I am going to be a senior this fall and I am so stressed about college majors, applications etc. My whole life I wanted to be a pediatrician but after a summer internship I realized that it was not for me. I love the health care field but I dont think that I want to work one on one with patients. I am considering pharmacy but I am not really sure about that either. I have been getting so much stress from my parents, family etc because they all want me to be a doctor but med school really isnt for me. Now with college applications due in a few months it is really starting to hit me and make me so stressed. Help???
Ah jeez!! I’m so sorry :// College apps are definitely stressful, and it certainly doesn’t help that your parents are stressing medicine. It might help if you should tell your parents that you might be considering something in the medical field - just to calm them - and apply undecided (because it doesn’t negatively impact your admission chances and gives you the freedom to explore more options once you’re in college).
If you aren’t sure what to major in, make sure you choose a college that has many choices.
Also make sure it isn’t one where you have to choose your major before you apply.
Also remember that as a high school intern, you don’t have the skills to deal with patients.
Will you feel differently in the future?
Or can you get involved in public health?
Some thoughts:
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Once you get to college, Go to your college’s career center and talk to them. They may have tests/tools that help you figure out what career (and therefore major) is best for you)
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What math/science courses did you take in HS and in college? What was your Math SAT score?
English Score? -
Read this article: What problem do you want to solve?
https://■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■/pulse/20140804104444-17000124-let-s-kill-the-college-major -
Take an online quiz…there are many
http://www.luc.edu/undergrad/academiclife/whatsmymajorquiz/
http://www.slu.edu/beabilliken/quiz-college-majors -
Talk to the professo/teacherr in your favorite class and see what they think
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Is there an engineering school at your college? Do you have to apply to get into it?
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Pre-med/sociology/public health/psychology are majors where you want to help people directly.
Business/engineering/comp sci are majors where you want to solve technical/organizational problems.
Which is more appealing to you? -
What were your favorite classes in HS?
I have taken anatomy & psychology, med terms, chem,bio, allied health I,II, and III and I really liked those classes so I know that health is for me
You could study Global and Public Health, which is health, but can lead anywhere.
There’s the administration side of health care. They deal with the industry but it’s more the business of it.
^^ This. I had a similar experience, although much later when I was in college. I was interested in healthcare and thought I wanted to be a physician. After attending a summer pre-med program, however, I found that I didnt want to work that closely with patients. I thought about a career in research and took a work-study position in a lab back at school. However, I found that had too little contact with people. Ultimately, I found healthcare administration after earning a masters degree in public health. I have worked as a hospital administrator and find it both very challenging and rewarding.
I would suggest looking for a university that has a strong pre-health advising office. They can guide you as you explore other healthcare professions–and there are many! Good luck.
On average, college students change their major 3 times. Don’t get too stressed out, you have time.