Hi everyone

[Lovemybabies]

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Just dropping by to introduce myself. I'm 23, former Marine, been married for 4 years, 2 kids (28 month little boy and 10 month old little girl). Just started school this fall. School so far is great, my biggest issue is finding *quiet* time to study, which normally happens after my kids go to bed..late nights for me are common. Any tips for studying or other? Hopefully its not completely far fetched that I want to go to medical school!

 

[phrygian]

Welcome from a former Corpsman! Medical school is definately not a crazy idea for you, and I hope you do well if it is what you decide. I am married to a very supportive woman with a 20 month old son, and what I have found is that not studying at home except for a single weekend day worked well for me.

Undergrad was very different since I worked and it really didn't require the amount of study that medical school does. I went to my classes and never got caught up in the usual college stuff and just stayed focused on study, which usually required staying on campus a little later. Just make sure to make time for the family while still doing well in class, MCAT, shadowing, and all the other things that go into getting a med school seat.

Honestly, getting in was harder than med school itself. In med school, my basic schedule (before starting M3) was M-F studying at the library (didn't go to class) and maybe 4-5 hours on either saturday or sunday. Never both days. I made a point of spending my evenings and a weekend day with the family. Now that I am in M3, I cram as much study in during the day so I can still just go home and be a husband and father. Some rotations are harder than others to do this, but it has worked well so far.

We all have different styles, but once you find a way that works for you, stick to it and you will do great. Make sure to think long and hard about medical school, but since you are prior military, you already know what is like not seeing family and friends! Best of luck and let me know if you ever need anything down the road.

 

[BlueAvocado]

Welcome!

I am currently in the Air Force and on a long road to Medicine. I have 9 more years until retirement and I am taking that time to basically set myself up prior to getting out. I am also married and have two kids 6 and 7. One of the biggest issues that made me wait until I retire is the commitment to the Air Force but more importantly to my family. I know my limits and doing Medical School at the same time as raising a family would be virtually impossible. I mean anyone can do it but the fact that you have to timeshare between a demanding school and being a father to your kids and not to mention a good husband is more than I want to risk and ruin.

I also did not want the pressure of having to support my family and go to a school where at any point I can fail and be stuck with a large debt. I know two guys who were in my community (AF) and both had families. I sort of used their experiences to make up my mind. They were both in similar situation as me, except they got out of the Air Force and used the HPSP. They are both doing residency and are long on their way to becoming doctors but the journey they took was quite painful. One of the guys with three kids is very much in debt, and ultimately he will pay the debt off, but at this point he is a little over his cranium. Either way, it’s a great goal but I always say when you have family that is going to take that trip with you, it is important to take a step back and ask the what ifs. Good Luck brother I hope you do well in Medical School.

 

[J ROD]

Try studying at school in between things. It saves me alot of time.

 

[Lovemybabies]

Welcome!

Good Luck brother I hope you do well in Medical School.

Thank You.. but I'm actually female.... 🙂

 

[EdLongshanks]

Welcome! They were both in similar situation as me, except they got out of the Air Force and used the HPSP. They are both doing residency and are long on their way to becoming doctors but the journey they took was quite painful. One of the guys with three kids is very much in debt, and ultimately he will pay the debt off, but at this point he is a little over his cranium. .

Every man's decision is individual to himself, but your logic on the money seems fallacious to me. If a person goes to school and thereby contracts 150K more debt than he would have if he waited 5 years he has borrowed 150K more, but he has also made 5 years of doctor's wages vs AF wages. I would think that the differential would be well worth it.

The consideration of time with the children is, of course, different and can't be measured in figures.

 

[Lovemybabies]

Anyone have any good ideas how to get involved with volunteering and all the extra stuff that goes along with pursuing a medical education? Id love to volunteer, I just don't know where to start.

 

[Lovemybabies]

Oh, and I really appreciate all the advice from everybody! I do find studying at school is much better than studying at home, much less distraction!

 

[BlueAvocado]

Thank You.. but I'm actually female.... 🙂

Oops 😀 Ok sister then 🙄

 

[BlueAvocado]

Every man's decision is individual to himself, but your logic on the money seems fallacious to me. If a person goes to school and thereby contracts 150K more debt than he would have if he waited 5 years he has borrowed 150K more, but he has also made 5 years of doctor's wages vs AF wages. I would think that the differential would be well worth it.

The consideration of time with the children is, of course, different and can't be measured in figures.

First of all $150k + I assume is for tuition expenses and fees alone, not to mention all the living expenses you acquire raising a family. It’s really hard to assume what every family needs per year. Every place in the country has a different locality rate. So if someone is used to a certain standard of living, it would be difficult to downgrade (Not impossible). I mean you can go on a budget and tighten up but that is easier said than done, especially for that length of time.

Second, there is automatically a second income that is not there due to her going to Medical School, this is assuming her husband is working and able to support the family. So with that said some people are not in positions for their significant others to support them, therefore putting additional strain on the process.

Thirdly, 4 yrs of Med school + 3 years minimum of residency, so can someone really live on top rommen for that long. She has kids to think about, does she want them skimming with (clothes, food, sports, etc) while she is going to med school.

Yes, doctors make a lot of money, yes she will be able to pay that debt off, but life happens. Other things pop up that you don’t expect or plan for. So in my mind it’s not a safe bet to assume things are going to go great as you planned. It is many years and lots of money to invest, especially with kids.

*** Disclaimer*** I am by no means trying to convince her against med school, just please consider all the pieces. I did, for my family and I think it's the best. I will eventually go to Med School but when everything is solid. Of course everyone has a different situation, and different abilities therefore one persons advice may not be suited best for another. I toured UC Davis Med School back in High School and the Dean of Med School was a single mother, 5 kids and not only was she successful in going to Med School without a significant other to help but she became a dean. So it is not impossible. It's just my .02 cents. Good Luck Sister 🙂

 

[DucoNonducor]

Anyone have any good ideas how to get involved with volunteering and all the extra stuff that goes along with pursuing a medical education? Id love to volunteer, I just don't know where to start.

Welcome and thanks for serving our country!
My school had an office that helped students get placed for internships with area hospitals.
Here's the link to the organization: http://www.healthyoregon.com/about/

I'm sure you have one in your state. They are eager to help you. I was placed right away in an oncology practice and REALLY got a great deal of exposure!

Good luck with everything!