<p>I've wanted to enter medical school since early in high school. I'm now a sophomore at University of Minnesota. I'm definitely not doing medicine for the money; I know how much stress the job contains, and I'm terrible at working in stressful situations. I like helping people and I like the idea of saving lives. </p>
<p>I have always had second thoughts if becoming a doctor, and since I'm really good and I like math and science I also was considering engineering, much more in the last couple of weeks. I haven't officially dropped my pre-med status at my university, and I still like the idea of saving lives and helping people, but as I was studying for a biology test, I realized that my life was going to be like this for the rest of my life, and I found that highly unappealing. My GPA is also a 3.1 right now, so my chances of even getting into medical school are very low to begin with. . </p>
<p>I don't have the proper courses to get into the engineering school yet, so the earliest I can transfer to the engineering school is next year. I'm not saying that engineering is a walk in the park, I know it's difficult, too. But I saw how much math my engineering friends deal with, and I feel that I could get through that a lot more easily. I was also never that good at reading and writing. </p>
<p>Do you think I should switch from pre-med to engineering? All input is appreciated.</p>
<p>There are many ways to help people. Becoming a physician is just one of them. Biomedical (and other varieties) of engineers can help save lives. Look at it this way: engineers (well, actually physicists but let’s not quibble) invented X-ray imaging, CAT scans, and MRIs. Engineers develop prosthetics and other devices (artificial limbs, heart assist pump, dialysis, drug delivery systems) to help people lead better and more active lives.</p>
<p>So if you want to help people by becoming an engineer–go for it. Take your introductory engineering classes and see where it goes.</p>
<p>But also realize that engineering isn’t just for people who love math and science. It takes a particular kind of mind-set as well as being good at math. </p>
<p>BTW, one comment–engineers do have to read and write. Much more than you seem to think they do. You will be producing and reading reports, writing proposals, grants and evaluations, and reading & writing manuals for the rest of your career.</p>
<p>OK. I’ve been told that I should consider biomedical engineering, too. There’s lots of ways to help people, and doctors do it for a living </p>
<p>I am somewhat tech-savvy and I do like technology; that’s also another reason I considered engineering. Is that what you meant by the mind-set that’s needed for engineering?</p>
<p>All of the following are generalizations and do not necessarily represent every single engineer:</p>
<p>“fix-it” and problem solver mentality
tinkers and puzzle solvers
can be incredibly literal minded and narrow in focus
more interested in resolving a specific issue than understanding the underlying fundamentals</p>
<p>What do you think the proper mindset of a doctor should be?</p>
<p>My laundry list: humane, caring, empathetic, rational, thoughtful (as in shows careful consideration of issues), non-judgmental, willing to admit when he/she’s wrong, and has both “people smarts” and very good interpersonal communication skills. Also excellent memory recall.</p>
<p>While there is a certain subset of physicians who lean more toward the “fix it” mentality, I believe these types often find medicine frustrating since it’s tough to “fix” a human being. Moreso if the human in question doesn’t want to be “fixed”. Mostly physicians manage chronic conditions/health issues and never actually “fix” a patient. (With perhaps some limited exceptions for some surgical specialties like ortho, plastics or urology.)</p>
<p>I’d like to say I have all of those characteristics except excellent memory recall. I’d say I have good memory recall, but not great. I wasn’t always great at memorizing. I know there’s memorization in every subject, but much more in biology. </p>
<p>I can handle whiny people to an extent, but so many people have told me that a math-related subject would be better suited for me, including my AP Biology teacher in high school.</p>
<p>Well, try engineering and see if it fits your strengths. </p>
<p>If you hate biology, then medical school is going to be pure misery since it’s all biology all the time.</p>
<p>OK, thanks. I’ll drop in on an engineering class and see how it is. </p>
<p>And I don’t hate biology at all. I find it very interesting. I’m just not that good at memorization.</p>