<p>@PurdueEE</p>
<p>Actually, most of my research into BME had little to do with Purdue, if any at all. I researched BME around the time I graduated because I started hearing about all these people majoring in it. I was open to the potential of graduate school if I could not find a job I thought I would somewhat enjoy and gave BME a glance. I looked at it as more than just a graduate program, I was a bit curious about it.</p>
<p>You’re talking about when you graduated from HS, right? How did you do your job searches? Sounds like something I should look into.</p>
<p>Anyways, what I found was that most of the “interesting” jobs required a MS or PhD (and often a good amount of work experience). Jobs that were open to BS BMEs were often open to anyone with an engineering or science degree and frequently involved QA or something else not too terribly exciting. There were some good jobs open to those with just a BS but it really took a lot of searching. Contrast that to EE, for example, where I can be looking at hundreds of jobs for new graduates in a matter of minutes. Of course, I would classify many of those jobs as also being less than desirable but at least there through the sheer volume of jobs you will be able to find good ones. A lot of these companies are also stable and know how to bring in someone with less experience and turn them into productive employees, whereas the BME companies were usually quite a bit smaller and probably wanted people who could perform on day one.</p>
<p>I’m going to graduate school, so I’m not worried about, well, finding a job with just a BS under my belt. You did note earlier that you knew some people who planned on getting a MS/PhD, but ultimately didn’t. Where’d they end up, and with what? Do you know why? Familial pressures, financial reasons, etc.?</p>
<p>Most of the people I know who had big plans (PhD/MD) did not go to Purdue with me or I did not really talk to them very much. Lots were from high school and others I met along the way through various things. From my high school, one of the best in the state, I cannot think of a single person who had very lofty goals who actually achieved them. And these were all people who 100% certain they would become CEO/senator/president someday.</p>
<p>First of all, my earlier post shouldn’t be seen as an attack on Purdue. I was just noting its low graduation rate (it’s public, doesn’t mean it’s bad) and weakness in BME (relatively new field, often depends on a strong hospital nearby, etc.).</p>
<p>Anyways, that’s pretty depressing that you don’t know anyone from your high school who achieved their lofty goals - but on the other hand, anyone who 100% plans on being President or a Senator or a CEO of a major company isn’t being realistic (and might very well be stupid), so I can’t say I’m not surprised. Almost everyone has big dreams; only some have the intelligence (or otherwise innate ability, like acting or athleticism) and drive to achieve them. What state was your HS in, and how do you know it’s “one of the best?” To me, past the notable schools (Exeter, Andover, special “state-level” magnet schools, etc.), most high schools (like mine) are often just a big mishmash of different kids (potential-wise). Where did these PhD/MD kids go, what’d they major in, and how many are we talking about (a handful, 10 of 'em?)?</p>
<p>I can, however, think of many who dropped out of school for various reasons or earned some worthless degree and now have crappy jobs making little money.</p>
<p>Are you talking about the BME majors you knew (if so, where’d they go?), because it seems like you’re just talking about high school kids in general. I’m sure many kids from high school drop out or pursue less marketable majors. “Kids from high school” is a very broad category, after all.</p>
<p>Most of the people I keep in contact with from Purdue have good jobs and are having their employers pay for their master’s degree and really had no interest in BME.</p>
<p>Heh, again, I’m not slamming Purdue. Just going from graduation rates, though, it’s just more likely that a higher graduation rate will entail better employment on average. Again, Purdue’s public, so it can’t be as selective as private schools. There’ll still be very smart and capable kids there, but I’ll bet there are more slackers/dumbos/etc. than at a good private school. I’d also bet that “most of the people [you] keep in contact with” aren’t part of that group that really shouldn’t have been admitted, so your experiences (as most people’s are - mine included, obviously) are subject to sampling bias. That’s why getting different perspectives from different people (and trying to learn about their environment to adjust for the aforementioned bias) is useful :)</p>
<p>Back on topic, though, I think a BS in BME at a top BME school is better than or at least on par with a BS in EE/ME at a top EE/ME school for the purposes of BME grad school. Maybe if I get into MIT I won’t have to worry 
I feel Duke’s a match, and anything higher is a reach (MIT and JHU), though. And, I might end up pursuing medical school in the end anyways.</p>
<p>In this post, I’ve of course taken the assumption that I do indeed have the intelligence and drive to get a PhD in BME or MD (at a good school, too), and while I’m sure everyone believes the best of themselves, I’ve objectively done quite well. This isn’t a stats/chances thread of course, but a 2360 SAT score single-sitting with just a little self-study (and a 235 PSAT, so I should make National Merit), a 4.0 UW (HS is easy, though), 5’s on 9/9 AP exams taken so far (AP exams are curved to all hell, though, sure) and good ECs & writing skills (won’t list or describe, as those’re much less objective, but they’re decent by CC’s elevated standards) while managing to have enough time to play far, far too many videogames and plow through hundreds of gigs of movies and TV series (sidenote: I love HBO original series!) probably means I have the requisite intelligence and drive. Hah, I feel like such a boastful kid - good thing my username is “ccuser12345!” So anyways, with that context, since I plan on going to graduate school, it seems to me that a BS in BME is probably best for me, heh. This is not sarcasm: do you know anyone with my “stats” (hey, I don’t really like that term either) who failed/burned out? If so, do you know why? I’ll know what to avoid, then.</p>
<p>@ken285</p>
<p>Right, I thought P.E. was something that made you seem more employable (and it is, but generally isn’t worth it except for those involved with the things you mentioned) so I was wondering if people who went for a PhD (definitely “worth it” for BME, and for other fields too) also went for P.E. certification. Just the ones involved with infrastructure and public safety, I guess. Thanks!</p>