Did you have serious doubts?

[Exalya]

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I was originally interested in going into marine biology. I pursued it for 3 years, and I loved it. It was fun. It was interesting. I worked in a marine biology lab and loved every second of it, no matter how smelly/grimy/tiring it was.

I decided on medicine because I didn't feel like marine biology would do "enough" to help other people. I like to help others. Obviously, I've done some clinical volunteering, shadowed some docs, and I have 3 interviews. Here I am on the verge of possibly going to medical school, and all I can think about is marine biology and how much I loved it. I liked worked in the ER, and I liked shadowing the doctors... but I don't think I loved it. It wasn't the same feeling... going to the hospital wasn't like coming home, and when I worked in a marine lab, it was more of a home to me than the place in which I slept.

I'm struggling with a few things here. Is wanting to help people enough? After all the craziness of the MCAT, LOR's, shadowing... should I even consider tossing that aside to pursue a less stable job in marine biology? If I decide to get a masters' in marine bio, how would I even begin to ask my letter writers? "I know you wrote me a LOR for medical school, but here's the thing..."

Maybe it's just jitters, knowing that I might finally get an acceptance in the next few months. Has anyone else had this issue? Any advice... at all? 🙁

 

[MSUSpartan642]

I was originally interested in going into marine biology. I pursued it for 3 years, and I loved it. It was fun. It was interesting. I worked in a marine biology lab and loved every second of it, no matter how smelly/grimy/tiring it was.

I decided on medicine because I didn't feel like marine biology would do "enough" to help other people. I like to help others. Obviously, I've done some clinical volunteering, shadowed some docs, and I have 3 interviews. Here I am on the verge of possibly going to medical school, and all I can think about is marine biology and how much I loved it. I liked worked in the ER, and I liked shadowing the doctors... but I don't think I loved it. It wasn't the same feeling... going to the hospital wasn't like coming home, and when I worked in a marine lab, it was more of a home to me than the place in which I slept.

I'm struggling with a few things here. Is wanting to help people enough? After all the craziness of the MCAT, LOR's, shadowing... should I even consider tossing that aside to pursue a less stable job in marine biology? If I decide to get a masters' in marine bio, how would I even begin to ask my letter writers? "I know you wrote me a LOR for medical school, but here's the thing..."

Maybe it's just jitters, knowing that I might finally get an acceptance in the next few months. Has anyone else had this issue? Any advice... at all? 🙁

Well just reading it. Loved>Liked (Marine Biology>Medicine)

You need to do some serious soul searching because once you get deep enough into medicine (debt) your going to have to pursue it for a while to make your way out. You don't want to spend 20 years in medicine "liking" it and always thinking about your true passion, marine biology.

As for the LOR's your writers will/should understand your dilemma. If they don't find new ones.

 

[TopQuark]

Try not to worry too much. I think its just a natural thing you're going through. I'm the last of my premed friends to get in to med school, and I've seen a couple of them freak out before they began their first year. It's a big leap of faith that has the potential to both positively or negatively define the rest of your live. The debt alone is enough to make anyone think twice. Not to mention the time commitment, the stress, the lack of sleep😴. Helping people can definitely be a satifisying part, but altruism, alone, can burn out. I also like a lot of things about medicine that have nothing to do with the helping people part. For me, that's just icing on the cake. I have confidence those things will win out even when I'm not having a Jesus-day. It's a decision you have to make for yourself though. Good thing AACOMAS gives us plenty of time to think. For whatever it's worth, both my friends decided to go on, and are both still loving it in their second year . Best of luck-

 

[Lokhtar]

People go for different reasons. Can you go for five years of grad school followed by an indeterminate future? Marine Biology is a very competitive field, and getting tenured is not going to be easy. Medicine is more stable. You have to weigh your options. For a few people, a single career will just leap out at them, for most, this is not the case.

 

[MSUSpartan642]

People go for different reasons. Can you go for five years of grad school followed by an indeterminate future? Marine Biology is a very competitive field, and getting tenured is not going to be easy. Medicine is more stable. You have to weigh your options. For a few people, a single career will just leap out at them, for most, this is not the case.

Competitive or not. If the OP is happier in a particular field that is what they should pursue. It is a bit of a leap of faith though. Best of luck to you on making your decision.

 

[Melicopter]

I agree with most of the other posters. It could be cold feet, but if you really love something, you owe it to yourself to pursue it with all you've got. If being in a particular setting makes you feel like coming home, well, what other sign do you need?

Good luck with whatever you decide!!

 

[Lokhtar]

Competitive or not. If the OP is happier in a particular field that is what they should pursue. It is a bit of a leap of faith though. Best of luck to you on making your decision.

There is a difference between 'happier learning', and 'happier doing'. The two do not always match up. In many cases, the learning part might be awesome, but the doing gets...complicated.

