<p>Well, that’s my point. People seem to think that engineering is a good major for medical school, when in reality it shouldn’t be. My dad was pushing me to do biomedical engineering claiming that it would be a great segue into medical school and a great backup should I be rejected (which in his opinion is a VERY likely scenario). However, I don’t agree with his reasoning. I take it that med schools don’t like “backup majors” for several reasons. And then of course there’s the issue that you brought up about it being a GPA killer. I agree with your last statement. I think I will worry less about major and just try to make impeccable grades.</p>
<p>engineering is not a vocational major. It’s teaching you a thought process not a list of facts. It’s like the difference between economics and accounting.</p>
<p>^ I don’t understand. If we are going to use the economics/accounting analogy, then wouldn’t physics be analogous to economics, while electrical engineering would be analogous to accounting? I am not in any way trying to put engineering down. I know it is probably one of the toughest majors to choose. However, I still would consider it somewhat vocational. FYI I don’t think vocational majors should be looked down on either. </p>
<p>BSN programs are very competitive and they use a heavy science curriculum. I think it is 100x smarter to get a degree in something like engineering, nursing, dietetics, etc. than it is to get one in history or literature. If I am spending so much money on a degree then I better be able to MAKE money in the end. Becoming a well rounded person or studying for the sake of mere interest is not worth $50,000 a year to me. I can go to the public library and do that for free. I love dance, but I would never major in it. I went to college to get a job. It’s pretty ridiculous that people who actually know what they want career-wise have to fear being looked down on because their major wasn’t “academic” enough. At least they won’t starve! Just my opinion. </p>
<p>Now I’m not saying that everyone should major in something that they hate just to make money, but there are people who have genuine interest and take joy in the science of nutrition or nursing and other “vocational majors.” Why should they be looked down on? Sorry for the tangent/rant. I know many of you will disagree, but hey, I am from the Caribbean. My outlook is a little different, I suppose. In my country, there are only a few choices when it comes to school: Engineering school, medicine, nursing, and teaching.</p>
<p>". It’s teaching you a thought process not a list of facts. It’s like the difference between economics and accounting. "
-In this type of comparison, engineering is definitely closer to accounting, while any hard science major (chemistry, physics) would be closer to economics. One is much closer to application process, another one is more abstract.</p>
<p>I wasn’t an engineer so I’m probably wrong, but the kids I knew who were sure seemed to be doing some abstract stuff.</p>
<p>Be aware that the various liberal arts majors do have different job and career prospects at the bachelor’s degree level, so you can consider “backup options” without being “too obvious” about it from a medical school admissions perspective. For example, applied math, statistics, physics, and economics majors generally do better in the job market than biology and chemistry majors.</p>
<p>^ You make s good point. Problem is, I hate math and physics. Even if I majored in one of those and got rejected from med school, I could not work in a field that required me to do lots of math or physics. Also, I would be miserable for my remaining undergrad years. I’ve taken lots of classes and the only ones that I’ve liked enough to do a major were nutrition, psychology, and possibly chem or bio. Nutrition is obviously my favorite because it uses a mix of all of those. For the nutrition major, I’m forced to take orgo, microbio, analytical chem, biochem, physiology, statistics, among others. I thought that would be a good prep for med school… more-so than being a psychology major then just doing the bare minimum of science classes because I wont have time for more advanced ones.</p>
<p>It bothers me that you used to word “forced” in the context of your course requirements. It speaks loudly to your discomfort with science classes in general, and IMO, does not bode well for future success in those classes.</p>
<p>Anyway, no one is saying the courses required for nutrition major won’t prepare you to take the MCAT (Note that I did not say med school. Very little of anything you’ll learn in undergrad will prepare you for med school classes.); they will. It’s just that the label on your degree might be a hindrance when you go apply. Whether this is something you can live with is your decision.</p>
<p>It’ not within your realm of power/possibilities to change the attitudes of the entire medical profession. (Which is so very, very conservation and slow to accept change.)</p>
<p>As to post college, other-than-med-school, job prospects–I sincerely doublt nutrition will be more advantageous than psychology, biology or anything other than the math-oriented fields mentioned by UCB.</p>
<p>Well, when I say forced, I just meant required. I was typing quickly and couldn’t find my words. I have no discomfort with the sciences when it comes to bio and chem. They are actually some of my favorite subjects.</p>
<p>And I understand what you’re saying. I’ve already pretty much decided that I will most likely be switching to a chem major with a minor in nutrition. I’m honestly not ecstatic about it, but I am going to keep a positive attitude, do my best and hope that things work out in the end. Thanks for the HONEST advice. I really do appreciate it.</p>