Well as the title says, I want to become a doctor and go to medical school. My SAT is 2150, high school UWGPA 3.7, (3.1 freshman year). This year as a junior I have a 99% in AP Calc AB, 99% in Physics 1 mechanics, 97% in AP Chemistry, and 94% in college A&P 1-2. I feel as though my abilities are much higher in math, chem, and physics than biology and A&P, as I’m better with analyzing than memorizing. I do not know what major I should choose for college; I want to become a surgeon, but if I decide not to, I want to have another good route to take. Some majors I have been interested in include Biomedical engineering, bioengineering, biomaterials engineering, biochemistry, biophysics, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. What other majors would you recommend, I would like to do something with lots of math, physics, and chemistry that would also prepare me for Medical school?
Math, chem, art history, psych, whatever……, med schools do not care what your major is. Pick a major in an area you are interested in because if you like material you’re more likely to do well (GPAs) which is what med schools care, in part, a great deal about. Most premeds tend to choose bio as major, maybe because of interest, but also because bio major reqs and premed reqs tend to get satisfied at same time whereas if you’re a physics major, you’ll have to fit premed reqs (eg 2 years of chem) into your schedule which although not impossible, does create extra hurdles. Med schools do not give much, if any, extra credit for rigor of college classes.
As most students who start as premed change career pathways, it’s good to have plan B. Engineering may be double edged sword, good plan B, perhaps even plan A, but attaining med school competitive GPAs in engineering may be difficult which could end med school plans. Also if you don’t start in college in engineering it may be difficult to switch from another major.
Most importantly, you’re a junior in high school. Focus on getting everything you can (eg academically, socially, etc) from your remaining time in high school. At this point I get planning for college, but med school planning at this point is pretty much useless.
Major in something that can get you a job just in case med school fails. IMO
Such as?
You can major in Bio and if Med school falls through there is alternate medically related fields to consider: Phramcy, Denistry, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Molecular Biology/CLS. Etc…
Just remember as a BME major, your will need to maintain a competitive GPA if applying for Med School plus you will also need Grad school for better job opportunities.
i see