Natural Sciences vs Medicine?
Hi all 
I've been looking online at university courses and was wondering if anybody could give me an insight on either natural sciences or medicine?
I know it's early days but i'm trying to decide which would potentially interest me more. Some 'insider' information on these courses (at any unis really!) would be really helpful!
Thanks
I've been looking online at university courses and was wondering if anybody could give me an insight on either natural sciences or medicine?
I know it's early days but i'm trying to decide which would potentially interest me more. Some 'insider' information on these courses (at any unis really!) would be really helpful!
Thanks
Ok, I'm not currently at uni at all, so I don't have 'insider information'. If that makes you stop reading what I have to say, fine.
Firstly, what year are you in? Just so I can get a better idea of how early 'early days' really is.
Secondly, these courses are very different, probably more different than you think. Medicine is a vocational course, and as such there is relatively little flexibility in the academic modules. There is also the three years of clinical training, followed by two foundation years and (I think) up to six years of training in a specialism. So, you've really got to be in it for the long haul, willing to be puked on at stupid o'clock in the morning by a drunk in A&E. In order to even get to medical school, you will need a load of experience: not only with a GP or in a hospital, but also volunteering with elderly people/children/people with disabilities to prove you have the personal skills. A medicine PS needs to be 100% dedicated to medicine and cover more than just the science.
Natural Sciences, on the other hand, is about as broad as a degree program can get. It's good if you're strong in more than one area of science and/or want to do something interdisciplinary. While they will expect your PS to show some idea of a preferred area in science, they will also want enthusiasm and for two or more different (though likely related) areas. As it is not vocational they do not care so much for work experience, though they will want to hear a bit about what you do outside school.
In a way I find it difficult to understand why you are conflicted between these degrees, as one is extremely specialist and the other very broad. However, I did almost this last year. From year 10 I had been doing work experience in preparation for a vet med application. But by year 12 my heart was telling me my interests did not lie with this specialist degree and I should go for a regular science degree. My head on the other hand, told me to go through with it - after all I had spent so long preparing and I could still go into research after a vet degree. The scale of my mistake hit me like a freight train in the middle of my Cambridge interview after I'd spent 20 minutes talking about my passion for research, when they asked me why I hadn't applied for Nat Sci and I couldn't provide a sensible answer. I ended up with one offer, though not from Cambridge, which I turned down and am now reapplying. While my grades are not good enough for Nat Sci this year, I am much happier with my course choices than I was last year.
Bottom line is this: Any medical course is a huge long term commitment to a very specialist career. If you're questioning whether you want that, it's probably not a good idea to put yourself through it. The med schools may also pick up on it at interview, so you may find yourself with nowhere to go and an unplanned gap year.
However, if you're very young then forget everything I just said and come back to it before you start your actual UCAS application. A bit (or a lot) of indecision is perfectly normal when you've just started thinking about it, so don't rule out either course right away if that's the case.
Firstly, what year are you in? Just so I can get a better idea of how early 'early days' really is.
Secondly, these courses are very different, probably more different than you think. Medicine is a vocational course, and as such there is relatively little flexibility in the academic modules. There is also the three years of clinical training, followed by two foundation years and (I think) up to six years of training in a specialism. So, you've really got to be in it for the long haul, willing to be puked on at stupid o'clock in the morning by a drunk in A&E. In order to even get to medical school, you will need a load of experience: not only with a GP or in a hospital, but also volunteering with elderly people/children/people with disabilities to prove you have the personal skills. A medicine PS needs to be 100% dedicated to medicine and cover more than just the science.
Natural Sciences, on the other hand, is about as broad as a degree program can get. It's good if you're strong in more than one area of science and/or want to do something interdisciplinary. While they will expect your PS to show some idea of a preferred area in science, they will also want enthusiasm and for two or more different (though likely related) areas. As it is not vocational they do not care so much for work experience, though they will want to hear a bit about what you do outside school.
In a way I find it difficult to understand why you are conflicted between these degrees, as one is extremely specialist and the other very broad. However, I did almost this last year. From year 10 I had been doing work experience in preparation for a vet med application. But by year 12 my heart was telling me my interests did not lie with this specialist degree and I should go for a regular science degree. My head on the other hand, told me to go through with it - after all I had spent so long preparing and I could still go into research after a vet degree. The scale of my mistake hit me like a freight train in the middle of my Cambridge interview after I'd spent 20 minutes talking about my passion for research, when they asked me why I hadn't applied for Nat Sci and I couldn't provide a sensible answer. I ended up with one offer, though not from Cambridge, which I turned down and am now reapplying. While my grades are not good enough for Nat Sci this year, I am much happier with my course choices than I was last year.
