Help me figure out my life - Music and Medicine

[snstephan]

Help me figure out my life - Music and Medicine
Hello all,

I’m a 3rd year student at a JC college. My major is in music performance, and I’m pre-med. I have a 3.8 overall and 4.0 science GPA with almost 100 units so far. I’m still at a JC because I’ve been fiddling back and forth with what I want to do. I’ve always wanted to become a doctor, but I’ve also been heavily invested in music throughout my life. I have been teaching private lessons for a few years now, and have a full studio of students at a music store for violin, viola, and cello. I get hired to do studio recordings, I’m a violinist in a professional chamber orchestra, I’m hired at a church as a vocal soloist, and I’m in my school’s chamber choir and jazz group. I also produce my own music.


I’m doing well in both music and science, but I’m also confused. I’m planning on maybe taking a few years off after my bachelor’s and just pursue music for most of my 20’s, because my career is taking off, and I love it, and I don’t want to leave it behind.


Although, where would this leave me for medicine later on in life? I would have finished all of my chem, bio, physics, a few years prior to when I would want to start medical school. Should I plan on taking the MCAT right after my bachelors or before applying? Would I have to retake anything?


Do I have time to pursue both in medical school and in life?


Thank you all.

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[goilers]

At least to try and help with part of your question, and depending on how late along in your 20's you plan on applying, I believe most medical schools have a limit for how old of an MCAT score they will accept. For example many of the schools I've been looking into require the MCAT to be taken after 2014 to be applicable for applications, but this could vary school to school.

It seems like you've got a really tough choice with two interesting paths to choose from!

Should I plan on taking the MCAT right after my bachelors or before applying?

 

[snstephan]

At least to try and help with part of your question, and depending on how late along in your 20's you plan on applying, I believe most medical schools have a limit for how old of an MCAT score they will accept. For example many of the schools I've been looking into require the MCAT to be taken after 2014 to be applicable for applications, but this could vary school to school.

It seems like you've got a really tough choice with two interesting paths to choose from!

Thank you, I'll look into that! Yeah it really is pretty tough haha.

 

[libertyyne]

MCAT has a three year to matriculation expiration date for most schools. Keep your GPA up, stay involved in volunteering and take the MCAT when you are sure you want to start medicine. Good Luck. Perhaps look into the music therapy literature , you could carve yourself an interesting niche if you like research.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

I was a professional musician for a few years. It was really fun. I met some really cool people, got to record on a bunch of albums, and play in different cities. But I will say that I personally did not feel very fulfilled. I felt like I was essentially indulging in a lifestyle that did not much more than make me happy and entertain some people for a couple hours.

It also was not the best paying job, and as I worked for myself, I had no benefits. I didn't have a family at the time, so it didn't make a difference, but I wouldn't be able to give the family I have now the kind of life I think they deserve.

I'd recommend keeping your grades up and taking the MCAT, then take a gap year to see how a music career treats you and how you feel. You'll know if medicine is really your calling, because you'll miss it.

 

[libertyyne]

What is a JC college?

 

[Gurby]

I went musician (not super successful) -> EMT -> paramedic -> medical school (starting M1 this Fall).

I vote for going all-in with the music career, and keeping up with your volunteering stuff in the meantime. Assuming you're ~20 years old right now, you could go pursue music for 5 years, come back, and still be close to the average matriculant age. You don't want to be tired and overworked as a resident/attending thinking "what if I had stuck with music?"

This is your golden opportunity to push and see how far you can go. Go bang your head against the wall for a few years and see if you can break through it. Try to land that orchestra spot if that's what you want to do, play on a cruise ship, try to get into a Broadway pit, etc. With the prereq's out of the way you can very easily come back, take the MCAT and apply at any point. You pretty much can't go the other way though, and most physicians will be stuck at the "serious amateur" level unless they have a huge amount of natural talent.

 

[snstephan]

MCAT has a three year to matriculation expiration date for most schools. Keep your GPA up, stay involved in volunteering and take the MCAT when you are sure you want to start medicine. Good Luck. Perhaps look into the music therapy literature , you could carve yourself an interesting niche if you like research.

Thank you! Also by JC I mean junior college, or 2 year community college.

 

[libertyyne]

Thank you! Also by JC I mean junior college, or 2 year community college.

Thanks, I thought it was some cool acronym for Julliard. I was wondering when Julliard started offering premed courses.

