<p>I am currently a Junior in high school and I have recently become interested in pursuing medical school after receiving an undergrad degree. Before inquiring about med school I was fairly set on majoring in either computer or electrical engineering; however, after doing some research I have found that biomedical engineering is a very marketable engineering degree for med school and I am fairly interested in pursuing this degree. That being said, I have also heard that a BME degree does not offer very much job oppurtunities if I were to decide to not pursue med school. Is this still true today and what would be your prediction for careers in this field in the future. Also, if I decided to major in electrical or computer engineering, would I still be able to fit in all the med school pre reqs? Finally, would a biomedical degree be more helpful in getting into med school (as far as MCAT scores and marketability goes) than a computer or electrical engineering degree? Thanks in advance for your help.</p>
<p>I had the same thought process as you, but I’m going for Chemical Engineering instead. Here’s what I learned.
-It is somewhat marketable for medical schools (more than typical bio major), not much elsewhere.
-If you don’t want to go to medical school, you would need to pursue a master’s or phd. A lot of schools offer a 4+1 degree for biomedical engineering to get your bachelors and masters.
-This probably won’t change unless the undergraduate school curriculum is revamped.
-The field is growing, but the requirements to put your foot in the door won’t change.
-Both EE and CE would enable you to do the pre-med requirements, at a cost - your GPA
-Since med schools make your GPA such an important factor, you may not want to do EE or CE unless you no longer want to attend med school.
-Apparently BME’s do quite well on the MCAT, it is kind of marketable as far as the process goes. You aren’t just the typical biology major with research, you have something interesting. However, I think they would take the 4.0 biology major with research over the 3.1 BME major with research. Your call. </p>
<p>Overall, the slim slim advantage you may get as a BME is not worth tanking your GPA. EE and CE are also not worth it. Major in something you can keep your GPA up and study hard for the MCAT and you’ll be fine. </p>
<p>If you can keep your GPA the same as a BME as any other major, then go for it. However, it may be too late once you figure out you can’t…</p>
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<p>I don’t know where you heard this, but it’s not accurate. Medical schools really don’t care about what your undergrad major is. They look at your GPA/MCAT when considering you for admission, not your major.</p>
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<p>There are job opportunities in BME, although many of them will require a MS not just a BS. </p>
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<p>This is going to depend on which college you attend and the specific requirements of your program. </p>
<p>The number of pre-reqs for med school has increased recently. (The 2015 MCAT includes biochem, stats, psychology & sociology in addition to all the previous requirements.) Some medical schools may require additional coursework above the general course requirements. (Genetics, anatomy & physiology, upper level humanities)</p>
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<p>No.</p>