<p>Currently, I am a high school student in the summer who will be going into the University of Michigan Ann Arbor as a biomedical engineering major and then hopefully will go into medical school. </p>
<p>I am really getting nervous because everyone around me is saying that getting into medical school is very tough. On top of that, I am going to be majoring in Biomedical engineering (I really love this major) which is a major that people say is going to be very hard to maintain a very high GPA.</p>
<p>And so, what should I do to increase my chances to get into medical school. For example, what classes should I take, when should I take Orgo (I was thinking 2nd sem. freshman year), where can I get clinical experience that will be meaningful, and anything other tips that people who are applying to med school or have gotten in could share.</p>
<p>Thank you very much...I hope with your tips, I can have a better undergraduate experience and get into medical school.</p>
<p>Engineer majors do usually have lower GPAs. You have to try harder than your peers, because they won’t be going into med school (thus do not have to maintain a 3.6+ gpa). I would say if you find it killing your GPA, than minor in it if possible. But I remember reading that the major that is accepted most to med school is BME majors. Even more than bio and chem. This is probably because admins know that the major is hard, and that it teaches a lot of useful problem solving skills that other majors won’t have. You should not take O chem your freshman year. Talk about a GPA killer. Take gen chem and then o chem your sophomore year.</p>
<p>Also, besides GPA, make sure you have great ECs and a high MCAT. These could make up a little for a slightly lower GPA. Of course do things like shadowing and clinical work, but maybe you could find a way to excel in a BME related EC.</p>
<p>The consensus among the well-traveled members on this board (read: accepted to top 20 med schools) is that you are not forgiven for taking a harder major, and that you shouldn’t go thinking that a 3.5 in BME is equal to a 4.0 in biology or history or english, et cetera.</p>
<p>I understand fully that medical schools do not care about the major nor the school when they process you through the computer for the first step of applications. Thus, I know that I will have to work much harder when it comes to doing my classes, and I’m fine with that because I do like the subject matter. However, I have a few other questions then:</p>
<p>When DWalker said that I should take orgo sophomore year, and take gen chem freshman year–how would that be possible if I already have AP credits for gen chem? Would I just not take a chemistry class one semester?</p>
<p>Now, someone mentioned that I should get involved in BME extracurricular activities, is this really going to have an impact on medical school applications? Would it really make a difference if I was president of a BME club?</p>
<p>Lastly, I really know that a high MCAT score is very important for getting into med school…however what is a good score for getting into any med school? 35? 38? 40+?
Plus, what are some things I can start doing now to make sure that I can get a good MCAT score in the future.</p>
<p>Again, thanks for all your help and support.</p>
<p>Well, most (if not all) do not accept AP credit for the two semesters of general chemistry with lab, so people just dump their AP Chemistry credit and retake general chemistry</p>
<p>You don’t have to have ECs in your field of study, and you can get away with no research if you are strong in other areas. You will have to have ECs, though, primarily clinical volunteering and doctor shadowing, along with activities that interest you. That’s pretty vague, but that is how it is. The point of medical schools valuing ECs is that they want to see if you are a human being that knows how to live life, and not just have ECs as a set of hoops to jump through.</p>
<p>As far as the MCAT, the average student admitted into med schools had about a 30-31. If you are looking in to top 20 schools, shoot for a 35+. Don’t go buying a review book or a prep course now; it’s just wasting your time. </p>
<p>Reading these boards, the advice you would get from those who’ve gotten in to top 20 schools will tell you that working hard in your pre-reqs is about all you can do, and that you should only need a few months of hard studying to do as well as you can on the MCAT.</p>
<p>If you were wondering, if you decide not to take a gap year, April or March of your junior year should be the latest you take the MCAT, if you are to complete your application by the following June.</p>
<p>The most important thing you can do your freshman year is to adjust to college life and get excellent grades. That is really enough for the first year. You have chosen a difficult major at a demanding college, so you need to focus on your studies this year. And I agree, take ochem next year. Don’t overload on lab classes.</p>
<p>Find one or two activities you can participate in a few hours a week. Something you enjoy as an EC, or something that is helping others in some way: tutoring, volunteering. Anything that is helping others shows you have that inclination. Within the next few years, that volunteering needs to include some sort of patient contact. A2 has lots of hospital opportunities, also nursing homes. Just a few hours a week for at least a year at the same place.</p>
<p>If you have any opportunities to work for any professor, get involved in research, take it. Go in and talk to all your professors as college goes on. You need to connect with a few an get some mentoring, b/c someday you’ll need letters of recommendation. </p>
<p>But all of this is in the future. Your most important goal is great grades freshman year. Enjoy your time at UM–it’s a great place to learn. (Went to grad school there.)</p>
<p>Biomedical engineering is one such field of engineering which contains almost every subject of engineering like maths , electronics , electricals, programming , physics , biology , chemistry etc . But if you are really enthusiastic about biomedical engineering then you will surely do well .</p>
<p>i am a high school student and i am interested in biomedical engineering.
but i am a little worried about future of this major and job position.
please tell me some tip and information about it.
another question is that can this major find a good position in third world countries?
thank you.</p>