Bottom line is this: Any medical course is a huge long term commitment to a very specialist career. If you're questioning whether you want that, it's probably not a good idea to put yourself through it. The med schools may also pick up on it at interview, so you may find yourself with nowhere to go and an unplanned gap year.
However, if you're very young then forget everything I just said and come back to it before you start your actual UCAS application. A bit (or a lot) of indecision is perfectly normal when you've just started thinking about it, so don't rule out either course right away if that's the case.
(edited 9 years ago)
Original post by nerdcake
Ok, I'm not currently at uni at all, so I don't have 'insider information'. If that makes you stop reading what I have to say, fine.
Firstly, what year are you in? Just so I can get a better idea of how early 'early days' really is.
Secondly, these courses are very different, probably more different than you think. Medicine is a vocational course, and as such there is relatively little flexibility in the academic modules. There is also the three years of clinical training, followed by two foundation years and (I think) up to six years of training in a specialism. So, you've really got to be in it for the long haul, willing to be puked on at stupid o'clock in the morning by a drunk in A&E. In order to even get to medical school, you will need a load of experience: not only with a GP or in a hospital, but also volunteering with elderly people/children/people with disabilities to prove you have the personal skills. A medicine PS needs to be 100% dedicated to medicine and cover more than just the science.
Natural Sciences, on the other hand, is about as broad as a degree program can get. It's good if you're strong in more than one area of science and/or want to do something interdisciplinary. While they will expect your PS to show some idea of a preferred area in science, they will also want enthusiasm and for two or more different (though likely related) areas. As it is not vocational they do not care so much for work experience, though they will want to hear a bit about what you do outside school.
In a way I find it difficult to understand why you are conflicted between these degrees, as one is extremely specialist and the other very broad. However, I did almost this last year. From year 10 I had been doing work experience in preparation for a vet med application. But by year 12 my heart was telling me my interests did not lie with this specialist degree and I should go for a regular science degree. My head on the other hand, told me to go through with it - after all I had spent so long preparing and I could still go into research after a vet degree. The scale of my mistake hit me like a freight train in the middle of my Cambridge interview after I'd spent 20 minutes talking about my passion for research, when they asked me why I hadn't applied for Nat Sci and I couldn't provide a sensible answer. I ended up with one offer, though not from Cambridge, which I turned down and am now reapplying. While my grades are not good enough for Nat Sci this year, I am much happier with my course choices than I was last year.
Bottom line is this: Any medical course is a huge long term commitment to a very specialist career. If you're questioning whether you want that, it's probably not a good idea to put yourself through it. The med schools may also pick up on it at interview, so you may find yourself with nowhere to go and an unplanned gap year.
However, if you're very young then forget everything I just said and come back to it before you start your actual UCAS application. A bit (or a lot) of indecision is perfectly normal when you've just started thinking about it, so don't rule out either course right away if that's the case.
Firstly, what year are you in? Just so I can get a better idea of how early 'early days' really is.
Secondly, these courses are very different, probably more different than you think. Medicine is a vocational course, and as such there is relatively little flexibility in the academic modules. There is also the three years of clinical training, followed by two foundation years and (I think) up to six years of training in a specialism. So, you've really got to be in it for the long haul, willing to be puked on at stupid o'clock in the morning by a drunk in A&E. In order to even get to medical school, you will need a load of experience: not only with a GP or in a hospital, but also volunteering with elderly people/children/people with disabilities to prove you have the personal skills. A medicine PS needs to be 100% dedicated to medicine and cover more than just the science.
Natural Sciences, on the other hand, is about as broad as a degree program can get. It's good if you're strong in more than one area of science and/or want to do something interdisciplinary. While they will expect your PS to show some idea of a preferred area in science, they will also want enthusiasm and for two or more different (though likely related) areas. As it is not vocational they do not care so much for work experience, though they will want to hear a bit about what you do outside school.
