Hello, first off I am a sophomore biochem student who is on the premed track and getting a minor in entrepreneurship. Please advise, I need to change majors. My family has been unemployed for 6 months now, and is applying for government assistance. Ive already filled out FAFSA and applying to scholarships, Im out of state btw. My mother has said if I were to get a job be sure its a profession, for job security sakes. I went out of state for undergraduate research opportunity and I am already working with students in the engineering department for undergraduate research and thinking about switching into materials science and engineering (MSE), since that major at my school has enough room for my minor and premed courses. However, I may not graduate in 4 years and have another sibling going to college. What should I do, hedge my bets and go straight into MSE or focus on the biochem major? I already talked to PhD students in MSE and they told me about the curriculum, and will be meeting with an academic advisor in that department Tuesday.
Would you be able to finish in four if you dropped the minor and/or premed?
Drop the minor. Graduate in four years.
There is no reason to keep the premed requirements or a minor if you like the engineering major. btw- never any guarantees for jobs with any major. Another consideration is transferring to your home state flagship for the engineering if it will save you money. This is the time to do so for next fall. You will have had your OOS freshman experience and can continue instate if the program is similar.
I think you will find relief in not pursuing the premed track as so few who choose it get in. Some schools offer comprehensive majors with no minors so dropping one is not a big deal, especially if you shift your focus to engineering. Just make sure you enjoy it. You do not want to be stuck in something decades later because the family finances were bad now.
How are you going to afford staying at VT?
You can major in anything and go to med school. Yes you would have to cover certain prerequisites, but that can be done later. There are even post grad programs for that. Why do you want to be a doctor? Is it a driving passion? (You can also become a physician’s assistant after graduating, a new field that is well paid. Or an accelerated nursing program. Lots of ways to be involved in medicine.)
I would also drop entrepreneurship. That is a popular area right now but probably won’t do that much for you in the long run. Are you able to intern or volunteer or work in positions that help point you forward? Or maybe research takes all your time, but is also helpful for the future.
If you like biochem, pursue it. If you like engineering, pursue it. Do what you like and what you are good at. Don’t overfocus on the future, it can backfire. I understand your mother’s anxieties, believe me, but not sure what she means by “profession.” It seems her definition is narrow. But I would think either biochem or engineering would reassure her. Try to have a good college experience and while an eye on the future is great, let the present be your guide for now.
Not sure what your financial aid situation is where you are, but if it is not good enough,you certainly have time to switch to another school. Many schools will take 75 credits and transferring in the middle of the 4 years should be okay. Hoping your aid is good and you can stay though!
^What compmom said. Don’t let fear drive you to change to a major…if you like biochem, stick with biochem. Make sure you get internship experience and build some skills (taking statistics, computer programming, writing, whatever else is valuable). I understand the feeling of urgency to immediately switch to a major that “feels” more solid because your parents are having difficulties, but unless you are specifically interested in studying MSE and the career opportunities that it presents, I’d stay put.
I don’t have enough information. I don’t understand your trajectory. You seem to be trying to keep all of your options open but you are a sophomore and it’s time to choose your direction.
What would stop you from graduating in 4 years with the MSE degree?
Is it the timing of prerequisite courses or simply the number of courses. You don’t need an entrepreneurship minor to be an entrepreneur. Often a minor is just too many courses and you can get 90% of the benefit with a carefully selected course or two.
Also why are you premed? Are you anticipating a MD-PHD program (which is btw, one of the most lucrative career paths you can imagine).
If it’s the timing of the prerequisite courses, can you catch up with courses over the summer even if it’s not at your home institution. Summer tuition is often less expensive also.
Why not chemical engineering? Seems to me that there is a lot of overlap and both will be fine for med school.
@TooOld4School Ironically, Ive already checked with that, materials science is the closest one
@“Erin’s Dad” -Debt (Hence the negative)
@ClassicRockerDad funny thing I initially didn’t know about MD/PhD programs are the fact the tuition and fees are all covered with the National Institute of Health, no masters degree required.
I also don’t understand why you want to do all three of these things. Choose one and do it very, very, very well.
VT is OOS for you. How can you afford that? As a student you are limited to a $7500 loan as a Junior. Your family is now unemployed. Who is going to cosign for that debt? You should probably be relooking at your in-state options.
@“Erin’s Dad” Already on it. Thanks
@redpoodles Focusing on pediatric robotic surgery, love the subject, already reached out to the head of pediatric surgery sat VT’s new medical school and will be meeting with him to discuss possibilities.
Based on your family’s financial situation, you need to finish undergrad in four years. period full stop.
You do not need an undergrad degree in entrepreneurship, bio chem, robotics, or engineering to become a pediatric surgeon with a specialty in robotics. You do- however- need to get admitted to med school, and figure out how to pay for it.
You are slicing the bologna way too thin. Major in something you like and are good at, take your premed requirements alongside, continue to explore the things you find intriguing. But delaying your graduation to switch majors is a bad idea if family finances are a big issue. A very bad idea.
@blossom I guess Ill stick with biochem
@compmom got a sales internship, 500+ hours of volunteering in hospital, shadowing a pediatrician, and research under my belt. I mostly want a profession that would give me autonomy for creativity and make the experience I have done worthwhile, since I am critical of my time. I just don’t like biochem, and more of a hands on type of person. However, financially, Im thinking of just focusing on biochemistry, and graduate in 4 years, and go into pharmaceutical sales for a few years then pursue the md/phd program
I would try to get out in 4 years. Getting a job to help out would be good. I changed my major my junior year and was happy and only had to attend Summer school to graduate on time. Check into it with your advisor to ensure you get the best picture.