<p>Hey everyone,
I have a really big dilemma!
I am a junior and an asian.</p>
<p>At school, for my ECs, I do math and science, simply because I do well. (Took pre-cal freshmen year, and Calc BC AP sophomore year (5) )</p>
<p>I thought all I had was math and science, which will get me into a good college.
But my sophomore year, I joined speech and debate, and started loving about everything, even politics! Although it was a hard path for me (speaking event, and competing against native speakers, accent problem as well), I was so passionate about it that I solely devoted my time to expand my skills in speaking events rather than in science and math (which I was good, but didn't have passion for). At the end of the year, I managed to place in semi-finals at state. Also because I started loving politics and global causes, I am currently devoting my time in New Global Citizens, which I am president for.</p>
<p>My question is should I take away more time from math club and math competitions and put them forth in my debate career? Or since I have more chance of doing much more well in math, should I take away time from debate and put forth in my math career? </p>
<p>God, I’ve been facing the same exact question for the past two years (I’m a sophomore at a JC, planning to transfer at the end of this school year). I decided to go with what I’m good at (accounting/economics) rather than what I actually like (international relations and music).</p>
<p>I, too, love debating, and politics, and of course both. ^_^</p>
<p>But I decided to play it safe, because God knows there’s no shortage of starving musicians or unemployed political junkies. >_<</p>
<p>Obviously you’re good at debating and political discussions since you’ve won the competition. Do what you love. You’ll be glad you did later in life.</p>
<p>I’m in a very similar situation. Hard science has always been my strength. Especially chem. Since I accelled in chem, I thought I loved it when really I just loved understanding something most people don’t. I realized it bores me. My true passion is the environment. However, there’s little money in it and few job opportunities. </p>
<p>I just sent out my applications with an intended environmental science major. I’m ecstatic.</p>
<p>Choose what you love and you can’t go wrong. You can always minor in science or math.</p>
<p>You also might not be good at what you do but do not let that deter you. For example, the guy who wrote the Series How to Simple your life was a terrible writer but he loved giving advices. He ended up hiring people to do the writing when he just provided the ideas.</p>
<p>I think you are asking a really good question, and I don’t think the answer is a slam-dunk at all. From what you’ve written, I think “throwing away” your math/science talents would be an incredible waste. In the broader world, those talents can indirectly be applied to so much. You could study, I don’t know, molecularly biology as an undergrad, and get into a top law school and become a patent attorney. You could study engineering as an undergrad and have a leg up as you applied to the best business schools in the nation (quantitatively minded folks have a natural advantage). At the same time, you shouldn’t give up your passion. Skilled speakers are, frankly though, relatively a dime a dozen. </p>
<p>Your time of schooling is a time of general skills-building. Why don’t you find channels for your passions as well as for developing skills that can open the most doors for you? I am not saying to embrace something you hate. That would be foolish. But if you are lukewarm towards something you’re really good at, the real question is how much do you suffer for being lukewarm.</p>
<p>Here’s a great example from a poster above:</p>
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<p>From my standpoint, I don’t at all see an either/or here. The most respected environmental scientists often ground their careers in tough scientific fields or in environmental engineering. I don’t see why these two paths are at all mutually exclusive.</p>