How did you choose medicine?

[tomfooleries]

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I can't figure out what I want to do with my life.

I'm 25. I graduated from a pretty good liberal arts school with a bachelor's in psychology (3.9 cum., 3.9 psych). I did aba therapy with autistic children and helped with social groups for about a year-and-a-half. I'm now 4 months into an RA position that has me half in the clinic with pediatricians and all sorts of sub-specialty doctors, and half with psychologists. I relocated 1,000 miles for this position; it's at a large school with a lot of research being done on autism (and everything else) and very competitive medical and clinical psych programs.

I am more interested in seeing patients long-term, rather than meeting them once or twice for a diagnosis that 20 year-olds are routinely performing for research purposes. I also like the satisfaction I imagine you get from providing treatment rather than just diagnosis. And I understand both are confined to the power of insurance companies. I am knocking on the door of a solid GRE program with my undergrad gpa, confidence I can get my GRE up a bit more (750 on math, verbal needs work), and this research experience. I'm not sure just how well I'll do in the pre-req courses (good student, but no experience here), and med. school would likely cost me a lot of money (another 200k in loans, on top of my 100k from undergrad) while a clinical psych program would most likely be funded through TA, clinic hours, and just general funding more readily available than for medical schools. But I can't decide if it's what I really want.

So why do you want to go to medical school? I'm interested in hearing your thoughts about what you expect from school and the profession to follow.

 

[mdofn14]

When I was 20 I started volunteering at a local hospital. Being a physician was the last thing on my mind. After watching the ER doctors , I became inspired. I admired the passion and determination they displayed while treating patients.

 

[nu2004]

I'm trying to figure out if you're just trolling for personal statement prompts here 😉

My inspiration to enter medicine was sparked early, when my younger sister had an ear infection and a series of very bad encounters with arrogant, unhelpful pediatricians. At that time, I swore that I would become the World's Best Pediatrician and solve the world's ills (at least for kids).

I lost interest in medicine after taking high school chemistry (sounds lame, I know) and was directionless for a number of years. 4 years post-college, I learned that medicine was still an option (through a post-bacc) and tested the waters with a couple of Calculus classes (because they were required for the program, and I wasn't sure if I could re-adjust to being a student). The classes went swimmingly, I loved being back in school, and I was thrilled with the prospect of resurrecting my childhood dream. After I started the post-bacc program, I had a series of personal health problems that almost seemed to be a divine message that I was doing the right thing.

So here I am. Good luck with your journey!

 

[ChandutheMagici]

So why do you want to go to medical school?

Let me preface this by saying I'd always had the idea in the back of my head like, "Hey, it'd be cool to be a doctor." I was probably not the most committed person in the world.

Anyway, I'd done every job known to man and was looking for direction. Then came summer of 2001 - Basic Training. If any of you have ever been to San Antonio in the dead of summer you can attest to how hot it is there. We had a guy come into the barracks who said he was feeling "weird" and then passed out. People were FREAKING out. I was lucky enough (said with sarcasm) to be the head student leader. I came in, quickly started delegating people to do one thing or another, and got this kid sitting up with a cold towel on his head. Before long, every one was as calm as I appeared to be (I was actually scared ****less), and the paramedics showed up. I now know that this guy had classic signs of heat exhaustion.

I liked being that guy who could come in and say, "Everything is going to be alright." It made me feel like I had a purpose. So, I looked into the medical field (RN, PA, PT, OT, SLP, NP, DO, MD, PsyD, PharmD). The scope of practice of a physician just seemed to fit my personality the best. So here I am, 8 years later and accepted! It's been a long road, but totally worth it.

I'm interested in hearing your thoughts about what you expect from school and the profession to follow.

I expect a lot of long nights spent studying in school and a lot of people bossing me around in 3rd year. Also, a lot of long tired nights spent during internship/residency. I expect a lot of unfairness and to be mad at times. That's ok though, it's a right of passage. At the end of it all, I expect to be a physician who can come in (hopefully not scared ****less) and say, "Everything is going to be alright." 🙂

Listen, if you're having doubts about what you want to do with your life that's okay. Everyone does that. In my life I've done these jobs - sold knives, sold vacuum cleaners, bartended, Military, Full time professional magician, waited tables, poured concrete, and there are a few more. Let me tell you, if anyone can empathize about not knowing what you want to do, it's me.