 

[NPEMTIV]

I was originally interested in going into marine biology. I pursued it for 3 years, and I loved it. It was fun. It was interesting. I worked in a marine biology lab and loved every second of it, no matter how smelly/grimy/tiring it was.

I decided on medicine because I didn't feel like marine biology would do "enough" to help other people. I like to help others. Obviously, I've done some clinical volunteering, shadowed some docs, and I have 3 interviews. Here I am on the verge of possibly going to medical school, and all I can think about is marine biology and how much I loved it. I liked worked in the ER, and I liked shadowing the doctors... but I don't think I loved it. It wasn't the same feeling... going to the hospital wasn't like coming home, and when I worked in a marine lab, it was more of a home to me than the place in which I slept.

I'm struggling with a few things here. Is wanting to help people enough? After all the craziness of the MCAT, LOR's, shadowing... should I even consider tossing that aside to pursue a less stable job in marine biology? If I decide to get a masters' in marine bio, how would I even begin to ask my letter writers? "I know you wrote me a LOR for medical school, but here's the thing..."

Maybe it's just jitters, knowing that I might finally get an acceptance in the next few months. Has anyone else had this issue? Any advice... at all? 🙁

If you don't LOVE it during pre-med you'll HATE it during medical school. It's the fact that you love medicine that allows you to sacrifice years of your life to studying. I'd strongly discourage someone from applying until they have a definite feel for it. You might be disappointed.

 

[MSUSpartan642]

There is a difference between 'happier learning', and 'happier doing'. The two do not always match up. In many cases, the learning part might be awesome, but the doing gets...complicated.

What??

 

[CopToEM]

I recognize two things:

1) You truly love marine biology.
2) You have a desire to help people... and possibly even if it doesn't mean you're 100% happy in your career.

I think the answer to your question depends on which calling is higher... and that's for you to decide.

If I were in your same position here's what my thought process would be:

I can attend medical school and become a physician and still spend time doing marine biology research or expeditions later in life. However, I can't skip out on med school and stay with marine biology and treat patients on the side. I think I'll stick with med school and sacrifice now so that I can put myself in the position to be financially stable enough to take some time off in the future to explore the world and most importantly explore marine environments.

Regardless of anything... power, money, respect... don't ever put yourself into a position where you wake up in the morning and dread going to work on a consistent basis. If you're going to do something in your life and it's going to be a big part of it... at least be happy doing it.

That's just me. Everyone has doubts but ultimately you can't let anyone else answer this question for you. Which calling is higher?

 

[Lokhtar]

What??

Things that you love learning about may not be the same things you love doing. I learned that the hard way.

 

[DocHomer]

Exalya,

If the choice was between something you hated versus something you loved, then the answer would be simple. However, you like medicine so I don't think you will really regret not pursuing marine biology.

Unfortunately, there is the practical side to life. Hey, I wish I could have made music for a living, but I didn't want to take that type of risk. Obviously, marine biology is not that risky. Nevertheless, there are very few careers in addition to medicine where you have as much job security and make enough money to live comfortably. Plus, as you said, you have the opportunity to help people.

You have to look at in terms of your return on investment. How much will you get for the time and money you invest into marine biology? Is it worth it in the end to do something simple because you love it?

 

[Bacchus]

I still have doubts and I'm just over 2 months in. The doubt doesn't ever end. But, you can't focus on it or it will overwhelm you.

 

[scummie]

One physician gave me these words of advice: Only go into medicine if that's the only thing you could ever imagine spending a lifetime doing. If something else pops into your head, then medicine isn't probably going to make you that happy.

True, delivering a baby doesn't necessarily help someone the same way pursuing research does, but it is still service. You're not a horrible human being if you decide medicine is not what you want to pursue. By being enthusiastic about your marine biology research, it'll be easier for you to spend those long days in the field doing research. Do you think you'll feel as energized in a surgery rotation for instance?

You don't want to get to the end of your life and say, "Man, I wish I was a marine biologist instead."

 

[Dissected]

I got the jitters a lot before I started. I've even pondered the 'what if' after starting. But like someone else said, i really can't see myself feeling satisfied doing anything else.

 

[DocHomer]

One physician gave me these words of advice: Only go into medicine if that's the only thing you could ever imagine spending a lifetime doing. If something else pops into your head, then medicine isn't probably going to make you that happy.

True, delivering a baby doesn't necessarily help someone the same way pursuing research does, but it is still service. You're not a horrible human being if you decide medicine is not what you want to pursue. By being enthusiastic about your marine biology research, it'll be easier for you to spend those long days in the field doing research. Do you think you'll feel as energized in a surgery rotation for instance?

You don't want to get to the end of your life and say, "Man, I wish I was a marine biologist instead."

