Medicine vs Law? Which should I go for?
I'm currently studying A levels, I'm supposed to be in year 13 atm. But I didn't get the grades I wanted in year 12 so I'm repeating AS year.
This time ill be studying biology, chemistry, psychology, history, Arabic and ill be doing an EPQ (About human rights violations, war crimes and chemical and biological weapons).
I'm just finding it VERY difficult to pick between the two courses. I'm passionate about both, and would LOVE to study any of them. I just don't know which one.
I'm a female who likes biology (fave subject) and politics. I like to research about stuff, rather than being given information already. I prefer working independently. my communication skills are decent. I like reading, but don't like writing countless essays and analysing texts (you do a lot of this in law).
I want to go for medicine because Its my ultimate dream, I like biology, I like helping others, NOBODY in my family, even distant family members are doctors, but a few are attorneys, and successful ones aswell. Negatives I see of studying medicine is the time it will take for me to actually completely finish, ill probably be 30 by then, but job security is better than job security of a law graduate, and I'm fully aware of that. Plus I really can't imagine myself being a doctor, but I want to be. I know that doesn't make sense, but oh well.
Positives of law, again I like to help others, I like to research, I'm a human rights activist in an organisation called ISM, the same one Rachel corrie and tom hurndell were in before they were killed in the Gaza strip, I have an interest in journalism, human rights, war crimes, conflicts etc. I believe in justice before peace. I have more insight in this field than medicine, but that's because I'm involuntarily more exposed to it. Negatives I view of law: job security is pretty rubbish, especially if you studied in a non-prestigious university. Involves a lot of writing, essays, speeches, analysing texts. And I've been told its more stressful than med school, and more boring.
I'd really appreciate some advice.
Oh one more thing, I guess its less likely for me to go to med school because I repeated a year (3 years in total) but I have a reference from my doctor explaining the circumstances I was under when I first started sixth form and the reason I failed. So I guess I can get away with it.
Please don't tell me to go for what I'm passionate about, I love both fields.
Anyway thanks.
This time ill be studying biology, chemistry, psychology, history, Arabic and ill be doing an EPQ (About human rights violations, war crimes and chemical and biological weapons).
I'm just finding it VERY difficult to pick between the two courses. I'm passionate about both, and would LOVE to study any of them. I just don't know which one.
I'm a female who likes biology (fave subject) and politics. I like to research about stuff, rather than being given information already. I prefer working independently. my communication skills are decent. I like reading, but don't like writing countless essays and analysing texts (you do a lot of this in law).
I want to go for medicine because Its my ultimate dream, I like biology, I like helping others, NOBODY in my family, even distant family members are doctors, but a few are attorneys, and successful ones aswell. Negatives I see of studying medicine is the time it will take for me to actually completely finish, ill probably be 30 by then, but job security is better than job security of a law graduate, and I'm fully aware of that. Plus I really can't imagine myself being a doctor, but I want to be. I know that doesn't make sense, but oh well.
Positives of law, again I like to help others, I like to research, I'm a human rights activist in an organisation called ISM, the same one Rachel corrie and tom hurndell were in before they were killed in the Gaza strip, I have an interest in journalism, human rights, war crimes, conflicts etc. I believe in justice before peace. I have more insight in this field than medicine, but that's because I'm involuntarily more exposed to it. Negatives I view of law: job security is pretty rubbish, especially if you studied in a non-prestigious university. Involves a lot of writing, essays, speeches, analysing texts. And I've been told its more stressful than med school, and more boring.
I'd really appreciate some advice.
Oh one more thing, I guess its less likely for me to go to med school because I repeated a year (3 years in total) but I have a reference from my doctor explaining the circumstances I was under when I first started sixth form and the reason I failed. So I guess I can get away with it.
Please don't tell me to go for what I'm passionate about, I love both fields.
Anyway thanks.
(edited 11 years ago)
Scroll to see replies
Law. Less competition for the rest of us. 
