Accepted here. What are my other options?

[Dr Gerrard]

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Completely hypothetical here. I am an accepted student, but I was wondering, if I were to want to do something else at this point, what would it be?

I am still happy going into medicine. But I guess I just want the comfort of knowing what my other options would be if I go in and decide I don't like it.

I am a biochemistry major. I have minors in philosophy and business administration. I'm not sure I would have any options besides doing lab work or something, and I definitely don't want to do that.

Unless of course I have a brilliant idea and want to start a business or company. But thats not something I can plan for.

 

[MCAT guy]

Completely hypothetical here. I am an accepted student, but I was wondering, if I were to want to do something else at this point, what would it be?

I am still happy going into medicine. But I guess I just want the comfort of knowing what my other options would be if I go in and decide I don't like it.

I am a biochemistry major. I have minors in philosophy and business administration. I'm not sure I would have any options besides doing lab work or something, and I definitely don't want to do that.

Unless of course I have a brilliant idea and want to start a business or company. But thats not something I can plan for.

Hmm. Sounds like you need to do some reading.

This falls into the, "SDN can't do much for you here. Time to go to work."

Talk to people in the fields your interested in. Find a mentor. Read some books. Google.

Invest your time in the vast resources that are available in America.

 

[Mizoodles]

Completely hypothetical here. I am an accepted student, but I was wondering, if I were to want to do something else at this point, what would it be?

I am still happy going into medicine. But I guess I just want the comfort of knowing what my other options would be if I go in and decide I don't like it.

I am a biochemistry major. I have minors in philosophy and business administration. I'm not sure I would have any options besides doing lab work or something, and I definitely don't want to do that.

Unless of course I have a brilliant idea and want to start a business or company. But thats not something I can plan for.

You can marry someone who's really rich

 

[Dr Gerrard]

Hmm. Sounds like you need to do some reading.

This falls into the, "SDN can't do much for you here. Time to go to work."

Talk to people in the fields your interested in. Find a mentor. Read some books. Google.

Invest your time in the vast resources that are available in America.

don't get me wrong, im still really interested in medicine.

think about it this way. medicine is my top choice. but im not one of those people that can't see myself doing anything else.

ive always been interested in business/finance. also have always liked history. but with the choices i made and what i decided to major in as an undergrad, i feel as though i have cut out most of my options, which is why i am wondering what else i would be able to do.

but its weird. im already goin to give up 8+ years to become a doctor at this point. however, if anyone suggested go back to undergrad and get a finance degree, i would never even consider it, even though this would only be 4 years.

i guess for me that just means that i really do love medicine and at this poin i wouldn't really sacrifice any significant amount of time to do anythin else but go to medical school

 

[bucks2010]

You better make sure this is what you really want to do. Better to find out now than get to MS3 and realize you don't want to practice.

Having an MD doesn't necessarily limit you to doing certain things. It's just that the advantage an MD gives you for non-clinical jobs really doesn't kick in until you're out of residency, board certified, and have some real experience in practice. Quit medicine before that point, and you can do whatever you want, but the MD will probably not give you much of an advantage.

 

[Hoya2009]

You should withdraw all of your applications and give up your acceptance.
Problem solved.

 

[searun]

I would vote for white water rafting guide and fly fishing guide in Oregon or Montana. I have these skills but you probably do not at this point in your life. So if you have the gift of gab, become a bartender in one of the new cocktail bars.

 

[farrago]

You sound very unsure of this decision to pursue medicine. This is not the first time you have brought up the topic. I have also gathered from your other posts that there is a fair amount of family pressure to pursue this - your sister was apparently pushed into a Caribbean school by your father. Perhaps you ought to have taken some time off to reconsider things. It's a big decision - you don't want to end up a bitter, unhappy physician.

