Hi, I was wondering what people have to say about this 3/2 engineering program… Im obviously interested in engineering but more focused on the biomedical engineering… Im still debating between biomedical engineering and medicine though if I choose engineering would this program still be a fit for me? If not is there a better plan out there? Also, does any one have any thoughts or debates between bioengineering and medicine? I know I can take bioengineering and still go to med school but I don’t know… any thoughts?
I’m barely starting junior year, and I have a 4.0 gpa
Thanks
Which program? Many schools offer 3/2 programs.
Personally I’m not a big fan of 3/2 programs in general. I think you are better off going to a school with a strong engineering program.
The one challenge of bioengineering as a pre-med is that it can often be more challenging maintaining the GPA you will need for med school.
One thing about 3/2 programs is that you don’t automatically get into the engineering part of the program ( the “2”) simply by attending the introductory school (the “3”); usually you have to meet GPA and other requirements for admission to the back-end engineering programs.
Also, be aware that many – if not most – universities (especially those with more competitive programs) have direct application/admission to the engineering college or school. One exception – a “single-door” policy – is Case Western Reserve University, which has both good engineering and good liberal arts programs. (CWRU was formed in 1967 by the merger of the Western Reserve University – strong in liberal arts – and the Case Institute of Technology – strong in STEM.) If you went to CWRU or a place like it, you are admitted to the university as a whole; and, once admitted, you can choose to major in whatever you wish, with some exceptions. So, in your research this is something to keep in mind.
On a general note, when you are researching colleges and universities, you might want to look at the Common Data Set for such schools (most colleges and universities publish one). Part C of the CDS has information about recent applicants and admitted students, how different types of admissions factors are weighted by the schools, information on GPA and the median range of standardized test scores for admitted students. You can use this information as a means of comparing yourself to recently admitted students, and get a crude estimate of your admission chances.