In a way I find it difficult to understand why you are conflicted between these degrees, as one is extremely specialist and the other very broad. However, I did almost this last year. From year 10 I had been doing work experience in preparation for a vet med application. But by year 12 my heart was telling me my interests did not lie with this specialist degree and I should go for a regular science degree. My head on the other hand, told me to go through with it - after all I had spent so long preparing and I could still go into research after a vet degree. The scale of my mistake hit me like a freight train in the middle of my Cambridge interview after I'd spent 20 minutes talking about my passion for research, when they asked me why I hadn't applied for Nat Sci and I couldn't provide a sensible answer. I ended up with one offer, though not from Cambridge, which I turned down and am now reapplying. While my grades are not good enough for Nat Sci this year, I am much happier with my course choices than I was last year.
Bottom line is this: Any medical course is a huge long term commitment to a very specialist career. If you're questioning whether you want that, it's probably not a good idea to put yourself through it. The med schools may also pick up on it at interview, so you may find yourself with nowhere to go and an unplanned gap year.
However, if you're very young then forget everything I just said and come back to it before you start your actual UCAS application. A bit (or a lot) of indecision is perfectly normal when you've just started thinking about it, so don't rule out either course right away if that's the case.
So sorry didn't realise someone replied to my thread
Thank you so much, despite not being an 'insider', you have helped a lot in clearing up the ideas jumbled up in my brain. Truly.
In Year 11 btw - not really that early i guess but you know, don't want to think about medicine later and then realise i haven't done any work experience for it or anything...
I guess I'm confused myself as to why I am confused because I know they are different - i guess this is why in a way! They both appeal - medicine because you get to interact with people and see the difference you make first hand and Natural science - as you said, it is such a broad course and I like that I guess
The idea of being able to keep your interests open a bit longer... Medicine requires a lot of commitment and I think this is why I am so indecisive about it - I don't want to commit and then realise this isn't what I want :/ Same with NatSci....
At the end of the day it's all about the whole 'the fish that got away rather than the fish you caught' concept. I just don't want to regret what I eventually do is all.
Gah, still so undecided. But thank you thank you so much for helping me clear my mind up a bit.
Good luck btw for applying
Original post by turn-to-page394
-snip-
Try to get work experience in a hospital to give you a better idea of what doctors actually do, and find out if that's what you want to do. But that is often very difficult, so reading books or blogs about it may have to do.
You can go into research after a medical degree so you are leaving the most doors open to yourself if you do medicine. However, the application process alone (let alone the course workload) will severely test your commitment to becoming a doctor. I have heard people say that you should only do medicine if you are 100% committed and can't see yourself doing anything else.
But don't let me take control of your decision. You need to figure this out for yourself, and it will probably become clearer in time.
Original post by turn-to-page394
So sorry didn't realise someone replied to my thread
Thank you so much, despite not being an 'insider', you have helped a lot in clearing up the ideas jumbled up in my brain. Truly.
In Year 11 btw - not really that early i guess but you know, don't want to think about medicine later and then realise i haven't done any work experience for it or anything...
I guess I'm confused myself as to why I am confused because I know they are different - i guess this is why in a way! They both appeal - medicine because you get to interact with people and see the difference you make first hand and Natural science - as you said, it is such a broad course and I like that I guess The idea of being able to keep your interests open a bit longer...
Medicine requires a lot of commitment and I think this is why I am so indecisive about it - I don't want to commit and then realise this isn't what I want :/ Same with NatSci....
At the end of the day it's all about the whole 'the fish that got away rather than the fish you caught' concept. I just don't want to regret what I eventually do is all.
Gah, still so undecided. But thank you thank you so much for helping me clear my mind up a bit.
Good luck btw for applying
Thank you so much, despite not being an 'insider', you have helped a lot in clearing up the ideas jumbled up in my brain. Truly.
In Year 11 btw - not really that early i guess but you know, don't want to think about medicine later and then realise i haven't done any work experience for it or anything...
I guess I'm confused myself as to why I am confused because I know they are different - i guess this is why in a way! They both appeal - medicine because you get to interact with people and see the difference you make first hand and Natural science - as you said, it is such a broad course and I like that I guess
The idea of being able to keep your interests open a bit longer... Medicine requires a lot of commitment and I think this is why I am so indecisive about it - I don't want to commit and then realise this isn't what I want :/ Same with NatSci....
At the end of the day it's all about the whole 'the fish that got away rather than the fish you caught' concept. I just don't want to regret what I eventually do is all.
Gah, still so undecided. But thank you thank you so much for helping me clear my mind up a bit.
