Becoming a M.D.

[constchar]

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Hey, I wanted to ask some questions about medical school and I didn't post in the chances forum because its description says its about school/application issues, but I'm not even at that stage yet, if ever, but I'm sorry if I should have posted there or somewhere else.

Basically I'm 20 and since I was about 7 or 8 I've wanted to be a doctor and over the years that general desire has seemed to get stronger and stronger. But alas, for me it seems as though it would always be a dream, but then some friends of mine started encouraging me to actually seriously look at it for once.

I should probably also note that I have several relatives with severe health problems and that one of my sisters has epilepsy and my cousin has cerebral palsy and I've had two friends with severe mental problems, which furthered my interest in medicine; possibly in the field of neurology or psychiatry.

I'll be rather honest, I was home schooled and I just got by, especially in regard to mathematics which I wish I had taken it more seriously, and even if I had taken it more seriously I don't have all the education records and tests that the public school kids have, apart from the state-required achievement test that I had to take every year.

Apart from education issues there also lies the financial issues.
My family is self-employed but not very wealthy and with the recent economic recession we are looking at a financial disaster and losing our home.
So with that in mind the local medical school (Wake Forest University) shows a cost of upwards of $50,000/yr! So for me it looks as if only the rich kids are the ones that get the satisfaction of being able to help the sick, unless by some miracle I could get a grant or win half a million dollars.

So I figure it may be possible for me to get my grades up and then take my prerequisites via community college or something and possibly get financial assistance (or perhaps attend a school from out of the country). I've also looked at the field of nursing, EMS or even veterinary medicine but if at all possible, as nice as those are fields are, I want to be a doctor. I figure at my age I should really start thinking more seriously about this, or give up altogether.

I feel silly for posting this whole thing but would it be theoretically possible for me to accomplish this, or have I been encouraged into an impossible pipe dream?

 

[Isoprop]

Please use paragraphs. Or line breaks.

Most students get loans for medical school. The average debt for medical graduates is six figures. The reason why people take on this enormous debt is because of the rather high earning potential of physicians. A 175,000 debt repaid over 30 years would require ~$140,000 to live comfortably (loan calculator here: http://www.finaid.org/calculators/loanpayments.phtml)

It is highly suggested that you take at least 1 semester of calculus, probably a whole year. Some medical schools require it, and it's usually required for the chemistry classes. When you enter college, you will most likely take a math placement test. Take the exam, and start at the level you are comfortable to work yourself up.

Starting at a community college is fine as long as you transfer to a 4 year university.

Many successful physicians have started where you are at or even with worse scenarios. It is a long and difficult path, so make sure you spend time now to become confident that this is what you want to do.

 

[Van Chowder]

Hey, I wanted to ask some questions about medical school and I didn't post in the chances forum because its description says its about school/application issues, but I'm not even at that stage yet, if ever, but I'm sorry if I should have posted there or somewhere else. Basically I'm 20 and since I was about 7 or 8 I've wanted to be a doctor and over the years that general desire has seemed to get stronger and stronger. But alas, for me it seems as though it would always be a dream, but then some friends of mine started encouraging me to actually seriously look at it for once. I should probably also note that I have several relatives with severe health problems and that one of my sisters has epilepsy and my cousin has cerebral palsy and I've had two friends with severe mental problems, which furthered my interest in medicine; possibly in the field of neurology or psychiatry. I'll be rather honest, I was home schooled and I just got by, especially in regard to mathematics which I wish I had taken it more seriously, and even if I had taken it more seriously I don't have all the education records and tests that the public school kids have, apart from the state-required achievement test that I had to take every year. Apart from education issues there also lies the financial issues. My family is self-employed but not very wealthy and with the recent economic recession we are looking at a financial disaster and losing our home. So with that in mind the local medical school (Wake Forest University) shows a cost of upwards of $50,000/yr! So for me it looks as if only the rich kids are the ones that get the satisfaction of being able to help the sick, unless by some miracle I could get a grant or win half a million dollars. So I figure it may be possible for me to get my grades up and then take my prerequisites via community college or something and possibly get financial assistance (or perhaps attend a school from out of the country). I've also looked at the field of nursing, EMS or even veterinary medicine but if at all possible, as nice as those are fields are, I want to be a doctor. I figure at my age I should really start thinking more seriously about this, or give up altogether. I feel silly for posting this whole thing but would it be theoretically possible for me to accomplish this, or have I been encouraged into an impossible pipe dream?