 

[snstephan]

I was a professional musician for a few years. It was really fun. I met some really cool people, got to record on a bunch of albums, and play in different cities. But I will say that I personally did not feel very fulfilled. I felt like I was essentially indulging in a lifestyle that did not much more than make me happy and entertain some people for a couple hours.

It also was not the best paying job, and as I worked for myself, I had no benefits. I didn't have a family at the time, so it didn't make a difference, but I wouldn't be able to give the family I have now the kind of life I think they deserve.

I'd recommend keeping your grades up and taking the MCAT, then take a gap year to see how a music career treats you and how you feel. You'll know if medicine is really your calling, because you'll miss it.

I appreciate hearing your story! Thanks

 

[snstephan]

I went musician (not super successful) -> EMT -> paramedic -> medical school (starting M1 this Fall).

I vote for going all-in with the music career, and keeping up with your volunteering stuff in the meantime. Assuming you're ~20 years old right now, you could go pursue music for 5 years, come back, and still be close to the average matriculant age. You don't want to be tired and overworked as a resident/attending thinking "what if I had stuck with music?"

This is your golden opportunity to push and see how far you can go. Go bang your head against the wall for a few years and see if you can break through it. Try to land that orchestra spot if that's what you want to do, play on a cruise ship, try to get into a Broadway pit, etc. With the prereq's out of the way you can very easily come back, take the MCAT and apply at any point. You pretty much can't go the other way though, and most physicians will be stuck at the "serious amateur" level unless they have a huge amount of natural talent.

Thank you. That's what I've decided recently - I don't want to have a regret of wondering what I could have done later in life.

 

[Gurby]

Thanks, I thought it was some cool acronym for Julliard. I was wondering when Julliard started offering premed courses.

Medical students at Weill Cornell can take lessons at Juilliard and (I think) participate in ensembles there to some extent if they play well enough.

 

[medtech2MD]

To share someone else's story - my friend's father wanted to study music in school but his parents said they would stop paying his tuition if he did so. Instead, he became a physician. Then, after residency, he became a concert pianist. It's not easy, but you can definitely have both things in your life and follow both dreams


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[Goro]

We really can't tell you what to do when you grow up. But we do love music majors.

Help me figure out my life - Music and Medicine
Hello all,

I’m a 3rd year student at a JC college. My major is in music performance, and I’m pre-med. I have a 3.8 overall and 4.0 science GPA with almost 100 units so far. I’m still at a JC because I’ve been fiddling back and forth with what I want to do. I’ve always wanted to become a doctor, but I’ve also been heavily invested in music throughout my life. I have been teaching private lessons for a few years now, and have a full studio of students at a music store for violin, viola, and cello. I get hired to do studio recordings, I’m a violinist in a professional chamber orchestra, I’m hired at a church as a vocal soloist, and I’m in my school’s chamber choir and jazz group. I also produce my own music.


I’m doing well in both music and science, but I’m also confused. I’m planning on maybe taking a few years off after my bachelor’s and just pursue music for most of my 20’s, because my career is taking off, and I love it, and I don’t want to leave it behind.


Although, where would this leave me for medicine later on in life? I would have finished all of my chem, bio, physics, a few years prior to when I would want to start medical school. Should I plan on taking the MCAT right after my bachelors or before applying? Would I have to retake anything?


Do I have time to pursue both in medical school and in life?


Thank you all.

 

[LizzyM]

I had a medical student more than a decade ago who was torn as you are. The student dropped out of med school, pursued music for two years, then begged her way back into medical school. Now practices medicine.

 

[cactusman]

I had a medical student more than a decade ago who was torn as you are. The student dropped out of med school, pursued music for two years, then begged her way back into medical school. Now practices medicine.

Can I skip the first admissions cycle and about 4 years of that and just beg my way into medical school?

 

[LizzyM]

Can I skip the first admissions cycle and about 4 years of that and just beg my way into medical school?

 

[auferstehen92]

As a previous music major and fellow violinist I would caution: keep your expectations realistic if you're trying to pursue a career in the classical music world. Teaching is one thing, but a performance career in a chamber group or professional orchestra is not a realistic expectation unless you are already studying with a big name teacher at a conservatory. The fact that you are at a JC college leads me to believe that this is not the case...

