<p>I got accepted into Hopkins in biomedical engineering but recently I've started hating biology and suddenly a career in physics (which I've always loved) seems very appealing. I'm considering getting out of the BME major and going into a physics/math one but not doing BME seems to waste such a good opportunity. So is there such thing as a BME/Physics major, I know it will be incredibly difficult but is it even possible to double major those? Will it be useful? Also if I decide to drop BME, would it be better to do undergrad physics major at Hopkins, Duke, or Vanderbilt.</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>Since you were admitted into BME, my recommendation is to start the program and see if you like it. If not, its very easy to change to a physics major. The Department of Physics and Astronomy at Hopkins is amazing. You should visit the Bloomberg Center for Physics and Astronomy–its an incredible facility that will blow your socks off.</p>
<p>Thanks for your post bonzana.</p>
<p>I visited Hopkins yesterday for the 2nd visit day. Let’s just say I was really turned off (to put it mildly) by the BME part. I don’t know why but I just was. But when I visited Bloomburg and the physics lecture, it was amazing and considering I love physics I feel set on doing it. But there are two factors that are playing into this decision.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>It’s BME at Hopkins! Oh well, I’m pretty sure I won’t like it but if I decide to switch how will the physics program compare to Duke’s? I heard Duke is amazing in pure sciences, and considering that I have to pay a little bit less for Duke it is more attractive right now.</p></li>
<li><p>That environment at Hopkins looked absolutely dreadful. Maybe it was just the gloomy, rainy, and cold day but even from my friends that tell me about it, it honestly seems cut throat (although people will claim its not) and not fun for them. Of course this is individualized from person to person but…</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I researched around, and the graduate physics program at Hopkins is bigger than the one at Duke. And considering that both have the same amount of faculty (around 33ish) the Duke program concentrates on its undergrad more than its grad. Plus it’s cheaper. </p>
<p>And then comes the factor of money/jobs. Of course it is not the deciding factor but obviously it plays a huge role in whether or not you will pursue that career. If I work hard for nearly ten years to get a degree in physics and am paid a mediocre salary for the rest of my life that sucks when I could make 10 times that much if I do BME/med school. But does physics pay well? I researched around a little bit and it looks a bit unsecure…</p>
<p>My heart tells me to go to Duke (it just seems so much more appealing than Hopkins) but my mind tells me not to waste such a good opportunity with BME at Hopkins… :(</p>
<p>dont do BME just b/c it’s bme or you WILL end up miserable.</p>
<p>go for physics and you’ll be happy anywhere you go. you gotta study what you love to get through college.</p>
<p>GL</p>
<p>at least give bme at hopkins a shot…it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity. it’s not fair to judge 4 years at a school based on 1 or 2 visits…the opportunities afforded to you by bme at jhu will outweigh any perceived shortcomings in other aspects of the school. if you want to major in bme then anywhere other than hopkins is a step down. if you want to major in physics then it might be a different story…although you said it yourself, the two are roughly equal in that category as well. hopkins probably has the research edge if that’s something you want to do as an undergrad.</p>
<p>I don’t usually post a direct disagreement with a previous poster, but with all appreciation MITpwnsnoobs69, based on the information disclosed by askabob91, I would counsel to go with your gut. If you weren’t ‘feeling it’ at your visit to Hopkins, then go to Duke (this coming from a parent of an ED this year, but not in BME). The BME program is wonderful, but if it’s not for you, then it’s not for you. You will work hard at any school, and you have to be happy with your choice to get through it.
Good luck!</p>