If you already had millions...

[NoMoreAMCAS]

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Do people honestly go into medicine for money? It seems like a bad strategy if that's the case.

From my experience, most people pursuing a career in medicine are intellectually driven to learn a lot of science, enjoy working with people and/or they enjoy the social prestige associated with the career. I don't think that 500 million dollars would satiate any of those motivations.

People like to bring up salaries on this board and call out people for wanting to be compensated for their work. Medicine is an intellectually interesting and intense career that matches the personalities of a small group of super-driven, curious people. It is alright for them to also want to be paid a reasonable amount for the work that they do without acting as though money is the primary motivation for their work.

Yes, money is a big factor for going into medicine. Of course medicine interests me, there's no way im going to do something that bores me to death for 40 years. But, if the pay was not as high as it is, I would NOT be pursuing medicine. Say the pay was 40K a year and all of my tuition and books was covered by the state, not the slightest chance in hell I would go into medicine.

*Im in the "no way im working" if I'm already rich crowd. I'd rather be out exploring the world and having fun than locked up in a hospital.

 

[NoMoreAMCAS]

Hm. Five hundred million bucks, huh?

I'd definitely go to medical school. That's not a question. I'd probably donate some to the Gesundheit Institute, a good amount to the Red Cross, and see about supporting some research (malaria, HIV, cancer, MS, Huntington's, Alzheimer's, etc.). Once I got settled in medicine (post-residency and with some experience under my belt), I'd see about opening my own practice, maybe for people without insurance. I've always wanted to try to open a 'pay what you feel is right' type clinic, but I don't know I could without some financial security.

(Okay, and maybe I'd take a nice vacation or donate to some alternative energy research. God knows THAT's important enough to give some attention to.)

Wow, that's the most boring use of 500 million dollars ever. It's very respectable and I'm glad you're the type of person going into medicine, but it doesn't sound like you'd be having much fun with that money.

 

[thepoopologist]

Then what? Go travel? Cool. Party? Great. Get laid? Sweet.

Then what?

I would think that I could only squander so much time and money away before feeling like I needed to accomplish something. Learning is fun, yay for us!

Then what??? Rinse, repeat. I'd build the biggest chocolate mansion in the world, store it in the biggest fridge in the world, and eat it inside out. I'd make a paper airplane the size of a 747, launch it off mt everest with me on it, and then parachute off it midflight naked. I'd buy an African country and displace the leader, and insert my cousin as it's king and ultimate ruler.

If I could spend the rest of my life doing ridiculous things with my millions, I would.

 

[ahmcadams]

Yes, money is a big factor for going into medicine. Of course medicine interests me, there's no way im going to do something that bores me to death for 40 years. But, if the pay was not as high as it is, I would NOT be pursuing medicine. Say the pay was 40K a year and all of my tuition and books was covered by the state, not the slightest chance in hell I would go into medicine.

*Im in the "no way im working" if I'm already rich crowd. I'd rather be out exploring the world and having fun than locked up in a hospital.

This is probably a far more common outcome than most pre-meds would like to admit. Sure, medicine is rewarding, perhaps significantly more so than the majority of other professions, but at the end of the day it's a job. Save a few exceptions, everyone entering medical school in the US is aware of the relative financial security that awaits them, and thus has the luxury of saying that money isn't a significant driving force in their career choice.

If I stumbled into half a bill, I definitely wouldn't enter grad school right away (or potentially ever). If I came into the money late in medical school, I'd finish up and reevaluate before applying to residency.

As an aside, residency might be a less than favorable environment if your senior residents and attendings saw you roll up in a murcielago every day.

 

[NoMoreAMCAS]

Then what??? Rinse, repeat. I'd build the biggest chocolate mansion in the world, store it in the biggest fridge in the world, and eat it inside out. I'd make a paper airplane the size of a 747, launch it off mt everest with me on it, and then parachute off it midflight naked. I'd buy an African country and displace the leader, and insert my cousin as it's king and ultimate ruler.

If I could spend the rest of my life doing ridiculous things with my millions, I would.

So would I. Isn't there always another football season, I could just fly to all my favorite teams games. Aren't there always kick*** concerts going on, i'd just fly to all of them. There's so much to do, and it's always new. It's not like you go see a superbowl, then every game after that is the same. Things happen over and over and over, and you can spend your whole life just having fun. Or at least I could.

