are you guys happy?

[boilerbeast]

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I'm a senior undergrad and thought I wanted to be a doctor. I just got accepted EDP and I think I've changed my mind. The fun was all in the chase and now I have a few-hundred dollar affirmation that I could get in. Stupid, I know. The thought of four more years of school just kind of makes me want to cry. I don't want to be thirty before I can settle down, only to work eighty-hour weeks down the road. I'm an EMT and one of those kids that pukes/faints like a total champ, so I'm not sure how I'll deal with gross anatomy, let alone real patients. Perhaps I'm exaggerating, I dunno...

At the same time though, I realize that my undergrad degree (Nutrition Science) is basically worthless and I won't be able to do much with it aside from being someone's slave in a lab. My family is wealthy and I want to maintain that standard of living. Ugh, and I made the mistake of telling everyone that I got in, so they'll **** (especially my parents) if I just up and decide to not go. I also don't really know what else I'd do career wise. I'm ready to quit school and be a trucker.

So, my question, I suppose, is whether any of you had "cold feet" about jumping into med school and whether you're truly happy where you're at right now. Any advice for an undergrad w/ second thoughts?

 

[bkmonkey]

Wow-

Those are some tough shoes to be in. I think a lot of people don't really think about what they will be getting into before they start medical school. About a week before I started, I got super nervous about starting school. I never though about backing out though. I have to say that I would not be happy if I didn't go to medical school. Don't get me wrong. It's a **** ton of work. I feel like I eat, drink, and sleep school. But there is time to have friends and have a decent social life. I just went to a concert last night. I think only you can decide whether or not medical school is for you. Would you rather be a trucker or a doctor?

 

[kc361]

It sounds like you have multiple concerns knocking you around right now. If your doubts are really that severe at this point, I'd recommend that you defer entrance to med school for one year. Take some time to explore your interests - either work in a different field to see if something other than medicine will better suit you, or work more intensively in a medical position to gain greater exposure and see if medicine is a right fit for you.

Also keep in mind that even if you attend school and obtain the degree, you don't *have* to practice as a medical doctor w/ the long hours, etc. One of the greatest benefits of the MD is that it's very versatile - you can go the usual route and apply to residency, but it is definitely not unheard of to enter an entirely different genre, by going into pharmaceuticals, law, business, medical writing, etc.

That said, I'm not going to kid you when I say that medical school is grueling. It's going to be very tough to muscle through it if you're not excited about the field. What were your reasons for applying to med school in the first place? Does medicine/ helping patients/ medical research excite you? If so, if you can hang on to that enthusiasm, you can probably make it through. If not - then at least defer entrance, and take a year to seriously consider whether or not a medical career is right for you. You'll regret it down the road if you commit yourself to the time, debt, and work of medical school and yet don't have the passion for the field to sustain you throughout. On the other hand, after all of your work toward acceptance, it probably would be unwise to throw away your ticket at the first sign of cold feet.

Good luck to you, and I hope that it works out!

 

[DrBuzzLightYear]

will someone PLEASE tell me what EDP means!?!? but as for the post, go to med school! even though it seems like Dr's do nothing but bitch about how miserable their lives are, we all love what we do and think we're the luckiest people in the world.

 

[felipe5]

yo buzz, EDP stands for Early Decision Program (or is it procedure?)......some schools offer an early application/acceptance procedure so long as you ONLY apply to their school and not any others.....its pretty much committing yourself to the school by saying "i'll only apply to your school, and if you accept me, then I'll definitely go". Thats the basics, but I'm sure some of the EDP'ers around here can give you better info.

To the OP, its only natural to have second thoughts, but if you find them to be persistant and overly horrifying, you might want to explore your doubts further by possibly talking to an advisor or better yet other med-students you know. From your post, it doesn't sound like you're that excited about your acceptance, but there's prolly more to it......honestly though, it is a tough path, but I have to say that overall I am very happy.