Take the time to shadow people and see which one you like more (PsyD or MD/DO) even though you probably don't need to shadow the PsyD, haha. Find out the pros and cons first hand. Not everyone has an epiphany that lets them know 🙂. Every job sucks at times, it's all about finding the one that you don't absolutely dread going to (for the most part).

Josh

 

[nontrdgsbuiucmd]

Somewhat similar story for me as above, I'd had an interest in this path when younger, but a negative experience w/high school science instructor (same one for 4 yrs) and an intro science class (at a large university where some students had access to exams/homework set answer keys) coupled with good experiences in other subjects encouraged my decision not to enter the field.

Fast forward a number of years, past a family member's long illness and a number of professional experiences including a role interfacing with customers all day, ever day, and I realized that this would be a good path.

Part of the interest in becoming a physician versus PA, RN, etc was that I enjoyed the responsibility and the role of the decisionmaker in other professional situations - much more so than being the follower. Part of it was financial; as an older applicant I was not comfortable (due to family financial responsibilities) moving into a role that would pay less than I make now, particularly considering add'l debt to be incurred and yrs training.

Re: health situation now - I'm worried a fair amount about the push toward nationalized health (the stimulus plan includes a number of elements toward this, as does SCHIP, and it seems likely to advance in the future); this is due to the realization that with a single payer, if things get tight on the Federal budget it would be easy to envision "freezing" healthcare payment levels for a year, or reducing what's paid for a procedure below what it costs a physician to do the procedure. Not totally worried, as eventually physicians will respond, possibly by leaving a regulation-heavy state, or retiring early, etc. and eventually politicians will need to change the rules.

suggestions - don't worry about the prerequ courses; given your undergrad gpa, you can do well. Lots of effort involved, but it's definitely something you can do. Debt is somewhat of a concern, but if things stay similar to now, you could be a MD earning, say $200K per year and paying $50K of that (gross) toward your debt payment - still leaves a pretty comfortable income and lifestyle. Main thing is figuring out if this is the best path for YOU.

 

[beckhunter116]

As someone who has slowly come to the decision of appyling to medical school, I can say my first piece of advice is don't rush things. Med school or grad school will be there next year. I would focus more on what you are looking for in a career.

The closer to graduation that I got I was starting to realize how I really missed doing something with the sciences and that I let fear of failing stop me from really trying. My degree was in psychology and that was something that was very comforting to me. Anyways I slowly started taking the pre-req and I fell in love with the challenge and the information I was learning. I went through various phases of wanting to be a PT, and then for a long time a PA. To be honest I said I wanted to be a PA, but in some aspects this was me trying to do the "safe" route. I procrastinated in finding clinical experience until I realized I wasn't into it. As soon as I allowed myself to think of medical school as an option, it was like new life was blown into me. I have been volunteering at a low-income clinic ever since then and I love it.

The fast pace, the multi-tasking, the problem solving, and the patients who look to me for help make it exciting but humbling that they and their family trust you with their loved ones health. Of course those are the postives and their will be many negatives. The stress of school, internship, residency, the patients who never listen, a view that patients should be able to ask for any medication they want b/c they saw a commercial on it, or my personal favorite the patient who wants antibiotics for what is obviously a virus. There will many struggles along my way, but I know that I can dedicate myself to this path because for maybe the first time in my life I believe in what I am doing.

 

[tomfooleries]

Thanks for sharing your stories with me. Reading your responses at work today motivated me to schedule an appointment with an advisor at my University to discuss the pre-reqs, costs, etc.

Really sounds like I ought to slow down and continue to probe until I find what it is I'm looking for. I definitely lack patience, and somewhat expected this advice. Helps to hear it from people who have been--or are headed--in the direction I'm thinking of turning.

 

[atomi]

Thanks for sharing your stories with me. Reading your responses at work today motivated me to schedule an appointment with an advisor at my University to discuss the pre-reqs, costs, etc.

