I'm a high school senior who gained acceptance into a seven-year osteopathic medicine program for NYCOM and also to the prestigious Cornell University. I hope to become a physician some day but I don't know which path to choose. After talking to many doctors, I learned that D.O.s face discrimination in the medical field because A, they are not part of mainstream and B, it is hard to gain good residencies after med school. I am 200% sure that I want to become a doctor but I don't know what to specialize in. I'm torn in half so I would really appreciate it if somebody gave me some advice ASAP because I have to make a decision in two weeks.
First of all..... I just wrote a long post to this and the browser crashed so I'm pissed about that..... but anyway here goes. That is a tough decision, you have to think to yourself if you're dead-set on becoming a doc and nothing else would interest you. That's what's good about college, you get to sample and experience different subjects. And you might actually become interested. If you're in a 7 or 8 yr program, I'm not sure if you'll get that freedom of pursuing other interests. Personally, I would go to Cornell. You'll get to "live a little" and grow. I learned more about myself and experienced more things from years 18 to 22. I wouldn't trade that for anything. I just want you to miss out on undergrad life. You're 20-something only once..... enjoy it. There's a lot of time in life to become a doc. I'm a first year student and I'm 28. There are others in my class that are late 30's. We're all glad that we got to experience real life things before jumping into med school. So that's my take on your decision. But ultimately it's depends on how bad you want to become a doc at this stage in life. Hope this helps, Eric MSI, WesternU
