Need some validation or encouragement. I’ve been on SDN for about 3 years, so I think it’s time I finally make my first post.
I’m 27 years old male, single with no kids, graduated from a doctor of physical therapy school last September and I’m currently working as a physical therapist. During my clinical rotations in PT school, I developed an interest in medicine, the passion and desire just continued to grow and I am now at a stage where I’m seriously considering going back to school to become a medical doctor. I was so intrigued with various aspects of medicine and I got to observe some orthopedic surgeries while I was a PT student and it blew my mind! I’ve done a ton of research and I know the road to medicine is tough; I just get so overwhelmed when I think about the financial sacrifices and the thought of having to go back to school to do it all over again.
PT school was very challenging but I really applied myself and graduated with almost a 3.9 GPA. I know it’s all about your undergrad grades when it comes to medical school, my undergrad GPA is around 3.3, with my science GPA just at a little over 3.0. I attended University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign for undergrad and I honestly just wasn’t a good student back then (I lacked direction and focus). I have most of my prereqs completed for medical school because I needed the same classes to apply to PT school. However, I still need to take organic chem 1/chem 2 and one or two higher level science courses to bring up my science GPA. If I get my mind right, I’m planning on taking orgo 1 this august.
My biggest barrier right now is my current financial situation (aka school loans). From undergrad and DPT school, I have about 180k in student loans and making those monthly payments suck! I’ve been working as a PT for over 5 months now, on pace to make decent money working 50-60 hrs a wk, so I have little to no financial motive for pursuing medicine. I don’t dislike or hate physical therapy, I think it’s a great profession but man; my heart is just not in it! I really don’t see myself in the field for more than 5-10 years. When I decided to become a physical therapist, I chose the road with the least resistance, it’s sad to admit but I was mainly attracted to the doctorate degree. Right now, I just think I have a lot more to offer and there are so many limitations within the scope of physical therapy practice.
So I guess my question is do I have a legit chance at medicine? Or am I crazy for even thinking about this with the amount I have in school loans already? I feel like I would be giving up so much to pursue this dream and I've spoken to a few doctors that have advised me to not go into medicine. I’m also an URM.
Any advice or comments are appreciated, sorry for the long post!
I’m 27 years old male, single with no kids, graduated from a doctor of physical therapy school last September and I’m currently working as a physical therapist. During my clinical rotations in PT school, I developed an interest in medicine, the passion and desire just continued to grow and I am now at a stage where I’m seriously considering going back to school to become a medical doctor. I was so intrigued with various aspects of medicine and I got to observe some orthopedic surgeries while I was a PT student and it blew my mind! I’ve done a ton of research and I know the road to medicine is tough; I just get so overwhelmed when I think about the financial sacrifices and the thought of having to go back to school to do it all over again.
PT school was very challenging but I really applied myself and graduated with almost a 3.9 GPA. I know it’s all about your undergrad grades when it comes to medical school, my undergrad GPA is around 3.3, with my science GPA just at a little over 3.0. I attended University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign for undergrad and I honestly just wasn’t a good student back then (I lacked direction and focus). I have most of my prereqs completed for medical school because I needed the same classes to apply to PT school. However, I still need to take organic chem 1/chem 2 and one or two higher level science courses to bring up my science GPA. If I get my mind right, I’m planning on taking orgo 1 this august.
My biggest barrier right now is my current financial situation (aka school loans). From undergrad and DPT school, I have about 180k in student loans and making those monthly payments suck! I’ve been working as a PT for over 5 months now, on pace to make decent money working 50-60 hrs a wk, so I have little to no financial motive for pursuing medicine. I don’t dislike or hate physical therapy, I think it’s a great profession but man; my heart is just not in it! I really don’t see myself in the field for more than 5-10 years. When I decided to become a physical therapist, I chose the road with the least resistance, it’s sad to admit but I was mainly attracted to the doctorate degree. Right now, I just think I have a lot more to offer and there are so many limitations within the scope of physical therapy practice.
So I guess my question is do I have a legit chance at medicine? Or am I crazy for even thinking about this with the amount I have in school loans already? I feel like I would be giving up so much to pursue this dream and I've spoken to a few doctors that have advised me to not go into medicine. I’m also an URM.
Any advice or comments are appreciated, sorry for the long post!