Advice needed.. Computer Science to Medicine

[achieve1]

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Hi all, lately I've been lurking some of the threads on SDN trying to get an idea if there are any other people who have done what I'm potentially planning on doing...hopefully I can get some advice from some of you guys..

First a bit of background about myself, I graduated two years ago with a B.S in Computer Science and I'm currently working for a company in my field as a programmer. This past January, I entered into a M.S program in Systems Engineering and now I'm working full-time and attending classes part-time. How do I like my field? I think its cool, sometimes it has ups and downs like any other job, but I don't have any serious complaints. I guess what really got to me is when I asked myself whether I could stand sitting in a cubicle for the next 20 years staring at a computer screen and doing work that really doesn't mean much if you think about it from a broad perspective.. (no offense to any IT folks).. Sure, there might be opportunities to take on a managerial role or something, but its still the same field and essentially dealing with the same kind of things. I guess I don't see myself wanting to do this for too long..I'm just kind of worried that I'll hit my 40's (im in my mid 20s now), and end up going through a mid-life crisis or something lol..

My interest in medicine is kind of difficult to describe. My dad always wanted to push me towards medicine, and I guess because of that, I wanted to stay away initially because I felt like I would end up doing medicine only because he wanted me to and not because it was my own decision. The only reason I went with C.S as my major is because I was "good with computers"..realizing that it had absolutely nothing to do with programming after my first year. However, one thing that I realized was that my undergraduate curriculum did not emphasize in taking any of the major science courses (only simple versions like health 101 or something). So I never took any General bio, or chem or physics, and that made me feel a bit incompetent at times (especially considering the fact that most of my friends are in the field). I was also big on biology in high school and I always considered it as a potential major as well, so my interest was always there...just kind of ignored it i guess.

A few months after I landed my first job, the idea of what it would feel like to go and pursue a medical degree hit me. I brushed it off because I thought it was just a crazy idea and its too late for me. However, a couple of days ago, the same thought hit me again and this time I felt like I should do something about it. Doing some googling, I found this site as well as countless number of people asking whether they should pursue medical school or not. So with a grain of confidence, I've looked up some post bac pre-med programs in the NYC area and I'm strongly thinking I should pursue it..just to prep myself for MCATS and then see how I do and what my options are...

So my questions are:

1. Is there anybody here that comes from a similar background of IT/Programming who made this transition to medicine? If so, please tell me about your experience and how you felt in doing so.

2. Other then completing pre-req courses and MCAT, what else do medical schools look for in the admissions process?

3. Should I complete my M.S and then go for post-bac? Assuming my M.S takes 2-2.5 years...idk if that's a risk of me losing this drive that i have now or what...getting this M.S is sort of a big deal, at least from my family's standpoint. I just don't want to end up making the wrong decision here..

Thanks for any input/advice. I'm sorry if my story bored you...but i appreciate the help.

 

[DrMidlife]

You don't say anything about clinical experience. Before you feed your jones to be a doctor, do some clinical volunteering and shadowing. Seriously.

There are plenty of former engineers/programmers/IT people in med school and in practice.

Best of luck to you.

 

[Captain Sisko]

You don't say anything about clinical experience. Before you feed your jones to be a doctor, do some clinical volunteering and shadowing. Seriously.

There are plenty of former engineers/programmers/IT people in med school and in practice.

Best of luck to you.

this right here. I'm an engineer and had a sort of aha moment, but i had to validate the decision. shadow, volunteer, see what it's like being in hospitals and around sick people. if i didn't do that i wouldn't have any idea, much as i had no idea when i chose engineering when i was 18. it so turned out that this is something i want but if you find yourself going the other way keep going and don't look back.

idea was about 30 months ago. mcat tomorrow. two months till I apply.

 

[achieve1]

Thanks for the replies. I decided that I'm going to try and some volunteering at a nearby hospital. Which department would give me the most exposure to what physicians go through on a daily basis? By volunteering, would I have any opportunities to interact with doctors and surgeons? Also, can somebody explain shadowing to me? What would be the right way to approach this? Thanks.

 

[ChE04]

Thanks for the replies. I decided that I'm going to try and some volunteering at a nearby hospital. Which department would give me the most exposure to what physicians go through on a daily basis? By volunteering, would I have any opportunities to interact with doctors and surgeons? Also, can somebody explain shadowing to me? What would be the right way to approach this? Thanks.

With volunteering I'd say you have the best shot of seeing something interesting in the emergency department. You'll be pretty limited in what you can do as a volunteer because of liability issues, and it depends on the hospital and also your personality, to some extent, as to how much interacting you do with physicians.

Shadowing is basically following a doctor around for a period of time as his/her "shadow." A good first step would be to ask about shadowing at the hospital you plan on volunteering at.