Why are you only looking at wake forest? There are public universities in North Carolina that must cost half as much. No to mention unless you have screwed up your credit pretty terribly, you could also take out loans!
Where there is a will there is a way.

 

[Stratego]

Even med students with affluent families typically take on the responsibility for their own educational debt with loans as mentioned above. Grants and scholarships from a med school are far and few between, but seem more common at the expensive private med schools. Don't let a fear of future debt deter you, as the final cost will be less than the house you will someday buy, and you'll be opening the door to a financially comfortable future that will give you the ability to help your family out if you wish to. Also there are programs that help you pay back your educational debt if you agree to work as a doctor in an underserved area.

Work your way up slowly into taking math classes. CCs usually have pre-Algebra and other prep courses available to get you up to speed. There are many med schools that allow you to take Statistics instead of Calculus. And there are Chem and Physics classes that are Algebra-based.

 

[Eye Cue]

In addition to what else was said, once the time is right, maybe even look into the military med school option?

 

[Concubine]

The big question is how bad do you want it? The journey isn't going to be an easy one, it will weed out the ones that are not committed or don't have the intellect. Do you feel like you received less rigorous education than your public school counterparts? If so, then it could be more difficult getting good grades in critical college courses. However, I have met some home schooled kids that were challenged all the way through their education (I can't say the same for my public school education) that end up doing very well in college and beyond.

Many of my classmates have very inspirational stories of overcoming greater obstacles than this, so If you set your mind to it, its possible. As far as money goes, that won't be a problem if you are ok with debt.

 

[constchar]

Please use paragraphs. Or line breaks.

Sorry, it appears that this forum uses XHTML-style line breaks and I wasn't aware of that when I posted.

The big question is how bad do you want it? The journey isn't going to be an easy one, it will weed out the ones that are not committed or don't have the intellect. Do you feel like you received less rigorous education than your public school counterparts? If so, then it could be more difficult getting good grades in critical college courses. However, I have met some home schooled kids that were challenged all the way through their education (I can't say the same for my public school education) that end up doing very well in college and beyond.

Many of my classmates have very inspirational stories of overcoming greater obstacles than this, so If you set your mind to it, its possible. As far as money goes, that won't be a problem if you are ok with debt.

I think I have the right personality and motivation and such, its just getting my education in regard to mathematics up to speed that I think will be a challenge.
As for my intellect I've been told I'm highly analytical (maybe a little too much) and that I'm something of a living encyclopedia.
My current career and skillset is in the line of computers; programming and web development, which in itself is a lucrative career and I've already developed all the skills and experience for it, but I've always felt much more attracted to the idea of practicing medicine, even more so because other people would benefit in the long run.

Thank you all for your help, it'll give me some options to think about and an idea of where I stand.

 

[Dissected]

Even John Carter in ER had to take out loans

We all come out in debt. It'll get paid off. Don't fret about the debt, focus on getting in first!

 

[CoolWhipp]

Please use paragraphs. Or line breaks.

+1. For the love of god, please use paragraphs.

Get loans. If you don't bet on yourself, who will? If you are careful with your loans you'll be fine.

Just don't use your loans for a down payment on a CSL BMW E46 M3 2005 with some sick BBS rims that you can finance down to a manageable rate if you were to work part time 3 days a week at a place near campus that may allow you to study while at work.

 

[J ROD]

Live the new American dream. Financial Aid loans!!!

Start at CC to build confidence and save money then transfer to a 4yr school.

Assuming you have the intelligence, all that is stopping you is motivation and fear.

Do work!

 

[JJMrK]

At this point you can't focus on the finances or any one school in particular. As others have said, most students take out loans and apply to many schools.

What you do need to focus on is getting good grades and some type of exposure to the field. Get your feet wet with intro biology and general chemistry and see how it goes.