I’m at a crossroads in my life and I would appreciate some career advice.
I’m a senior physics and math double major at a private university. I’ll be graduating this May. I couldn’t decide if I wanted to go into engineering or medicine, so earlier last year I made the decision (perhaps foolishly) to apply to both. Since then I’ve been accepted into two medical schools and two graduate schools in bioengineering…and I still can’t decide between the two.
I’ve read so many threads about “engineering-vs-medicine,” shadowed both doctors and engineers, and am pretty aware of what both of these career fields look like. I realize they’re incredibly different, but there are specific aspects of both I really like.
In particular, I love the idea of treating patients, interacting with people, and knowing more about human anatomy in medicine. However, I also enjoy the challenges and activities engineers face (e.g. research, and just building things in general).
Have any of you switched from bioengineering to medicine or vice-versa? What made you switch?
Also, if anyone has suggestions for ways to blend the two together, I would appreciate the advice. My MCAT score, unfortunately, was not good enough for any MD/MS or MD/PhD programs…but I’m wondering if I can still do the type of biophysics/biomechanics research I enjoyed in undergrad in med school .
Thanks in advance.
Not exactly your situation, but…
D1 was a physics & math double major (with a minor in chemistry). She had an acceptance to a PhD program in biophysics. She decided to turn down grad school, complete her med school pre-reqs and eventually matriculated into med school. She’s now a physician in her second year of residency. She had zero interest in pursuing a MD/PhD. During med school she did surgical research that was material sciences/mechanical engineering. (PM if you want more info about her research. )
D1 attended a med school that has a mandatory research thesis requirement for graduation. The research project was D1’s original concept and although she shopped it around to several med school depts, she didn’t get funding. (She did eventually, but only after she had publishable results.) She did the research unpaid, on her own time and had to literally beg for materials from various surgeons she worked with. She took on a co-author from the MechE dept in order to get lab space to conduct her research.
So it is possible, though it will probably be difficult and dependent upon the medical school you attend.
Only you can decide what’s best for your career path, but keep this in mind.
You’ve received 2 med school acceptances. If you turn them both down, then don’t ever expect to get into another med school in the future. Once an applicant has gone thru a med school app cycle, received acceptances, but doesn’t matriculate, then his chances of later ever getting another med school acceptance during a later app cycle is essentially ZERO.
So, if you close the door on med school…and that’s fine if that’s what’s right for you, then realize that you’re probably closing the door for good.
<<<
Have any of you switched from bioengineering to medicine or vice-versa? What made you switch?
<<<
Not exactly the same, but…
My son was a chemical engineering major and really liked it and did very well. He, too, didn’t score high enough on the MCAT to seriously pursue MD/PhD, and that’s ok.
However, he has done very well in med school and is applying for residencies in a field that seems to mesh very well with engineering.
Don’t know if any of that helps… It really is up to you. Your life. Your choice.
All of these replies help. Thanks for the advice!