 

[Goro]

*Ability to handle a challenging course load and do well
*Demonstration of altruism, and leadership
*Understanding of what a doctor's life is like (hence, the need for shadowing).
*Demonstrations that you really like being around sick and injured people, for the next 40-50 years (hence, the patient contact volunteer work).
*Demonstration that you're really in it for the long haul
*Demonstration that you're in it because you have an honest desire to help people, and not merely for the prestige and money.


2. Other then completing pre-req courses and MCAT, what else do medical schools look for in the admissions process?

If you have any doubts about this path, then Medicine isn't for you. Thinking that you might lose the fire in the belly because you deviate from the path for 2 years or so says to me that you're heart really isn't in it. Medicine is a calling, like being a priest or a policeman.

And you're a big boy now, what your family wants or thinks should be irrelevant.


3. Should I complete my M.S and then go for post-bac? Assuming my M.S takes 2-2.5 years...idk if that's a risk of me losing this drive that i have now or what...getting this M.S is sort of a big deal, at least from my family's standpoint. I just don't want to end up making the wrong decision here..

 

[achieve1]

lol..the entire past week, even while I'm at work, all I keep thinking about is going into medicine, and thinking about medical school, and actually feeling "thrilled" that I'm going to do this...I feel as if I was expected to this a while back, but I ended up just pushing it away for some unknown reason. Idk, I almost feel kind of relieved when I think about this...

Even at work, I feel like I have a new sense of confidence...I guess I'm just really anxious to get started but I know that I need to devote a lot of time and thought into the sacrifices that I'll be making before I jump right in.

 

[achieve1]

Would like to keep this topic rather than create new threads for questions..

1. What in your opinion is the recommended course load and sequence of courses to take per semester in a postbac program? Especially if working full-time as well?

2. At which point / after which classes in the post-bac program is it appropriate to begin studying for the MCAT?

 

[ChE04]

Would like to keep this topic rather than create new threads for questions..

1. What in your opinion is the recommended course load and sequence of courses to take per semester in a postbac program? Especially if working full-time as well?

2. At which point / after which classes in the post-bac program is it appropriate to begin studying for the MCAT?

1. I don't think the course load really matters that much. It may look "better" to have a heavier course load, and maybe if you have a lower GPA (<3.5) you should consider it more, but your paramount objective during post-bacc should be to maintain straight A's. If you are not sure how much you can handle, just start out taking 1 course at a time, especially if juggling a full time job as well as all the other pre-med activities.

2. For the MCAT as it stands right now, I would recommend taking the intro biology, chemistry, physics, and organic chemistry classes as a minimum, and then studying for ~2 months before taking the actual test. The format of the test is going to change sometime in the next couple years (I forget exactly when), so depending on when you are planning on taking it, you may need to take one or two more classes.

 

[Ranniks]

Well, I''m currently in the IT field, but I'm in admission for medical school. Will know in aprox 3 months if I got in, and in 2 weeks after that if I really got in. If I can do it, you can most definitely do it. I'm not from the USA, so it's different here.

I got my pre-reqs during my IT study.

I have some things the same as you though: everyone saying I'm good with computers and all.

The only differences are: I had a dream the day I left highschool. God told me to become a doctor in that dream. And through the impossible I stand where I stand today.

I've shadowed doctors and I've volunteered, I've worked my ass of and dropped any thoughts about any shiny white coat and stetoscope. All this math, chemistry, physics and biology and not to mention the amount of books read......Has turned the idea of only doing it for objects meaningless. This is a calling in live and I definitely think so.

People who either discourage you and such are either really mean people or just resentfull people. Anyone questioning your decision should be asked the same question.

'Oh, you don't want to become a doctor, you don't have this experience or that, you're young, you're this that'.

I laugh at those notions.

I hope that MOST doctors are doctors who thought it a calling. Anyone without thinking it's a calling is going to have a tough time in the field. I'm prepared to work 120 hour workweeks. I'm prepared to study until I drop.

And you know why? Because I have a BURNING desire to become a doctor, to help people, to cure them, to find cures to diseases and most of all to be a beacon of hope to some people in need.

Anyone wanting to shatter the above made arguments of mine are really just....No words for them.

K, my 2 cents.

 

[achieve1]

Well, I''m currently in the IT field, but I'm in admission for medical school. Will know in aprox 3 months if I got in, and in 2 weeks after that if I really got in. If I can do it, you can most definitely do it. I'm not from the USA, so it's different here.

I got my pre-reqs during my IT study.

I have some things the same as you though: everyone saying I'm good with computers and all.

The only differences are: I had a dream the day I left highschool. God told me to become a doctor in that dream. And through the impossible I stand where I stand today.

I've shadowed doctors and I've volunteered, I've worked my ass of and dropped any thoughts about any shiny white coat and stetoscope. All this math, chemistry, physics and biology and not to mention the amount of books read......Has turned the idea of only doing it for objects meaningless. This is a calling in live and I definitely think so.

