Medicine or Computer Science?

Hey,
I’m currently a GCSE student in year 11 and still retain the ability to change my a level subjects (at the moment I’ve put Maths, Further maths, Biology and Physics). My dilemma is whether or not I should do medicine or computer science at uni. (I have to make a decision now as I’d have to do chemistry a level for medicine). I love helping people and people tell me that I have a personality that would fit very well into the role of a doctor. I also love biology and learning about the human body - hence I’ve taken the subject regardless of which degree I want to do.

However at the same time I really enjoy learning about technology and the mathematical theory behind everything to do with computers (i would take maths and further maths either way as they’re my favourite subjects). I’m not too worried about difficulty applying to university as I’m a competent student and I don’t think grades will be an issue. I also looked at BMAT for medicine and CSAT and STEP for computer science as I’m aiming for Oxbridge - I found that BMAT was way easier than expected and I could answer most if not all the stuff on there. CSAT was also not too bad as I’ve studied ahead in maths and know a lot of the A level spec.

I just don’t know what to do.. I’ve thought about this for over a year and I keep going back and forth between the two.. Some people tell me to pursue my hobbies of maths and computer science and do CS at uni whilst others advise me that medicine is a longer to get into but more stable career. Any words of advice?

Two completely different areas, both can offer good stable careers. If we assume you enjoy both equally then I would say, Medicine because you can learn to code in your spare time, but not learn to be a Doctor.

Choice is up to you though!

I'd say to follow what your passion is. If Computer Science is what you love, then do that.

Whilst I haven't done both from what I've seen whilst the STEP may be the worse admissions test the medicine admissions process as a whole can potentially be more arduous - especially if you're doing regular work experience (which I would highly recommend) and during interview season. This is worth considering - I don't think there is an easier route here. Again not certain on this but would it be possible for you to switch physics for chemistry to keep both routes open? Additionally If you're doing well enough to go for oxbridge then I'm sure you'll do well enough for CS to be a stable career.

My feeling on it is that medicine is something that you have to decide on for yourself and be sure about. I think it would be worth doing some volunteering at a nursing home - this will give you a genuine insight into medicine and I believe assist you in your decision - there are a vast range of qualities you will need above a love for helping others (although it is fantastic you have that). Hope some of that is of help

You don't need to make a decision until nearer the end of year 12 at earliest (for medicine, so you have time to make arrangements for work experience). It is possible to take a combination of subjects which would cater to both CS and medicine potentially. A-level Physics is not required by either subject, and A-level Chemistry is not required by all medical schools. You could then either stick with your current combination (but have a more limited range of medical schools to choose from potentially) or swap A-level Physics for Chemistry and have the full range of medicine and CS courses available to choose between.

Then you can see how you cope with the subjects you're taking, and try and do some relevant exploration of those possible university courses (e.g. getting relevant work experience for medicine, which is necessary anyway, and perhaps doing some extracurricular projects involving programming and computing). Hopefully then by the end of year 12 you will have a better idea of which route you want to go for, and then you should have plenty of time to prepare an application for either.

Worse case scenario if you apply to the "wrong" one you can take a gap year and reapply to the other.

I would not go for medicine unless *I* was 100% sure it was my vocation. It’s an incredibly demanding career even after qualifying. It sounds like others think you would suit the role but you’ve said nothing about whether it’s your passion.

If you can’t get some relevant volunteering/work experience to get a feel for it, read This is Going to Hurt by Adam Kay, it’s brutally honest.

Because you are going back and forth between the two, go with computer science.
Medicine is only for those that want to it 100% no questions.
And it seems your main reason for thinking about medicine is your family and friends saying it is a stable job etc
If you get into a good uni and do well as comouter science you will have a stable job with that too.
If you like the idea of helping people, you could always take your interests in biology to medical implants?

Yeah, I just feel like with medicine there's more stability but others tell me that I'd excel in anything I'd do so shouldn't be concerned about that. I've definitely considered something that combines the two but is it not more logical to do medicine then go into technology with that knowledge rather than doing CS and then trying to incorporate medicine?

Thanks 😊

I would not go for medicine unless *I* was 100% sure it was my vocation. It’s an incredibly demanding career even after qualifying. It sounds like others think you would suit the role but you’ve said nothing about whether it’s your passion.

If you can’t get some relevant volunteering/work experience to get a feel for it, read This is Going to Hurt by Adam Kay, it’s brutally honest.

I have just finished reading this book and so thought it would only be right to thank you for recommending it to me. Unfortunately, it has not definitively given me an answer as to whether medicine is definitely what I want to do - but I knew from the start that it would be an unrealistic thing to expect. However, it has given me a very vivid insight into the true lives of junior doctors and the profession as a whole (as well as providing countless comical moments and rather useful information). I am sure it will ultimately help in my decision and so thanks a lot for recommending it.

Haha yes I did do my own research regarding whether or not junior doctors are treated in the same way now and found out that it has improved to some extent. Nevertheless medicine will always be medicine so now I at least have a good understanding of some of the things the profession entails. I suppose right now I’m leaning towards Computer Science as I’m really enjoying some of the maths that I’m doing in my free time durning the summer and know that in medicine there is literally none of that. Even then the prospect of saving lives still entices me to be a doctor but I have until 22nd August to decide as such.