<p>Could someone enlighten me WPI in bio-medical, bio-chmeical programs on professhorship, intensity of the programs and interships? My son is very interested and would like to apply in two years. My obliged...</p>
<p>The biomedical engineering program is very strong and the biochemistry program is also quite good. The life science-related departments at WPI conduct a lot of new ground-breaking research at the new building at Gateway Park and the facilities are very good. The biomedical engineering program is a little new but its academic quality is strong enough to get good students into top graduate programs and into good position in industry.</p>
<p>WPI BME program good for grad school and industry but what about med school admisions?
Does the no record grading system put the WPI grad at a disadvantage in med school admission… Any thoughts on BME vs BIO as a major selection for premed?</p>
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<p>Medical school admissions is based more on GPA and MCAT scores than the school attended or major taken. Generally, it is almost necessary to have a 3.6+ GPA and a 32+ MCAT if one wants to be competitive for US allopathic (MD) medical schools. One can generally major in any rigorous disciplines that interests them as long as they fulfill a required curriculum (which typically includes biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and some mathematics).</p>
<p>Having attended WPI as opposed to another university (or vice versa) will not likely make a student more qualified for medical school although the projects at WPI, if done very well, could be a significant plus on a student’s medical school applications. The pre-med curriculum here is fairly well structured and covers the required material (and more) for medical school admissions.</p>
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<p>The grading system doesn’t really put WPI at a disadvantage although having a +/- could further distinguish stronger students form slightly weaker students. Virtually nobody here takes advantage of the NR system to benefit his/her GPA. Students who get NR’s are either lazy or genuinely struggling a lot. If a student gets more than 2 NR grades a year, he/she loses scholarships and/or financial aid. Furthermore, the faculty who write recommendations for the student would likely be aware that they took advantage of the system. </p>
<p>The major does not really matter as long as the student performs strongly in the major; doing a major you like typically helps you to do well. BME involves some Mechanical Engineering, ECE, or other engineering as well as concepts of biotechnology while biology/biotechnology focuses more on an understanding of the basic science and laboratory applications.</p>