 

[gatsbyjo]

I had a lot of concerns as well, although Im just an MS1, I can already say that my concerns were well-founded. NOT to say that I regret my decision, but just that I was right to be nervous and thoughtful about my plans.

I understand your predicament. People may suggest deferring, which is very reasonable. That possibility was a double-edged sword for me though, meaning that if and when I did act on my acceptance, I would be even MORE years away from having a family.

I would reccommend talking to students and to physicians, and observing/shadowing physicians. I believe you have a while to decide whether to defer or not, and I would check with your school about that.

And, honestly, you should try and talk with your family. Lay the groundwork that this 'may' not be for you. Truth be told, YOU may be imagining more pressure than truly exists. I can say this, because my mother is in the medical profession and I felt a lot of pressure from her and her colleagues to attend med school (specifically, the one that they work and teach at...). Regardless, when it comes down to it, our families generally want us to be happy... that brings me to your original question... NO, I'm not very happy right now. I'm stressed, tired, and milldy depressed... but there is a price to pay for everything, and this is what I am willing to do. So, I am satisfied, and fulfilled, even though this road is difficult and at times, seemingly impossible. Will I be happy? Yes, absolutely, and I am happy when I choose to consider myself lucky and priveledged to have this opportunity...

good luck, dont get too stressed out...

 

[Tristero]

I'm a senior undergrad and thought I wanted to be a doctor. I just got accepted EDP and I think I've changed my mind. The fun was all in the chase and now I have a few-hundred dollar affirmation that I could get in. Stupid, I know. The thought of four more years of school just kind of makes me want to cry. I don't want to be thirty before I can settle down, only to work eighty-hour weeks down the road. I'm an EMT and one of those kids that pukes/faints like a total champ, so I'm not sure how I'll deal with gross anatomy, let alone real patients. Perhaps I'm exaggerating, I dunno...

At the same time though, I realize that my undergrad degree (Nutrition Science) is basically worthless and I won't be able to do much with it aside from being someone's slave in a lab. My family is wealthy and I want to maintain that standard of living. Ugh, and I made the mistake of telling everyone that I got in, so they'll **** (especially my parents) if I just up and decide to not go. I also don't really know what else I'd do career wise. I'm ready to quit school and be a trucker.

So, my question, I suppose, is whether any of you had "cold feet" about jumping into med school and whether you're truly happy where you're at right now. Any advice for an undergrad w/ second thoughts?

go into real estate development

 

[gatsbyjo]

Hmm so you are purdue student... I assume you went IU for your EDP. if you get a chance, PM me.

 

[fielight]

personally, i would not defer... because once you start working, it becomes really easy to not want to come back to school (honestly, i don't know how the non-traditional students do it). as for the cold feet, i think it's normal; everyone thinks he's going to fail out of med school, hate the subjects/patient contact, and just the thought of the next 7 (at least) years of your life spent intensively learning is very daunting. but you learn to take it one day at a time; don't think of med school as the means for getting that life you always dreamed for yourself, and instead try to enjoy the environment, the people, and even the learning. life as a med student definitely has ups and downs... somedays it'll be great, and somedays, you wonder why you ever bothered (e.g., when you study a lot and still do poorly on an exam). personally, even though i hate the schedule (8am classes that sometimes don't end until 4pm), the endless stream of exams, and the urgency of always having to study, i have to honestly say that i'm having a good time... the material is really fascinating (there's just a lot of it) and the application of it to clinical settings can be very rewarding.

you don't have to make a decision right away... at least talk to some med students and try to get a feel (though i'd stay away from the really negative ones that only talk about people failing out or having breakdowns from the studying).

 

[agp4]

Well, I think its normal to have cold feet and like the above posters said, medical school is grueling. But I think I'm happier now than I was in undergrad (my undergrad years were fun too, but I like my classmates now much more than my undergrad classmates). The material is actually useful, and seeing how that information is used in the clinic makes all the studying worthwhile.