I struggled immensely with the decision to give up my musical ambitions, but now I get to play for fun without all of the financial pressures. I should also add that I had no desire to teach, so that severely limited my options in a music career.

All I'm saying is that the older you get, the more complicated your life becomes. Finding the time to study for the MCAT and all of the other things that go along with applying for medical school is much more difficult as a 25-26 year old who's been out of school for 5 years. Not impossible, but definitely more difficult.

 

[nlax30]

Obviously no one here can tell you what to do, you have to look inside and figure out what is going to fulfill you going forward in life, and that doesn't necessarily have to be just one of the other. While I wasn't a professional musician, I've always played in bands most of my life, whether concert style bands in school and now in a blues/classic rock/jam band playing out every couple months. It's another passion and honestly in medicine it's nice to have something outside of medicine to get your mind into from time to time.

I graduated med school with a kid who was an incredible classically trained pianist during undergrad. They went to med school though continued to play in jazz trios and still does to this point. It was his passion and he was extremely talented at it though I think that's where the enjoyment lay, as a passion and a sort of release, and not as a career/job. I love playing and performing though I don't think I'd get the same enjoyment from it if it was my job.

 

[auferstehen92]

Obviously no one here can tell you what to do, you have to look inside and figure out what is going to fulfill you going forward in life, and that doesn't necessarily have to be just one of the other. While I wasn't a professional musician, I've always played in bands most of my life, whether concert style bands in school and now in a blues/classic rock/jam band playing out every couple months. It's another passion and honestly in medicine it's nice to have something outside of medicine to get your mind into from time to time.

I graduated med school with a kid who was an incredible classically trained pianist during undergrad. They went to med school though continued to play in jazz trios and still does to this point. It was his passion and he was extremely talented at it though I think that's where the enjoyment lay, as a passion and a sort of release, and not as a career/job. I love playing and performing though I don't think I'd get the same enjoyment from it if it was my job.

The concertmaster of the Philadelphia Orchestra told me during a masterclass, "Only pursue music if you can't imagine yourself doing anything else." I took his advice, and I imagine many other musicians do as well.

 

[snstephan]

To share someone else's story - my friend's father wanted to study music in school but his parents said they would stop paying his tuition if he did so. Instead, he became a physician. Then, after residency, he became a concert pianist. It's not easy, but you can definitely have both things in your life and follow both dreams


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Thanks for this story. Did he have careers in both after his training?

 

[medtech2MD]

Thanks for this story. Did he have careers in both after his training?

Yes, he actually retired from medicine a few years ago (in his late 60s) and continues on with his music career today. I would provide specifics but to keep his anonymity I'll just say he's involved with an orchestra and also does solo concerts. You don't have to choose, and you have your whole life ahead of you to find places for both passions


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[snstephan]

As a previous music major and fellow violinist I would caution: keep your expectations realistic if you're trying to pursue a career in the classical music world. Teaching is one thing, but a performance career in a chamber group or professional orchestra is not a realistic expectation unless you are already studying with a big name teacher at a conservatory. The fact that you are at a JC college leads me to believe that this is not the case...

I struggled immensely with the decision to give up my musical ambitions, but now I get to play for fun without all of the financial pressures. I should also add that I had no desire to teach, so that severely limited my options in a music career.

All I'm saying is that the older you get, the more complicated your life becomes. Finding the time to study for the MCAT and all of the other things that go along with applying for medical school is much more difficult as a 25-26 year old who's been out of school for 5 years. Not impossible, but definitely more difficult.

I was planning on studying violin along with Pre-med at a 4 year university, but my senior year of high school and first year of college I had severe carpal tunnel which i thought would end my playing - I couldn't even write with a pencil for almost two years. So, I decided to take the JC route with my brother instead, who had just moved to California when I was going to begin college. I began studying voice instead of violin, which went well, but my hands have fully healed and so I've been doing both now - though more opportunities for the violin, which I also enjoy more.

Although I've been at a JC, I've had a huge amount of performing opportunities. I've been hired by a professional choir to be featured in a 4 minute violin solo with vocal accompaniment in a hall of 2,000 people, I'm hired as a weekly soloist at a church of 300 members, I've been hired to do several studio recordings, I play in a professional orchestra, and play various genres on the violin, jazz, blues, fiddle, rock, I've performed in Carnegie Hall, the Apollo Theatre, and toured throughout several countries, and I get asked to do tours almost every weekend because of my versatility with the violin and singing. I have 12 string students. I also live in LA which gives me a lot of opportunities for these things. I get roughly $50 an hour for each hour that I'm performing or teaching music, so it's sustaining. I don't mean to boast about this, but lack of performing opportunities is not a very big concern of mine. Now I want to make a name for myself and get my name out there.

