Can’t decide between Law and Medicine
Look for anyone wondering I applied to medicine (in Yr 13) and am waiting to hear back from all my unis however I’ve always had the debate “Law or Med” in my mind since the start of GCSEs and as I’m drawing closer to the end of A-levels I can’t seem to shake the feeling still. With medicine I always loved the idea of being able to form close relationships and interact with vulnerable patients who come to you for healing, and being able to work in a practical, hands-on setting with evolving technologies. It would be so fulfilling to learn about anatomy and all the different treatments doctors can administer and surgeries that can save lives. I thought this since I was a child, but then I grew up, became really outspoken and debated politics and changing laws all the time with my classmates. I am also quite confident in that I speak out about social issues that to me are important. And when I hear about social injustices in the news I think to myself “Man it would be nice to be able to defend these people”. It’s also a bit TMI but the people I started crushing on were people who were like-minded like me and loved debating about current policies and political ideologies. I don’t have crushes on them now but it made me realise that the field of law and being able to defend people who can’t defend themselves was really enticing to me and the reason why I was drawn into them was because they had passion as I do too. I dreamt about becoming a barrister and going to court to prosecute those who hurt others or defending people whose livelihoods were at stake if they were framed. I know that in both Law and Medicine it’s not all sunshine and rainbows and that most days it’s gruelling and demands all your time and energy. I’m worried that in Medicine Law is going to be in the back of my mind and in Law Med will as well. Is Medicine really what I want? Am I over-romanticising the law?
Reply 1
You are romanticising law to a degree, but it is to a degree that most students at your stage romanticise it. The day to day life of being a barrister is different depending on the area of law you practise in. Barristers who work in crime, family, personal injury, employment and commercial (to name five quite prominent and broad areas, but there are more and plenty of nuances within those areas) will have different day to day lives, and in many ways will use their skills in a slightly different way. Advocacy in the employment tribunal, for example, is quite different to the crown court, which is different again to the family court. But fundamentally, the role of a barrister is to advise and advocate for your client, which very often involves plenty of time in court. So to that extent, you are right.
The bit that you're not so much getting wrong as not appreciating is a bit about the practical realities of the role, and a bit more about different practice areas. It is extremely common, even up to the point where candidates are applying for pupillage, to see people motivated by representing the vulnerable and variations on that theme (I read the phrase "speak truth to power" multiple times every year in pupillage applications), and for candidates early on to focus on crime and human rights as the areas that naturally feed into that. In reality, you don't get to choose or clients or the people you prosecute. In a criminal practice, you may prosecute those who are innocent but will certainly very often defend those who are guilty. But you're not there to determine your client's guilt or innocence. Whether in crime or any other area, you're there to increase your client's chances of success and to secure the best outcome for them, whatever that may be. That will mean that, at times, your client is acquitted when you think they were guilty. At others (and these times are much worse), it will mean a client being convicted who you thought was innocent. The point is that you're the representative, not the decision maker, and you have to see your role through that lens.
The second point is about practice areas. I can't say I ever really see my role in the context of representing the vulnerable etc, but then I almost exclusively represent companies and institutions, albeit very often those who are defending spurious or weak claims. But my role is to advise those clients, draft documents and represent them in court in a way that maximises their prospects of a good outcome, and I find that role and that process to be extremely satisfying. It is about being a good advocate, but it is also about devising a strategy that you can execute to represent that client properly. The skills that go into that are skills that you develop over many years, but it is using those skills that make the job worthwhile for me, generally irrespective of the actual outcome, albeit winning is always a better feeling than losing.
That general approach applies to every practice area though, and your own view can too. You can represent vulnerable defendants accused of crimes, but why not employees who have been discriminated against or dismissed? Why not those who have been injured through no fault of their own? Why not parents involved in disputes over their children, or who face losing their children entirely due to local authority intervention? Why not parents of children with special educational needs who are struggling to secure the provision they need? The legal profession is so much wider than crime and human rights (the latter is actually extremely niche). Even if you are driven by altruistic motivations, it doesn't have to be those two practice areas.
