Medical school vs IE Bachelors

Hi, I am a Korean 2nd year medical student studying in Spain and currently in summer vacation.

Midway through my time in medical school I have realised that medicine does not fit me as expected and I have applied to IE University's Bachelor of Applied Mathematics and got in with scholarship. (I know it's a new programme and bachelors in IE may not have the best reputation so I am planning to use it as a stepping stone for a better masters programme and try to break into IB)

Throughout high school, I have always been better at mathematics and economics academically but chose medicine in the end due to the preference of direct contact with people.

I am currently debating on whether to stay in medicine and push myself for another 5 years (10 with residency) or switch over early to applied mathematics in a business school where employment is not guaranteed but I feel more comfortable in. I plan to work in Europe or even South America in the future. (I have lived a significant portion of my life in Spain and Latin America and hence speak Spanish and Portuguese)

Pros medicine:

  • Already fully completed 1 year

  • Job stability

  • Learned study habits for medicine 

  • Made good friends, got to know the location etc.

  • Gateway to work in most healthcare related industries

Cons medicine:

  • Not that personally interesting

  • Relatively low salary (in Spain)

  • Still very long years of education left

Pros applied mathematics:

  • Personally interesting

  • More international (easier to switch countries, continents compared to doctors)

  • Wide range of career choices 

  • May have higher salary if I break into IB, PE/VC etc.

  • Can make a use of family networking ;)

Cons applied mathematics:

  • Have to start over and may be quite older than others entering job market 

  • Lower job stability than medicine 


Analysing the pros and cons what would be more suitable?

Would IE bachelors really be ok to start a career in the business world?

I am leaning more towards switching to IE but just wanted some other opinions. Thank you :)

 

Since you are planning a big switch, I would apply to several other unis. IE does not have a great reputation because of their insane fees and being a for profit school... If I were you I would apply to HSG, Erasmus, CBS, Bocconi or WU Vienna.  

 

I was actually considering staying in medical school for one more year to apply in the next cycle for the better reputation business schools (in bachelor level) but I would be yet another year older (currently 21) and was worried it would affect job placements later on. Also, I am a non EU citizen and heard from alumni that IE is very international and helps you actively stay in Europe. Still, thinking about every option possible. Thanks for the info!

 

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