Is becoming a doctor impossible??

[jscarbrough]

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Some days I really feel that way. I am 26 and just starting out. I look down this long road and wonder if I can really do this. Do you guys have any advice for me? The hardest thing for me about this is, there are no small goals along the way. I never feel like I have achieved anything. Do any of you feel the same way? If so what do you do to keep your head up?

 

[DieselPetrolGrl]

psssst i dont keep my head up..pre med courses are like tidal waves and now that my gills are growing in i am finally able to somewhat-survive. please dont tell anyone how getting into med school has mutated me. thanks.

ps:u should eat more chocolate, when ever the thought of applying to med school fustrates and overwhelms me i OD on candy then remark how pretty the wrappers are...littering my floor..ahhh disorder....how am i supposed to find my PS in this mess..pretty colours...

 

[lisa13579]

Not to sound cheesy, but you can do anything if you really want to and try hard enough. It would be tough if you weren't really sure this is what you what. I'm also 26 and am applying for next fall. I took my pre-req's as a post-bac student while working and payed for it myself. I felt much more motivated than a lot of the other students in my classes cause I was taking them with one goal in mind, to get into medical school. No room for doubt when you are living in Chicago, paying rent, paying for classes, working and trying to do WONDERFUL in your classess. It's definitely not the easiest career change to make, but just keep working at it if you really want it! Just going back to school is acheiving something!!!!

 

[Pre-Dent-David]

Small goals: Ace Sci Classes, Good Semester GPA.

 

[Enkindu]

Three years ago I decided to apply to med school at age 32. Two years of post-bacc work, training and working as an EMT, and intense MCAT preparation... then endless hours with AMCAS, getting recs, secondaries, interviews... it does seem to go on forever. I remember telling a friend of mine that the entire process is designed to weed out anyone who has the slightest doubt about becoming a physician... it is an endurance test to see how many hoops you will jump through before you say "screw it" and quit. Adding to the stress for older applicants is the fact that you are probably giving up a career and a substantial part of your income for an acceptance letter that you might not get.. I know how you feel. All that being said, I think the process was 100% worthwhile. I was lucky enough to get into a US allopathic school.. but that was at the end of a long process. During the "dark days" of uncertainty I always told myself that even if I didn't get in to a school, I would know that I had given it my best shot. I can't imagine going through the rest of my life wondering what would happen if I hadn't at least tried.

As a non-trad student shooting for med school, you are definitely on a quest. Strap on your armor and try to kick as much a$$ as possible. However things turn out, I assure you journey alone will enrich your life.

 

[jscarbrough]

Enkindu- Thank you for that post, I know for a fact that if I do not give this process my best shot it will be something that will bother me for the rest of my life. It just feels like taking 10 steps backward for the next 10 years. I know in the end is going to be worth it, but the road is just a little bumpy.

 

[blhyqwy]

jscarbrough, you should hop on over to http://www.oldpremeds.org/invboard/index.php. Many non-trads there are in all phases of the journey that we are now embarking upon.

Personally, I feel you on the "10 steps backward for the next 10 years". I'm 30 myself and will apply in 2 years. The question I ask myself is in 10 years will it be worth the sacrifice? The answer most days (honestly) is yes. Just take it one step at time and don't think about all the hoops in one sitting. Make the commitment, like I did to do whatever_it_ takes and the end will justify the means (so I'm told).

Good luck,

 

[blhyqwy]

http://www.oldpremeds.org/invboard/index.php

The dot at the end throws you off on prior link...sorry

 

[ice_23]

First, Dieselgirl, you have some of the weirdest ps's...but they're cool🙂🙂

Second, to the OP, I've always considered becoming a doctor like several small steps. First there is each premed class, then studying for the MCAT, then each application that I have to send out, and if I make it to med school (godwilling) then it is each class and year. I look at it as a journey, and if I make it through, i'll have that much more character and toughness. That's what keeps my head up, and you should keep yours up too, becoming a doctor is the light at the end of the tunnel! 🙂

-Ice

 

[Irene Adler]

I'm 30, and I just submitted my AMCAS application last week. It took me six years to get all the prerequisites, in which time I had to go to grad school to get a teaching license so I could get a job that would pay well enough to cover pre-req classes. Then I had to take the pre-req's, one at a time (because I couldn't afford to do it any faster than that) and only at night because I teach all day. And they are all community college classes because the state school is twice as expensive. And time for volunteer work? No way. Meanwhile, both of my sisters have married and own houses and nice cars, and are further along in their careers, more stable financially, and have families.