In terms of practical advice, you actually don't need to do law now. You have committed to medicine in the short term, so the best approach may well be to do that course and see how you feel as you progress. You can convert to law at postgrad if that desire to be a barrister doesn't go away, or even once you've started your career in medicine, and as much as that will involve more time and possibly debt, it is a viable option further down the line. Taking a gap year and coming back to law at undergrad is another option, but one that you should make from as informed a position as possible. You may not be able to secure formal work experience with a barristers chambers in time to change your mind and take a different route, but you can always attend magistrates courts, crown courts and county courts, and just sit in the public gallery and watch. You may even be able to speak to some of the representatives. At the very least, you can go and a have a look at people doing the job to see how that makes you feel about it.
The bit that you're not so much getting wrong as not appreciating is a bit about the practical realities of the role, and a bit more about different practice areas. It is extremely common, even up to the point where candidates are applying for pupillage, to see people motivated by representing the vulnerable and variations on that theme (I read the phrase "speak truth to power" multiple times every year in pupillage applications), and for candidates early on to focus on crime and human rights as the areas that naturally feed into that. In reality, you don't get to choose or clients or the people you prosecute. In a criminal practice, you may prosecute those who are innocent but will certainly very often defend those who are guilty. But you're not there to determine your client's guilt or innocence. Whether in crime or any other area, you're there to increase your client's chances of success and to secure the best outcome for them, whatever that may be. That will mean that, at times, your client is acquitted when you think they were guilty. At others (and these times are much worse), it will mean a client being convicted who you thought was innocent. The point is that you're the representative, not the decision maker, and you have to see your role through that lens.
The second point is about practice areas. I can't say I ever really see my role in the context of representing the vulnerable etc, but then I almost exclusively represent companies and institutions, albeit very often those who are defending spurious or weak claims. But my role is to advise those clients, draft documents and represent them in court in a way that maximises their prospects of a good outcome, and I find that role and that process to be extremely satisfying. It is about being a good advocate, but it is also about devising a strategy that you can execute to represent that client properly. The skills that go into that are skills that you develop over many years, but it is using those skills that make the job worthwhile for me, generally irrespective of the actual outcome, albeit winning is always a better feeling than losing.
That general approach applies to every practice area though, and your own view can too. You can represent vulnerable defendants accused of crimes, but why not employees who have been discriminated against or dismissed? Why not those who have been injured through no fault of their own? Why not parents involved in disputes over their children, or who face losing their children entirely due to local authority intervention? Why not parents of children with special educational needs who are struggling to secure the provision they need? The legal profession is so much wider than crime and human rights (the latter is actually extremely niche). Even if you are driven by altruistic motivations, it doesn't have to be those two practice areas.
In terms of practical advice, you actually don't need to do law now. You have committed to medicine in the short term, so the best approach may well be to do that course and see how you feel as you progress. You can convert to law at postgrad if that desire to be a barrister doesn't go away, or even once you've started your career in medicine, and as much as that will involve more time and possibly debt, it is a viable option further down the line. Taking a gap year and coming back to law at undergrad is another option, but one that you should make from as informed a position as possible. You may not be able to secure formal work experience with a barristers chambers in time to change your mind and take a different route, but you can always attend magistrates courts, crown courts and county courts, and just sit in the public gallery and watch. You may even be able to speak to some of the representatives. At the very least, you can go and a have a look at people doing the job to see how that makes you feel about it.
Reply 2
Original post
by coucoubisousLook for anyone wondering I applied to medicine (in Yr 13) and am waiting to hear back from all my unis however I’ve always had the debate “Law or Med” in my mind since the start of GCSEs and as I’m drawing closer to the end of A-levels I can’t seem to shake the feeling still. With medicine I always loved the idea of being able to form close relationships and interact with vulnerable patients who come to you for healing, and being able to work in a practical, hands-on setting with evolving technologies. It would be so fulfilling to learn about anatomy and all the different treatments doctors can administer and surgeries that can save lives. I thought this since I was a child, but then I grew up, became really outspoken and debated politics and changing laws all the time with my classmates. I am also quite confident in that I speak out about social issues that to me are important. And when I hear about social injustices in the news I think to myself “Man it would be nice to be able to defend these people”. It’s also a bit TMI but the people I started crushing on were people who were like-minded like me and loved debating about current policies and political ideologies. I don’t have crushes on them now but it made me realise that the field of law and being able to defend people who can’t defend themselves was really enticing to me and the reason why I was drawn into them was because they had passion as I do too. I dreamt about becoming a barrister and going to court to prosecute those who hurt others or defending people whose livelihoods were at stake if they were framed. I know that in both Law and Medicine it’s not all sunshine and rainbows and that most days it’s gruelling and demands all your time and energy. I’m worried that in Medicine Law is going to be in the back of my mind and in Law Med will as well. Is Medicine really what I want? Am I over-romanticising the law?
