC’s that reflect your interest?
My GPA is good. About a 3.8. In calculus right now, I am doing very well and in my past math courses I have also done well. As a junior, I took AP Psychology and AP Spanish and received above a 94 in both. This year, I am taking AP Biology, and of course it is challenging, but as of now, I have a 96. My school does not offer any IB courses.
How are your Math scores on the SAT/ACT? Since you stated you already applied, how do your test scores compare to the college averages that you applied? Engineering majors need to above the averages and their acceptance rates a much lower than the overall school acceptance rates.
I know a young woman with your exact H.S. scores. She is a Biomed Engineering sophomore major at a major university. She is working super hard but she is doing it. Hard work wins every time. I’m sharing this with you so you know there are others like you who are successful. Give it your best and try to block out the negative thoughts. Good luck!
Thank you so much!! This gives me hope. I am willing to work hard!!
Gumbymom, my math scores were higher on my SAT and ACT. Next to the score it said “ready for college level”
My test scores compared to the school are a little below. University of South Carolina is my top choice.
Basically what I am asking is, can my hard work ethic override the not perfect scores? On top of being an ‘average’ student, I am very involved thorughout my school.
@uscmcsister12: Yes hard work and an excellent work ethic can get you far. You just need to get your foot into the door so to speak and find a Bioengineering program will that accept you based on your stats.
“The minute I heard about the major, I had an instant fascination with the designing of prosthesis.” - You should read the other biomed threads. Other students have this interest, but BME might not be the right major (especially if you are not intending to got to grad school). Perhaps you could consider Mech Eng or Elec Eng (more flexible majors) and find jobs in biomed industry.
Hard work, determination and persistence is a recipe for success. There will always be people smarter, taller, faster. Look into other engineering fields like mechanical and materials also. There seems to be an overlap for what you want to do.
What is the Naviance or the like for your school for this college?
If kids from your school get accepted here talk to your counselor about what scores got them in.
Interesting history of engineering at this college https://www.sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/engineering_and_computing/about/history/
At the college I went to, the BME major minimum college STEM GPA for non-direct admits to transfer into that major sophomore year and for direct admits to not get kicked out of the BME program after freshman year is high compared to the other engineering majors at my school. Even prospective and first year BME majors with high scores in standardized testing at my school would be getting that “good luck” reaction.
Unless my school’s situation is unique (like maybe BME major isn’t that hard to get into compared to other engineering majors at other colleges but my college might have a particularly selective BME program), the BME major might be one of the hardest engineering majors to get into, so the question here might be not just whether or not you can do engineering but also whether or not you can do BME instead of another less selective engineering major. And depending on what you want to do in the BME field, it may be more preferable for you to do a EE, CMPE, or ME major anyways (for example, I read somewhere that some medical device companies actually prefer hiring EE/ME majors over BME majors because EE/ME is more specialized).
Your test scores are low. That is a fact. I think you have the drive and your current grades are showing that you can do the work. So the question is will you get into the school and into your degree. If you can’t get into biomed do look into EE or ME. I was EE with a specialization in Biomed and work in aerospace. You can do your dream with EE or ME. I won’t lie, engineering is hard! It isn’t for everyone. Does it mean you shouldn’t try? No. Just have a back up plan. Teachers say that people change majors all the time and they do but sometimes they don’t. My son went in pre-vet and will be starting vet school next fall. He got a 2 on the physics AP exam, (A in the class though) in HS but he got the highest grade in physics and has be a LA (like an undergrad TA) in physics for the past two years! He didn’t test well.
So If you don’t get in. Take a year or two in CC, take your basics, get good grades and try again.