<p>First of all, thank you for taking the time to read this. I hesitate to ask this question because many others have posted as to similar topics, but I'd like to get some feedback into my specific situation, so here goes. I'll try and keep it short.</p>
<p>The three (four?) colleges I am looking at right now are JHU, Cornell, UChicago, and Case Western Reserve University. My intended major for each school are BME, Biology, Biology, and Biology respectively. BME is certainly the most prestigious of the four, but my concern is whether or not it is viable for a pre-med student. I've heard the horror stories, and some feedback from BME graduates that the major is a GPA killer (medical schools apparently look for GPA and MCAT as the major factors of acceptance). This in mind, neither Cornell nor UChicago would be easy at all, but would one prove a better choice in the long run? </p>
<p>Now, CWRU is not a bad school, but this is CC after all. The reason I bring it up is because I am ineligible for financial aid, but Case offered a $20,000 renewable scholarship (pretty standard from what I hear). I'm appealing for a scholarship review, but in the event that they hold their ground, should I still consider? My parents will only pay after I have taken out the loan and shown strong performance (now sure how this will work out, but not much of a choice). Since Case is probably, easier maybe even certainly easier, could it provide a less stressful path? Not to say that the rest of the medical track is simple...</p>
<p>Well...that was...lengthy. Thanks for helping out though. I appreciate any advise and guidance.</p>
<p>At SOHOP this weekend, the BME presentation told me that about 1/3 go to grad school, 1/3 go to industry, and 1/3 go to med school after going through the BME program at Hopkins. I can’t comment on the other major/colleges, but hopefully that helps a little bit :)</p>
<p>BME is SO different from Biology. Try to straighten out which you are more interested in and make your decision from that. BME doesn’t necessarily offer an edge over Biology from Cornell or University of Chicago in acceptance to a medical school. Search where your excitement with the material lies, as this tends to translate into sustained knowledge for exams and performance.</p>
<p>BME does offer flexibility, however, should you find medicine not to ultimately be your graduate interest. And of course Johns Hopkins is a superb choice as place to study.</p>
<p>Cornell and the University of Chicago come out about equal for Biology majors I think. Case Western University is well known too, yet as you say a little less so. Doesn’t it have a medical school?</p>
<p>Money is always an issue, and graduate medical schools are expensive. There is a National Health Service Corps which pays for tuition and stipend in exchange for years owed to the government currently: who knows about the future but it’s been a great boon for the IHS and rural counties where generalists will be greatly needed.</p>
<p>It’s been years since I did my medical training. You have wonderful choices, it was a wonderful career and I wish you all the best.</p>
<p>Thank you both for your advice. I am not insinuating that CWRU is a bad school, but that it is a step below the other three in its academics. They all have medical schools, though from what I know, enrollment in the institution’s undergraduate branch has no effect on acceptance to its medical school or graduate school. I am certainly looking for the flexibility that BME offers, but UChicago, Cornell, and CWRU all have BME as well, though I’d have to contact their departments to change my major.<br>
Anyways, all I’m looking for is input, so thank you again.</p>
<p>JHU has covered grades for your freshman year, so I wouldn’t worry too much about this. If you think BME is destroying your GPA (or not your interest), you can always switch to biology.</p>