Hi there,
First of all, what you’re feeling is so normal. When you’re passionate, capable, and curious about more than one field, it’s natural for your mind to tug you in different directions. The fact that you’re thinking so deeply about this already shows maturity and self awareness.
Why Medicine Still Speaks to You
You’ve articulated such a clear vision of what being a doctor means to you:
•
Building meaningful relationships with vulnerable patients
•
Being hands on, practical, and constantly learning
•
The lifelong fulfilment of treating, healing, and sometimes saving lives
Why Law Also Pulls You In
You clearly have a sharp mind and a strong moral compass. Your passions come through in your ability to:
•
Debate confidently
•
Speak out about injustice
•
Engage deeply with politics and social issues
•
Feel driven to defend those who can’t defend themselves
Are You Over-romanticising Law?
Maybe or maybe not.
Medicine and Law both have “cinematic” versions that we see in media which i think many people do romanticise:
•
Doctors saving lives in dramatic moments (Grey's anatomy coded)
•
Barristers delivering powerful speeches in court
•
Both professions changing people’s lives
I'd suggest going to some Legal Cheek events and networking with Solicitors and Barristers to understand their roles more just to be sure you know what you're getting yourself into..
You don’t have to decide out of fear of choosing “wrong.” You’re not romanticising, you’re exploring. Also Law conversion courses exist literally for people who didn't choose law at undergrad so it can still be an option for you later down the line.
I hope that helps,
Mandi - The University of Law
Reply 3
Original post
by coucoubisousLook for anyone wondering I applied to medicine (in Yr 13) and am waiting to hear back from all my unis however I’ve always had the debate “Law or Med” in my mind since the start of GCSEs and as I’m drawing closer to the end of A-levels I can’t seem to shake the feeling still. With medicine I always loved the idea of being able to form close relationships and interact with vulnerable patients who come to you for healing, and being able to work in a practical, hands-on setting with evolving technologies. It would be so fulfilling to learn about anatomy and all the different treatments doctors can administer and surgeries that can save lives. I thought this since I was a child, but then I grew up, became really outspoken and debated politics and changing laws all the time with my classmates. I am also quite confident in that I speak out about social issues that to me are important. And when I hear about social injustices in the news I think to myself “Man it would be nice to be able to defend these people”. It’s also a bit TMI but the people I started crushing on were people who were like-minded like me and loved debating about current policies and political ideologies. I don’t have crushes on them now but it made me realise that the field of law and being able to defend people who can’t defend themselves was really enticing to me and the reason why I was drawn into them was because they had passion as I do too. I dreamt about becoming a barrister and going to court to prosecute those who hurt others or defending people whose livelihoods were at stake if they were framed. I know that in both Law and Medicine it’s not all sunshine and rainbows and that most days it’s gruelling and demands all your time and energy. I’m worried that in Medicine Law is going to be in the back of my mind and in Law Med will as well. Is Medicine really what I want? Am I over-romanticising the law?
Hi, I'm Lucy a first year law student!
I remember how overwhelming it felt to make the decision of what course to take, and thinking that that decision would alter my career paths for forever. However, both professions have become more flexible in the routes you can get to them.
It is important to understand that neither path is as rigid as it used to be. There are now more flexible routes into both careers, which takes some of the pressure off feeling like you have to get it “perfect” straight away. For example: To become a lawyer your degree doesn't necessarily have to be in Law because to become qualified you have to do the SQEs or secure a pupillage. And as for medicine, graduate entry medicine is becoming much more common. Which would give you the option to study a different undergraduate and then study medicine post grad.
Ultimately, I think it comes down to what kind of work you see yourself doing every day. Both careers carry responsibility and impact - but the day-to-day reality is very different! Choosing the one that aligns most with your interests and strengths makes the journey much more enjoyable. Whilst also remembering that things won't be set in stone whichever route you choose to take.
Good luck,
Lucy
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