 

[orthomyxo]

Maybe. If anything, having millions of dollars would make me want to go even more since I would actually be able to pay for it, and if I screwed up, I'd still be set for life.

 

[Toadesque]

Maybe. If anything, having millions of dollars would make me want to go even more since I would actually be able to pay for it, and if I screwed up, I'd still be set for life.

This is my point. When you know that you have all that cash to fall back on it makes it extremely easy to just give up when you don't feel like studying. You'd have to be REALLY disciplined to force yourself to study as much as someone who doesn't have all that money because the guy without money is going to be busting his ass to do well because it's his ONLY option.

 

[vickpick]

You would have to spend $22,831 a day for 60 years. Not to mention all the interest you would make. If you invested "only" 400m @ a measly 3% you would still be making 8 million a year which is almost $22,000 a day.

exactly.. even if u have 24 hrs to spend it (i guess 8 hrs to sleep- so only 16) in a day, every day.. I dont think u will have NEED to spend that much everyday... and if 500 million doesnt suffice ur needs, y become a doctor..? being a doctor, u wont make anywhere near $22000 a day,lol

 

[FlowRate]

I would probably look into starting and funding clinics in rural/underserved/disadvantaged areas and work my way around each, helping out with the local population. I'd start some scholarship programs for kids from these communities. I couldn't just sit around and do nothing for the rest of my life.

As for how to spend that much money otherwise. I would have several extremely large houses built in key areas that I like to visit (near family, off of the california coastal highway, etc.) Probably build a couple of personal race tracks. Lots of cars and living stuff for friends+family. Community centers in places I've lived. Spending $500M isn't that hard when you think macroscale =P

 

[jvesco22]

would spend half the money on my 10 degree black belt in UFC. And then the other half on fleshlights.

Afterwards I'd go to med school and incur debt.

wait wut?

 

[c5212]

I would still go to medical school- and donate a new library to Hopkins just to ensure that there is a spot with my name on it. After residency, I would probably only work 4 days a week and only 9 or so months out of the year; just to keep the stress levels down 😀

Oh- And buy a stake in the Lakers and enjoy all of LA's beautiful ladies 😎

 

[medat101]

Interestingly, I actually know a few people who are set to inherit serious amounts of money and are still doing the med school thing. Believe it or not, they aren't becoming doctors for the money. 🙂

 

[zetabetazeta]

I think it would be boring to have so much free time and not work at all. I would still work hard and try to get into medical school. But after I become a doctor, I would try to enjoy my life as well..😀

 

[StormingWynn]

If I had $500,000,000, I would still go to Med School. I'd donate couple million to Harvard so they'd accept me. 🙄 And I'd donate half of those 500 to charity. Wait, no! I would create my own charity and help/save some poor people. I would then invest the other half and the profits I made, I would contribute to my charity. But, I would still go to Medical School or get some Ph.D. or something. I love academics and I love learning. 😎

 

[FloatOn]

I would still want to go to med school and be a doctor. I'll just be a high roller doing it.

 

[NoMoreAMCAS]

You guys are ALL awesome. I'm seriously happy you are all going into medicine. To want to bust your *** studying and working when you could be anywhere in the world, exploring anything, going to the biggest events, driving bad*** cars and bad*** boats, partying everywhere, is just awesome. You guys would rather be helping build a hospital or clinic for the under-served in a 3rd world country. Or you'd rather be in hodunk, alabama treating the disadvantaged and funding their care. You're all saints.

 

[Mopp22]

seems like the majority would still go. interesting.

Yes, I would still go with my original plans without financial burden. This question weeds out and gets to people's real motivations.

 

[Slack3r]

I'd still go, but I wouldn't pursue residency or practice. I'd buy mansions in LA, NY, Paris, and maybe Miami. Then I'd fly my friends all over the world partying and seeing it all. Wouldn't work a day in my life. Set up a scholarship fund to send kids to med school, too. Damn, that'd be nice.

 

[justinbaily]

You guys are ALL awesome. I'm seriously happy you are all going into medicine. To want to bust your *** studying and working when you could be anywhere in the world, exploring anything, going to the biggest events, driving bad*** cars and bad*** boats, partying everywhere, is just awesome. You guys would rather be helping build a hospital or clinic for the under-served in a 3rd world country. Or you'd rather be in hodunk, alabama treating the disadvantaged and funding their care. You're all saints.

