How did you know you wanted to go to med school? What lies ahead?

[ndfemme]

I started college as a pre-med major (15 years ago). I switched majors and was an English major after participating in a tutoring program and falling in love with teaching. I have since completed my MEd and am working in public education, and working toward completing my disseration for my EdD.

Sitting with my husband at a doctor's appointment today, though, I felt this very strong pang that I never did what I really wanted to do in the first place, going to med school.

What do I really have ahead of me if I would decide to go now? I'm assuming I will have to start all over with a bachelor's degree and obviously take MCATs, etc.

I appreciate any insight that anyone can offer. I'm 33 right now.

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[LingoLaine]

I was in a similar situation (except never considered medicine the first time through). At 35 I had an English degree and an MEd, and decided I wanted to go to med school. It was a long drawn-out process making it happen with children and other complications, but I finally started at 41 and just finished my second year.

You don't need a new bachelor's degree, but you do need to take all the pre-reqs you're probably missing (biology/chemistry/physics/organic chemistry/biochemistry and possibly math), take the MCAT, and come up with a convincing story as to "why medicine, and why now". It's not an easy road... make very sure you like the idea of the journey as much as the destination.

 

[ærospallo]

You will not have to start all over, you will just have to complete the medical school pre-requisites, which vary slightly from school to school. Since you were a pre-medical student before, I’m not sure how informed you are on the process, but the basics are:

1 Year – General Chemistry
1 Year – Organic Chemistry
1 Year – Biology
1 Year – Physics

Keep in mind, your previous undergraduate grades will still be considered for your application. So, if you haven’t completed these courses yet, those are the bulk of the workload. Your cumulative GPA (cGPA) and GPA from science-specific courses (sGPA) will be considered, along with your MCAT, volunteer accomplishments, shadowing hours, clinical experience, and other extra-curricular activities (ECs).

There are a lot of people who frequent this section of the forum who know much more than I, but these are the basics. If you start asking more specific questions, I’m sure you can get them all answered here.

 

[Elizabethx89]

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[tmn]

Consider formal Post-Bac programs for career changers. They have mixed reviews on here (the prevailing wisdom on here is do the prereqs on your own at your state school). They do offer some distinct advantages though. Formal programs can often eliminate the gap year when applying. Additionally, some programs have gaurenteed interviews or even acceptance for candidates that meet certain GPA/MCAT standards. The major con to formal programs is of course price. Just some options to consider. It is more than doable to be successful doing both formal and informal route. Your decision should boil down to what fits your needs/goals better. AAMC has a great search option for Post-Bac programs.

 

[Elizabethx89]

I wish I went the formal post-bacc route. It would have saved me a lot of time and, ironically, would have involved a lot less worrying about money. The post-bacc I wanted to apply for was structured a lot like med school where you're expected to take out a ton of loans and live off of them. What would an extra $30K have been considering I'll be looking at $200K+ from med school anyway?

 

[ksyhe]

Another English major here! I did a formal postbac -- I think it was worth every cent. As mentioned above, I was able to knock out all my prereqs in one year and jump straight into med school after finishing the postbac. It basically saved me two years -- and in terms of overall economics, while the formal program did cost me $30K (paid using loans), it would have taken me at least $10K to do it at a state school; and two additional years working as a doctor should more than make up for the extra $20K. Also, since I entered med school through a linkage program, I probably saved at least another $5K in application/interview costs; and thanks to my program's linkage terms, I didn't have to take the MCAT (= priceless...) Plus, I didn't have to drag my spouse through the stressful uncertainties of a glide year (also priceless)!

However, it is a bit of a gamble, since there's no guarantee that everything will work out. But when it does, it's pretty sweet!

 

[DocWinter]

ndfemme, I'm agreeing with those who are suggesting a formal post-bac, although you can do it on your own.

When I (having a bachelors in business, i.e lacking all the sciences) began my post-bac, it took 2 years of coursework and I wish I had 2.5 to fully study for the MCAT. And a gap year, so make it a full 3+ years from the time you start until the time you start medical school.

It is expensive, and the whole application process can set you back 5K, not counting the cost of college. Formal postbacs can set you back a good penny as ksyhe mentioned. a DYI can be done for roughly half of that, depending. You're no stranger to the cost of college though, I take it.

The 1st, best thing to do is to get inside a hospital or practice and shadow a physician. If you can find someone that will allow you to tag along and ask questions, see medicine in action, and help to confirm your "pang". A pang is a strong thing; and it needs reassurance before this kind of commitment and time necessary are joined to it. Start talking to doctors, tell them of your desire. Good things start this way.

 

[Rocketdog]

ndfemme, welcome to the forum. I know you probably read a lot of posts before posting yourself. It takes a lot of courage to bare your soul to everyone. I wouldn't worry about your age (much) as you are 12 years younger than me. I'm in the last two years of finishing my pre med degree, something I started 23 years ago. Yes, I'll be 52 when I graduate med school and my teachers will be 20+ years younger than me. (psst..but they also have 20+ less years of life experience too!)

My best advice: RESEARCH.....AND MORE RESEARCH.....medicine isn't something people should (just) to make a lot of money or "just for now" until something better comes along. Being a Physician is a life-long commitment to a professional career. It takes 100s of thousands of dollars for training....but, and I think most importantly, it costs something you can NEVER get back: time. All the combined money of the world can't buy you one second of lost time.

You are going to hear people say "I'm going to be 300k in debt"...blah, blah. It happens, it's something most Physicians have to accept. There are a lot of options for loan repayment/ forgiveness. Serve in the Military, work for the state government, take an slightly less glamours job for a few years in exchange for tuition repayment.....the options are many. So don't worry about the debt.

At 33 you should be glad you aren't still figuring yourself out. Being (slightly) older non-trad has some distinct advantages. You may be able to deal with death and adversity more easily. You are married, one less thing you have to worry about is your relationship status. Your husband needs to be as strong as you for your marriage to last. Understand residency and the commitment BOTH of you will make to both your futures.

Medicine is a lifelong marathon. You cannot see the finish line. Focus on doing the best (next) mile....then go on to the next. Just remember to do your best...and keep going!

Here's something to think about:

For every:
Hopeful pre med student.......a current medical student
Medical student....... a resident...then Chief resident
Chief resident.......Attending
Attending.............seasoned specialist
Seasoned specialist.................expert in his/her field
Expert........... World-class Dr who has done X procedure successfully only a few times.
Medical Pioneer or inventor.

You will know it's time to no longer pursue medicine as a career................when you (think you know everything and)..... stop learning.

Welcome to the most rewarding and challenging career known to human kind.