Hi Muonwhiz, RDGJD, Exlawgrl, anushka,
I would have PM's all of you but I'm hoping that all of you will reply. I have a dilemma that I desperately need info on. Firstly, I've wanted to be a doctor since 18; however, because my parents pushed me towards the field I sort of rebelled. Thus, I decided to double major in Econ and science. After a year, I quickly realized I hated econ and had a real passion for the study of disease, learning about treatments, and marvelled at how the body worked. Although I prmiarly liked bio I was fortunate to choose electicves that intrested me. Much of my elective course work was in arts courses such philosophy, english and pysch, ancient civilizations. Anyhow, to make a long story short, in my 3rd year I applied to medical school but I was rejected; however, I wasn't disapointed b/c I knew I didn't work har enough to get in. In fact, I was so scared of the MCAT that I decided not to take it. As a result, I only applied to schools that did not require MCAT's (I'm a Canadian and I applied to Canadian schools only). Thus, I spent the next two years of school busting my ass. I did not take a break and spent six semesters straight in school. The hardwork paid of as my GPA was a 3.80, 3.85 in my last two years. However during my last year I considered an alternative to med school. I became very interested in the ethics of science and the field of bioethics. For instance, I was very interested in the ethics of stem cell research. I guess, for the first time in my life my eyes opened as I began to consider many perspectives towards an issue. Anyhow, during my last year I contacted several law schools to explore if any oppourtunities existed between science and the law. My research showed me that many science undergrads go on to a succesful career in law in the fields of patent law, IP law, and health law. Thus, I was excited b/c I thought I'd have the opportunity to maintain my interets in science and use it for a useful purpose in law school.
Sorry for the story but I would really like the opinion of some of you MD/JD's....anyhow, I was accepted to several law schools; however, as the date to begin law school came closer I spent many sleepless night. I was very anxious about going, and I feared that I was making a horrible mistake. I don't know if it was fear of the uknown or something in my gut but I just didn't feel that going to law school was okay. The reason was b/c I still desired to become a doctor. Some of my friends who have gone on to foriegn medical school would tell storied about their clinical experinces and I just kept telling my self "I should be there. Wow that sounds so darn exciting".
Anyhow, I decided to defer my law school admission untill Sept 2004. I took this year off to study for the MCAT, and I already applied to the schools that don't require an MCAT.
Finally, I need your advice on the following. I've only really wanted to practice medicine in Canada. I have no desire to practice in the U.S. or anywhere else. Canada is my home, my friends, family, and potential mate all live here. As i'm sure you are all aware going the foriegn route to become a doctor is very tough. It's very tough to obtain a residency in the U.S. but much more difficult to get a residency in Canada. Infact, the general principle is for any student who studies medicine outside of Canada they have a very slim chance of practing in Canada.
I know I want to be a doctor but I don't think I'm willing to give up my home to practice medicine. Thus, would it be foolish to attend law school next year?
My rational is that maybe I should give law a shot. If I didn't like it I could always reapply to medical school, or consider the foreign route. I guess my problem I don't seem very passionate about law because I don't have alot of exposure in it.
For all of you JD students? Were you passionate about the law before u attended law school? What sorts of activites did u engage in to test your motivaton for law school? Is their anything that I can do to get a better feel for what lawyers with a science background do.
I've talked to patent lawyers but it's next to impossible to shadow one b/c of confidentiality. Would attending law school classes help?
Thanks....I hope I didn't offend anyone...just need some advice from people who are in 2 backgrounds that i'm interested in. To me it seems, that both medicine and law seem more that just a regular job.
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