What a dilemma! Need your advice.

[SilentNight]

Hi!

A little about myself: I applied to US MD schools in 2008 and 2010. Interviewed, waitlisted, and did not get accepted. My 2008 MCAT has expired and my academic profile is average among applicants.

I applied to University of Auckland's medical school in New Zealand and was fortunate to have received an offer of acceptance. I was initially thrilled at the prospect of finally beginning my medical career, but calculating the finances and future employment prospects has gotten me worried.

To attend Auckland I would have to take out $380,000 loans, which with a 25-year repayment plan puts me at ~$600,000 in debt. That is a **** load of money. I really like primary care but if I were to attend Auckland it seems like I would have to be a specialist to pay off such a huge debt.

To make it even more difficult is the uphill battle of getting an internship/residency post-medical school, since AUS/NZ and the US will rank me as an international medical graduate. I am contemplating on immigrating to AUS/NZ.

In short, my question is in your opinion being in debt ~$600,000 studying in a great country with an uncertain employment prospect after medical school worthwhile? Or do you strongly feel it would be better for me to retake the MCAT and reapply for a third time?

I am getting tired of staying in limboland not being able to start my medical career...

I greatly appreciate your comments!

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[MrBigglesworth]

Don't go. Retake the mcat. If your grades aren't great, take the classes over again and try for DO because they are forgiving with grades. I know you must just want to get on with life and don't want to re-do these things, but it will be best long term and will save you time. Good luck

 

[HumbleMD]

Hi!

A little about myself: I applied to US MD schools in 2008 and 2010. Interviewed, waitlisted, and did not get accepted. My 2008 MCAT has expired and my academic profile is average among applicants.

I applied to University of Auckland's medical school in New Zealand and was fortunate to have received an offer of acceptance. I was initially thrilled at the prospect of finally beginning my medical career, but calculating the finances and future employment prospects has gotten me worried.

To attend Auckland I would have to take out $380,000 loans, which with a 25-year repayment plan puts me at ~$600,000 in debt. That is a **** load of money. I really like primary care but if I were to attend Auckland it seems like I would have to be a specialist to pay off such a huge debt.

To make it even more difficult is the uphill battle of getting an internship/residency post-medical school, since AUS/NZ and the US will rank me as an international medical graduate. I am contemplating on immigrating to AUS/NZ.

In short, my question is in your opinion being in debt ~$600,000 studying in a great country with an uncertain employment prospect after medical school worthwhile? Or do you strongly feel it would be better for me to retake the MCAT and reapply for a third time?

I am getting tired of staying in limboland not being able to start my medical career...

I greatly appreciate your comments!

Don't do it. The calculus of practicing medicine and paying off your loans by age 50 is getting worse by the day, and $380,000 is too much money. Additionally, you should never do something that would then pressure you to try to match into Derm simply to pay off your loans (combined with the fact that you'd be hard-pressed matching into Derm as a IMG.

I'm unlike a lot of folks on SDN, in that after 2 tries, I'd turn in the towel and say that an MD isn't in the cards for me. Don't you want to start your adult life? What have you been doing these past 3 years? If that's more your temperment, but you still really want to work with patients, I'd say you should really start looking at some of these accelerated NP programs, or PA school. They're great, quick (and 100s of thousands cheaper) ways to work with patients in a hospital (or even do surgery as a PA). Additionally, becuase you have an interest in primary care, many see these jobs as filling the void of MDs in primary care in the future.

 

[SilentNight]

Thank you for your feedback.

I have been leaning toward declining the offer and reapply one last time before I throw in the towel.

To answer your questions, HumbleMD: I definitely agree that one shouldn't be pressured into pursuing something they don't want just for the money. I'm not sure what you mean by "adult life", because I have been living life doing the things I love while pursuing a career that I am passionate about. I would say that is an "adult life".

Since undergrad, I have received a M.Sc. degree in integrative physiology to further my knowledge and research skills. It has been a wonderful experience and I was hoping to transition into medical school afterward.

The PA/NP route I have researched a tremendous amount after my first unsuccessful application cycle and that route is not an option for me personally. PA/NPs may be filling the void in primary care, but there still needs to be MD/DOs to oversee the field.

I appreciate both your constructive criticisms and I shall take them into consideration.