University of Michigan Senior - Need advice for changing future plans

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Michigan
1

<p>Hey everyone,</p>

<p>There's a tl;dr at the bottom, but I would appreciate if you could read through the entirety of this post. </p>

<p>I am a University of Michigan senior majoring in Neuroscience in the School of Literature, Arts, and Sciences. </p>

<p>Throughout college, I have been on the pre-medical track. However, this past summer, as I tried studying for my MCAT, I found myself more and more questioning the depth of my commitment to medicine and whether I am truly suited for this field. This confusion, believe it or not, really undermined my own preparation for the MCAT. As much as I tried to focus on studying, it seems my own hesitance in medicine really lowered my own resolve to study for this test. </p>

<p>Maybe it was because of own personal experiences, but medicine always superseded my interest in business, a field that I have always felt I would excel and be successful in if I ever opted down that route. However, it was only these last six months, where I've started to notice that I really enjoy business and my predilection for medicine has started to fade. </p>

<p>Now...I am a bit lost. I will continue being a pre-medical for this year, because I really don't have much of a choice, but I don't know where to go from here. A BS won't serve me much as it is. </p>

<p>I was thinking of applying for the regular admission to Ross Business School's BBA program. However, everyone I know who applies for this program are freshman who are hoping to enter their sophomore year. I know I will be two years older and behind these individuals, but this is an alternate I would prefer than being 200k+ in debt from medical school and spending another decade before I finally have earning power.</p>

<p>Does anyone know whether Ross Business School would accept unique individuals in my situation for their BBA program? The advantage I have is that I would be able to complete a BBA/BS double major with the credits I have already earned thus far. I also live in Ann Arbor, so I can just commute from home to save money from room and board. </p>

<p>TL;DR : UM pre-medical senior majoring in Neuroscience unsure about desire to go into medical school - wants to go into business and apply for Ross's BBA program...would he have a chance?</p>

2

<p>Finish your degree in neuroscience. Go to work for a couple of years and save some money. Get your MBA (at Ross or another school if you can’t get into Ross). That will serve you better than backing up now and trying to add in a BBA (I have a BBA from Ross and an MBA from another school, by the way).</p>

3

<p>I don’t think there will be any value whatsoever to me just sticking with the BS, especially considering I would probably end up in some laboratory position. I just don’t know how the skills gained from such an employment would translate to me getting accepted into a reputable MBA program. It doesn’t seem like relevant work experience. I’d rather just take the MCAT and apply to MD/DO than just stick with the BS. </p>

<p>Don’t you agree that it would be more valuable that I spend another two/three years at Michigan, gain the BBA from a reputable program, and then enter the business world with a relevant job?</p>

4

<p>You should consider applying to the brand new Masters of Management program at the Ross School of Business. The program is designed for exactly people with your background (no undergrad business and it does not require any full time work experience). The new program is a one year program. It will not be the same as an MBA but is much more practical than going back and doing 3 additional years of undergrad (plus I don’t think you would be accepted to the Ross BBA program given that you would have way too many units). You should look up the details of the program since I think it fits your circumstances very well. They will accept applications soon for the first class of the program which is kicking off fall of 2014.</p>

5

<p>I know a lot of people interested in business often have backgrounds in engineering, primarily CS. </p>

<p>Is it worth considering a switch to CS while also doing the Ross BBA or that Masters of Management Program, if I manage to get accepted into one or the other, that SunnyandClear mentioned?</p>

<p>I don’t know…I’m just not in the greatest position right now in applying to MD/DO schools (GPA-wise and MCAT preparation-wise), and I don’t want to invest another two years of my life working to apply to medical school if I’m altogether just hesitant about the entire field in general.</p>

<p>Honestly, I just don’t know what to do. I honestly had a plan going into May that I would study hard for the MCAT, take it in January, and apply next year. Perhaps it was a blessing in disguise that maybe these doubts surfaced? I suppose it’s better now than later to figure out a field that you actually like than spending the rest of your life doing it…</p>

6

<p>Finish your bachelors degree. Just get it done. Don’t fart around with different majors. You can certainly get into an MBA program with a BS. If you are going to spend a couple extra years in school, do it getting a masters, not messing around with more bachelor level studies. Don’t backtrack.</p>

7

<p>The business side of the health care field is booming. Technology firms (like Epic Systems and many others) and consulting firms need smart people right out of college. You could potentially get in at the beginning of a successful growing company and never need to go back and get an MBA. I don’t think a Ross undergrad degree is a great route – see what’s out there, work a couple years and then get your MBA. Go to the Career Center and find out who is recruiting in the health care arena. You may find it’s a better fit than actually practicing medicine.</p>

8

<p>I’m in a very similar position as the OP (it’s actually kind of weird). What good jobs are available with a Bachelors in Neuroscience or Psychology? Should they be paired with a practical minor like Business or Computer Science? Or am I better off continuing on the Pre Health Route and evaluating my options in the health care industry after I graduate?</p>

9

<p>How well known is Epic? I was surprised it was mentioned because as they don’t have consumer products, I didn’t expect that people would think to mention it.</p>

<p>As far as I know, ending with a Bachelors in a “Pre-health” major doesn’t do much for you in terms of getting a job in healthcare. For the healthcare related jobs (for instance, say a developer at Epic) they’d want a CS major and would give them the healthcare background they need. Even a Bio major would still need to be given the healthcare background, as Bio simply doesn’t really teach you anything about healthcare.</p>

10

<p>Why don’t you try to became a physician assistant/Optometrist? Both pay better than any Engr. job.</p>

11

<p>

</p>

<p>This is such nonsense that I can’t even imagine you trying to defend it after being called out.</p>