As for the fainting about seeing blood, don't worry about it. Something in medicine makes everyone feel sick - for me, I hate seeing people in pain. A bleeding person doesn't freak me out, but throw in some screaming and I'll pass out. So, clinical rotations (especially emergency) are going to be an interesting ordeal. Its terrible to say, but we'll all be desensitized to that stuff eventually. The important thing is that you always have a support system (be it friends, faculty, family, SDNers 🙂 ...) to help you through the tough times. Once you're into medical school, no matter how grueling it is, most people want you to succeed and will be willing to bend over backwards to help you. I think you'll be fine, but that's a decision only you can make. Good luck!

 

[m1forever]

I'm a senior undergrad and thought I wanted to be a doctor. I just got accepted EDP and I think I've changed my mind. The fun was all in the chase and now I have a few-hundred dollar affirmation that I could get in. Stupid, I know. The thought of four more years of school just kind of makes me want to cry. I don't want to be thirty before I can settle down, only to work eighty-hour weeks down the road. I'm an EMT and one of those kids that pukes/faints like a total champ, so I'm not sure how I'll deal with gross anatomy, let alone real patients. Perhaps I'm exaggerating, I dunno...

At the same time though, I realize that my undergrad degree (Nutrition Science) is basically worthless and I won't be able to do much with it aside from being someone's slave in a lab. My family is wealthy and I want to maintain that standard of living. Ugh, and I made the mistake of telling everyone that I got in, so they'll **** (especially my parents) if I just up and decide to not go. I also don't really know what else I'd do career wise. I'm ready to quit school and be a trucker.

So, my question, I suppose, is whether any of you had "cold feet" about jumping into med school and whether you're truly happy where you're at right now. Any advice for an undergrad w/ second thoughts?

You probably need to go ahead and go. You're going to hate first year, dislike second year, but from what I understand third year is sort of different in that just showing up will get you passing grades on rotations. Read the books a little during rotations to make sure you come close to passing each clinical's exam. Then 4th year you are going to get a great vacation.

I thought about not going or leaving this year, but when it comes down to it, what else would you do? Working an ordinary job sucks. I did it a little while and it's almost as bad as gross anatomy. It's going to be about 200x worse than being a nutritional science major, but about 2-3x better than having to work a $30K A YEAR JOB.

 

[PeterGriffin]

I'm currently an MS1 and I went into medical school without enough information. Without trying to be too negative, I'd have to recommend that you defer a year if that is an option. At the very least, you should do as much shadowing or volunteering at a hospital to make sure this is something you want to do. I am having the all too common uncertainties about whether or not I want to continue my medical education, and a lot of it stems from my not having learned enough about the field as an undergrad. Do as much as you can over the next few months and if you are still feeling the same uncertainties, I would defer a year rather than jumping in with cold feet.

And by the way, it's a lot better to start thinking about this before you start. I was pumped up about med school until about 2 days before classes started. Since then, I've had a lot of reservations and uncertainties and now I'm having to decide whether or not to withdraw

 

[vikaskoth]

it blows my mind that someone would take the courses, do the mcat, and apply to med school, EDP at that, Get in and instantly question their decision, i've heard a couple of posts like these and have met students like this. Going into medicine to maintain a wealthy lifestyle might be one of the most ridiculous things i've ever heard.. Sure medicine is a comfortable lifestyle and it is a definite plus about the field but if you are after money do business or law, if you are smart enough to get into med school you are proally smart enough to do well in those fields and startin making bank a lot sooner

 

[U4iA]

it blows my mind that someone would take the courses, do the mcat, and apply to med school, EDP at that, Get in and instantly question their decision, i've heard a couple of posts like these and have met students like this. Going into medicine to maintain a wealthy lifestyle might be one of the most ridiculous things i've ever heard.. Sure medicine is a comfortable lifestyle and it is a definite plus about the field but if you are after money do business or law, if you are smart enough to get into med school you are proally smart enough to do well in those fields and startin making bank a lot sooner

this post is totally right on. if you have the aptitude and you want to make a lot of money there are SO many better ways than pursuing medicine. not to mention the fact that it will be SO hard to motivate yourself to spend the better portion of the day studying/at lab/at class/in the hospital when you are not totally sold on being a physician. and if you don't give medical school your all, it will just be a waste of time, and ultimately a waste of your life because after a few years of medical school you'll feel too far invested to go back but it's likely that you wouldn't have put in the effort required to have that much flexibility in your choice... as far as business goes, the md/mba route is alright, but it's not really worth the MD if you're not that interested in to medicine.

my .02, i'm sure others disagree..

