Hmm, I didn’t realize people couldn’t have opinions here. I was very clear that was mine.
My impression (but you might want to check this, or others may comment) is that data science contains a fair amount of math. At least to me it was possible to maintain a strong GPA in math classes, but of course this will vary with the individual.
To a large extent, between data science, BME, and medical school, the one question that comes to mind is: What do you want to do? Are you driven to do any particular one of these?
This is a question that you might be able to answer after the first year or two of university. You can take a few classes in each area, and see what you think after you have some more experience with each of these. Of course, if you start freshman year with some premed classes and some math classes and some engineering classes, you are going to need to work very hard for your freshman year. That should be okay as long as you are prepared to do this (and having done very well in high school is likely to help you handle this tough combination of courses).
We have a daughter who is about to graduate with a DVM. Perhaps the two most obvious things that I have gleaned from watching this process is that you have to be driven to do it, and determination might be the most important skill that has gotten her this far. I do not think that getting an MD would have been any easier (and it might be tougher – as one example after getting an MD you still have a residency to get through). While she completed all of the premed/pre-vet classes as an undergraduate student, she did not actually finally decide that she wanted to get a DVM until sometime after she already had her bachelor’s degree. Similarly I did not decide what I was going to do for my career until sometime after I had my bachelor’s degree. I know others who have similarly changed their career direction after getting a bachelor’s degree, and in one case even after getting a law degree.
It is possible to “course correct” after you start university, or in some cases even after you complete a bachelor’s degree.
If we include the five schools in your original post, plus U Kansas and Kansas State, you have seven very good options. The problem is that that they all are going to have a lot of very good professors, quite a few very strong students, and a very long list of opportunities. It is hard to fully compare them.
Seven schools is a lot to visit. There is something to be said for visiting after you have already been accepted. On the one hand you know that you really can be here in September if you decide to do so. Also, you likely can get a tour and possibly get to talk to a professor, and they will also know that you really can be here in September if you make that choice.
One option is to visit each school, or at least your top choices, make a list of pros and cons, think about it, then just put it all aside for a few days or a couple of weeks. Then just go with whatever feels right to you.
I do not think that any of these schools stand out over the rest, but I think that they are all very good. Also, both engineering and medical school admissions are areas where “prestige” really does not matter. For medical school admissions what you did as an undergraduate student will matter way, way more compared to where you did it. For an engineering job or a data science job what you can do will matter, and for example internships can help a lot. However, you can get good internships at any of a wide variety of universities, including all of the schools that you are considering.
Right now this is a bewildering choice. If you spend some time thinking about it, try to not panic, then just put it aside for a few days, then it is likely that something will just feel right after a while.
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You don’t have to decide about applying to medical school soon…at all.
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It is ok not to know your career path right now….really!!!
You have a LOT of excellent choices. What is best for you might not be best for somebody else. Nobody can answer that question except for you.
My advice is to focus on a decision. Visit if possible, talk to students and professors etc. Once you are there you will be exposed to a lot of different classes etc, your interests will continue to evolve….and you will be in a better place to decide on a career. And that could change!
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Have you been to Campus Day at UMich yet, or similar accepted student events at other schools? I can’t speak to BME, but we’re just back from a great Campus Day with my daughter, where we did the ChemE department presentation for the afternoon session. I was struck by how supportive the community seems to be. It’s bound to be an incredibly difficult program, academically, but I am convinced that there is support every step of the way for those committed to the discipline. She still hasn’t made up her mind yet but I was super impressed by everything we saw and heard at Campus Day and I would be thrilled to send her there.
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Thanks for elaborating further.
Just so I can understand what you’re saying, you would eliminate one of the options because it doesn’t have big time college athletics?
As I’ve stated, it’s an opinion. Mine. The big outlier in the 5 schools, to me is Case Western. The others are big state flagships, with everything that entails, both good and bad.
OP happens to have a sports figure for their avatar, leading me to believe they do enjoy sports.
It’s a minor comment. Not sure why I’m getting so much blow back.
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I didn’t mean to provide “blow back.” I just commented that sports is only one possible factor, and I didn’t see evidence of that being a factor (either positive or negative) in the OP’s posts. That’s why I wondered if I had missed something?
Google image search tells me that the OP’s avatar is a picture of a Portuguese soccer player, Cristiano Ronaldo. I agree, the OP probably has interest in some sort of sports… but I’m not sure if that indicates a keen interest in big time American collegiate sports (although soccer is an NCAA sport…)
I expect the OP can inform us if that’s a big interest for them!
My S23 is also really into certain sports… but not American collegiate sports. So for him, “big sports school” was not a plus.
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I think that athletics don’t really matter to my college experience. I don’t see how athletics would really relate to me. I think the overall school environment is what is more important. Yeah I’m not too much into college sports cause I don’t have a local team to support. I also think that a big sport school might be a bit overwhelming, but that’s just my opinion.
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Have you been to these ? They are different.
Like the school’s themselves?
I definitely think in the future I want to go into a field more related to technology but I also want some aspect to be related to medicine. I’ve had experience with computational biology before. Yes I think there are a lot of schools to visit so I will take my time over the next month or so. Thank you for the great advice!
The school environment and athletics are intertwined at some schools on your list.
My kid loved it, loved the school spirit and how everybody came together to celebrate.
She also loved her science classes, volunteering, clubs, and research team.
You could have both. You could also choose not to.
Unfortunately I don’t have time before may 1st to go and visit Michigan. I visited a few weeks ago but it was just a regular tour. I’ve also been to north campus for a camp before like 3 years ago. But I think that Umich is still one of my top options due to the overall community environment that I felt when I was there.
Yes. You are asking someone to choose between LeBron, Shohei Ohtani, and Lamar Jackson. Ok that’s a sports reference.
The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin.
You are asking people to choose for you - when these choices are varied. But outstanding.
Only you can do so.
I tend to go to value so that’s Purdue. But your academics are going to slide to many majors. That’s Case.
I would never go to Michigan - it’s obscenely pricey. I wouldn’t choose UNC because of you want engineering short of the one major, they don’t have it. Plus there’s a cemetery on campus. And I wouldn’t choose UIUC because the campus is depressing.
But I’m not you and that’s the point.
So what would you choose ? To make a four year full pay investment, you have the resources to visit. So take the time and see where you feel at home.
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Neither of our kids went to universities with a big athletic presence. Neither school had football. They found plenty of other things where they could show their school spirit.
I’m from Cleveland. The Guardians baseball team, and the Cavaliers basketball team are great. For the Browns football…well…there is always next year!
So…if someone wants to see sports in CLE, they are there.
Please discuss the finances with your parents.
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You started with a sibling at MIT and wanting to save. U Mich is a fine choice but it’s double Purdue.
Did you truly mean what you said about cost ? If so that’s the easiest cut.
What has your parents sa D about $$?
Yes I don’t think athletic presence is a big factor but yes all of these schools have an athletic presence.
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Yeah it’s up to me to decide but I like input from other people who are more familiar with the schools and choosing a school.
There is, but I had no idea until it was pointed out to me, and after walking the campus many, many times.
But…some may be bothered by it! Come to think of it, I think my other kid’s school also had one!
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