 

[MCAT guy]

don't get me wrong, im still really interested in medicine.

think about it this way. medicine is my top choice. but im not one of those people that can't see myself doing anything else.

ive always been interested in business/finance. also have always liked history. but with the choices i made and what i decided to major in as an undergrad, i feel as though i have cut out most of my options, which is why i am wondering what else i would be able to do.

but its weird. im already goin to give up 8+ years to become a doctor at this point. however, if anyone suggested go back to undergrad and get a finance degree, i would never even consider it, even though this would only be 4 years.

i guess for me that just means that i really do love medicine and at this poin i wouldn't really sacrifice any significant amount of time to do anythin else but go to medical school

Kind of funny because I worked in finance and am now pursuing medicine. If you want to work in finance, then go apply for finance jobs or get a finance degree. Boom. It's that simple.

Btw, I am not a "can't see myself doing anything else" person either. But medicine is my top choice.

 

[Dr Gerrard]

I am not unsure of my decision at all. I have considered many other options up to this point (law school, chemical engineering, even graduate school in philosophy) and I have definitely determined that medicine is my favorite option.

But is it bad that I cannot say I that I can't see myself doing anything else?

TBH, I would much rather marry rich hahaha. I know many people say that they cannot sit idle all day, but I know this wouldn't be the case. I would read more, learn how to play instruments, travel, so many different things.

But I have to work. And since I have to work, I weighed all of my options. And going to medical school is my top option.

 

[Dr Gerrard]

Kind of funny because I worked in finance and am now pursuing medicine. If you want to work in finance, then go apply for finance jobs or get a finance degree. Boom. It's that simple.

Btw, I am not a "can't see myself doing anything else" person either. But medicine is my top choice.

yeah but could i get a decent finance job without any serious finance education (besides intro finance of course)?

it would be incredible if i could work in finance the summer before I start. i can't think of any better option for me.

 

[MCAT guy]

yeah but could i get a decent finance job without any serious finance education (besides intro finance of course)?

it would be incredible if i could work in finance the summer before I start. i can't think of any better option for me.

The answer is probably "no." Finding a good finance job is like anything else, it will take work and skills. I'm assuming you have no experience so it will be tough to get a "good" job.

There is no perfect job, if you want to do finance you have to commit to it. Trying to fit in a summer job for finance isn't really going to get you anywhere.

 

[searun]

You sound like a good bartender.

 

[Dr Gerrard]

You sound like a good bartender.

hahaha is this a joke? ive been drinking a bit and so my sarcasm meter goes down a bit

bartender would be a sweet summer job for sure though

 

[longwhorn]

don't get me wrong, im still really interested in medicine.

think about it this way. medicine is my top choice. but im not one of those people that can't see myself doing anything else.

ive always been interested in business/finance. also have always liked history. but with the choices i made and what i decided to major in as an undergrad, i feel as though i have cut out most of my options, which is why i am wondering what else i would be able to do.

but its weird. im already goin to give up 8+ years to become a doctor at this point. however, if anyone suggested go back to undergrad and get a finance degree, i would never even consider it, even though this would only be 4 years.

i guess for me that just means that i really do love medicine and at this poin i wouldn't really sacrifice any significant amount of time to do anythin else but go to medical school

Be a doctor and a business man. Many a great business man started life with an MD at the end of their name.

 

[longwhorn]

hahaha is this a joke? ive been drinking a bit and so my sarcasm meter goes down a bit

bartender would be a sweet summer job for sure though

Unfortunately for a guy with no experience, finding a bar tending job is harder than getting into med school.

 

[loveoforganic]

Unfortunately for a guy with no experience, finding a bar tending job is harder than getting into med school.

Yeah 🙁 I would so love to do it for a bit. C'est la vie

 

[raltima07]

Unfortunately for a guy with no experience, finding a bar tending job is harder than getting into med school.

Whats the accpetance rate?