Really sounds like I ought to slow down and continue to probe until I find what it is I'm looking for. I definitely lack patience, and somewhat expected this advice. Helps to hear it from people who have been--or are headed--in the direction I'm thinking of turning.

You will need patience. It will take you 3 years from now to the point at which you step foot into a medical school, 7 years until you become an MD, and 10-12 years to the point where you begin your career. Keep your eyes on just the next step and never look beyond that. One step at a time and it will be over before you know it.

 

[Joe Postman]

Let me preface this by saying I'd always had the idea in the back of my head like, "Hey, it'd be cool to be a doctor." I was probably not the most committed person in the world.

Anyway, I'd done every job known to man and was looking for direction. Then came summer of 2001 - Basic Training. If any of you have ever been to San Antonio in the dead of summer you can attest to how hot it is there. We had a guy come into the barracks who said he was feeling "weird" and then passed out. People were FREAKING out. I was lucky enough (said with sarcasm) to be the head student leader. I came in, quickly started delegating people to do one thing or another, and got this kid sitting up with a cold towel on his head. Before long, every one was as calm as I appeared to be (I was actually scared ****less), and the paramedics showed up. I now know that this guy had classic signs of heat exhaustion.

I liked being that guy who could come in and say, "Everything is going to be alright." It made me feel like I had a purpose. So, I looked into the medical field (RN, PA, PT, OT, SLP, NP, DO, MD, PsyD, PharmD). The scope of practice of a physician just seemed to fit my personality the best. So here I am, 8 years later and accepted! It's been a long road, but totally worth it.

I expect a lot of long nights spent studying in school and a lot of people bossing me around in 3rd year. Also, a lot of long tired nights spent during internship/residency. I expect a lot of unfairness and to be mad at times. That's ok though, it's a right of passage. At the end of it all, I expect to be a physician who can come in (hopefully not scared ****less) and say, "Everything is going to be alright." 🙂

Listen, if you're having doubts about what you want to do with your life that's okay. Everyone does that. In my life I've done these jobs - sold knives, sold vacuum cleaners, bartended, Military, Full time professional magician, waited tables, poured concrete, and there are a few more. Let me tell you, if anyone can empathize about not knowing what you want to do, it's me.

Take the time to shadow people and see which one you like more (PsyD or MD/DO) even though you probably don't need to shadow the PsyD, haha. Find out the pros and cons first hand. Not everyone has an epiphany that lets them know 🙂. Every job sucks at times, it's all about finding the one that you don't absolutely dread going to (for the most part).

Josh

You're Freakin Awesome. You're like a Future version of me...Except the whole saving a Heat Stroke Victim thing.😀

 

[murfettie]

my mom was a doctor when we were in china since before i was born.
she babysit me a lot after school at her hospital, since we are a defacto single partent household. so i doodled, and did orgami, homework next to her while she worked several hours M-F.
i rejected medicine initially because i was so immersed in the environment for 8 years or so since age 5, just didn't think it was too cool. you know, 50 patients a day, every day. i enjoyed poking the skeleton .... enough said.
we moved to the u.s when i was 13.
i helped my mom start her own acupuncture/alternative medicine (she did intergrative medicine) clinic when i was 19 and decided i liked patients and the problem solving aspect is so freaking cool! hah hah. i still help run it.
i volunteer at a camp for ill children on weekend a lot, and i see how these kids
(gasp gasp. gonna cry a little now...) change and get better under the care of their doctors, i also love love being a counselor because we can see these kids open up, start dancing, having fun despite their ... life threatening illnesses.
then i worked at a major uni intergratvie medicine cetner for 6 months after grduation and saw that intergrative medicine is really possible now, which is something i'm really interested in.
then i was in china for 6 months, public health education stuff. saw how little health education people at the bottom of the society gets and essentially how much it sucks..
i had a bunch of other health related thing i did randomly, (i have a pretty random resume), but mostly it's a graual process. not a lightbulb momet.
in conclusion:
- problem solving in medicine is so especially interesting, especially with an addition of an intergrative approach
- people do get better, and their health will being more joy not to them but also their families
- i like our patients. i don't care if they are appreciative. i'm happy when they get better. that's enough.