<p>I am 99% likely to be going to UMD College Park (good merit aid, honors program, Banneker key advisors).</p>
<p>I am going to be doing chemical engineering. From what I hear, engineering majors struggle to get good GPAs. However, I still feel that major is a good fit for my undergrad years (I like problem-oriented things which I hope med school continues to offer like "Name that body part and its disease!"). How do you people feel about this? Should I switch to a non-engineering chemistry field for a possibly higher GPA or follow my desire?</p>
<p>I have taken AP Bio, AP Chem, and AP World History in 11th grade. I got a 5 on all of them. This year, I will be taking AP Physics C (both exams), AP BC Calc, and AP Art History. I expect 5's on all three.</p>
<p>In addition, the engineering department invited my to a program called Inventis whereby you have an OPPORTUNITY to do research with a faculty member (big whoop...) but they also act as your mentor (that seems like a big deal...no?). The requirements for this program are 3 one credit seminars in the first 2 years of school (not too bad).</p>
<p>In addition to all this, I will have to do 3-credit seminars or 3-credit honors versions of high-level courses (e.g. graduate level probably) to get a combined total of 15 credits for an Honors citation. I can only do up to 6 credits in the graduate-level honors courses.</p>
<p>Furthermore, there are the pre-med reqs. I'm wondering how to apply my AP credits given my major and the fact that I'm doing pre-med.</p>
<p>Knowing all of this and the common knowledge that engineering schedules have lots of credit requirements, will I have problems finishing in 4 years without taking summer or winter courses?</p>
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Knowing all of this and the common knowledge that engineering schedules have lots of credit requirements, will I have problems finishing in 4 years without taking summer or winter courses?
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<p>You should be asking your department and/or your pre-med advising office this question.</p>
<p>As I said before, I still haven't enrolled. I would like some prior knowledge in case I need a backup plan.</p>
<p>I got this e-mail today describing this program:
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Hello! Last month you received an invitation to participate in Inventis: Academy of Engineering Leadership. As the Coordinator of Inventis, I wanted to personally congratulate you on your decision to attend the University of Maryland! We look forward to you joining the Clark School in fall 2008!</p>
<p>I noticed that while you confirmed your spot at UM, you did not respond to the Inventis invitation. As such, I wanted to introduce myself and encourage you to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have about the Inventis program. A brief refresher – Inventis is a two-year invitation program which focuses on leadership, mentoring and networking. Upon accepting the invitation, you will be paired with a faculty mentor. Throughout your first and second years, you will engage in several one-credit seminars, and have the opportunity to earn credits towards the new Minor in Engineering Leadership Development (however the decision to pursue this, or any minor, does not need to be made before you arrive at Maryland).</p>
<p>You can reach me via email at <a href="mailto:rrose4@umd.edu">rrose4@umd.edu</a> or telephone at (301)405-0234. I am also happy to talk with you if you are on campus for our last Spring Open House (on Friday, April 18), Maryland Day (on Saturday, April 26) or any other time you decide to visit campus!</p>
<p>Finally, sophomore Bioengineering student Allon Meizlik had the following thoughts to share about his involvement in Inventis: "As a member of both the Inventis and University Honors Programs, I can confidently say that both have been an integral part of my time at Maryland. Not only is it extremely manageable to participate in both programs, but they both add a distinct component to one’s education. These programs make students more insightful and perceptive. The coursework is definitely reasonable to manage—all Honors classes and seminars are completely optional. I recommend participation in both programs; they have both made my engineering education at the University of Maryland truly unique."
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<p>The deadline to respond is before orientation. What should I do?</p>
<p>I think any opportunity to do research, let alone have a professor who is your mentor is awsome. Looks great on your application and the professor can probably write you awsome recommendations.</p>
<p>And graduate level courses? I have a hard time believing that. Honors courses are not, I believe, graduate courses. You'll probably have to have another year of schooling or take summer semesters since you're doing chem engineering, pre-med, and others. I'm doing Premed along with Management Information systems, I take 19 credit hours every semester and still have to do some summer school so I don't see how you would get away with not doing it. Just my thought.</p>
<p>Some honors courses I believe are graduate level. I am not sure though. So it is not a problem that the research would be in chemical engineering?</p>
<p>In my opinion, any research is a good research. But thats just me. And also doing research for your major is really good, it shows that you care and want to learn more about that subject. And research is something you would want to really do.</p>
<p>I am going to do research anyways in college (even if I were to decline the program), but I am wondering what good it will do me for medical school (if the research is more chemistry and physics rather than biology).</p>
<p>afruff. If you decide engineering is the place for you - take the program. That's where the engineering prof's will get their kids for the Goldwater and plenty of other awards and scholarships. This is your ticket to be a potential big tent performer. Punch it. ;) They might not ask again.</p>
<p>@curmudgeon</p>
<p>For some reason, your comment stuck. I don't want to fashion every single detail of my undergrad around medical school and I'm sure not doing years of research in biology won't hurt me. If it turns out to be a dead-end, I can always come back to the microbiology lab I work in now.</p>