I am currently trying to figure out which university is best for me. Out of the ones I have applied to, I am strongly considering GSU (honors) or GT. I was thinking of majoring in Biology (or Biomedical engineering at Tech) and do Pre-Med. I am super confused b/c both have their pros and cons and its been a really hard decision for me! I just want to have a good time in college, and get into med school at the end without regrets. If you have any insight about experiences here at either universities, please share! I just don’t know if i should do biology at an engineering school? or is it better to go to a bigger school (gsu) for this type of science?
Thanks for your help!
Med School? I would seriously consider GSU then. For med school GPA is important. It much harder to get a good GPA at tech. Biomedical engineering is particularly tough. My daughter (who graduated from Tech) said that everyone said BME stood for “Business Major Eventually” cause so many kids switched out.
She did enjoy Tech, She liked the nerdy vibe and liked Atlanta.
I would still consider GaTech, but major in a science there, not engineering as you will get more attention than the crowded engineering major, and have more time to work in a hospital and learn more about clinical medicine. I think its easier to get into medical school from GaTech, as medical schools today want much more math training. In fact math is now the number 1 major medical schools are looking for.
I do not think there is a way to have a “good time” in college, if you want to get into medical school. You have to pass physics, chemistry and biology, with labs, and three semesters of calculus, with top grades. Organic chemistry in particular weeds out premeds, you need an A in that subject.
Look at the MCAT exams right now to understand how difficult that entrance exam is going to be! . You could look at O.D. programs which are much easier than MD programs,
though, and lead to the same residencies today.
Ask about Georgia State’s record for getting premeds into medical schools. I believe GaState success rate is
lower than GaTech. GaTech has fewer premeds but they get into medical school at a higher percentage, due to their stronger analytical and math skills. They get higher scores on the MCAT.
You can also look at going to PA schools, you will need to pass the GRE exam instead of the MCAT exam for that path, but its very very competitive to get into PA schools. Many student try three times and work in low level hospital jobs for more than two years before succeeding at getting into the top PA programs. Of course there are lower ranked
programs that may be easier for admission.
Biology and chemistry both are very strong at GaTech, its a science and engineering school with a fine business school and also offers international business and international studies and world language training. Its not just an engineering school anymore. https://biosciences.gatech.edu
@Coloradomama Thank you. Both GSU and GT seems to have numerous options for research and internships due to being in Atlanta. Yeah, I am leaning more towards doing straight-up biology rather than BME (at tech). I haven’t looked at PA schools but will look into that now that you mention it.
I’d recommend another major than Biology since there’s an oversupply of them. At least neuroscience or biochemistry majors have fewer competitors on the job market.
Since the vast majority (3/4) would be premeds never make it to Med school having a Plan B is essential.
That being said, med schools don’t recruit by major and don’t favor any major. (The algorithm doesn’t even compute it) Your odds of success are about the same as a math, english, or music major - it just means you can handle the pre-med pre-reqs and rank top 10-20% in each while also being top notch in an unrelated chosen field.
GTech is great for a Plan B but not so great for med school since there’s such grade deflation - to the point the top students there were losing their Zell Miller scholarships until the legislature recently added a bonus for Stem majors. A 3.0 at G Tech is excellent yet anything below 3.5 isn’t med school worthy.
I agree that if you do end up going to GTech you should major in a science, not engineering, since Engineering has the worst grade deflation.
If you choose GState, live in the honors dorms and be ready to jump on all their opportunities.
Have you done an overnight at both? Attended classes?
Thank you for your comments and advice ! (sorry for delayed response) @MYOS1634
Yes, I have visited both…I am more of a fan of Gatech’s campus. I just don’t know how important of a factor campus is in the long run.
Are you in-state for these colleges? Look, I don’t have any pre-med or medical school members of my family so I likely don’t get it…but I wouldn’t decide at the age of 18 or 19 to attend an easier or less-thought-of school simply to get out of there with a higher GPA. Ga Tech’s admit rate is something like 15% or 16% percent…some of the most talented kids in the world go there… When it comes to Biomedical Engineering, Ga Tech is the #1 highest ranked program in the entire united states – higher than harvard, higher than stanford, higher than you-name-it. If you’re an admitted student, i would not give up that chance.
I really appreciate all the information about GT on this thread. D19 (OOS California) got into GT (would major in Chemistry) and was then surprised and thrilled to get a really generous scholarship that takes tuition to instate costs. She’s visiting in a month and we know it’s an amazing school, but reading about the specifics of how phenomenal it is is incredibly helpful.
@SouthernHope yes! I am in-state ( I have only applied to instate public schools due to cost). I guess I have heard so much about how hard GT is and about mental breakdowns that I am a bit hesitant about it. I was thinking about doing biology there, but am really not sure. I just don’t want to screw myself up, so I am considering if its a risk worth taking. Engineering there is superb however! I just don’t see myself doing that as a career.
FWIW: My wife’s nephew graduated from Georgia Tech a few years ago & is now done with medical school. (Currently doing a residency.) A bright, hard working, diligent student, but nothing special with respect to standardized testing.
I have many close friends who are now doctors. A few are prominent in their specialties. None of them did well on standardized tests, but all were very hard workers who always did their homework. Becoming a doctor is more about determination & hard work than anything else from what I have seen.
My only acquaintance–a relative by marriage–who was exceptionally bright & in the medical field was a renowned heart surgeon who literally wrote the primary text on heart surgery, was involved in the first heart & lung transplants, later became head of a medical school. He agreed that hard work & determination was the common attribute among medical students & doctors, not Ivy League like standardized test scores & intelligence.