Different people like different things. I was a very unhappy person before I stumbled into medicine. I would try to enjoy myself with things that were ultimately unsatisfying, and I found myself wondering what the point of it all was. Since I stumbled into medicine, I find that I really enjoy studying and working because it focuses me. I also like that I am finally starting to live up to my potential. Where I want to be is in a library or in a hospital exploring human diseases and being useful to people.

Obviously I want to provide for my future children and live a comfortable life like everyone else, but it's not necessary to live that excessively. You should understand that a lot of people wouldn't like it.

 

[NoMoreAMCAS]

Yes, I would still go with my original plans without financial burden. This question weeds out and gets to people's real motivations.

No it doesn't. I'm going into medicine because I have to work, but I chose medicine for a reason. It's what interests me and gives me the chance to have the impact that i want to have, while still making a decent living. If i had all the money I ever needed, I could have an impact without going through all the BS of med school and residency.

 

[NoMoreAMCAS]

Different people like different things. I was a very unhappy person before I stumbled into medicine. I would try to enjoy myself with things that were ultimately unsatisfying, and I found myself wondering what the point of it all was. Since I stumbled into medicine, I find that I really enjoy studying and working because it focuses me. I also like that I am finally starting to live up to my potential. Where I want to be is in a library or in a hospital exploring human diseases and being useful to people.

Obviously I want to provide for my future children and live a comfortable life like everyone else, but it's not necessary to live that excessively. You should understand that a lot of people wouldn't like it.

Sweet, I wish more people that dont like large amounts of money would go ahead and give me what they have. You were filthy rich before you decided on medicine? Luuuuucky.

I have a lot of friends like you, they say they'd be unhappy without work. I happen to feel like work is just a way to hurry up and pass the time before death, I can't stand it. But to each his own.

I honestly believe about 80 or 90% of the people saying they'd still go to medical school, would drop out or fail out.

 

[J ROD]

I actually mentioned this in my interview...I would honestly still do it.

I want the knowledge and I love to be tested both mentally and physically.

 

[JeetKuneDo]

Well, I'd make Polarbear Enterprises and become the next batman in a city that needs my help, like Seattle, with all the crime that's been going on here.

 

[wanderer]

Sweet, I wish more people that dont like large amounts of money would go ahead and give me what they have. You were filthy rich before you decided on medicine? Luuuuucky.

I have a lot of friends like you, they say they'd be unhappy without work. I happen to feel like work is just a way to hurry up and pass the time before death, I can't stand it. But to each his own.

I honestly believe about 80 or 90% of the people saying they'd still go to medical school, would drop out or fail out.

👍
I'd want to work but I'd do something a lot more relaxed and less stressful than medicine (unless I could be a physician and work really short hours). There's a difference between working lightly to fill the time and to have the feeling of fulfillment, and working without a break for years (which if you'll be practicing in America, will usually be true). I wonder how the answers would differ if you asked physicians who have been working for several years already.

 

[saveourpens]

lol You guys are all insane, id drop med school like a rock. With 500 million dollars I can't see anyone actually deciding to slave away 4 years of their life.

 

[justinbaily]

I have a lot of friends like you, they say they'd be unhappy without work. I happen to feel like work is just a way to hurry up and pass the time before death, I can't stand it. But to each his own.

I feel the same way about what you were saying with cars, travel and parties. I would just feel like I was passing time before I died, but never getting anything out of it. I have friends who party all of the time and don't learn much. They enjoy it, but it isn't for me.

wanderer100--I agree that the answers would probably be different if you asked a group of practicing physicians. It's possible that a lot of us are idealistic because we haven't gone through the extreme work-hours and problems associated with actually practicing medicine. It seems like a lot of people are saying that they would donate a large chunk of the money and then work part time in a free clinic, though. I could see a lot of physicians that I know doing that.

 

[Isoprop]

i would drop medicine, buy stuff, and put everything else in some sort of investment that would pay out a 6-7 figure salary per year.

 

[TexasPrincess]

Yeah, I would still go.

Now, that I am getting older, I definitely see the need to know more about the human body! (ok, j.k). With serious money, what else do you have to do with your time. Med school sounds like fun!

The first thing I would do is hire lots of people to do all my day to day tasks so I could catch up on my sleep. Then travel and stay in the nicest places. Then once I got all of that out of my system, I would start on multiplying my money and then doing major humanitarian projects.

