<p>I want to do pre-med at SEAS. What courses/major should I take?</p>
<p>Whatever major you want to do, plus the required pre-med classes to the extent that your major doesn't already require those classes.</p>
<p>thanks for the tip</p>
<p>Biomedical engineering is the typical choice, but because there's no explicit pre-med major you can almost do anything, as long as you couple it with research and activities that demonstrate a strong interest and background in biology.</p>
<p>Chemical engineering is the hardest-core major in SEAS (biomed kids whine more, but chem-E's do the most work). That's one of the few departments where a bachelor's degree is, in itself, a professional qualification that will get you a good job. None of the others are quite that serious.</p>
<p>So you definitely need research/activites that somehow relates to biology? what if I want to major in Operations Research instead?</p>
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Chemical engineering is the hardest-core major in SEAS (biomed kids whine more, but chem-E's do the most work).
[/quote]
</p>
<p>this is true....and i'm not biased since i'm a BME major....those chem-E ppl r just too dazed to complain....but yes, credit-wise chemE has the most credits followed by BME but the chemE classes r more killer.</p>
<p>
[quote]
So you definitely need research/activites that somehow relates to biology? what if I want to major in Operations Research instead?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>no you do not....you need activities that show an interest in medicine...of course you can join AMSA or that club for bio majors but some good ECs that will both show an interest in medicine and let u know whether you really want to be a doctor are:</p>
<ol>
<li>doing lab research in BME, bio or medicine</li>
<li>doing the SURF program in the bio department (there is also a clinical program)</li>
<li>the Academic Associates program (i did this as a full time intern this summer....GREAT experience)</li>
<li>Doing any other kind of clinical research...there's a hospital across the street, its not that hard to find oppertunities.</li>
<li>volunteering at a hospital...though i wouldnt be a big fan of the ***** work they make you do</li>
<li>CAVA (Columbia University EMS) .....a very good experience as well but requires A BIG committment....trust me! ...unless u r already an EMT, then its a much lesser committment. Also, this is not a guaranteed EC....it is a competitive applicant pool each semester to get on the squad....anyone can take the class though and cava will cover the cost (except for $110 for books and supplies, the class itself is $750 bucks)....if this interests you let me know and i can give u more info.</li>
</ol>
<p>I'm a bit confused about the CAVA. I thougt you need to be a EMT to join the Columbia EMS? Or does the CAVA prepares you to take the EMT test?</p>
<p>Also, can you give a bit more information on the clinical research you mentioned? What kind of research is it?</p>
<p>yes u do...but they hold an EMT class on campus which takes one semester...after which you take the EMT test and if you pass (which you will) you could apply to cava</p>
<p>can u sign up for the course in your first semester, or is it not that easy to just sign up?</p>
<p>u can do it your first semester....there is usually an information session at the beginning of the semester (second wk or so) and they will give u all the info then. The only two prerequisites are that you need to have a driver's license and u need to promise 4 semesters to cava if they accept you onto the squad following an interview. The class is 12 hours a week so its a big committment but its quite rewarding at the end.</p>
<p>if u are an EMT in NY or another state and want to join cava, come to the information session and set up an interview.</p>
<p>Is there a site that tells you which courses at Columbia fulfills the pre-med requirements?</p>
<p>also, is BME a better major for Med or Operations Research? From what I read, BME courses covers the necesary pre-med reqs and supposedly prepares you for med school, but people in BME usually have low GPA?</p>
<p>try that</p>
<p>niiice! Thanks a lot shraf ^.^</p>
<p><strong>CAVA Information Session: Thurs. Sept. 7, 8pm, Carmen Lounge</strong></p>