I have been interested in anesthesiology ever since my freshman year of high school, 100% knowing that I wanted to become one. Now, as a junior in HS, I discovered neurology by taking AP Psychology. I have loved learning about the brain and actually I’m going to attend NYLC for psychology and neuroscience this summer. I just don’t know which career to pursue. I am equally interested in both but I just don’t know. Please give any advice!
Luckily it doesn’t really matter yet. Either way you’re going to have to go to medical school. In medical school you will certainly be required to do a neurology clerkship and probably required to do anesthesia (if not, you can do an elective). Certainly shadowing physicians in each specialty will help (which is something you could start doing now) because while they both deal with the nervous system, they are quite different in terms of the style of practice you would have.
Agree that this is something you need not worry about at all now since you will have a chance to choose between these or find another passion during your clinical rotations. FWIW, these fields are very different and it will not be hard to decide once you spend a month doing each. Neurologists have long term relationships with patients they often can’t cure. They get to know their patients and family members. Anesthesiologists have short term relationships with lots of patients, don’t need to educate or communicate nearly as much and are much more see a problem, solve a problem, move on. Your personality should strongly attract you to one more than the other.