In high school, I was doing the International Baccalaureate Diploma. There are two Maths there - one that was really difficult, and one that was easy.

I began with the higher-level Math, but it was really difficult. I also didn't really have motivation to study it - not intrinsic ("I love and am really good at Math!") or extrinsic ("I will die to become an engineer").

The English students hardly studied, so I searched what lucrative career I could have if I took English instead.

That was Law. So I happily dropped this higher-level Maths. I have admission to Law at a prestigious London university.

Then I was conscripted in my country. This taught me the value of freedom. I swore I would never be any country's bitch ever again. Multiple citizenships became a priority. I didn't ever want to be any country's bitch ever again. From what I understand, Law is heavily regulated. If I am an English lawyer, I am stuck in England or dependent on my employer to send me (a fresh-faced college grad with no experience) abroad whenever they see fit.

My outlook on career and higher education is just sive.rs/balance + getting rich as the "do what you love [your art]". I want to become a millionaire. Everyone wants to talk about passion and whether I will "enjoy my career", but I think of it just as a head choice. I think the passion comes after you start getting good. Law, as you saw, is not my "passion". I just thought it would be fun. My real passion is acting, but I don't want to taint it by making money off it.

CS seems like the only field where I can make good money, it's a white collar job, solid future, and it will even increase my chances of getting rich. I think the clearest (but still not easy) route to riches is going to Silicon Valley with a startup.

Another key thing with the "never again a country's bitch" is, I've got a green card waiting for me as soon as I land in the USA. So the clock starts ticking the moment I land. Within five years, including university, I could become a citizen. So that's just one year of real time. I won't get such an opportunity ever again in my life (unless I get rich of course).

So CS seems ideal. Everything fits in perfectly.

But I have never in my life done anything related to CS or shown any "passion" for it. The most I've ever made is a static HTML personal website written by hand [which I enjoyed doing very much, for what it's worth].

I am also not great at math. But I can learn. I have clear extrinsic motivation (getting rich).

Right now is US application time, so I don't have the luxury of sponging around dabbling in CS to see whether I like it.

I'd really appreciate all you smart tech guys' advice on what to do with my life [I'm 20].

Submissions by Max_Ehrlich

Ask HN: Should I study CS or Law?

Ask HN: Should I study CS or Law?