<p>I've heard mixed opinions about ga tech bme. Obviously it's highly ranked (#3 in the nation) but what else sets it apart?
I've been accepted, and I'm really considering it. I'm planning on doing pre-med, so I would love to have as many research opportunities as possible. I heard that Tech has a load of research opportunities, but are they easily accessible? It would seem as though the competition for all the research is extremely high, making them tough to obtain. Is that true?</p>
<p>bump…</p>
<p>innovative teaching, problem-based learning, attracts top students from across the nation, etc. Lots of research going on as well.</p>
<p>Research is what sets the institute as a whole apart from the pack, and BME is no exception. The BME and pre-med curriculum line up very well, making it one of the most common majors for serious pre-med students. Remember, however, to choose a major that you would be happy studying if pre-med turns out not to be your cup of tea, or if you don’t get into med school (there is only a 30% acceptance rate across the country for prospective medical school students, though Tech has a slightly higher average.) Yes, research is accessible, but don’t expect a prestigious position your first year or two. You need a basic foundation of knowledge in your major before you are useful to the professor doing the research.</p>
<p>A lot of people drop BME, but that’s because they have a lot of classes towards the beginning to basically allow students to get an idea of if they are actually passionate about BME or if they’re just going into it because daddy said they should be a doctor. I know quite a few, from a fellow with a 4.0 going to johns hopkins for med school to my best friend working in a neuroscience lab this spring. There’s a lot of joint programs with Emory to allow BMEs to get research/volunteer experience in Emory Hospital in midtown. It’s really a world class program :)</p>
<p>bme research at gatech isn’t necessarily easily accessible. since lots of students want to be involved in research, most of the time all the research assistant positions will already be filled.</p>
<p>i think that the best way to get one is to start with your professor. since you see them often (class time and office hours), it will be easier to get them to know you personally. start asking them about research sometime near the end of the semester. they will most likely not refuse you. also, make sure you are also doing reasonably well in that class too :)</p>
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<p>personally i think premed should stick to bio and biochem cause bme is about 85%engineering and 15%bio/chem. but its up to them. if they aren’t a fan of engineering, stick with bio cause your gpa will suffer.</p>
<p>that said, i think that one crucial benefit for taking bme is that in 3rd and 4th year classes, you taking some team/group style classes which can be important for medschool.</p>
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<p>Is BME the major that would prepare one most for medical school? I heard from various people that BME is more “medicine” oriented than any other major.<br>
Would a BME major prepare one better for career in medicine than a major like biology?
btw I’m interested in all aspects of science & math, so its not like I’m considering bme because of its grad school benefits.</p>
<p>BME requirements tend to overlap pretty well with the pre-med requirements. However, because you’ll need physics, chemistry, and biology courses, there is not a single major that will include all of the prerequisites, and you will thus need to take a few courses beyond standard coursework. I think the primary reason that most pre-med students choose BME is because they have an interest in the health care field already, and thus BME appeals to them for the same reasons that pre-med does.</p>
<p>However, BME is a tough major, no question about it. You’ll have to work harder than your pre-med counterparts in biology and chemistry programs. However, medical school admissions supposedly takes the rigor of your undergraduate coursework into some consideration, and is more tolerant of lower GPAs from applicants with degrees in engineering.</p>
<p>Below is a list of the recommended courses for pre-med students. Courses denoted with an asterisk also fulfill a degree in BME:</p>
<p>MATH 1501 (Calculus 1)*
MATH 1502 (Calculus 2)*</p>
<p>ENGL 1101 (English 1)*
ENGL 1102 (English 2)*</p>
<p>PHYS 2211 (Physics 1)*
PHYS 2212 (Physics 2)*</p>
<p>BIOL 1510 (Intro Biology 1)*
BIOL 1520 (Organismal Biology)</p>
<p>CHEM 1211K (Inorganic Chemistry 1)*
CHEM 1212K (Inorganic Chemistry 2)
CHEM 2311 (Organic Chemistry 1)* [Replaces CHEM 1315, Survey of Orgo]
CHEM 2312 (Organic Chemistry 2)
CHEM 2380 (Synthesis Lab) [May be able to fill BME elective slot]
CHEM 4511 (Biochemistry)* [Replaces CHEM 3511, Survey of Biochem.]</p>
<p>As you can see, you’ll only need to take about three extra classes. BME also includes classes such as BMED 3300, Biotransport, and BMED 3600, Physiology of Cells. These classes look good when applying to medical school, as they apparently like seeing biochemistry and cellular biology courses.</p>
<p>Here is what I would recommend: enroll in a major you would enjoy, ignoring medical school. You’ll be getting classes like math, english and physics done and won’t lose any time. Get in touch with Student Hospital Connections, a club at Tech, and set up a volunteer position with a local hospital. If you find, after seeing the medical profession first hand, that you still want to go to medical school, make the required changes to your coursework. I want to underscores that you can apply to doctor school with any degree, provided you have completed the requirements. I should also emphasize that many applicants to medical school worked in industry or academia for several years, had a calling to medicine, completed a post-bach pre-med program, and then applied to med school. Don’t get the feeling you have to decide now.</p>
<p>I would also like to add that many medical schools do not recognize AP credit. Thus, you may have to retake courses you already have credit for through AP.</p>