Need Advice: Biomedical Engineering vs. Biochemistry Major at Georgia Tech

College Majors Engineering Majors
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<p>I apologize in advance for the long question...but any help would be greatly appreciated.</p>

<p>I'm a current 1st-year at the Georgia Institute of Technology with a Biomedical Engineering (BME) major. I'm also on the pre-health track because I pretty much have my heart set on attending medical school. I don't plan on specializing in anything (prosthetics, neuroscience, etc). The reason I chose BME, honestly, was because I figured BME would appeal more to medical schools and it would be different compared to the average Biology or Biochemistry major. Also, if I for some reason didn't get into medical school, BME could be my back-up plan. I have absolutely no desire for being an engineer though. Actually, I don't even really know anything about BME except for the fact that it had the word "medical" in it so I thought it would best suit my interests out of all the other Engineering majors. Now, I'm thinking it might be pretty hard. </p>

<p>After doing some research, I realized that many of the classes in the Georgia Tech BME curriculum would be irrelevant to medicine (and they'd also be harder). I plan on taking the MCATS in a few years and with a Biochem major, it is required to take biochemistry I and II, physical chemistry, etc., which I'd think would help with the MCATS. I don't believe any of those classes are required for BME. Instead, I'd have to take classes like DSP, which I'd probably never use as a physician. </p>

<p>To be completely honest, I don't know if I'm making the right choice as a BME major. I think I'd be happier as a Biochem major, but there are often times where I wish I could also have that engineering background. I sometimes enjoy the problem solving side of things. But then in biochemistry, I'd go so much more in depth with concepts, so the focus would just be different. </p>

<p>I just don't know. Any advice or insight would be great. I'm also open to any other majors in the sciences or engineering. Thanks!</p>

2

<p>Meds school don’t care what you major in. Its more about the courses you take and how well you do in them. I think Biochem gives you a more advantage because you will take more science related courses and also you have no interest in BME. Odds are your GPA would end up being at least a few points lower majoring in something you uninterested in vs something you are interested in.</p>

3

<p>If you do not get into medical school (most pre-meds do not), biomedical engineering tends to have better job and career prospects than biochemistry/biology/chemistry, but worse than most other kinds of engineering such as chemical engineering.</p>

<p>These majors are all popular with pre-meds because the major requirements cover the pre-med course list, which leaves the majority who do not get into medical school chasing the relatively few bachelor’s level jobs in those fields at graduation.</p>

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<p>If you really have no interest in BME I would switch. It is not an easy major. No engineering major is. Biochemistry will be easier and since you don’t want to work as an engineer and most people agree med schools do not care much about your major I see no point in BME. Have you looked into what a BME does? You may find you like it. I have several friends who are in BME (I go to Clemson) planning on going to med school. These people have an interest in engineering also though.</p>

<p>If you decide you liked engineering I would say BME would be better.</p>