How many nay sayers?

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Was wondering how many of you have had relatives or friends who thought that it was a preposterous idea that we non-traditional applicants "make it" through to medical school.
-My uncle tried to talk me out of it, claiming the high burn out rate of doctors due to malpractice/etc.
-My best friend told me it was "impossible" for me to go back to school and be able to make it into medical school.

Oh, and by the way my responses were:
-I'm willing to take that risk and
-Don't tell me what I can't do!

Anyone else? What were their excuses for talking you out of it?

 

[sindadel]

Sorry to hear that your support network is being unsupportive. If this is early days for you, I'd give them time to come around.

I voted that everyone has been very supportive. A few friends were initially a little taken aback and slightly negative, but soon became supportive. I think it says more about their personalities than about their opinions - they just see the negatives more easily than the positives.

It seems that most people who know me think that being a physician is a good fit for me, and they have more confidence in me than I do.

 

[crazydiamond]

The people who matter, like family and close friends, are supportive. I haven't really shared the news with many other people simply because I'm not terribly interested in their opinions. Most of the acquaintances I've told were more surprised than supportive, but that's about it for negativity. The doctors I've talked to about have all been supportive, so I take that as a good sign.

 

[Omashu]

My coworker told me that that if he couldn't get in - well there was no way I was gonna get in. At first what he said bothered me but now I just laugh - he never tried...he never shadowed, volunteered, didn't even apply...

My husband, parents, siblings, mother in law are all very supportive. They are the ones that count.

 

[bjolly]

well, my dad said "why don't you do something easier --like be an astronaut!" He was one of the proudest parents there at my med school graduation last May. 😀

 

[Omashu]

aww....

well, my dad said "why don't you do something easier --like be an astronaut!" He was one of the proudest parents there at my med school graduation last May. 😀

 

[betterlate]

My mom's initial reaction was to cry - and not tears of joy! - at the thought of me going back to school (and thus being very, very poor for a very, very long time). I've been more or less nontraditional all the way through school. Took 3 yrs to finish an associate's degree, took time off, went back for a bachelor's, took more time off, went back for a postbacc + master's, took time off. I'm starting a formal postbacc in June and extremely excited about it.

When I first floated the possibility of doing med school, a number of friends and family members took a devil's advocate approach to the conversation just to help me thrash out the pros and cons. Once I was 100% certain that this is what I want to do, people have been nothing but encouraging to me. I have several friends who are doctors and they've all said variations on, "I usually do my best to talk everyone out of becoming a doctor. But I actually think you should do it."

 

[crazydiamond]

I've thought about this thread some more and I think I have a little more negativity than I realized. The negativity lurks under the surface, though. I've had a few people say to me "Uh huh, that sounds like fun" and then change subjects. Some of these people just don't believe me! Their opinions won't deter me, but still.

When I talked to my mom the other day about taking an extra year to make myself more competitive by taking some classes she said "Wow, that's a lot of work. So you're really going to do this?". That's about as positive as she gets, and I do feel she's supportive of me, but is still trapped in the "disbelief" stage. Kinda like bjolly's dad!

 

[Nevadanteater]

Only one person has been unsupportive. Me.

But that was at the beginning. Now all the self-doubt is gone and my desire to do this is cemented. If only I had an acceptance to truly solidify my track!

 

[avpu]

I think that I am my own worst critic about the whole process thus far. I have been down on myself and my personal support group have been there for me to pick me back up and get myself back on track.

 

[Still Kickin]

I have a theory that the people who are most vocal in attempting to discourage you from following your dreams are THE ONES WHO GAVE UP ON THEIR OWN DREAMS...

 

[sphelps]

well, my family was not happy. i come from a family of control freaks, so it was expected. for a long time i let them control me to a point but i've learned to stand my ground and tell them to back off. it's difficult because i love them and i try to respect their opinions but it's my life.

 

[Bleurberry]

I'll be 31 when I begin medical school, and I have to say, everyone was really supportive this whole process.
I have to give huge props to my younger, and infinetly patient, girlfriend,
but the whole family has been stellar.
Maybe in the back of their mind they were thinking, "Hell, this is better than we ever could have hoped for him", I'm sure there was some of that.
I was a Spanish Literature major who wasn't keen on teaching spanish, and had left school with an unfinished degree because of it.
After my father got ill and suddenly died, things began crackling from deep within, and here I am today.

They were all on pins and needles until I got the acceptance, but I think they're more excited than ever, and even more excited than I was when I received it! For me, it's "Okay, let's achieve the next step in the process", while they were "Thank You Sweet Jesus!"

 

[jeaneous]

I'm too chicken to tell anyone but my wife. I like it that way! I'll have to tell others eventually. Maybe if I have to move out of state I'll tell them?

 

[crazydiamond]

I'm too chicken to tell anyone but my wife. I like it that way! I'll have to tell others eventually. Maybe if I have to move out of state I'll tell them?

I completely understand! In fact, nobody at work knew anything about my plans until I put in my resignation. They asked why I was leaving and it wasn't until then I told them I was going back to school so I could apply to med school.

 

[Loon]

I've got the same issues as NevadaAnteater. I've been the least supportive of all the people I know. I sometimes feel that saying "and I'm applying to medical school" is like saying "and Im moving to Hollywood to be in the movies!"

My parents have been completely supportive, even if they didn't realize that I was serious when I first started.