I think that's just way too idealistic. Of course, you have to enjoy what you do, but it is definitely not so black and white.

 

[Exalya]

I genuinely appreciate everyone's input. After deep reflection, the lab is what I enjoy--whether it's marine bio or another facet of biology. I've decided to apply to graduate schools, though I'm going to finish out the DO interview I already have a plane ticket for.

It's been a learning experience.

 

[MSUSpartan642]

I genuinely appreciate everyone's input. After deep reflection, the lab is what I enjoy--whether it's marine bio or another facet of biology. I've decided to apply to graduate schools, though I'm going to finish out the DO interview I already have a plane ticket for.

It's been a learning experience.

So your going to the interview just to interview? Not sure if I understand taking a interview spot if you have no intention of going to the school. Congratulations on making your decision though.

 

[Exalya]

So your going to the interview just to interview? Not sure if I understand taking a interview spot if you have no intention of going to the school. Congratulations on making your decision though.

I don't think I should pass up the opportunity to interview. If I was especially impressed/inspired, it's not like I have no interest. And besides that... I can't refund the ticket. >.> More options are better than less at this point, at least so is my thinking.

 

[Dissected]

I don't think I should pass up the opportunity to interview. If I was especially impressed/inspired, it's not like I have no interest. And besides that... I can't refund the ticket. >.> More options are better than less at this point, at least so is my thinking.

hehe, are you going to tell them you are bailing and applying to grad schools? . That might provide awkward interview conversation.

 

[Exalya]

hehe, are you going to tell them you are bailing and applying to grad schools? . That might provide awkward interview conversation.

... is it really so unusual for a person to attend an interview for a school that is not their first choice? Because that's really all I'm saying here... med school might not be my first choice, but it's not like I absolutely wouldn't attend. It's an option. Options are good.

 

[Dissected]

... is it really so unusual for a person to attend an interview for a school that is not their first choice? Because that's really all I'm saying here... med school might not be my first choice, but it's not like I absolutely wouldn't attend. It's an option. Options are good.

See how that subject goes over in the interview

 

[MSUSpartan642]

... is it really so unusual for a person to attend an interview for a school that is not their first choice? Because that's really all I'm saying here... med school might not be my first choice, but it's not like I absolutely wouldn't attend. It's an option. Options are good.

Its not unusual for a person to attend a school that is not their first choice. But that is not what your saying, your attending an interview for a profession that is not your first choice.

 

[Exalya]

Nothing makes me hate medicine more than pre-meds. I'm outta here >.>

 

[Dissected]

Nothing makes me hate medicine more than pre-meds. I'm outta here >.>

umm...yea...





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[missDO]

Though it appears you've pretty much made up your mind, I still felt inclined to put my 2 cents in 🙂

I started undergrad with all intentions of going into research. I was a biomedical engineering major, and wanted to help people without having to directly interact with them or see disease in a more emotion-striking environment. I learned, however, after the many (AWFUL) engineering courses, lab time, etc, that the laboratory life is NOT for me. With that said, I am different from you in the sense that, X-type of in-lab research is not my "true" passion, as marine bio is for you. I do LOVE medicine and I am so so excited to start next year. Do I have doubts? YES. Of course! I think most people do, and if they don't, it is because they are strong-willed emotionally enough to keep those thoughts from creeping in their heads. I think having doubts is normal.

I want to say that, yes, in 10 years if you look back and say damn, I wish I had done marine bio, medicine is really not where my heart is...that scenario isn't the best; however, in my humble opinion, I think it is so much more plausible to act on that passion in retrospect, after completing a medical degree, than it would be to act on your passion for medicine in 10 years from now. Things will only get WAY more competitive, WAY more expensive...and who knows what Obama is gonna do for medicine/physicians in general. I know medical school is an enormous investment, and you should have your heart in it, but in the end, I think it all pays off. I think the rewarding feeling you will get from helping others in what I believe to be probably THE most impacting facet of samaritanism you possibly could...there's no way that won't pay off. Not to mention the imperative financial pay-off.

I don't believe I agree with the quote stated above by a doctor ("Only go into medicine if that's the only thing you could ever imagine spending a lifetime doing. If something else pops into your head, then medicine isn't probably going to make you that happy.") If it were up to me, not thinking about helping others or my financial future, I would SO go to pastry school become a kickass pastry chef, open up my own little shop somewhere. Wouldn't that be a fun job? I sure think so lol.

Anywho, what I am trying to convey to you is this: yes, do what makes you happy, but make sure you are in sound-minded thinking when you make that final decision. Hindsight is 20/20...but looking ahead you need to avoid the rose-colored glasses syndrome, you know?

Best of luck with your final decision 🙂...I know how tough it can be to make such a life-determining choice. It sucks growing up :/