Good luck btw for applying
I think everyone is like that in year 11. when I was in 11 I wanted to do engineering then aerospace then chem eng then medicine and i'm actually applying for maths and econ. You will find what you really want to do during year 12, don't worry too much now
Original post by nerdcake
Try to get work experience in a hospital to give you a better idea of what doctors actually do, and find out if that's what you want to do. But that is often very difficult, so reading books or blogs about it may have to do.
You can go into research after a medical degree so you are leaving the most doors open to yourself if you do medicine. However, the application process alone (let alone the course workload) will severely test your commitment to becoming a doctor. I have heard people say that you should only do medicine if you are 100% committed and can't see yourself doing anything else.
But don't let me take control of your decision. You need to figure this out for yourself, and it will probably become clearer in time.
You can go into research after a medical degree so you are leaving the most doors open to yourself if you do medicine. However, the application process alone (let alone the course workload) will severely test your commitment to becoming a doctor. I have heard people say that you should only do medicine if you are 100% committed and can't see yourself doing anything else.
But don't let me take control of your decision. You need to figure this out for yourself, and it will probably become clearer in time.
Thanks
Will try to get some over the summer seeing as I have a long one after exams and such.Original post by ETRC
I think everyone is like that in year 11. when I was in 11 I wanted to do engineering then aerospace then chem eng then medicine and i'm actually applying for maths and econ. You will find what you really want to do during year 12, don't worry too much now
:P I'm a worrier by nature.
But still, glad to know that there are others in the same boat. It's reassuring.
Good luck with your application.
Hi I was just wondering what you ended up doing as this was some time ago and am faced with the same dilema Natsci or medicine despite loving the concept of helping people get better through science It’s a goal of mine to better understand the world through science and investigate through research every complicated aspect of life that science doesn’t truly understand today I’m thinking of doing medicine as my second degree after a Natural Science degree I’m also currently in year 11Would love to hear how your decision panned out
Original post by turn-to-page394
Hi all
I've been looking online at university courses and was wondering if anybody could give me an insight on either natural sciences or medicine?
I know it's early days but i'm trying to decide which would potentially interest me more. Some 'insider' information on these courses (at any unis really!) would be really helpful!
Thanks
I've been looking online at university courses and was wondering if anybody could give me an insight on either natural sciences or medicine?
I know it's early days but i'm trying to decide which would potentially interest me more. Some 'insider' information on these courses (at any unis really!) would be really helpful!
Thanks
I’m faced with the same problem what did you end up doing and what’s your advise for me
Original post by Zamz
Hi I was just wondering what you ended up doing as this was some time ago and am faced with the same dilema Natsci or medicine despite loving the concept of helping people get better through science It’s a goal of mine to better understand the world through science and investigate through research every complicated aspect of life that science doesn’t truly understand today I’m thinking of doing medicine as my second degree after a Natural Science degree I’m also currently in year 11Would love to hear how your decision panned out
Hi! I haven't logged onto here in absolutely forever wow - it's strange to read back on what I've written in this thread! As I went through year 11/12 I ended up gravitating towards Medicine a lot more than a science degree - that said, my medical school has a heavy emphasis on the science in the first few years so it sure feels like a science degree haha. But yeah that's what I ended up doing!
There wasn't really a moment when I *suddenly* decided, it was more of a gradual decision for me. I wrote the above posts in year 11 and looking back now, I had a very naive outlook on both the courses then. I had to do a lot more research in order to reach my final choice! (It also wasn't really between Natsci and medicine in the end. Natsci is an awfully broad subject area as is)
I am sure there are plenty of threads about 'I want to do medicine/science what do i need to have done for my personal statement' so I won't go on about that haha but a lot of the things that are mentioned [work experience, long term volunteering, reading scientific/medical books ('popular science books'
, attending talks (ted talks are also great!) etc etc] are great for helping you decide what you want to do. They're not just for when you've decided and need evidence to back yourself up! Basically make sure you have done enough research that your decision will be an informed one. Maybe along the way you'll realise that hey I really don't want to do x course and that's fine! Maybe microbiology or another science course would suit you more than natsci! But you don't know unless you do some research
Essentially you don't want to end up in the position where you're applying for a course based on misconceptions that you haven't strived to correct. Good luck with your decision! Sorry this is so wishy washy and preachy but I hope some part of it is helpful
Hi! I was wondering which medical schools have more of an emphasis on science in first few years?
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