“Somewhat but not a given.”
Agree.
As a physician I can tell you unequivocally that if your goal is to get into medical school, an engineering background , biomedical or otherwise is more of a detriment to the all-important GPA, than a boon to your application. Furthermore, while an engineering degree from MIT will be a ticket to high paying tech or wall-street jobs right of college, it adds virtually NOTHING to a med school application, particularly if the GPA is below a 3.5. My daughter is currently a senior premed at USC as a trustee scholar and has LOVED her time at USC, saved our family a boatload of money, and has enjoyed phenomenal success in the application process thus far; getting interviews from 18 top medical schools (out of 20 applied) including Harvard, and has landed 5 acceptances already with the remaining decisions coming in March. My advice is TAKE THE SCHOLARSHIP! And if merit money comes your way for med school, take that as well!
Thanks, BadParent with the Ironic Name!
I think you’re right on target with your advice.
Great post @BadParent! The first-hand outlook is great to have.
BTW, here is MIT’s med school premedical data. A 95% percent acceptance ratio is for supported applicants is healthy.
https://gecd.mit.edu/sites/default/files/about/files/2014-mit-premedical-data.pdf
Maybe this is too late but I am currently in a very similar position as you. I was also name a trustee scholarship finalist at USC and admitted early action at MIT. My current major choice is neuroscience and I am also interested in becoming a doctor. I’m pretty much set on that career and major. I’m so conflicted! I don’t know what to do. Both have their pros and cons.
@Illinoisbound woahhh no way! that’s crazy lmao
did you end up going for the interview at USC last week?
Have you checked into USC undergrad/medschool combined program ? I believe it shaves off a year and you are guaranteed a spot in the med school program.
@BTMSC98 who are you directing your question to? I think those students are seniors. Way too late for them to apply to a BS/MD program.
USC discontinued their combined program a few years ago. They do not seem to release official figures, but supposedly their pre-med acceptance rate is 55%.
@soporificturtle I was at explore on February 23 and 24th. I loved USC so much, but MIT is amazing and such an intellectually stimulating environment. When were you there?
As per a couple of the other statements above, my D has become friends with a couple of pre-med students at USC and more than one of them has not been able to, or have had a lot of difficulty, keeping their grades competitive enough. One is considering transferring out. You will hear from a lot of student that the academic rep. of school is not always well correlated with difficulty of grading, fwiw.
Probably the only thing a prospective student can control is where they think they will feel happiest/most supported/most inspired and pick that. Or where they will end up least financially disadvantaged. That’s important too.
@soporificturtle If you are keen on becoming a doctor, you will succeed at MIT or USC or your state flagship (UCB/UCLA). Do you want to pursue MD/PhD route ? Go where you can challenge yourself. Are your parents professionals (engineer/doctor) in these fields ? Seek their input. My DD is planning to be a doctor. She is a NMF and considering all options including state flagship school.