Hello all.... What to do?

[Erapitt]

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Okay, so here goes..... I am a 25 year old federal contract specialist set to begin law school at a top ranked school (GW) in the Fall. However, there is one problem.... I am learning that being a lawyer isn't what I want. Medicine is always something that I have desired and I truly want to help people, however, my Bachelors Degree is in English Literature.

I have been looking into post-bac programs at night here in the DC area (American's seems to be decent, Georgetown's looks great but only offers day classes). My major question is this: I graduated college in 2003, in 2002, my junior year, I decided to take some premed courses. I took Bio I and received a B, Bio II and received a C, Chem I and received a C, and withdrew from Chem II half way through.

I was working full time while attending school full time, had some personal issues going on, and overall just wasn't focused on the work. That being said, it has also now been 3 years since I took those courses. If I enter a post-bac program now, will I be able to start anew and simply take the entire set of premedical courses or will my youthful past haunt me?

Lastly, at 25, are my nuts to be going back to school for 2 years of premed courses, then hoping for medical school when I already have law school laid out in front of me?

Thanks in advance for your replies.

 

[curious1979]

I think you are "nuts" to pursue something about which you are not passionate(law) because achieving your real goal (medicine) seems daunting/unattainable.

That being said, I am only in the process of applying to post-bac programs, so am, perhaps, not qualified to address your concerns.

Good luck! I hope you are able to work through these issues and be happy, whichever path you elect.

 

[ATrim7]

I am in a similar position. I am 24, graduated from American. I applied to several law schools while working as a paralegal at a firm. I decided about 2 months ago that I have no passion for law. I couldn't stand doing what was best for the client when I felt wrong doing it. I always knew I wanted to be a doctor. I love anatomy and biology, and helping people, but I lost track of things after several moves, transfers, and being engulfed by the political and law charged atmosphere of DC.

I thought I was going "nuts" too, or having a quarter-life crisis, but as curious said, "nuts is to pursue something that you are not passionate about."

Long-story short, I have applied to all the post-bac schools in the area and surrounding cities. I plan on volunteering at GW or Georgetown Hospital to get some experience.

Its going to be a long road. But you have to enjoy the journey. Law school would have been 3 years of hell, and then 40 years of misery. If you will enjoy working to attain your goal, enjoy learning, and want it bad enough, than by all means you should go after what you desire. Sure, I'm probably going to be 31 or 32 when I'm done with school. However, I know that I will be able to enjoy life. Plus, look through some more threads and you'll find plenty of people who are older than you and who are just starting out.

Good luck with everything. I'm gonna go stand by the mailbox now and wait for the post man to bring me an acceptance letter....i hope

 

[nomorelaw]

My $.02 for what it is worth. I never had a passion for law, but for numerous reasons went ahead and went to law school. I hated it from the start and I hate the practice of law even more. I am currently attending a CC b/c of family and work obligations, but at least I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Bottom line is that you are not alone as there are many lawyers (a few here, too) who can understand your feelings. It is just a rough profession and in my state, it is getting difficult to practice. If I could do it again I would have never attended law school and I would have taken my pre-reqs. Good luck.

 

[mshheaddoc]

Don't start a career path you are questioning if you want.

Look why you want medicine.

Start volunteering to get experience to make sure this is want.

I considered law school as a career option. I am graduating with a MBA. I considered going back to law school and I realized I really wanted medicine. But you have to decide for yourself. You can't have someone decide for you what to do. With that said, if you have a strong interest in medicine even with lower grades in intro classes (I myself have C's in Bio I and II and B's in chem) upper level classes are most important.

My favorite saying, the road to med school is a marathon, not a sprint. If you have to redo prereqs at a community college at night then do a post-bacc program, so be it. But you aren't too "old" or wasting your life to persue your dreams.

 

[dasta]

Lastly, at 25, are my nuts to be going back to school for 2 years of premed courses, then hoping for medical school when I already have law school laid out in front of me?

Hi there,

I suggest you follow your heart rather than your head. But first, see my post under the thread "Big Problema."

 

[ussdfiant]

This is cross-posted. Please respond to this thread in Nontrads.