Sometimes, I remind myself that I'm going through all this because the alternative (any other job) for the rest of my life is too horrible to contemplate.

And older pre-meds should bear in mind; my mother entered medical school at the age of 42. You'all are just youngsters.

Enkindu: what school are you attending?

jscarbrough: keep the faith.

I tend to think of it as a hobby (or an obsession). Some people take up knitting or dance lessons. I work on applying to medical school. And the only person who can make me quit is me.

 

[blhyqwy]

I'm 30, and I just submitted my AMCAS application last week. It took me six years to get all the prerequisites, in which time I had to go to grad school to get a teaching license so I could get a job that would pay well enough to cover pre-req classes. Then I had to take the pre-req's, one at a time (because I couldn't afford to do it any faster than that) and only at night because I teach all day. And they are all community college classes because the state school is twice as expensive. And time for volunteer work? No way. Meanwhile, both of my sisters have married and own houses and nice cars, and are further along in their careers, more stable financially, and have families.

Irene, damn fine piece you wrote there! I got hairs standing on the back of my neck now, thanks to your post😀 . You are a classic example of what will and persistence can accomplish. I have no doubt that you will get in one day. Good luck and thanks for the post

 

[Irene Adler]

I got hairs standing on the back of my neck now, thanks to your post

Gee, I don't usually give folks the heebie jeebies. 😀

Thanks for your support. It means a lot to me.

 

[LipGloss]

I met a guy at the bar last week. he said he was a cardiology fellow. he was cute but seemed pretty dumb to me. he had like 9 beers and tried 2 take me home. NOT
told him that much alcohol was bad for his penis, and he ought to know that
DUH! what kind of a doctor doesn't know that!
so i think anybody can become a doctor, based on some of the dumb guys i've met

 

[voltron77]

I am also 26 and a re-applicant and strongly believe that you can be a doctor. It is a lot of hard work and requires strong determination, faith and patience. Just stay focused on the long term goal at hand and take it day by day. It can be tiring and frustrating at times but remember that things do get better and that you will be a physician someday. I hope that you realize this and have some good support system to lean on during this application cycle because it can get to you at times. That's ok because everyone has their bad days or times.....it goes away and in time, you will see that. My advice: work hard and believe in yourself......you will get into medical school and become a doctor.....case closed.....no more negative talk....work on those secondaries and get some time to relax and have fun along the way......Best of luck!!!!!!
Time to get some shut eye for me. Good night everyone!!!😴 😴 😴

 

[OrthoFixation]

I feel your pain too. I've taken 15 hours of post bacc prereqs in the last year, 36 yrs old, MCAT in 9 days, then I will enter next fall. 41 when I graduate, then 5 yrs residency.

Is it worth it? I truly believe it will be. I can give you perspective on the path I was headed down. After working my way up the corporate ladder, made our company more successful, made good $$ for myself and my leadership team. Then the owner decided to take his profits and sold the company since we had grown it so much. It forced me to look back at the 10+ years and evaluate the next 10.

What I found is that financial success without a deeper meaning is not true success. I want to leave a mark, make an impact in the lives of others. Of course, we all want to be paid well, but I found myself lacking personal career satisfaction. Who had I helped? Who was grateful? Only my inner circle had truly benefitted from our 70 hour weeks and then only in a financial aspect.

The precision and complexity of the human body continually amazes me and keeps me going. It is sooo fun and stimulating to learn about all the systems and interactions. It is like one great big puzzle to solve, but you keep finding new pieces. The ability to provide solutions and make a lifelong impact in others lives. That is gratifying.