🙂

suppose upon graduating college a distant relative dies and through strange circumstances leaves YOU with 500 million dollars in cash. So now you are faced with the pleasant reality you are financially set for several life times. Would you still go to med school? If not, and these are the ones Id especially like to hear from, what else would you pursue? In my case, I'd try and be a rock star and go to those silly American Idol things were people line up in the streets. 🙂

 

[FlowRate]

You guys are ALL awesome. I'm seriously happy you are all going into medicine. To want to bust your *** studying and working when you could be anywhere in the world, exploring anything, going to the biggest events, driving bad*** cars and bad*** boats, partying everywhere, is just awesome. You guys would rather be helping build a hospital or clinic for the under-served in a 3rd world country. Or you'd rather be in hodunk, alabama treating the disadvantaged and funding their care. You're all saints.

One does not preclude the other.

 

[Isoprop]

um, i completely missed the memo that said med school was fun. i thought it was a continuation of studying and asskissing while going into more debt.

 

[Narmerguy]

Probably get a PhD and start a nonprofit organization for the homeless.

 

[NoMoreAMCAS]

👍
I'd want to work but I'd do something a lot more relaxed and less stressful than medicine (unless I could be a physician and work really short hours). There's a difference between working lightly to fill the time and to have the feeling of fulfillment, and working without a break for years (which if you'll be practicing in America, will usually be true). I wonder how the answers would differ if you asked physicians who have been working for several years already.

I think they'd all quit, and maybe practice once in a while in some free clinic. But most are probably pretty burnt out on work.

 

[NoMoreAMCAS]

I feel the same way about what you were saying with cars, travel and parties. I would just feel like I was passing time before I died, but never getting anything out of it. I have friends who party all of the time and don't learn much. They enjoy it, but it isn't for me.

Yeah that's cool. Just different personalities. I personally couldn't just party all the time if I were just broke while doing it. But with that much money i feel i could go anywhere, learn anything, experience anything.....it would be too dam awesome.

 

[NoMoreAMCAS]

um, i completely missed the memo that said med school was fun. i thought it was a continuation of studying and asskissing while going into more debt.

Agreed, I'm sure it's not much fun.

 

[FluffyRabbit]

You know how they say that purchasing a lottery ticket makes no mathematical sense, and that the ticket is really worth much less than you pay for it (probability of winning*amount). Well, based on this thread I think it's actually worth MORE than what you pay. I mean, when the dream comes to the point where you worry not about GETTING the money but about LOSING it, you know you're having a really sweet dream.😴😴

Probabilistically speaking it's still a bad deal. Much in the same way it would be horrific if the sun exploded tomorrow, but that's extremely unlikely to happen. 🙂

 

[ApoK]

Honestly I would try to keep going with it but let's face it. When you have that much cash you just want to go blow it on everything, not sit in a room and study. It would be really hard to motivate yourself to do well knowing that you have unlimited fall back plans.

This isn't necessarily true. There's something to be said about intellectual stimulation. I wouldn't feel any pressure anymore though!

I'd still finish my degree and then start my own practice/invest in other startups. lol, that's what I'm gonna do anyway 😉

 

[ApoK]

Probabilistically speaking it's still a bad deal. Much in the same way it would be horrific if the sun exploded tomorrow, but that's extremely unlikely to happen. 🙂

Actually, when the jackpot reaches a certain size, it actually makes sense for people to purchase lottery tickets because the odds of winning stay fixed even though the jackpot can increase indefinitely. I think this was the case when there was a $300M jackpot a while ago. That's what a few of my economics professors said anyway. It's a matter of expected utility vs. risk. Plot them utility curves!

 

[bravofleet4]

i agree with what a lot of other people say.

I would still go to medical school and do my very best to get into the residency or specialty I want.

the money just makes things tremendously easier b/c you don't have to worry about all the little things and live in relative comfort. i would probably work fewer hours and have long vacations. i'd probably strongly consider just working for free at a clinic where i can help people and the hours are set. if it doesn't turn out the way I want it to be i can just quit.

THAT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU CAN QUIT ANYTIME!!! Let's face it the only reason we have apathetic doctors who decided halfway that medicine wasn't for them but still went through it was b/c they were too deep in loans.

 

[GH253]

I've always been somewhat split between medicine and exercise physiology, and one of the obvious pros of medicine is the much greater income. If I had 500 million dollars, that might tilt the scale more in favor of exercise physiology.