K-12 Teacher to Doctor

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Hello all,

I searched through the threads, but nothing QUITE fit what I was looking for. I'm a 23 year old French teacher who will begin taking prereqs for med school in the fall. It's been a LONG standing goal of mine to be a doctor, but I got deterred by, ironically, a teacher.

I've been reflecting a lot upon my decision to go back because it will be a HUGE change in my life and cost me a LOT of money, as I'm sure you all understand. My question is, how do you approach explaining/defending your desire to leave teaching and go to medicine? The two professions have many similarities in stress levels, responsibilities, and skill sets. However, I'm really trying to think of how to make that difference more specific. The best that I can come up with is that, personally, I found that teaching entirely lacks any intellectual stimulation for me as an individual. I also found that, while working with low SES and at-risk students, that they came to school without basic needs being met, which didn't help their academic achievement. As a doctor, I want to help students meet their basic needs so that they could possibly have a better foundation for being able to focus in school.

Thoughts on this? I just want to be able to defend this when it comes time. Then again, I won't be interviewing until 2014, but still. :-)

Could you elaborate on how as a doctor you would be able to help these students meet these basic needs, in order to perform better in school?

Unless you are refering to their health condition, I am not exactly sure what you mean. While taking the time to connect socially and emotionally with your patients are all valued traits in medicine, I am not sure how feasible that is as a primary motivator for a career in medicine (simply due to the realities and time constraints/bureaucracy of modern medicine). Just be 100% sure you enjoy a high stress, science-heavy career and enjoy a LOT of hard work. Best of luck in your pursuit!

Originally Posted by RED2011

Hello all,

I searched through the threads, but nothing QUITE fit what I was looking for. I'm a 23 year old French teacher who will begin taking prereqs for med school in the fall. It's been a LONG standing goal of mine to be a doctor, but I got deterred by, ironically, a teacher.

I've been reflecting a lot upon my decision to go back because it will be a HUGE change in my life and cost me a LOT of money, as I'm sure you all understand. My question is, how do you approach explaining/defending your desire to leave teaching and go to medicine? The two professions have many similarities in stress levels, responsibilities, and skill sets. However, I'm really trying to think of how to make that difference more specific. The best that I can come up with is that, personally, I found that teaching entirely lacks any intellectual stimulation for me as an individual. I also found that, while working with low SES and at-risk students, that they came to school without basic needs being met, which didn't help their academic achievement. As a doctor, I want to help students meet their basic needs so that they could possibly have a better foundation for being able to focus in school.

Thoughts on this? I just want to be able to defend this when it comes time. Then again, I won't be interviewing until 2014, but still. :-)

I'm with memorex. I don't quite understand the "basic needs" aspect. Maybe vaccinations or something?

It's not my only motivator to finally pursue medicine. My reasons for wanting to pursue it now are so multifaceted. What I was trying to articulate is that A.) teaching and medicine have similar skill sets and B.) I'm nervous about being asked "we'll, why don't you just stay in teaching then?" I'm afraid that simply saying "seriously, teaching was not the intellectual challenge I expected it to be" won't be a good enough answer. I suppose that was what I was TRYING to get at. (Leave it to me to not properly process when I haven't eaten dinner yet).

Originally Posted by RED2011

It's not my only motivator to finally pursue medicine. My reasons for wanting to pursue it now are so multifaceted. What I was trying to articulate is that A.) teaching and medicine have similar skill sets and B.) I'm nervous about being asked "we'll, why don't you just stay in teaching then?" I'm afraid that simply saying "seriously, teaching was not the intellectual challenge I expected it to be" won't be a good enough answer. I suppose that was what I was TRYING to get at. (Leave it to me to not properly process when I haven't eaten dinner yet).

You are right, it is very likely they will ask why you don't just stay in teaching, UNLESS you make it evident that teaching did not offer the level of intellectual challenge you desire in a career.

I don't doubt your desire/ability to pursue medicine, but I do think you need to realize that teaching and medicine are TOTALLY different skill sets. Yes, I do realize that communication skills, desire to help others, empathy, etc are all heralded as vital skills in being a doctor (and they are) - but in the real world, time-constraints, insurance bureaucracy, and the stress associated with avoiding medical error make this near impossible to implement fully in practice.

I guarantee that if you are sincere in saying that teaching did not offer the intellectual challenge you desire, that will be the perfect, honest answer. An adcom would far prefer an honest, pragmatic answer from a non-trad, than something cooked up for the sake of an interview.

I don't think you have to give THAT much justification for leaving teaching... you're only 23! Maybe a little more work on why you want to be a doctor, but that will come with clinical experience.

Speaking of... teaching and medicine aren't that similar... at all...

I wouldn't worry about justifying your decision. I told my PhD advisor I wanted to pursue medicine instead and that was that.

Lol! It happens to the best of us! Maybe you could just say that you want to help kids in a different way. Perhaps mention, as you did above, that instead of contributing to and enhancing the brains of our kiddos, you want to be able to provide for their overall well-being. Honestly, I kinda don't see anything wrong with "teaching wasn't challenging enough" comment, either.