I don't plan on going the typical route of the chamber violinist, and I have a good amount performance opportunities because I spread myself out to other genres and made connections.

Which is why it's complicating things. I feel like I should continue on riding this boat because it's going well, I love it, and don't want to miss out on it. But, I enjoy medicine too, and have always been interested in it, and enjoyed the shadowing I did of physicians (almost 100 hrs). Health is the gateway to all other things in life and I think it would be amazing to treat people eventually.

I'm just going to continue on with my classes for both, and once I graduate from undergrad, I'll take the MCAT. I'll continue to pursue music then and see where it takes me, and keep volunteering and make sure my classes and MCAT still count for when I want to reply.

I just need to check with medical schools now and see the amount of time I have until they expire. If anyone has more info on this or anything else helpful please let me know. Thank you all for taking your time to talk to me about this, it feels good to vent and to get more stories and perspectives.

 

[snstephan]

Yes, he actually retired from medicine a few years ago (in his late 60s) and continues on with his music career today. I would provide specifics but to keep his anonymity I'll just say he's involved with an orchestra and also does solo concerts. You don't have to choose, and you have your whole life ahead of you to find places for both passions


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Thank you 🙂

 

[snstephan]

I was planning on studying violin along with Pre-med at a 4 year university, but my senior year of high school and first year of college I had severe carpal tunnel which i thought would end my playing - I couldn't even write with a pencil for almost two years. So, I decided to take the JC route with my brother instead, who had just moved to California when I was going to begin college. I began studying voice instead of violin, which went well, but my hands have fully healed and so I've been doing both now - though more opportunities for the violin, which I also enjoy more.

Although I've been at a JC, I've had a huge amount of performing opportunities. I've been hired by a professional choir to be featured in a 4 minute violin solo with vocal accompaniment in a hall of 2,000 people, I'm hired as a weekly soloist at a church of 300 members, I've been hired to do several studio recordings, I play in a professional orchestra, and play various genres on the violin, jazz, blues, fiddle, rock, I've performed in Carnegie Hall, the Apollo Theatre, and toured throughout several countries, and I get asked to do tours almost every weekend because of my versatility with the violin and singing. I have 12 string students. I also live in LA which gives me a lot of opportunities for these things. I get roughly $50 an hour for each hour that I'm performing or teaching music, so it's sustaining. I don't mean to boast about this, but lack of performing opportunities is not a very big concern of mine. Now I want to make a name for myself and get my name out there.

I don't plan on going the typical route of the chamber violinist, and I have a good amount performance opportunities because I spread myself out to other genres and made connections.

Which is why it's complicating things. I feel like I should continue on riding this boat because it's going well, I love it, and don't want to miss out on it. But, I enjoy medicine too, and have always been interested in it, and enjoyed the shadowing I did of physicians (almost 100 hrs). Health is the gateway to all other things in life and I think it would be amazing to treat people eventually.

I'm just going to continue on with my classes for both, and once I graduate from undergrad, I'll take the MCAT. I'll continue to pursue music then and see where it takes me, and keep volunteering and make sure my classes and MCAT still count for when I want to reply.

I just need to check with medical schools now and see the amount of time I have until they expire. If anyone has more info on this or anything else helpful please let me know. Thank you all for taking your time to talk to me about this, it feels good to vent and to get more stories and perspectives.

Also, unrelated, but since im already venting, a hard thing for me is to come down from being on stage and performing and the next day doing integrals and determining the rate of reaction, learning reaction cycles, etc. I enjoy those things usually but after the high of performing or even teaching, it really is hard to come down and set myself into a little college premed student again.

 

[tessellations]

I just need to check with medical schools now and see the amount of time I have until they expire. If anyone has more info on this or anything else helpful please let me know. Thank you all for taking your time to talk to me about this, it feels good to vent and to get more stories and perspectives.

MCAT scores can last up to two to three years, depending on the school.

From the AAMC: How Long Are MCAT® Scores Valid?