 

[Geekchick921]

you sound very unsure of this decision to pursue medicine. This is not the first time you have brought up the topic. I have also gathered from your other posts that there is a fair amount of family pressure to pursue this - your sister was apparently pushed into a caribbean school by your father. Perhaps you ought to have taken some time off to reconsider things. It's a big decision - you don't want to end up a bitter, unhappy physician.

+1.

 

[slatermd]

You sound very unsure of this decision to pursue medicine. This is not the first time you have brought up the topic. I have also gathered from your other posts that there is a fair amount of family pressure to pursue this - your sister was apparently pushed into a Caribbean school by your father. Perhaps you ought to have taken some time off to reconsider things. It's a big decision - you don't want to end up a bitter, unhappy physician.

Not sure how I missed this^. This post is diamonds, Gerrard.

Note: the consideration needs to be done by YOU. The forum can't tell you whether or not you should be a doctor.

Also, some doctor posted this in another thread (I haven't even looked at it, but even if it isn't directly helpful to you it is an example of an entrepreneurial endeavor of a physician): http://www.nonclinicaljobs.com/


My only request is that if you do choose medicine, make the commitment to yourself that no matter what happens you won't make the people around you miserable. There are enough doctors who hate their jobs and suck to be around. If there's any chance that could be you, please GTFO while you still can.

 

[Dr Gerrard]

As I said earlier, I am definitely sure I want to go into medicine.

However, so many other people feel like medicine is the only career choice that would make them happy. I am not like this at all. It is the career that would make me the happiest, but definitely not the only one that I would enjoy at all.

And about being a miserable physician.. I am definitely not that type of person. I could do any job if I enjoy being around the people I am working with. This will be the biggest determining factor of how happy I am as a physician.

 

[NickNaylor]

hahaha is this a joke? ive been drinking a bit and so my sarcasm meter goes down a bit

bartender would be a sweet summer job for sure though

Drinking + posting on SDN = winning.

 

[slatermd]

As I said earlier, I am definitely sure I want to go into medicine.

1.) However, so many other people feel like medicine is the only career choice that would make them happy. I am not like this at all. It is the career that would make me the happiest, but definitely not the only one that I would enjoy at all.

And about being a miserable physician.. I am definitely not that type of person. I could do any job 2.) if I enjoy being around the people I am working with. This will be the biggest determining factor of how happy I am as a physician.

1.) I will reiterate what you've already been told: don't worry about that, as long as the underlined part is true.

2.) You'll only have so much control over that during med school and residency; afterwards you can do whatever you want. Make sure to keep your attitude positive during the 7+ years before you actually have that particular autonomy. It won't always be easy, so remember that you went into it with that outlook.


My take: I would go for it G. But compose yourself before you do, because you come across as a waffling hot mess.

 

[acb88]

Have you considered deferring for a year and taking some time off? You sound like you may possibly be a bit burnt-out, and that makes it harder to see things clearly. There is nothing like some time off to make you realize what it is you really want to do. Since you already have acceptances, you can use your time to explore other fields, or just simply sit home and pretend you married rich for awhile. Maybe go out and explore the world.

 

[Dr Gerrard]

I actually did consider taking a year off but in the end decided against it.

I am not burnt out by any means. Pretty much the opposite really. I do so little work right now (and not very much in the rest of undergrad), that I am afraid I won't be able to motivate myself to study as much as I need to. I have literally been to class 6 days out of the last 4 weeks (4 of those i had to with lab, and the other 2 were exams).

and as i said many times, i do want to do medicine.

if i could start over, i would have been an accounting major in undergrad. this would really have kept my options open. instead, i came in as chemical engineering, ruled that out, and needed to change to biochem so i could graduate on time (for scholarships and such).

but it basically seems like i have no other options except after i get an MD. i know i wont be miserable, because when i see people around me doing the same thing and having the same problems, it helps me feel like im not alone in this and then i just make the best of it.

having no premed friends in undergrad kind of sucks, because when i am studying, none of my friends are. this is when it becomes miserable haha.