better pathway for DO school ?

[tylerpalais]

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Hi,

I am so torn now and need some help please.

I either:

1. Keep my job, x-ray tech III (make ~ 90K/yr) for 2 yrs, while repeating 2-3 science classes, earn my BS/BA degree,
and take MCAT.
Then apply for med school for Fall 2010.

OR

2. Quit my job, start my 3 yr accelerated Pharm D program in 3wk (I got accepted for Fall 08, school start in 3 wks), will finish it in 2011.
Then take MCAT and seed admission for med school Fall 2011 or 2012.

I'm 40 now, love my nieces+nephews, but don't want my own. (just personal reference). So, not much family obligations, by choices.

Option 1: It's cheaper, I keep my job, defer Pharm school admission, but apply to med school with only my BA/BS degree in 2010.

Option 2: gives me more assurance careerwise, quit my job to go to Pharm school, with >100k loan for Pharm school, but I can apply for med school with a Pharm D degree. Do you think it would give me better edge ?
Besides, I can work as a pharmacist while waiting for med school admission.
(pharm knowledge may be useful for med school as well)
( I read the thread Pharm to Med, but my case is slightly different)

I need to make my decision SOON !!!!!!!!!!!

All you advices are GREATLY APPRECIATED. 😍

 

[TexasTriathlete]

No med school will care about your pharmD. Especially if you don't use it. Get it if you want to be a pharmacist. If you want to be a doctor, go to med school.

 

[Bacchus]

You're making the same amount as an xray tech that you will as a clinical pharmacist or specialized pharmacist. Retail makes more, but the 2 aforementioned careers don't make much more if any more. I'd stay as the tech, save money for your education, and take the classes. There is no reason to get your PharmD if you're end goal is medicine.

 

[GreenShirt]

Wow that's a great salary you're making! Go with option number one. There's no reason to spend 100K for a degree you don't really want just to "get into medical school". You have excellent clinical experience. You just need to score well on the MCAT and take a couple of classes to finish your BA. Shorter, cheaper path is always better. Good luck!

 

[MCATTT]

there is no point in becoming a pharmacist if you don't plan to work as one. Option 2 is only good if you have doubts that you may not want to be a doctor later on.

Option 1 is the best in my opinion. Good luck!!

 

[tylerpalais]

Thanks for all your advices...

Option 1 is cheaper/faster+making $ while getting ready.

BUT I also consider option 2 since:

What if I don't do well on the MCAT (Verbal part to be exact since English is not my 1st language, even I'm not bad after working in US healthcare for 10 yrs).

My GPA is not bad, ~ 3.95 .
But the MCAT scare me 😱

( know 2 guys w/ GPA 3.97 from UCLA, got < 26 on the MCAT since the Verbal just KILLed them. They ended up: one got into UCLA dental school, and the other got into USC pharm school).

Therefore, option 2 gave me the safety net as a pharmacist (cause I already accepted )
if I don't make it into DO school.

(of course, DO is my ultimate goal, BUT who can say for sure 100% of admission into DO school ? , even I can say I'm willing to give it 110% of my effort )

Your thoughts/advices are greatly appreciated 😍

 

[Bacchus]

Your 90k is just shy of a clinical pharmacist or specialized pharmacist's salary. Focus on med school.

 

[andexterouss]

Any particular reason why you want to pursue medicine now? You'll be asked this by adcom anyway. $90k is a lot of money and some PCPs are not even raking that amount after taxes,overhead,student loan payments and insurance premium in some states. With the constant threat of Medicare cuts, I'll be weary of jumping ship in this climate of economic uncertainty.
Also even if you choose a well paying specialty, medicine has a delayed gratification of up to ten years(med school, residency and fellowship) and then you'll need at least 2 years to build your referral base before you can really really start enjoying the fruits of your labor.Not sure how old you'll be by then.......
If your goal is to help patients and can't see yourself doing anything else,then by all means. I'm sure you've thought this through.

Ok, now to answer your question, i'd suggest option 1 for all the reasons stated by the above posters.

 

[Sandlot13]

regardless of time and pay and whatnot..... do what your heart wants to do! If you want to do medical school, then get your butt in gear and go for it! There is no point in delaying it, and having a fall back like pharmacy may make you feel secure when you need that "fear/nervousness" to push you a little bit.... go for it dude, no point in waiting, for whatever reason