 

[auferstehen92]

I was planning on studying violin along with Pre-med at a 4 year university, but my senior year of high school and first year of college I had severe carpal tunnel which i thought would end my playing - I couldn't even write with a pencil for almost two years. So, I decided to take the JC route with my brother instead, who had just moved to California when I was going to begin college. I began studying voice instead of violin, which went well, but my hands have fully healed and so I've been doing both now - though more opportunities for the violin, which I also enjoy more.

Although I've been at a JC, I've had a huge amount of performing opportunities. I've been hired by a professional choir to be featured in a 4 minute violin solo with vocal accompaniment in a hall of 2,000 people, I'm hired as a weekly soloist at a church of 300 members, I've been hired to do several studio recordings, I play in a professional orchestra, and play various genres on the violin, jazz, blues, fiddle, rock, I've performed in Carnegie Hall, the Apollo Theatre, and toured throughout several countries, and I get asked to do tours almost every weekend because of my versatility with the violin and singing. I have 12 string students. I also live in LA which gives me a lot of opportunities for these things. I get roughly $50 an hour for each hour that I'm performing or teaching music, so it's sustaining. I don't mean to boast about this, but lack of performing opportunities is not a very big concern of mine. Now I want to make a name for myself and get my name out there.

I don't plan on going the typical route of the chamber violinist, and I have a good amount performance opportunities because I spread myself out to other genres and made connections.

Which is why it's complicating things. I feel like I should continue on riding this boat because it's going well, I love it, and don't want to miss out on it. But, I enjoy medicine too, and have always been interested in it, and enjoyed the shadowing I did of physicians (almost 100 hrs). Health is the gateway to all other things in life and I think it would be amazing to treat people eventually.

I'm just going to continue on with my classes for both, and once I graduate from undergrad, I'll take the MCAT. I'll continue to pursue music then and see where it takes me, and keep volunteering and make sure my classes and MCAT still count for when I want to reply.

I just need to check with medical schools now and see the amount of time I have until they expire. If anyone has more info on this or anything else helpful please let me know. Thank you all for taking your time to talk to me about this, it feels good to vent and to get more stories and perspectives.

Ok, it seems like you're pretty realistic, and it's good that you're planning on building your medical resume while pursuing your music interests. As long as you're enjoying performing and are having success in the field, the world is your oyster. Go for it🙂

 

[cam21]

I have a BM and MM in music performance. I graduated with my masters in 2014. I have taught private lessons since graduating and jobs and money are hard to come by once out of school. I also didn't find the profession as fulfilling as I hoped it would be. I am now back in school completing the pre-med requirements and hope to apply to med school next fall. I recommend that you really think about what you want to do for the next 30+ years and do some research as to what most music majors actually do as a profession. If you are at a JC, chances are your performance major won't take you as far as you want it to... I don't mean that to sound harsh, I just know that music jobs are incredibly hard to come by these days and often resumes need to include a conservatory and many competition wins to be considered for any job, but then again it depends on what type of job you are hoping to get.

 

[Suspiciousmycologist]

Help me figure out my life - Music and Medicine
Hello all,

I’m a 3rd year student at a JC college. My major is in music performance, and I’m pre-med. I have a 3.8 overall and 4.0 science GPA with almost 100 units so far. I’m still at a JC because I’ve been fiddling back and forth with what I want to do. I’ve always wanted to become a doctor, but I’ve also been heavily invested in music throughout my life. I have been teaching private lessons for a few years now, and have a full studio of students at a music store for violin, viola, and cello. I get hired to do studio recordings, I’m a violinist in a professional chamber orchestra, I’m hired at a church as a vocal soloist, and I’m in my school’s chamber choir and jazz group. I also produce my own music.


I’m doing well in both music and science, but I’m also confused. I’m planning on maybe taking a few years off after my bachelor’s and just pursue music for most of my 20’s, because my career is taking off, and I love it, and I don’t want to leave it behind.


Although, where would this leave me for medicine later on in life? I would have finished all of my chem, bio, physics, a few years prior to when I would want to start medical school. Should I plan on taking the MCAT right after my bachelors or before applying? Would I have to retake anything?


Do I have time to pursue both in medical school and in life?


Thank you all.

I do not suggest leaving music behind. It sounds like you have an incredible gift and talent. Take advantage and study music to the fullest. If you do decide to do medicine later on, you can absolutely still practice music. In fact, one of the newest frontiers in medicine deals with exploring the connection between music and medicine. Check out Dr. Robert Gupta's story here:

 

[candbgirl]

Link doesn't work.

