Engineering Before Med School--Worth Keeping Options Open?

<p>I am currently applying to college and I'm debating on whether to apply to the Engineering school or the College of Arts and Sciences ("regular" college). I am still not 100% sure that I want to be a doctor when I grow up, so I'd like to keep my options open, especially since I'm also very interested in engineering. I know that undergrad GPA is a large factor in the med school admissions process along with MCAT scores and clinical experiences, and I also know that it is usually more difficult for an engineering major to get as high a GPA as someone majoring in, say, economics, history, chemistry, or biology. </p>

<p>Do med school admissions committees consider your major when looking at the GPA? I've heard that engineering classes are MUCH more difficult than classes in other majors, and this means that it is very difficult to get a perfect or near-perfect GPA in college. Do the med schools consider this fact? I'm considering majoring in bio/biomedical engineering in college (regardless of my interest in medicine), so I will fulfill many of my pre-med requirements through the major itself.</p>

<p>-Do med school admissions committees consider your major when looking at the GPA? </p>

<p>Not at all.</p>

<p>If you think you’re smart enough to get a high gpa with engineering, then go ahead, but I personally wouldn’t risk it.</p>

<p>“Not at all” is too strong. Perhaps better would be: “Not by as much as students with hard majors think they should.”</p>

<p>So what is usually the “easiest” major to get a high GPA in? Besides my interest in biomedical engineering, I’ve also got an interest in economics, math, and science.</p>

<p>it depends on school. some recognize engineering major as a hard one and appreciate Biomedical Engineers. I would advice to stick to what you are interested the most. You got to love what you do, it makes a difference. D. 'risked" her GPA by having Music minor. Yes, music is much easier than engineering, but following your heart is important. D. got three A- in music that were step down for her, but she immensly enjoyed her music classes. Best wishes.</p>

<p>I would stay away from engineering if you’re thinking about medical school. It’s very difficult to maintain a high gpa in engineering and gpa is very important in the medical school application process. But hey you might be able to handle it though. It really depends on the person.</p>

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<p>I have always agreed with this line of thinking. However, it seems that during interviewing, an engineering major is used as a possible “stress question”. During a recent interview, a student was asked:</p>

<p>“Everyone believes that engineering majors make lousy doctors. What have you done in your training to refute that belief?” - I am glad my buddy was ready for a shot like that and gave a very cool answer… :)</p>

<p>What kind of answer did he give? Besides “very cool”?</p>

<p>Science reduces your GPA, go for history or communications instead.</p>

<p>Everyone who says major does not matter at all are wrong. If you are being compared to a student with a 4.0 in an easier major and you have a 3.7 in engineering they WILL notice this. Engineering is a great couple to medical school because you can learn how the equipment you will using work. Also, medical school is a life choice not just a job choice and biomedical engineering is a great thing to fall back if medical school turns out not your thing.</p>

<p>Also engineering is a FOUR year degree. It is not needed to go on to grad school. I have friends who as seniors have offers in their hands for $80,000+ Medical school admission is based on GPA, extra activities, MCAT, etc etc etc. But they will look at major. They want variety.</p>