Swap from biomed to sci?

[Belgarion]

Hey guys,
A friend of mine has been debating whether to change into a science degree so We have been trying to come up with points for and against her changing based on what we've researched and been told. So far:(keep in mind we both plan to do medicine and are currently doing first year

For change

-it's easier to get a higher gpa in science(to get an interview)
-not any major differences between the two except biomed seems to be a lot more content at a faster pace
- the stress and expectations in biomed is draining, making her really unhappy
-2nd year subjects that science students do separately(such as anatomy and something else I think), biomed students have to do in 1, much like first year chem for biomed compared to chem 1 & 2
-there is a chance that we both will not get into med, so a science degree would have many more options

Against

-not sure if it would be to much of a hassle to change course mid year or just filling out a form
-when applying for med, I know many say it's not true, but biomed students may be slightly favored.
-during med interview, may look bad how changing from biomed to sci(like giving up or something)

I think the biggest thing is she is unhappy but really wants to get into med, we both do, so any advice would be appreciated thanks.

[pi]

-during med interview, may look bad how changing from biomed to sci(like giving up or something)

I'm not sure exactly how UoM conducts their MMIs, but it would highly highly unlikely for that question to ever come up.

[lala1911]

Do whatever makes you happy. No point wasting your early 20s (best years of your life) stressed and depressed.

[jeppikah]

Just so you know, while the 2nd year biomedicine cores are combined together compared to the science equivalents, this is not like first year chemistry where Chem 1 and Chem 2 are combined into a single subject Chemistry for Biomedicine. The 2nd year subjects are double weighted and is like doing 2 subjects (6 lectures a week, 2 exams, etc).

[simpak]

Hey guys,
A friend of mine has been debating whether to change into a science degree so We have been trying to come up with points for and against her changing based on what we've researched and been told. So far:(keep in mind we both plan to do medicine and are currently doing first year

For change

-it's easier to get a higher gpa in science(to get an interview)
-not any major differences between the two except biomed seems to be a lot more content at a faster pace
- the stress and expectations in biomed is draining, making her really unhappy
-2nd year subjects that science students do separately(such as anatomy and something else I think), biomed students have to do in 1, much like first year chem for biomed compared to chem 1 & 2
-there is a chance that we both will not get into med, so a science degree would have many more options

Against

-not sure if it would be to much of a hassle to change course mid year or just filling out a form
-when applying for med, I know many say it's not true, but biomed students may be slightly favored.
-during med interview, may look bad how changing from biomed to sci(like giving up or something)

I think the biggest thing is she is unhappy but really wants to get into med, we both do, so any advice would be appreciated thanks.

For

- It's not easier to get a higher GPA in Science, both are marked on merit and are not scaled, the GPA you get in either degree will be dependent on how well you can perform in the subjects you choose to do.  In Biomedicine more of those subjects are chosen for you, perhaps the person fails to do well in these subjects.  In Science, you choose your subjects but if you're planning on applying to Medicine many subjects will be very similar meaning that the difficulty is very similar
- Biomed does have content that can't be done in Science and is beneficial for those that are sure that they want to work in Biomedical research
- Stress point sounds fine, I guess, but it's possible to get stressed in other degrees...
- The point about second year subjects is completely wrong.  Anatomy and Physiology are taken together in Biomedicine and they equate to 25 points (two subjects worth, in a single subject) so you do three subjects in a single semester of second year, but they are worth four.  Anatomy and Physiology are taken separately in Science and still equate to 25 points.  I believe there are some differences in content but they are certainly not major because you can take Science Anatomy and Physiology electives in place of HSF when you need to go on exchange as a Biomedicine student.  So basically, Chemistry for Biomedicine = 12.5 points.  Chem 1 + 2 = 25 points.  Yes those are different.  HSF = 25 points, Anatomy + Physiology = 25 points.  No difference.
- Is she going to major in a Biomedically related major?  Because if she is, I would stick to Biomedicine.  There's no point in uprooting your studies if you're just going to do a major that you could do in Biomedicine or Science.  If she wants to switch to something like Chemistry or Zoology that you can't major in when you do Biomed then I understand, but if she's planning on majoring in Physiology in Biomedicine and she'll major in Physiology in Science there is really no point in moving.  Those graduates will compete for the same Honours projects and have very similar opportunities after graduation

Against

- It is a ridiculous hassle because I really don't think any of your For reasons were good enough unless she wants to major in something not offered in Biomedicine
- This isn't true, I don't know how many times it has to be said.  When you apply to medicine they don't look at your undergraduate degree and what it was.  You get an interview based on your GPA in any degree and your GAMSAT score.  Everyone is treated equally.
- Again, not true.  How is it 'giving up'?  I'm not entirely sure of what you're asked in MMIs but I'm relatively sure that it has nothing to do with this.  I was recently questioned over leaving my first degree and moving to Science (for something unrelated), but the interviewer was merely interested in my motivations.  They weren't trying to judge me.  If someone can justify their decision and explain why they chose to do what they did and why they wanted to do it at the time then nobody is going to treat it at 'giving up'.  Also, your comment implies that retreating to Science would be the worst thing in the world.  I was offered both courses and chose Science, and I've never seen it as giving up.

On your final point:
Plenty of people are unhappy when they first reach university.  It takes a while to settle into your degree.  Moving from Biomedicine to Science isn't going to help her to feel better unless she makes a drastic change.  What is the real reason for her unhappiness?  If it's because she feels pressured to get a high GPA for medicine, that's not going to change if you switch degrees but take similar or identical subjects.  I feel stress and pressure to do well in my degree all the time.  It's not something that is reserved for Biomedicine students.  The fact is that neither of you have even completed one semester of university.  This semester is not supposed to be easy.  Stick it out, see how it goes and reassess at the end of the year.  Don't go jumping into things that will complicate your studies unnecessarily.

[mark_alec]

As mavisgibbons has said:

For:
- a high GPA is not easier in science. It is easier to get a high GPA if you do subjects you are good at. If you intend on doing the biomedicine equivalents in science, it will be the same.
- biomedicine is not faster or more difficult.
- if she wants to get into medicine, the stress in science won't be different.
- subjects are mostly equivalent
- for a similar major, both have equal employment prospects
 
Against:
- changing midyear will be pain, since chemistry 1+2 compared with chemistry for biomedicine are not equivalents. Even at the end of the year, it is bureaucracy for little benefit.
- biomedicine students are not favoured
- if your reason for changing from biomedicine to science is to "get a better GPA and be less stressed" and they asked you that, how do you think it would go down?

If you or your friend intend on doing medicine and don't have a *very* strong desire to major in an area that isn't offered in biomedicine, switching is not worth it.

[tao]

Often in life you look at the neighbor's cow and think how much nicer it is than your own, it never really works out that way.

And Chem for Biomed is no more difficult than Chem 1 nor Chem 2. It just covers the relevant chemistry that is for Biomedicine out of those two subjects.

[jinny1]

Sigh... Is this thread really happening? -.-

[Russ]

Sigh... Is this thread really happening? -.-

God forbid someone be unsure about what to do and ask for advice?

[Belgarion]

thanks to everyone for helping us clear some things up. Special thanks to mavis and mark for showing the faults in those arguments. I believe this will make her feel less stressed and its cleared some misconceptions i had as well. Thanks again

[simpak]

No problem, happy to help If I were you guys I would just stick with it, you'll definitely feel more comfortable once you've got some solid results/learn exactly what is troubling you.  I think first year is the worst bit because there's a lot of broad stuff you have to do (eg maths, physics) which isn't everyone's cup of tea, but the good news is first year does not have a large impact on your GPA when applying to medicine.