Enough for me to go down this 10 year road. As you get older, you will find each year going by faster and faster. It never ends, or so my 80 year old grandmother says. In 10 years, the only guarantee is that 10 years has passed. Do what you love. Work hard but stop and smell the roses along the path b/c life's too short.

 

[jscarbrough]

Orthofixation-- I am trying to take one day at a time right now...."What I found is that financial success without a deeper meaning is not true success" This is the comment that will fuel me today. Thank you.

 

[Enkindu]

Originally posted by Irene Adler
Enkindu: what school are you attending?

Your question reminds me of something else I meant to put in my first post...

I had a lousy undergrad GPA, kicked butt in 30 hrs. of post-bacc upper division classes, and did very well on the MCAT (after studying like an obsessed lunatic for months). I had no idea how adcoms would look at my app, so I applied to schools all over the "ranking spectrum" and got interviews at Tulane, MCV, UVA, and EVMS. I ended up waitlisted at Tulane, and got into EVMS and UVA. I withdrew pre-interview from MCV after my first acceptance (I've worked in Richmond and I would only go to school there as a last resort. I think MCV's a great school but the location's not my favorite.) I'm starting at EVMS in 10 days.

Three things I learned from the app/interview process:

1) Apply to lots of schools, even a few you don't think you'll get into. You never know when your app might strike a chord with a key admissions person. I have a gut feeling after going through the process that some adcoms may be willing to "look beyond the numbers" a bit more with older applicants. People often get interviews they don't expect, and people often "get the shaft" from their "safety schools." I applied to 12 schools- I think that was about right for me. I think more than that might dilute your available time and effort for secondaries (which will become an issue, believe me), and the cost of going to each interview adds up quick. Of course, if you have the time and money, every app you complete improves the odds.

2) When you go to interviews find out as much about the school as you can! This is your best chance to determine how well you "fit" with the school. I saw so many people (myself included) that were so freaking stressed on interview day that they never took the time to "interview" the school. This is really important because:

3) Deciding between multiple offers of admission may be the hardest part of the entire process (it was for me!). If you want a few laughs, search some of my older posts about UVA vs. EVMS. I must have asked the poor folks here on SDN 10 times to help me decide between the two. In a nutshell, I was really honored by the offer of admission by UVA (they have a great ranking, do impressive research, etc.) but in the end I knew I'd be happier at EVMS (ranking unknown, but populated by enthusiastic, altruistic students in an area that I love). Throw into the mix that my fianc? and I both were undergrad at UVA and she really wanted to go back and she really thought I might be an idiot for turning down a "ranked" school.... well, you can imagine the only conversation we had for about 4 months.

The point of all of this rambling: don't be so blinded by the drive for acceptance letter that you don't take the time to evaluate the schools along the way. They are under review during this process too!

Whew! How's that for a $20 answer to a 5 cent question?

 

[steve007]

predent david had the best advice. take it class by class. don't think about the big picture unless you're getting depressed, then use it as inspiration.

ps. i started this when i was 24, i'm now 26, have a 3.97 sci. gpa and got a 34 on the april mcat. i'm going through the app cycle now, so i can't say for sure that i've succeeded in achieving anything, but i know i've done as much as i could. at this point, i'll fill out all my 2ndaries, but it's pretty much out of my hands. good luck, you can do it.

 

[jenni4476]

jscarbrough-I'm 27 and just starting out too. I had two years of college in accounting but I have to start all over as a "freshman" since most of those classes will no longer count towards my degree. Married w/2 kids, DH is returning to school full-time at night also (we'll be insane in three weeks....but I digress)

I left a decent career in tax accounting b/c I was just fed up with it. No heart, no real interaction with people except "how much money can you save me?" Crazy hours (90-100 per week during tax seasons, with no reward for me other than financial success. Like OrthoFixation, I realized this was the farthest thing from true success for me, so I quit on April 15, 2002 and spent a year researching different careers trying to decide what I wanted to do. I'd always wanted to be a doctor, but having kids got in the way of doing it when I was younger (along with a lot of other things, but I won't get into that here). Yet that was what I kept thinking about and coming back to...

