Have you ever felt like life is trying to change where you're going?

[Conflagration]

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I ask the above because I am in a bit of a related pickle.

I originally felt like I wanted to be a health professional- to help people, mostly. I liked the science fine, or so I thought.

But lately, I've been getting opportunities in my major field of study (which isn't Biology or Chemistry, it's Math). I presented last year at a symposium, and have been offered a chance to have an independent study with my faculty advisor, potentially publishing math research, as well as being offered a chance to present at the upcoming symposium as well.

I'm not sure how to feel about it though, because it seems like the two are directly conflicting with each other.

What do you think? Have you ever gone through something similar? If yes, what did you decide to do? I'm currently a traditional rising junior, just to give you an idea as to age/mentality/what-have-you.

 

[hoihaie]

you can use math in biology too. Medicine is the combination of almost every science field that exists .

 

[VictorAlpha]

I had a pretty solid idea of what I wanted to do for a long time so not much was going to change that. However, if somehow things really started to happen in a certain direction, yeah..you'd be a fool not to give it a good look.

I would say mostly it is up to you. If you don't feel a strong compelling reason not to venture down this research road, then go down that road. It doesn't mean you cannot pursue medicine (or vet?) later.

 

[frosted_flake]

I think it makes you stand out as an applicant 🙂

 

[Perrotfish]

I ask the above because I am in a bit of a related pickle.

I originally felt like I wanted to be a health professional- to help people, mostly. I liked the science fine, or so I thought.

But lately, I've been getting opportunities in my major field of study (which isn't Biology or Chemistry, it's Math). I presented last year at a symposium, and have been offered a chance to have an independent study with my faculty advisor, potentially publishing math research, as well as being offered a chance to present at the upcoming symposium as well.

I'm not sure how to feel about it though, because it seems like the two are directly conflicting with each other.

What do you think? Have you ever gone through something similar? If yes, what did you decide to do? I'm currently a traditional rising junior, just to give you an idea as to age/mentality/what-have-you.

What is the other option? I'm not entirely clear what you're trying to choose between.

Are you just worried that ADCOMs will look down on the time you spent on math papers? In that case you're just worrying to much. ADCOM's are people too, we've all had a few crazy nights in college where we got a little too drunk and experimented with a few equations. Maybe you drink and derive on Spring Break. Maybe when you studied abroad you get a happy prime ending. I would tell you about the one morning I woke up with 288 in my denominator, but that was two gross. The point is that we've all been there.

Or are you seriously trying to choose between a graduate education in Math and a graduate education in medicine? That might be a more serious question. Find out where your schools' graduate students in mathematics end up finding employment. If its a mix of industry and Tenure tracks, consider it. If its mostly post-docs and barnes and noble, then treat this like a hobby. That doesn't mean the only other choice is medical school, but don't train for a job that isn't there.

 

[meander]

Well I'm a non-trad with a degree in math, so take that with a grain of salt, but there is a huge amount of room in medicine for doctors with math backgrounds. I've had many opportunities dropped in my lap just because I have an interest in medicine and the skills and knowledge from my math degree.

I don't think that's your question though... sounds like you are not all that interested in medicine after all. If I were you I would finish up your pre-reqs but take at least a couple gap years. Maybe even do a masters program in math if you can get funding. Let yourself explore that fully, and if you still want to do med school, it will be waiting (and honestly you'll be a much stronger applicant).