Good idea to do BME in preparation for med school?

<p>I've read that med schools like selecting engineering majors over biology majors (assuming they're equally qualified...). But would a BME major prepare me sufficiently for the MCAT? Would it give me the medical background I need for med school? Or would bio majors have an advantage over me?</p>

<p>No not really</p>

<p>"No" bio majors wouldn't have an advantage over me or "No" it's not a good idea to do BME in preparation for med school?</p>

<p>They don't care what you major in. If you're applying for BME for med school, you're doing it for the wrong reason.</p>

<p>Ditto to YanksDolphin. BME is not any special pre-med program - it's a full fledged (and accredited) engineering program. Because of the biological nature of BME, many (about 1/3) of BME undergrads go on to medical school, but it's not a good idea to pursue BME just as a route to medical school. There are definitely far easier routes to getting into medical school. </p>

<p>However, if you are genuinely interested in BME and in the interface of engineering and medicine, the BME is a great route to take. It's a difficult program, but it's really interesting and you get to work with the top people in the different areas of BME. The only extra course you would need to take as a BME to fill medical school requirements would be a second semester of Organic Chemistry (in addition to meeting the med school humanities course requirements). I'm a senior BME applying to MD/PhD programs at the moment. The BME program has been really challenging, but I've found that I really enjoy the stuff we're learning.</p>

<p>How do the marks in BME compare to another major, say, biochemistry? I've heard that there is some serious grade deflation at JHU.</p>

<p>Well biochemistry is not actually a major here. I'm not sure of department-specific scores but these are the overall average GPA's at Hopkins the last few semesters:
Spring 2008: 3.22
Fall 2007: 3.12
Spring 2007: 3.21
Fall 2006: 3.24
Spring 2006: 3.28
Fall 2005: 3.23
Spring 2005: 3.28</p>

<p>So what does that mean? It means the average student is above a B but not quite a B+.</p>

<p>Is it difficult to get into med school with those GPA numbers? They seem awfully low to me.</p>

<p>That's odd. I was looking at the majors at Johns Hopkins and I expected a long list under the Biological and Biomedical Sciences subheading. I didn't see Biochemistry and I thought that they just forgot to put it there. Is there any reason as to why they do not offer the Biochemistry major at JHU?</p>

<p>Most Frequently Attended Graduate Schools (Med, Law, PHD, etc) for JHU Undergrads:</p>

<p>• Johns Hopkins University
• University of Pennsylvania
• University of Maryland
• Boston University
• Harvard University
• Georgetown University
• Stanford University
• University of Michigan
• Duke University
• University of Texas
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• University of California, Los Angeles
• University of North Carolina
• Cornell University
• Northwestern University
• University of Chicago
• SUNY Stony Brook
• Columbia University
• George Washington University
• Drexel University
• New York University
• Yale University
• Brown University</p>

<p><a href="http://www.jhu.edu/%7Ecareers/docs/PGShighlightsClassof07.pdf%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.jhu.edu/~careers/docs/PGShighlightsClassof07.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Woah, nice list/diverse list for graduate studies.</p>

<p>I wouldnt say biochemistry is a major per-say... it would more likely fall under the likes of a concentration within the Pure Chemistry major... so you'd be more likely to take more Biochemistry related courses, but be in Pure Chemistry... It is quite smart because it helps you diversify your major... restricting yourself just to biochemistry, could hurt you in the future... Hence why they allow Pure Chemistry Majors only (im just using some predictable assumptions here, any current JHU student can correct me if i am wrong, and should do so lol so i dont chuck out any false information).</p>

<p>Hope that helps conquestor.</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

<p>What is Biomedical Engineering? What are the classes like? Is it tough on your GPA? </p>

<p>Also, I know that there is no "ideal" major to get into med school but what do you think is the best major to take if you want to go along that route?</p>

<p>Take a major you like... cuz when you do that you're more likely to get a higher GPA regardless... if you like physics and math, become a physics and math major... just an example... id say use ur electives wisely when trying to get into med school... cuz if ur a humanities major, better keep at it with your chem/bio during soph/junior/senior year (unless you get accepted/finish early)</p>