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What's my best PRE-MED degree choice? I want to read MEDICINE but I am interested in ROBOTICS

I love mechanics, crazy about computing but can not imagine a life and career outside medicine. Currently doing my A-Levels in physics, chemistry, biology and mathematics. Applying to schools in US and Canada. #medical #technology

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Brian’s Answer

If you really want to challenge yourself I would suggest a degree in Mechanical Engineering. This teamed with a medical education would set you up for exactly what you're looking for.

This will be challenging. I started as a mechanical engineer but moved to Economics. In retrospect, I do think I made the right choice but if you're this passionate about robotics then this is the way to go.

If you don't want to take this on then I would suggest joining the clubs available that involve robotics/mechanics. The point of college to me is to meet individuals, network and get a degree along the way. Especially if you're set on medicine - then focus on the experience and connections over the exact major you want.
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Francisco’s Answer

Hi Temi!

What a joy to hear of a student interested in such amazing career paths. You might be surprised to hear engineering and medicine/healthcare interact quite frequently. There's many examples of engineers focusing on healthcare applications developing OR robots for surgery, prothesis for individuals with missing limbs, or developing new drugs for treatments. Engineering even has medicine inclined degrees like biomedical engineering or sometimes chemical engineering. Even myself as manufacturing/industrial engineer did my masters thesis in healthcare applications focusing on High Blood Pressure modeling for diagnosis and treatment.

On the other hand, doctors or healthcare professional have also been known for crossing into more technological areas, as with their medical knowledge they offer a unique design perspective, so they can partner up with someone in engineering or technology to develop products, treatments, or businesses around an area of need they identified in their career. Overall, which ever route you end up going (an engineer who focused on healthcare or a medical professional with a passion for tech) there's plenty of ways to explore both areas of interest.

I would say think about how you want to make an impact, would like to be the doctor operating the surgery robot or designing that robot? Would you like to treat the child receiving his arm prosthetic or the person 3D printing it? Would you like to do pre-med, med school, etc. or finish your engineering degree in 4-5 years and then do a masters in some healthcare concentration?

Hope this helps and I look forward to seeing you impact the future of medicine and engineering in some amazing way! Good luck!

P.D.: Typical Pre-Med majors include biology and chemistry with minors in psychology, health science, and things like that
Thank you comment icon Than you!!! You're answer has brought me one step closer to a conclusion. Temi
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Darrell’s Answer

This is a fantastic! I agree with Francisco's answer. Figure out what part interests you most. The human interaction or the development of the robotic item. It is okay to be unsure at this stage of your career. That is why one goes to school, and that is also why there are opportunities to job shadow or be an intern. Look for a way to try out your career path before you graduate so you can feel confident that you are making the right decision for yourself. Note that when applying to medical school, coming in with an engineering degree will help you stand out from the other applicants who focus on biology or chemistry.

Darrell recommends the following next steps:

Volunteer or job shadow to try out your desired career path.
Find a professional (doctor/engineer) who is doing what you hope to do and start a conversation about how they got started and ask for their advice. You might need to look in medical journals or engineering associations to get those contact names.
Find a medical school that combines your interests and talk to the Dean or professors to get a better understanding on the work/research that is going on at that school.
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