I may just be too harsh, or I may be over thinking , but does it bother anyone else when people want to become doctors because what they see on TV or the "lifestyle"? So many people want to become doctors because they think they will become rich or they want to become a doctor just to say that they are a doctor? Am I the only one? I wanted to become a doctor because of my love for helping peoole, and for my love of medicine. Example: my cousin in high school who failed 11th grade, wants to become a doctor. I asked him what branch of science he loves. He responded by saying "Nah man, science sucks, I just want to live the good life." Does this bother anyone else?
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Don't worry, a large majority of these people get filtered out by the tough preparation and application process in undergrad.
It did but then you quickly realize not everyone has altruistic motives when pursuing medicine-- that's the reality. Regardless, your cousin seems to have limited knowledge in what actually is life in medicine. In essence, you do you.
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The people who like watching the TV shows bother me less because who knows if they would have ever seen medicine other than in those moments. I hope it intrigued them, caused them to inquire about their life choices, chose to shadow, etc and found they loved the profession. I think there have been statistics showing that 50% of medical students have a parent or close relative who is an doctor; seems like a pretty close knit community. If you're not in, how would you know what to do or if it was even within reach to you?
However
However
These types bother me.
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Respect? Respect yourself - being worthy not respectable, wealthy, not 'rich' - able to live content with small means. An MD is not a ticket to improve personality. 'Rich' brings to mind the lead character in the movie 'The Wolf of Wall Street' pinky rings, ostentatious lifestyles, and a hollow soul - Accept the fact that you will be given a tremendous responsibility - treat it as such if you pursue a career in medicine.
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It's ok to want to help people and be wealthy. They aren't mutually exclusive. If the goal is just to be wealthy then medicine isn't the best way to do it, but it is one of the safer ways. If the goal is just to help people there are many other professions besides medicine that allow you to do that.
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OP, you just finished your first year of college. You have neither achieved the experience nor the standing that gives you the privilege of judging others as harshly as you have been since your first post a year ago.
As The Rock sayeth, "know your role." And focus on your studies.
No, it does not bother me in the least bit. I have met plenty of people like your cousin and classmate who fail out of high school level classes that say they want to become doctors. However, I do not take what they say as a personal insult. If anything I listen about their plans, their progress, performance, and offer suggestions if I can. Having gone through this painful admissions process I know that the chances of them getting in will be slim anyways.
What was that aphorism I always hear...10 college bound people say they want to become doctors but of that 10 only 2 will make it to the application phase and of those 2 only 1 will get accepted.
Good luck Tyler
EDIT: Aphorism not anecdote.
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Just remember when you are living the life of altruism that these dumb people like your rising high school drop out cousin will make up 95% of your practice if you work in a truly underserved area. If you let that type of ignorance bother you, you're in for a long road.
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I wish everyone luck in pursuing it -- I am excited about it and think it's awesome. The people who hate it and are still doing it? I guess I do kind of have a problem with them -- I don't feel sorry for them at all and kind of think of them as cowards who didn't risk it in fields they're actually interested in or gave in to the family demands. Most people bought into it psychologically at some point and enjoy at least some part of it. Also, not everyone needs to do it for the same reasons. I know I didn't love science in high school, but liked what I saw when I shadowed in HS and that kept me going.
