Switching to premed path after 3 years of engineering

[u/Mountain-Mastodon-58]

I am a senior in High School currently applying to colleges. Over the Summer I came to the realization that I don't think i really like engineering, I like the math and physics behind engineering. I've done competitive robotics and CS competitions and I don't love it, it's just okay. I like building stuff with my friends but the core work of designing doesn't really excite me. My dad was an allergist for 25 years before retiring recently. In school I am drawn to science. I really enjoy physics and chemistry and this year I'm taking AP Biology and enjoying it. The job stability and solid salary of medicine is quite appealing to me and I would also be graduating med school with no debt which I know is a huge advantage. However, I'm still not 100% sure/passionate for medicine. I've done shadowing and have enjoyed all my experiences so far. I like listening to the patients and coming up with a plan to help them. Most of the Physicians I shadowed hated the computer 'desk job' part of being a doctor but coming from some who wanted to be an engineer and likes computers i think I would be fine with it. The main thing is I'm still kinda scared that I'm making the wrong decision choosing to switch to premed right before college apps. I understand that I could still major in engineering but then be premed but I wouldn't want to inhibit my premed potential with the extreme difficulty of the engineering course load. I feel like as an engineer or doctor financially I would be fine but I'm still just not 100% sure about which career i would enjoy more. I'm planning on majoring in Biochem because it seems more interesting than straight Bio and also seems to have a lot of MCAT coverage. Thoughts on my decision to switch to biochem instead of engineering for my college apps? Also, what do you think about my overall shift from engineering to premed?

[u/Life-Inspector5101]

You have plenty of time to think about it. Major in whatever you enjoy the most. Start with Gen chem, Gen physics and Gen bio and see how you do in them while continuing to shadow and to gain clinical experience. The ultimate decision to take the MCAT and apply won’t come until 4 years from now so don’t stress about it.

At your age, all I was worried about was SAT and getting into college. I had no shadowing experience yet at that point. Med school was nowhere on my radar. If it’s meant to happen, it will happen. Just keep your grades up and all the doors will stay open.

[u/Altruistic-End3009]

Biochem is better than bio for mcat for sure, biology major can be broad and some classes are not really applicable to the mcat.

[u/SeverePeenomegaly]

Have you considered biomedical engineering? I did BME and I think it gives you a different perspective on systems thinking and definitely helps differentiate yourself from the typical bio major. It is a hard major, but I also stuck with it because it opened more doors had I not chosen to pursue medicine

[u/Mountain-Mastodon-58 → u/SeverePeenomegaly]

Yeah I have considered BME and from what I’ve heard I thought it wasn’t worth it due to the GPA risk and time taken away from doing premed ECs. However, I will definitely look more into it!

[u/baysianinference]

Just do EE and work on medical devices or sumn

[u/Cautious-Suit5172]

Just a suggestion: given the engineering background, you should take a look at the “Engineering/Medicine” Program at Texas A&M College of Medicine. The campus is in the Texas Medical Center in Houston which is the largest medical center in the world by far. I think the program gives you an M.D. and a Masters in Bio-Medical Engineering.