Get some work experience, should help you decide if you truly love both fields.
Original post by AmbitiousMedic
Get some work experience, should help you decide if you truly love both fields.
I worked in a law firm, the same one my aunt owns. And I shadowed a doctor. What else would I be able to do in the medical field?
Original post by Deemz93
I worked in a law firm, the same one my aunt owns. And I shadowed a doctor. What else would I be able to do in the medical field?
What sort of doctor did you shadow exactly? Do you think you gained an insight into the sort of work each undertakes? What were your thoughts after each experience?
If you have to ask then I'd be inclined to say that you should go into law.
Edit- Actually if you are genuinely torn on this then I suggest that you take time out to explore both degrees and professions in more depth. You could, as suggested, do both degrees but that's a lot of money.
Edit- Actually if you are genuinely torn on this then I suggest that you take time out to explore both degrees and professions in more depth. You could, as suggested, do both degrees but that's a lot of money.
(edited 11 years ago)
You could still do a Medicine degree then become a lawyer and vicea versa via GEM but they are long winded routes.
It sounds like you're not too sure what being a Doctor entails yet so it'd be worth making sure you get some more work experience, particularly if you shadowed a GP as most of your learning and F1/F2 (all? any medics know?) will be in hospitals, and volunteer somewhere like a hospice or nursing home.
In terms of prospects Medicine is more secure as a degree, as the squeeze is at university entrance not graduate jobs, and even post qualification Law is likely more dicey due to market forces playing their part.
If you want to do Law because of those subjects in your EPQ beware that a tiny minority of lawyers work in those areas. Most are commercial (ranging from the City to high street conveyancing via ambulance chasing), criminal or family.
It sounds like you're not too sure what being a Doctor entails yet so it'd be worth making sure you get some more work experience, particularly if you shadowed a GP as most of your learning and F1/F2 (all? any medics know?) will be in hospitals, and volunteer somewhere like a hospice or nursing home.
In terms of prospects Medicine is more secure as a degree, as the squeeze is at university entrance not graduate jobs, and even post qualification Law is likely more dicey due to market forces playing their part.
If you want to do Law because of those subjects in your EPQ beware that a tiny minority of lawyers work in those areas. Most are commercial (ranging from the City to high street conveyancing via ambulance chasing), criminal or family.
Original post by AmbitiousMedic
What sort of doctor did you shadow exactly? Do you think you gained an insight into the sort of work each undertakes? What were your thoughts after each experience?
Cardiologist, I'm into cardiology and neurology. And yeh, definitely, its MUCH more practical than law, and seems interesting. I got quite bored whilst I was in the law firm, but thats probably because its not the type of law I'm interested in.
Why not study Biology at university if it's your favourite subject? It's less competitive than medicine or law.
I don't know how you could be 'passionate' about both; they're vocational courses at the opposite ends of the spectrum. ... I think your passion lies with your bank account 
Original post by Deemz93
Cardiologist, I'm into cardiology and neurology. And yeh, definitely, its MUCH more practical than law, and seems interesting. I got quite bored whilst I was in the law firm, but thats probably because its not the type of law I'm interested in.
Okay, what type of law are you interested in and is it practical to get experience in it? It's good that you have specialist work experience, how about trying to get some GP experience or an outpatients clinic? Obviously there is a lot more to medicine and you can't get work experience in all areas but I think you should perhaps try to organise some more if possible. If you can, try to speak to current students and doctors at work experience if possible to ask them what studying medicine actually entails to gain a realistic view.. It's good to get some first hand insight as opposed to just reading a prospectus.
(edited 11 years ago)
They're both vocational degrees. Don't set yourself up to take up and waste someone else's valuable place in Med school (or law school)
Take a gap year and do further research or do a Life Sciences degree then enter Medicine or Law as a graduate. Both have graduate entry routes and are relatively inexpensive too or at least come with financial assistance. ,
You aren't serious. So for the time being, don't waste a space with your indecisiveness you will regret it and so will someone else.....