I think there are many similarities between the two. Obviously they are wildly different in many ways, but I believe, at the core, they are both fields in which someone needs to be able to handle stressful situations (though I grant you someone's LIFE is far more stressful than their education), make quick decisions under pressure, communicate effectively with a variety of people who may (or may not) have it out for you in one way or another. I also believe that, as a doctor, you need to be able to actually EDUCATE patients about what they heck you are planning to do for them. There are legitimate similarities, but I am by no means saying that they accomplish similar objectives, nor am I saying that just because you are a teacher, you can be a good doctor (or vice versa).

Originally Posted by RED2011

I think there are many similarities between the two. Obviously they are wildly different in many ways, but I believe, at the core, they are both fields in which someone needs to be able to handle stressful situations (though I grant you someone's LIFE is far more stressful than their education), make quick decisions under pressure, communicate effectively with a variety of people who may (or may not) have it out for you in one way or another. I also believe that, as a doctor, you need to be able to actually EDUCATE patients about what they heck you are planning to do for them. There are legitimate similarities, but I am by no means saying that they accomplish similar objectives, nor am I saying that just because you are a teacher, you can be a good doctor (or vice versa).

How much exposure have you had to medicine? How much shadowing of physicians, volunteering in a clinical setting with direct patient contact? If you have none of that yet, that would be the best place to start, and doesn't cost you anything other than a little time.

I actually worked in a pulmonology office; it was the business side of things, but I did get to speak with doctors, see what they did. I am in the process now of getting together with an area psychiatrist (since that's my primary field of interest). I intend to find some volunteer opportunities over the summer and hopefully find something paid throughout then. You make a fair point that I will probably get this sorted once I am in hospitals and clinics much more. :-)

Originally Posted by RED2011

Hello all,

I searched through the threads, but nothing QUITE fit what I was looking for. I'm a 23 year old French teacher who will begin taking prereqs for med school in the fall. It's been a LONG standing goal of mine to be a doctor, but I got deterred by, ironically, a teacher.

I've been reflecting a lot upon my decision to go back because it will be a HUGE change in my life and cost me a LOT of money, as I'm sure you all understand. My question is, how do you approach explaining/defending your desire to leave teaching and go to medicine? The two professions have many similarities in stress levels, responsibilities, and skill sets. However, I'm really trying to think of how to make that difference more specific. The best that I can come up with is that, personally, I found that teaching entirely lacks any intellectual stimulation for me as an individual. I also found that, while working with low SES and at-risk students, that they came to school without basic needs being met, which didn't help their academic achievement. As a doctor, I want to help students meet their basic needs so that they could possibly have a better foundation for being able to focus in school.

Thoughts on this? I just want to be able to defend this when it comes time. Then again, I won't be interviewing until 2014, but still. :-)

I am in a very similar boat, but I didn't finish my teaching degree before realizing that I was better suited to medicine. However, because I had gotten so far in my Elem-Mid degree I only added the prereqs on top of the education degree. I am working on my personal statement right now and trying to pick out the aspects of teaching that will contribute to my roll as a doctor.
When it comes time, clarify your motivations for becoming a doctor and your skills that make you unique. However, I don't think that you are at a disadvantage that you first obtained a degree in education. Get good grades, score well on the MCAT and get as much exposure to medicine as you can.

I taught middle school math for six years. I have been accepted this year. My personal statement expressed my views on how being a teacher improved my people skills. Teaching allows you to see the current condition of the community especially if the population is diverse. Your really don't know what is going on in the community until you serve the community. I think you should be honest about why you want to be a physician and talk about what you have learned about people in your teaching experience. That should be adequate. People change careers all the time. I would suggest really shadowing a doctor to see the interaction with patients. Do you like interacting with people or do you just want to solve problems or do both? Do you have the gift of being able to speak to your audience in their language. That is the artistry of teaching.
Even those who come to school hungry, homeless, parent in jail, parent on drugs, never met parents, have a specific language. Were you able to connect? Can you connect in spite of the discomfort? How do you deal with the parents? They want to know you are doing the best for their child. Teaching should really improve your ability to work with others if you are paying attention and self-reflective. If you have not thought of these things start paying attention. Teaching is really an opportunity but you need to figure out why? Once you figure this out answering questions will be a piece of cake.

I was a teacher at an inner city school and that experience influenced me greatly, including propelling me towards medicine. I think a well-written personal statement should be enough to address why the career change and speak to a certain skill set and perspective that not all applicants bring to the table.

Okay. I saw this and I HAD to giggle. I left a career as a French teacher at age 28...same reason! I was bored! Granted, I loved the kids I taught, but it really wasn't intellectually stimulating once you've done it for a few years. You get in a routine, know what you have to cover, and you can only be so creative. I toy on and off with the decision to go to med school still...but right now I'm finishing up my first year in a doctorate of physical therapy program.
I taught dance for 10 years as well, and I saw this as an opportunity to marry my love of working with people with my fascination with movement and the human body's ability to repair following injury. As a coach, I had seen my girls with injuries and their path back to recovery was amazing, and something I wanted to be a part of.
With regard to the skill set, now I am not in MD/DO school, but being a teacher gives you a great advantage with regard to people interaction. These are skills that cannot be taught. The smartest people (well the ones that get the best grades)in our program are the ones with the crappiest social skills.
Teaching gives you a foundation for leadership, the ability to craft a plan of care for many different patients, as well as the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of individuals. I say go for it!!!!