 

[SouthernGent]

I was heavily involved in music at my, university participating in various ensembles and studio, and I second the suggestion to pursue it for a few years. Working full time now, I already miss it, and do not look forward to how much more I will inevitably withdraw (But not completely) from it in medical school. So go enjoy it, get the chance to live a little, and pursue music to its fullest, because once med school starts you will be committed to a degree that makes what you are doing now much more difficult.

Edit: Look up Albert Schweitzer if you have not already. He is possibly the best known Musician-Physician in history.

 

[SoccerSoprano]

Wow, what a great thread! This is my first comment on SDN! So, I got my bachelor and masters in vocal performance but my indecisiveness in whether I wanted to chose music or medicine was very similar to yours, @snstephan. It wasn't until a year into my masters that I realized I wanted to commit myself to medicine (after taking vocal pedagogy and anatomy). I am so glad I continued to pursue music with a higher education because I improved my music skills and technique to the point where I feel more confident in my music ability. I also realized I want to be able to continue singing not to pay my rent, but to donate my time to sing benefit concerts or organize concerts I want to do for fun and to bring joy to audience members. Personally, music is not a lifestyle I want to live, which is a large reason I decided not to pursue it. I am now working in a hospital while applying for med schools and I couldn't love the medical atmosphere any more!

For me, it was a gut feeling that took me years to trust. I wouldn't think you can pursue both music professionally and be successful in medical school simultaneously, but then again, many medical students are super heroes and I'm sure someone has done it before. I think once you get to your 4-year school, you will continue to encounter experiences that will sway your decision one way or another. Regardless, you should keep up your excellent grades and musical mastery! You seem extremely bright and driven. If you still LOVE music once you graduate college, pursue it, because even if you end up applying for medical school after working in music for a while, your resume and maturity will only grow during those experiences!

 

[snstephan]

Wow, what a great thread! This is my first comment on SDN! So, I got my bachelor and masters in vocal performance but my indecisiveness in whether I wanted to chose music or medicine was very similar to yours, @snstephan. It wasn't until a year into my masters that I realized I wanted to commit myself to medicine (after taking vocal pedagogy and anatomy). I am so glad I continued to pursue music with a higher education because I improved my music skills and technique to the point where I feel more confident in my music ability. I also realized I want to be able to continue singing not to pay my rent, but to donate my time to sing benefit concerts or organize concerts I want to do for fun and to bring joy to audience members. Personally, music is not a lifestyle I want to live, which is a large reason I decided not to pursue it. I am now working in a hospital while applying for med schools and I couldn't love the medical atmosphere any more!

For me, it was a gut feeling that took me years to trust. I wouldn't think you can pursue both music professionally and be successful in medical school simultaneously, but then again, many medical students are super heroes and I'm sure someone has done it before. I think once you get to your 4-year school, you will continue to encounter experiences that will sway your decision one way or another. Regardless, you should keep up your excellent grades and musical mastery! You seem extremely bright and driven. If you still LOVE music once you graduate college, pursue it, because even if you end up applying for medical school after working in music for a while, your resume and maturity will only grow during those experiences!

Awesome to hear your story! Thank you for the advice.

 

[atomi]

OP, a few thoughts...

It is extremely difficult to make music into a successful career. Much more difficult than it is to become a doctor (which is also incredibly difficult). I'll give you an example of two musicians I know. One is a guitarist in a major band I guarantee you have heard of, tours all over the world, and has a net worth well into the 8 figure range. The other never graduated beyond playing with jam bands and still does gigs at the same college bars for $50 a night or so. Both are incredibly talented. There is no shortage of incredibly talented musicians. But of course nobody does it to get rich, but occasionally the stars align for a select few. You can't count on this, but what you can count on is ending up 40 years old and looking down on the second half of your life. Which would you rather be, an aging musician with no assets or retirement savings or a doctor with a plan to comfortably retire in 15 years?

You can still play music for fun as a doctor. You can't be a doctor for fun as a musician.
You sound like you're still in your early 20s. Give the musician thing a try for a few years. Have fun. Stay away from drugs and don't get anyone pregnant. But trust me by the time you are nearing your mid 30s, you are going to want to have this sh-it figured out. Living with a roommate and struggling to find money to go out on the weekends can still be cool when you're in your early 20s and living off the tiny earnings you get from playing music. It's not cool when you're 40.