 

[azzarah]

I would defer and go to a developing country to do some healthcare related volunteer work. Are you sure you are not thinking about backing out because you are overly anxious about med school?
Good luck with whatever you choose to do.
BTW, last year I had so many doubts about med school....this year I am absolutely sure that I can't do anything else but medicine and be happy.

 

[omarsaleh66]

I would not defer becuase I would want to graduate as soon as possibe and get a job.

Life is about risks but with medicine u are guranteed with stability. Even if u dont like medicine, u will have to opportunity to make a decent income and u can use that money to invest in other things.

There are so many options, u can teach (low stress) and still make 50-70 G a year, and have time and capital to engage in some lucrative business projects. Many physicians are bitter because they work too hard and not smart. They may work long hours and not make any money due to various reasons and may tell u to get out of medicine.

If u are smart and u plan right, there are so many opportunities with medicine. I am just trying to make a point that with this degree u will have credibility to get many other types of jobs and u will have access to capital to engage in many types of busineesses and projects.

U may be successful by going another route, but u have a lot more potential to live happily with medicine. U just have to plan smart where u can get the money and a satisfying lifestyle. Also u are gonna get to learn some cool stuff the next 4 years so why not just get it over with. Man... for me , if i went and worked abroad, it would be alot harder for me to start medical school knowing that I am an MS1 rather than a MS2

gluck

Omar

 

[MNgrrl]

OK, I'm probably going to get flamed for saying this, but if you don't like medicine, but stick with it through med school, please, for the love of God, DON'T go into clinical medicine!!! Your distaste will almost certainly show through, and all the rest of us who enjoy it will spend the rest of our lives trying to convince patients that, in fact, there are physicians out there that are not just in it for the money!

To the OP, make sure this is really what you want to do before you jump in, AND make sure you're doing it for the right reasons...as other posters have mentioned, you can make a hell of a lot more money doing investment banking, and then you can retire a millionaire when you are 35 years old...

 

[Samoa]

Well, it's only October, and you have many months to sort this out before you really have to decide. Most of the above suggestions are pretty good ones, and at the end of this year, if you STILL don't know, even then don't give up the acceptance. Ask for a deferment and work for a year. If at the end of the year, you still don't want to do it, let it go. Your family's opinion is not what counts here, although perhaps getting disowned for such a stupid decision would serve to clarify your thinking. (note that I'm not saying it will make you change your mind--sometimes facing the worst possible outcome, instead of making you regret your decision, makes you realize you were right all along.)

While I'm here, I might as well share my own story. I had absolutely no question about wanting to be a physician. Yet still, when I had the acceptance in hand, and had sent my money in, etc., I took a long time to think it over and make a final decision about coming here. I was giving up a lot--I had an interesting job with outstanding benefits, the respect of most of my colleagues, enough money to live without worry, a nice place to live, and I was beginning to make real friends and develop ties to the community. I'd made many sacrifices already, and had been convinced all along that it absolutely the right path for me, yet in the end I had the same question, "Did I do this just to prove I can?" I took as much time as I needed in order to figure it all out, which I know annoyed my boss to no end, because she couldn't post or interview for my position until I turned in a formal resignation. Nonetheless, it was my life, and my decision, and I wasn't going to cheat myself out of basically the last opportunity I would have to back out without serious, long-term consequences.

So I totally understand where you're coming from. But just be patient with yourself, and understand that only time and introspection will tell you whether this is truly the dread of knowing you are taking the wrong path, or just the indifference you feel when you've been under too much stress for too long a time.

Edit:By the way, I'm very happy with the decision I made.