People who either discourage you and such are either really mean people or just resentfull people. Anyone questioning your decision should be asked the same question.

'Oh, you don't want to become a doctor, you don't have this experience or that, you're young, you're this that'.

I laugh at those notions.

I hope that MOST doctors are doctors who thought it a calling. Anyone without thinking it's a calling is going to have a tough time in the field. I'm prepared to work 120 hour workweeks. I'm prepared to study until I drop.

And you know why? Because I have a BURNING desire to become a doctor, to help people, to cure them, to find cures to diseases and most of all to be a beacon of hope to some people in need.

Anyone wanting to shatter the above made arguments of mine are really just....No words for them.

K, my 2 cents.

wow, this was pretty epic...lol thanks for the support, really appreciate it.

I know what you mean by "burning" desire...because i've been totally consumed by this notion of going into medicine for the past 2-3 weeks. Any bit of free time i have is all spent on focusing on/preparing a plan for post-bac/reading up on MCAT/what to say during interviews, etc....I've been browsing so many SDN threads late into the night, that i can honestly say I am losing sleep lol..

At this point, i'm so anxious to get started on post-bac, but at the same time, I made a commitment to get my M.S, so i'm planning on finishing my MS curriculum up by the end of next year, god willing. In the mean time, I'm going to start looking for volunteer opportunities so that I could slowly build up some experience.

 

[stems]

You don't say anything about clinical experience. Before you feed your jones to be a doctor, do some clinical volunteering and shadowing. Seriously.

There are plenty of former engineers/programmers/IT people in med school and in practice.

Best of luck to you.

Clinical volunteering is a waste of time. You get to understand enough of what medicine is by going to your own doctor or visiting a family member in the hospital. I say this as a graduate from a top 10 med. school and a chief resident in a very competitive residency program. Volunteers generally don't get to do anything other than help some secretary or LPN do crap work in the hospital or clinic. That is not what medicine is. I don't think shadowing is even helpful because it's a very different experience being the surgeon or the resident on the case than the medical student retracting the abdomen and watching the others work.

I recommend spending most of your time studying to get good grades and getting a high MCAT score. That will determine whether or not you get into medical school. BTW I think your computer programming skills will be useful for the rest of your life, use that to your advantage on the applications!! Best of luck and you can do it 🙂

 

[achieve1]

Clinical volunteering is a waste of time. You get to understand enough of what medicine is by going to your own doctor or visiting a family member in the hospital. I say this as a graduate from a top 10 med. school and a chief resident in a very competitive residency program. Volunteers generally don't get to do anything other than help some secretary or LPN do crap work in the hospital or clinic. That is not what medicine is. I don't think shadowing is even helpful because it's a very different experience being the surgeon or the resident on the case than the medical student retracting the abdomen and watching the others work.

I recommend spending most of your time studying to get good grades and getting a high MCAT score. That will determine whether or not you get into medical school. BTW I think your computer programming skills will be useful for the rest of your life, use that to your advantage on the applications!! Best of luck and you can do it 🙂

thanks =) ...The bold portion of your post is actually what I'm worried about.. but i'm also concerned that if i don't highlight any patient interaction experience in a hospital setting, med schools will just put me to the side in comparison to somebody who has good grades AND has all that volunteer/shadowing stuff...

 

[dmf2682]

Well, I''m currently in the IT field, but I'm in admission for medical school. Will know in aprox 3 months if I got in, and in 2 weeks after that if I really got in. If I can do it, you can most definitely do it. I'm not from the USA, so it's different here.

I got my pre-reqs during my IT study.

I have some things the same as you though: everyone saying I'm good with computers and all.

The only differences are: I had a dream the day I left highschool. God told me to become a doctor in that dream. And through the impossible I stand where I stand today.

I've shadowed doctors and I've volunteered, I've worked my ass of and dropped any thoughts about any shiny white coat and stetoscope. All this math, chemistry, physics and biology and not to mention the amount of books read......Has turned the idea of only doing it for objects meaningless. This is a calling in live and I definitely think so.

People who either discourage you and such are either really mean people or just resentfull people. Anyone questioning your decision should be asked the same question.

'Oh, you don't want to become a doctor, you don't have this experience or that, you're young, you're this that'.

I laugh at those notions.

I hope that MOST doctors are doctors who thought it a calling. Anyone without thinking it's a calling is going to have a tough time in the field. I'm prepared to work 120 hour workweeks. I'm prepared to study until I drop.

And you know why? Because I have a BURNING desire to become a doctor, to help people, to cure them, to find cures to diseases and most of all to be a beacon of hope to some people in need.

Anyone wanting to shatter the above made arguments of mine are really just....No words for them.

K, my 2 cents.

barf.

did you write that in your personal statement? lol "epic"