Switching Schools...should I stay or should I switch?

[DarkKnight666]

<p>So I heard that switching schools as an undergrad at WashU is easy. But does anyone know the whole process of switching schools? I apologize for sounding skeptical, but I just wanna see for myself.</p>

<p>But I'm considering switching schools once I once start college. I'll be a freshman in the school of engineering next year studying BME and pre-med; I'll also probably be taking Biology class next year as part of the pre-med requirements. But I know BME is heavily math-based, and I don't think I'm good at math, so I'm considering switching to CAS for a major in Biochem or some biology-based major.</p>

<p>My second question is: should I switch to CAS? I'm really not so good at math, but I know BME careers make more money than Biology-based ones. My main goal for undegrad major is to earn enough money for med school. But I also heard jobs in undergrad majors in biology-related fields are difficult to find. So, is it really worth switching? </p>

<p>my math skills aren't too bad... I got a 770 in the math section of my SATs and and a 770 in the Math 2 subject test. But I took IB Math HL in high school and it just killed me, so now I doubt I'm qualified for undergraduate degree in engineering.</p>

<p>Also I do plan to look for internship opportunities at the NIH and other institutes in the summer. So would it be easier for for those institutes to accept me if they knew I'm working towards a major in Biology instead of BME?</p>

[palmalk]

<p>I can only answer the first question. My D started as a BME. After first day of classes (a Wednesday I believe) she realized it was not what she thought it was going to be and started the process to switch to CAS (Thursday). Because she was unable to obtain one needed signature due to the Labor Day holiday weekend, she was unable to finish the process until the following Tuesday. Could not have been easier.</p>

[Can2010]

<p>Lol yes IB Math HL is a killer.</p>

<p>Regarding the following sentence by OP:
"My main goal for undegrad major is to earn enough money for med school."</p>

<p>I don't get this. If your plan is going straight to medical school, why would you need a major to earn enough money? (If you get in, wouldn't it be easier to get loans and then pay them back when you're out of medical school?)</p>

[limabeans]

<p>Sounds like this is a discussion with your advisor. First you say "I don't think I'm good at math", then you write "my math skills aren't too bad...". You want to earn $$$ right out of college. But you also say you want to go to med school. Hummm...</p>

<p>It's okay to want to sort these things out. You're 17 or 18 years old. One response showed you how easy it is to switch schools, someone else wrote that the IB HL is a "killer", but the bigger picture is really, what do YOU want to do. Math? Biology? Engineering? These are good questions, but you are the one to sort them out. Look through the course catalog, and see what sparks you. Professors are also very helpful and you might even want to direct your questions to someone at the school.</p>

[marcdvl]

<p>As an engineering student, I want to further emphasize the importance of math. If your math skills are below what they should be, you will have trouble in all of your engineering courses. That said, if you were able to get through IB/AP Math/Calc and do well, you'll likely be fine. Calc 3 is a very challenging course and you do not want to enter if you're not properly prepared. Don't fret about the placement exam either, it's not difficult if you know what you're doing. MATLAB, TI-80, Wolfram Alpha all help too (its an onine exam).</p>

<p>It's 100% up to you, and you can always change after your first semester or even year.</p>

[DarkKnight666]

<p>Well I mean in terms of engineering; I believe my math skills are good overall, but not enough for engineering. And I want a degree in engineering more than just going to med school: I know that jobs in engineering are much higher in demand, and that biologists are too common these days (both my parents are currently biologists and researchers).</p>

[DarkKnight666]

<p>@Can2010 I can't be perfectly sure that I want to go to med school, so if I obtain an undergraduate degree and choose not to go to med school, I'll still have a way to make a living.</p>

<p>and pay off loans after med school? I doubt I can do that considering med school's like...over $50k</p>

[marcdvl]

<p>You seem keen on it (engineering). I'd give it a go. You can always drop/add classes until twoish weeks after classes start, and you can always swap schools after your first semester. If you find that you can't handle the math, drop Calc 3 and take Calc 2.</p>

[Can2010]

<p>The money you make as a doctor after you get out of residency will more than pay off your loans. The 50k per year you invest, if you get out of med school and residency, is definitely worth it.</p>