Subject Selection for Medicine
Hey everyone! I’m currently in Year 12 in New South Wales, Australia, and I’m aiming for a spot in medicine. Last year, I studied Advanced Mathematics, Chemistry, Legal Studies (compressed), and English. This year, I dropped Chemistry and am now taking Compressed Business, English, Advanced Mathematics, Compressed Music, Compressed Physics, and Compressed Economics.
I’m considering dropping one of my compressed subjects, but I’m having a tough time deciding which one, as I enjoy all of them and am performing well across the board. To help me maximize my ATAR (I’m aiming for at least 93), I’d appreciate an objective recommendation on which subject would be best to drop. Thanks!
Given your situation and the subjects you’re currently taking, I would recommend dropping economics. Here’s the reasoning behind that choice:
Relevance to Medicine: While economics can provide useful skills, it is less relevant to your future studies in medicine compared to physics or chemistry, which are foundational for understanding medical concepts.
Complexity and Workload: Compressed subjects can be particularly demanding due to their accelerated nature. Economics often requires a lot of theoretical understanding which can take time to grasp. Dropping a compressed subject like economics may reduce stress without sacrificing too much in terms of content relevance.
Performance & Interest: You mentioned that you’re performing well in all subjects. If you feel passionate and confident about physics and business, it’s worth prioritizing subjects where you are more likely to excel and enjoy the material.
Future Pathways: Medical schools often look favorably on subjects that demonstrate analytical and quantitative skills, which physics and advanced mathematics provide, rather than economics which is less rigorous in a scientific context.
Ultimately, focus on maximizing your strengths in the subjects that not only benefit your ATAR but also prepare you for the challenges in medical school. Good luck!