<p>Let me start by saying that Im sorry if Im not in the right forum. I couldn't find a forum for pre-med, and Parents seemed like the place for general friendly advice.</p>
<p>That said, would someone be willing to tell me whether I'm heading in the right direction here or not? First off, I'm going to the University of Louisville, and I've got the requisite coursework for an AS degree under my belt from dual-credit community college. My ultimate goal is medical school, but I realize that admissions is scarily competitive and I need every edge I can get.</p>
<p>I received a scholarship that offers tuition and a $3500/year stipend for up to 8 semesters pursuing a bachelor's degree, or up to 11 semesters pursuing a combined bachelor's/master's degree at the Speed School of Engineering (the stipend is only eligible for the undergraduate portion of the engineering degree). I'm heavily leaning towards getting a paid-for master's in chemical engineering, and then applying to med school. Im hoping it will set me apart from the seething mass of Chemistry/Biology majors, and if nothing else, chemical engineering looks like a wonderful back-up plan. </p>
<p>Does this sound feasible, or would it even give me any advantage in admissions?
Also, it looks like the engineering program is 5 years; when would I take the MCAT?
Does anybody know anything about Speed Schools combined B.S./M.A. program?
Is there anyone who's been to UofL that's willing to answer a couple of college-specific questions?</p>
<p>How many pre-med courses would you need to take that are not already included in the degree requirements, and how much free elective space do you have to fit them in?</p>
<p>What is your college GPA, including college or dual-enrollment courses taken while in high school? If it is not 4.0 or close to it, then you will be starting out at a GPA disadvantage for medical school application purposes.</p>
<p>Medical schools are generally thought not to care much about your undergraduate major, although pre-professional majors are sometimes thought to be disadvantageous in terms of “level of interest in medicine”.</p>
<p>There is a forum here for pre-med discussions.</p>
<p>The only pre-med courses not covered that I haven’t already taken are a couple of basic biology courses, and I’m hoping the BIO I & Lab I transfer will replace a few of those. If I’m reading the course check-sheet right, I ought to be able to supplant the courses I’ve taken – Chem I & II, Organic I & II, Physics I, ect – with courses I’ll need. I realize engineering doesn’t provide the best prep for the MCAT, but I’m planning to tutor biology and chemistry, which ought keep me in shape. My GPA from my dual-credit classes is 3.9, but that won’t transfer with me, so I’ll be be building it all over again from harder classes.</p>
<p>I was originally hoping to finish out my bachelor’s in two years, then head straight to med school, but my inability to get a full scholarship has shaken my sense of academic invincibility, and I’m liking the idea of a tuition-paid back-up plan.</p>
<p>Another question: does a master’s count as “graduate work?”
Thanks!</p>
<p>Fulfilling prereqs at community college are generally not recommended as the level of difficulty at a cc is generally easier. Also, the MCAT is changing in 2015 so you also have to “know” biochemistry, sociology and psychology if you take it then.</p>
<p>Medical school admissions uses all college grades from all college courses taken, even if your college does not use the grades from transferred-in college courses taken at other colleges.</p>
<p>It’s hard to get a good GPA in chemical engineering, or any engineering in general, let me tell you… So if you want to go to med school, I would suggest majoring in something like molecular biology, or something that will not only help more with your med school experience, but also let you get a higher GPA. Chemical engineering is not like mixing color flasks of chemicals like many people seem to perceive. It’s mostly just mass/energy balances, along with a competitive pool of really smart people who all want to get good grades in the class curve.</p>
<p>Everyone is different so it’s hard to tell you that you’re not going to be the one to rock a 3.95 in ChemE, leaving time for some solid campus involvement, get your prereqs done within the rigid course requirements of an engineering degree, and rock your MCATs…all with the hope of being a more attractive applicant to med schools. It could work. It is the more difficult path. </p>
<p>I have seen students try this at my sons school with BME. It’s just the toughest road they could choose. I understand wanting to have a backup, but if you really want med school I would think you’d take the path most likely to get you there (undergrad less unimportant), high GPA, MCATS, prereqs, and some other shiny add ons. This is difficult within the framework of an engineering curriculum. </p>
<p>Do go to the pre-med forum and talk to the folks there. I’m an e’school parent, so you’re getting that view. It’s important to hear their take and benefit from their experience. Best of luck.</p>
<p>*I’m heavily leaning towards getting a paid-for master’s in chemical engineering, and then applying to med school. I’m hoping it will set me apart from the seething mass of Chemistry/Biology majors, and if nothing else, chemical engineering looks like a wonderful back-up *</p>
<p>Getting a masters in eng’g will be meaningless to SOM Adcoms. And your classes/grades in your Masters don’t get included when determining your GPA for med school application.</p>
<p>This is what I think you should do:</p>
<p>during the summer between junior and senior year, apply to med school. (take your MCAT during winter/early spring of junior year). If you have a successful med school app cycle, graduate with your BS and matriculate at your SOM. </p>
<p>If you don’t have a successful app cycle, then go on with your masters and do what you want…reapply to med school or go with an eng’g career. </p>
<p>ChemE includes most of the premed prereqs, so you just have to add in a couple extra (I think Bio II and maybe something else). My son is a ChemE major, graduating in May and going to med school this fall. </p>
<p>What are your grades so far from your CC classes? Are any of those classes premed prereqs? </p>