Exiting Medicine?

[dryerase]

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I've become very disillusioned with medicine, and I have come to the conclusion that I would lead a much happier life by not actually practicing medicine. I am in my third year of medical school with an estimated completion date of ’07 for my MD. I’ve always had an interest in business, and am looking to perhaps combine this interest and my limited knowledge of medicine into a potential career. In the year preceding this one, I applied to Business School with the intent of dropping out of medical school entirely, but was rejected by all schools I applied to. I have a 770 GMAT, 1 year work experience in science research, a good undergrad GPA from a top tier school, and fair to poor (i.e. barely passing) medical school grades. I'm trying to complete my MD degree, but I would then either like to get a job or go directly to business school. Can anyone offer me any advice on how to make this transition and what my potential strategies are for exiting medicine after I complete my degree?

 

[Law2Doc]

I've become very disillusioned with medicine, and I have come to the conclusion that I would lead a much happier life by not actually practicing medicine. I am in my third year of medical school with an estimated completion date of ’07 for my MD. I’ve always had an interest in business, and am looking to perhaps combine this interest and my limited knowledge of medicine into a potential career. In the year preceding this one, I applied to Business School with the intent of dropping out of medical school entirely, but was rejected by all schools I applied to. I have a 770 GMAT, 1 year work experience in science research, a good undergrad GPA from a top tier school, and fair to poor (i.e. barely passing) medical school grades. I'm trying to complete my MD degree, but I would then either like to get a job or go directly to business school. Can anyone offer me any advice on how to make this transition and what my potential strategies are for exiting medicine after I complete my degree?

I'm not sure there is a reason to get a business degree unless you have a better idea of what you want to do with it. Business degrees per se, do not prepare you for a particular career, and in that sense they are dissimilar to MDs, JDs etc. Many of the most successful business people do not have MBAs. And most of those with MBAs started in business before getting one, and in that sense used it to enhance their existing skills and credentials, not add new ones. An MBA is something more often used to move up the ranks than to get in the door. So you really need to decide what you plan to do with your life first, before plodding on to another degree.
But if you do plan to do the MBA route, then finish med school and work for a year or two in something business related. Maybe try to get a job as an analyst or financial researcher covering biomed/pharm companies. Then you will have a better shot at good business schools. Most of the better ones want some significant prior employment experience unless you are doing a combined degree.