Take a gap year and do further research or do a Life Sciences degree then enter Medicine or Law as a graduate. Both have graduate entry routes and are relatively inexpensive too or at least come with financial assistance. ,
You aren't serious. So for the time being, don't waste a space with your indecisiveness you will regret it and so will someone else.....
Before I give advice, I'm gonna ask a few questions.
What do you know about your pathways in law? Asking purely because you said that your family were attorneys, as opposed to barrister/solicitor.
You say you don't like writing lots of essays/analysing texts. Is this in terms of writing constant essays, and writing essays about one particular text? Also, why don't you like making speeches? Is it the formal setting, or you just don't like talking in general?
How much do you enjoy reading? and is it mostly fiction or non-fiction?
What do you know about your pathways in law? Asking purely because you said that your family were attorneys, as opposed to barrister/solicitor.
You say you don't like writing lots of essays/analysing texts. Is this in terms of writing constant essays, and writing essays about one particular text? Also, why don't you like making speeches? Is it the formal setting, or you just don't like talking in general?
How much do you enjoy reading? and is it mostly fiction or non-fiction?
Original post by AmbitiousMedic
Okay, what type of law are you interested in and is it practical to get experience in it? It's good that you have specialist work experience, how about trying to get some GP experience or an outpatients clinic? Obviously there is a lot more to medicine and you can't get work experience in all areas but I think you should perhaps try to organise some more if possible. If you can, try to speak to current students and doctors at work experience if possible to ask them what studying medicine actually entails to gain a realistic view.. It's good to get some first hand insight as opposed to just reading a prospectus.
I'm thinking of taking a gap year, and do more work experience in he medical field, volunteer somewhere or shadow a GP.
I'm into human rights law, UN and Geneva conventions etc. but I'm aware its very hard to find work experience in this field, so I just decided to work in my aunts law firm.
and thank you, ill do just that.
To be perfectly honest, you don't come across as being passionate about what you actually need to be passionate about and I sincerely hope this isn't just about the salary :/ I'm going to study medicine in October and I can tell you it's hard enough getting into university let alone surviving the next 5-6 years. Using job security and money as the sole sources of motivation is not sufficient. "Wanting to help people" is, also, not good enough, unfortunately. I suggest you do some work experience, and not for the sake of just having something to put in your personal statement. Also, speak to people in both fields to gain more insight into what the job entails. Speak to people with different levels of experience; I remember getting two very different opinions about medicine from two doctors - one was an F1 doctor and the other, a consultant. If all fails and you're still confused, take a gap year. After all, in the grand scheme of things, 1 year does not account to very much and I can promise you that it will not be a year wasted if you use it productively.
(edited 11 years ago)
Original post by Deemz93
I like reading, but don't like writing countless essays and analysing texts (you do a lot of this in law).
This.
From somebody who has dropped out of Law because I wasn't 100% convinced by it in the first place, if you don't like writing essays and analysing, then you will very probably not like law, as you are right, it does form a rather large part of the degree.
Have you tried speaking to anyone in college, like your UCAS referee about what they think you could possibly do?
If you're redoing year 12 then that limits your medicine options massively. Most medschools dont like applicants who complete A Levels in more than 2 years.
Either do a different degree then apply for med as a graduate, or go for law
EDIT - oops just saw that last paragraph
well seeing as you're retaking you have more time to think, but with medicine you have to start preparing now with voluntary work and work experience. Iwas with a children's hospice for two years before I applied and it massively played a part in me applying for medicine
Either do a different degree then apply for med as a graduate, or go for law
EDIT - oops just saw that last paragraph
well seeing as you're retaking you have more time to think, but with medicine you have to start preparing now with voluntary work and work experience. Iwas with a children's hospice for two years before I applied and it massively played a part in me applying for medicine (edited 11 years ago)
Original post by zaliack
Before I give advice, I'm gonna ask a few questions.
