<p>Hi, I go to the University of Arkansas and I'm majoring in Engineering but I plan on applying to Med School some day. Some of you may ask why I'm doing Engineering. Basically I like math and science and like to challenge myself. That being said, I dont plan on applying if my GPA is below a 3.2 or 3.3 and even than I know thats pretty low for Med School. </p>
<p>My question is, I know that everyone says they dont care about major, but would a med school show me any leniency for deciding to major in Engineering since its the hardest major? </p>
<p>And, also, as far as other things like summer internships, shadowing, volunteer, research, etc... What do med schools like to see from applicants? Because, dont get me wrong, I would love to go to Med School, but I also have to be realistic and try to impress employers for engineering if Med School doesn't work out. Next summer is my summer between sophomore and junior year, and I have connections that told me I could get an engineering internship if I wanted so I'm most likely going to accept. Which means that summer cant be spent building up a Med School resume. So I want to know what kind of things Med Schools like to see as far as extra curricular goes? Would they not like an engineering internship on my resume?</p>
<p>Wow thats pretty impressive. And I dont mean to sound whinny because I wont be too hurt if I wasn’t accepted to Med School, but for the sake of everyone else out there, I would think that an Engineering Degree would mean more to them than a History or some kind of Liberal Arts degree. But thats ok, I’m just going to have to try my hardest. Do you think I would be able to get in a 3.4-3.5? And also, what other things like volunteer, and such did your son do that really made him look good to the med school if you dont mind me asking?</p>
<p>I am not any admissions committees, however I am not confident that the medical schools which look more carefully at applications are not going to take the major into account. A 3.5 in physics at Stanford is not the same as a 3.5 in underwater basket weaving at a lesser school. On the other hand, you absolutely do need reasonable numbers and grades to make consideration. A mediocre GPA in engineering will not cut it.</p>
<p>“A 3.5 in physics at Stanford is not the same as a 3.5 in underwater basket weaving at a lesser school.”
-Still have to take all pre-reqs and preferrably upper Bio classes and take MCAT. Also considering that basket weaving might be considered art, keep in mind that all art classes extremely time consuming and graded subjectively, like prof. might not like your style, period, no matter how much work you put it. My D. (currently MS3) has taken Paper Making class in UG because she wanted to have something art related. I warned her about time commitment and she was sorry at the end that she did not listen, She did get an A though, but could get only A- in several singing classes (Music Minor). Please, do not underestimate non-science classes, the A- in singing classes were the ones that brought down her GPA to 3.98 (it did not matter, but the point is, do not look down on other classes, many of them require special talents and huge time commitments and you are competing with the majors in this class, like D. was graded on a curve with the Music majors many of whom have had voice training before college, so lucky for her to get few A-, could have been worse)</p>
<p>OP, I am more concerned about your overall passion for medicine. IMHO, you are not striking me as someone who is completely passionate about pursuing a dream to be a physician. I personally feel that shadowing would help you decide your commitment to medicine and an internship in engineering will help you with tour engineering aspirations. Medicine is brutal and the patients need providers who are just as committed to their concerns as they are. Can you please express why you are considering medicine?</p>