Hi people. I'm currently creating a decision matrix about my college degree options and would appreciate it if you identify any points I missed or got wrong. My current situation as follows:
19yo Brazilian male
Last year, I enrolled in medical school at my local university and did a few weeks before I had the opportunity to study computer science at a great university 600 miles from home. Since the classes were online and the end of the pandemic seemed years away, I decided to do it and am currently enrolled in the first semester of the program.
I'm really close to my family and friends in my home town and certainly would miss it. Plus, I was able to save mid 4-figures helping neighbors and my father during high school.
I enjoyed both programs: loved the logic behind the functioning of the human body (physiology) and the idea of helping people and saving lives; and liked programming (in C and Python) and calculus so far. My main factors right now are distance from family and future indebtedness if I stay in CompSci (rent, food, transportation, etc in a more expensive city).
Both programs are in public schools, which in Brazil means no tuition. Next month I'm going to apply again to Med School and think I've a reasonable chance of being accepted (at least 50%) as the only factor considered is our equivalent of the SAT/MCAT. The Brazilian health system has many flaws and room for improvement and I'm going to help it through entrepreneurship.
Medical school is a 6-year undergraduate program, 2 miles from home in a good public university, close to family and friends, and with minimal costs (no debt).
CompSci is the default 4 years, 600 miles from home in a great public university, with possible debt entrapment, but more broad opportunities and the experience of living on my own.
Also, there is a lot of content in books and on the internet regarding programming and computer science in general, while the medical field is highly regulated and has high entry barriers.
I'm afraid to take family and friends advice too seriously as 100% of them told me to change back to medical school, but none actually went there.
I know some people here have chosen the MD path, while others adopted the CompSci one. What influenced your choice? Do you regret it? What points am I missing here for a more informed decision? Thanks in advance.
19yo Brazilian male
Last year, I enrolled in medical school at my local university and did a few weeks before I had the opportunity to study computer science at a great university 600 miles from home. Since the classes were online and the end of the pandemic seemed years away, I decided to do it and am currently enrolled in the first semester of the program.
I'm really close to my family and friends in my home town and certainly would miss it. Plus, I was able to save mid 4-figures helping neighbors and my father during high school.
I enjoyed both programs: loved the logic behind the functioning of the human body (physiology) and the idea of helping people and saving lives; and liked programming (in C and Python) and calculus so far. My main factors right now are distance from family and future indebtedness if I stay in CompSci (rent, food, transportation, etc in a more expensive city).
Both programs are in public schools, which in Brazil means no tuition. Next month I'm going to apply again to Med School and think I've a reasonable chance of being accepted (at least 50%) as the only factor considered is our equivalent of the SAT/MCAT. The Brazilian health system has many flaws and room for improvement and I'm going to help it through entrepreneurship.
Medical school is a 6-year undergraduate program, 2 miles from home in a good public university, close to family and friends, and with minimal costs (no debt).
CompSci is the default 4 years, 600 miles from home in a great public university, with possible debt entrapment, but more broad opportunities and the experience of living on my own.
Also, there is a lot of content in books and on the internet regarding programming and computer science in general, while the medical field is highly regulated and has high entry barriers.
I'm afraid to take family and friends advice too seriously as 100% of them told me to change back to medical school, but none actually went there.
I know some people here have chosen the MD path, while others adopted the CompSci one. What influenced your choice? Do you regret it? What points am I missing here for a more informed decision? Thanks in advance.
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum:
Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.