What do you know about your pathways in law? Asking purely because you said that your family were attorneys, as opposed to barrister/solicitor.
You say you don't like writing lots of essays/analysing texts. Is this in terms of writing constant essays, and writing essays about one particular text? Also, why don't you like making speeches? Is it the formal setting, or you just don't like talking in general?
How much do you enjoy reading? and is it mostly fiction or non-fiction?
What do you know about your pathways in law? Asking purely because you said that your family were attorneys, as opposed to barrister/solicitor.
You say you don't like writing lots of essays/analysing texts. Is this in terms of writing constant essays, and writing essays about one particular text? Also, why don't you like making speeches? Is it the formal setting, or you just don't like talking in general?
How much do you enjoy reading? and is it mostly fiction or non-fiction?
If I ever get into law school and graduate, my biggest aim woud be to work in the UN, I know...VERY highly unlikely, I want a career where I feel like I've helped MANY people, and not sit in a cubicle 24/7 like many lawyers.
And yeh, I don't mind writing an essay every month or so, but not constantly. However if I'm writing about something I'm passionate about or enjoy, then I wouldn't mind at all. And I don't like speeches because I used to suffer from social anxiety xD
Original post by Deemz93
I'm currently studying A levels, I'm supposed to be in year 13 atm. But I didn't get the grades I wanted in year 12 so I'm repeating AS year. This time ill be studying biology, chemistry, psychology, history, Arabic and ill be doing an EPQ (About human rights violations, war crimes and chemical and biological weapons). I'm just finding it VERY difficult to pick between the two courses. I'm passionate about both, and would LOVE to study any of them. I just don't know which one. I'm a female who likes biology (fave subject) and politics. I like to research about stuff, rather than being given information already. I prefer working independently. my communication skills are decent. I like reading, but don't like writing countless essays and analysing texts (you do a lot of this in law). I want to go for medicine because Its my ultimate dream, I like biology, I like helping others, NOBODY in my family, even distant family members are doctors, but a few are attorneys, and successful ones aswell. Negatives I see of studying medicine is the time it will take for me to actually completely finish, ill probably be 30 by then, but job security is better than job security of a law graduate, and I'm fully aware of that. Plus I really can't imagine myself being a doctor, but I want to be. I know that doesn't make sense, but oh well. Positives of law, again I like to help others, I like to research, I'm a human rights activist in an organisation called ISM, the same one Rachel corrie and tom hurndell were in before they were killed in the Gaza strip, I have an interest in journalism, human rights, war crimes, conflicts etc. I believe in justice before peace. I have more insight in this field than medicine, but that's because I'm involuntarily more exposed to it. Negatives I view of law: job security is pretty rubbish, especially if you studied in a non-prestigious university. Involves a lot of writing, essays, speeches, analysing texts. And I've been told its more stressful than med school, and more boring. I'd really appreciate some advice. Oh one more thing, I guess its less likely for me to go to med school because I repeated a year (3 years in total) but I have a reference from my doctor explaining the circumstances I was under when I first started sixth form and the reason I failed. So I guess I can get away with it. Please don't tell me to go for what I'm passionate about, I love both fields.
Anyway thanks.
Anyway thanks.
You said you want to do Law, yet you dislike some of the crucial things within it, especially analyzing text. I think you seem better off trying for Medicine as you enjoy Biology (one of the important subjects surrounding it) but then again you prefer to work independently (but you may not mind working with others?)... You generally, have seen more negatives around Law, so Medicine might be a better choice.
It's hard really, maybe you could just go for a degree in Biology (if not in Politics) then go into a field relating to Law or Medicine? Your 'passion' seems to be Biology and Politics, not Law and Medicine.
(edited 11 years ago)
Original post by zaliack
How much do you enjoy reading? and is it mostly fiction or non-fiction?
A lot, and both, thrillers, action and non-fiction books based on historical events and biology. And obviously newspapers and online articles that involve politics.
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