Bottom line, you need to have a plan in the back of your head to set yourself up with a comfortable, reliable income for the rest of your life, and you need to be ready to execute this plan when you feel it's time. If something else comes along and you suddenly find yourself touring the world playing sold out concerts or invent some iphone app or hit the lottery, or otherwise acquire fu-ck-you-money, then fine do whatever you want. But your future self will thank you for having a backup plan just in case. The time goes by faster than you think, and the decisions you make when are 20-25 will probably have more impact on the rest of your life than those in any other period in your life.

 

[Gurby]

OP, a few thoughts...

It is extremely difficult to make music into a successful career. Much more difficult than it is to become a doctor (which is also incredibly difficult). I'll give you an example of two musicians I know. One is a guitarist in a major band I guarantee you have heard of, tours all over the world, and has a net worth well into the 8 figure range. The other never graduated beyond playing with jam bands and still does gigs at the same college bars for $50 a night or so. Both are incredibly talented. There is no shortage of incredibly talented musicians. But of course nobody does it to get rich, but occasionally the stars align for a select few. You can't count on this, but what you can count on is ending up 40 years old and looking down on the second half of your life. Which would you rather be, an aging musician with no assets or retirement savings or a doctor with a plan to comfortably retire in 15 years?

You can still play music for fun as a doctor. You can't be a doctor for fun as a musician.
You sound like you're still in your early 20s. Give the musician thing a try for a few years. Have fun. Stay away from drugs and don't get anyone pregnant. But trust me by the time you are nearing your mid 30s, you are going to want to have this sh-it figured out. Living with a roommate and struggling to find money to go out on the weekends can still be cool when you're in your early 20s and living off the tiny earnings you get from playing music. It's not cool when you're 40.

Bottom line, you need to have a plan in the back of your head to set yourself up with a comfortable, reliable income for the rest of your life, and you need to be ready to execute this plan when you feel it's time. If something else comes along and you suddenly find yourself touring the world playing sold out concerts or invent some iphone app or hit the lottery, or otherwise acquire fu-ck-you-money, then fine do whatever you want. But your future self will thank you for having a backup plan just in case. The time goes by faster than you think, and the decisions you make when are 20-25 will probably have more impact on the rest of your life than those in any other period in your life.

An "ah-hah" moment for me... I was playing a (crappy) gig with this guy who is "the guy" for my area on a certain instrument. When big names come through and they need somebody to fill in, he's the guy. He's pretty successful as a recording artist, teaches at a big fancy conservatory. He slums it with my group for a couple extra bucks when he doesn't have anything better to do. During a break we go hit a bar. Sitting in a dive bar drinking PBR with a dude who is probably in the 98th percentile of success as a musician, listening to him talk about not being able to help his kids pay for college, I started to think maybe there is a better way...

 

[Zyraa]

Apologies for the necro, but I'm a lawyer in my 30s who has been considering going back to pursuing music. I think you should definitely try to pursue music in your 20s. You can always go to med school as a fall back plan.

Music has always been a huge part of my life. I won state competitions for vocal performance and also minored in it at university. Unfortunately, I ended up going straight to law school after college and spent the next 10 years of my life after college attending law school and working insane hours on Wall Street while hating my life. While I made decent money, it was not something I really wanted to do.

You're still young and can take risks - you should definitely try to see if you can make it in music in your 20s. Give yourself a timeline - maybe spend 5 years to see if you can make it. If you want to go back to med school, you can always do that later.

Also, consider a less time intensive career that requires less schooling (e.g., nursing). You can then more easily find a 9 to 5 job and pursue music on the side if you choose to instead of spending your entire 20s and early 30s in school (accruing student loan debt) and residency and not settling down. Most people make a living never having gone to graduate school. And frankly, if you choose the right job you can make decent money as well without that much schooling. Even though I went to a top 10 law school and came out financially OK, I don't think I would do it again. You should ONLY pursue grad school if the job you get afterwards is something you know you really want to do. The time and money costs are just too big IMO.

I think your 20s are all about risk-taking. I know many people who have changed careers already and I am in my 30s. (Frankly, half of my friends who went to my top 10 law school have already pivoted into other careers because they hated practicing law despite making good money.) Nothing is as linear as you think when you are young. So I think you should go for it. Good luck!