My parents are trying to force me to major in biomedical engineering so that “I can still get a job if I don’t go to med school for any reason.” Tbh I hate biomedical engineering. I’ve seen the courses for bme in various schools and am not interested in that kind of stuff. I’m not entirely even sure that I want to be a doctor, but it doesn’t seem like I have much of a say in that. I am interested in computer science, but my parents won’t even hear it. They know that I am good at it, but they say “I can’t do it and that I wouldn’t make it in that field.” At other times, they say “any idiot can do computer science and that it’s not a good idea.” Honestly, I’m even considering studying law but I know my parents would totally oppose that. What should I do? I am applying to college soon and need to decide. Is it ok to apply as undecided? How do i convince my parents to let me make my own decision? Should I just do what they say and give bme a chance even though I know I’ll hate it?
Your immediate concern is applying, but for the vast majority of schools applying undecided is perfectly ok. There are a few exceptions - mainly tech schools that require you to choose up front (Georgia Tech comes to mind, although I’m not sure whether they’re still doing that).
How to convince your parents is a different story - it depends on what appeals to them and what’s likely to seem reasonable to them. I am baffled that they think biomedical engineering (which is widely stereotyped as being difficult to get a job in without a master’s degree) is more stable than current media darling computer science (in which the average starting salary is $50,000, and in which well-equipped majors who are hired at high-profile companies can make much more than that). It’s certainly not true that any idiot can do computer science - most people could probably complete a major in CS, but most people are not creative/innovative enough to not only complete the major but also engineer quality programs/applications and excel at the internships that are required to draw the attention of the best employers these days.
Why not ask your parents if you can come to a compromise? For example, what if they allowed you to double-major in biology and computer science with an eye towards bioinformatics? (Of course, you don’t have to do that, but you can make the gesture).
But remember - even if your parents are paying for your college education, they may get a say in what you major in, but they can’t force you to do anything in particular with your life. You could potentially major in BME and - if you develop the right skills - still go into software development or tech or even law school.
The basic point, though, is that for now you can apply undecided and it won’t make a difference. You could even put BME to appease your parents with the intention of changing it later.
Your parents are, quite frankly, out of touch. BME is way more of a niche field than software, and computer science majors are the envy of just about everyone else for their job opportunities and income.
There are some interesting perspectives here:
http://www.quora.com/What-would-you-say-to-someone-considering-majoring-in-biomedical-engineering-bioengineering-in-college
BME, if I’m recalling the numbers correctly, is actually likely to get you a lower income than Computer Science in the long run.
However, my advice has nothing to do with the major. Go in undecided, take a variety, and then go from there. When you find things you like, then you can see how to approach your parents. Maybe you’ll end up really wanting to be a doctor, and they’ll be happy, maybe you’ll end up liking Comp Sci and you’ll have the debate again. Either way, don’t worry about it now.