I went through the same thing wondering about goals and how I was going to do this and worrying whether I was too old or a zillion other things. Then I finally realized that all I was doing was creating excuses not to go for it. Finding OldPreMeds, MomMd, and SDN certainly helped and I learned a lot.

So I called up my old college, went in to talk to my old advisor who referred me to the premed advisor, signed up for a summer class in Intro Psych just to test the waters, got an A and my confidence back, and decided, like you, that if I don't at least try my best I'll always regret it. So here I go...starting back this fall.

I don't know if you have a family yet so some of this may not apply, but my current goals are as follows:

For the rest of the summer-get my house and life and kids organized so things will go smoothly when we all start school. Also get our finances straight so our kids won't have to suffer-DH and I will eat ramens and mac-n-cheese if we have to but I don't want to make my kids do that-they will still come first.

For this semester-do as well as possible in each class. I purposely arranged my schedule to leave plenty of time for studying during the day while the kids are in school so I can spend plenty of time with them at night being that their dad will be gone four nights a week and studying on weekends.

And I'm not really looking beyond that at this point. Yeah, it's a long difficult process, but if you break it down into very small goals and focus on them it becomes quite manageable.

Good luck to you and take one day at a time😀

 

[lisa13579]

True, true, and true!

 

[jscarbrough]

jenni4476 - Thank you for that post, yes I do have 2 daughters so a lot of that did apply. I am in the "get everything ready" phase just like you. I start back to school here in a few weeks.

I have to start setting small goals rather than just focusing on the end objective. Thanks again for your post. Reading all of these posts have really helped me "chill out" and just work my hardest.

T'Pol - Thank you for that as well. I have to remember numbers and grades are important but so much more goes into the selection process.

 

[Febrifuge]

Originally posted by Irene Adler
...I tend to think of it as a hobby (or an obsession). Some people take up knitting or dance lessons. I work on applying to medical school. And the only person who can make me quit is me.

Irene, I had posted a reply to this thread, but my firewall ate it. And that's okay, because you said it all, and better. You're quickly becoming like my SDN long-lost twin or something.

 

[Irene Adler]

Febrifuge--well, shucks, twin. Join me some time on the JAAC thread--I'm there at least once a day.

Ooof--gotta figure out how to ask my profs for letters of recommendation--"Um, would you be willing to write me a letter of recommendation to medical school? And could you make 13 copies? thanks."

 

[DrSal]

Wow. You guys are so inspiring. Here i am, planning to apply next year. Have my entire life ahead of me, all the time in the world devoted to being a full-time student and nothing else. My parents are wonderful, they take care of me and do their best to make sure that i'm comfortable. I'm a bio major at an avg school. Yet i STILL can't manage to get 4.0 or really truly be satisfied with myself. I graduated HS early, so i'm a year ahead.

I think my problem is lacking "real life" experiences. i'm not choosing to do medicine b/c i got fed up with a lousy or unfulfilling career. For me i'm still in school, will be in school, was in school. So i think it's becoming a blurr. Taking a year or so off and just experiencing life would be great, but i couldn't risk not going according to the schedule.

I always find non-traditional students to be so full of ambition, it keeps me going.

 

[DrSal]

Originally posted by Enkindu


I had a lousy undergrad GPA, kicked butt in 30 hrs. of post-bacc upper division classes, and did very well on the MCAT (after studying like an obsessed lunatic for months).

Enkindu, yea, i think i read somewhere on SDN that you got like a 38 or something? How'd you do that? How early did you start? What did you use? Man, that's dedication!

 

[Enkindu]

Originally posted by Irene Adler
Ooof--gotta figure out how to ask my profs for letters of recommendation--"Um, would you be willing to write me a letter of recommendation to medical school? And could you make 13 copies? thanks."

Check out this web based LOR service:www.interfolio.com

I used them for grad school recs and they seem to have their act together. It's tough enough asking a prof for one letter! Good luck all.

 

[jscarbrough]

Thanks for all of your help guys. This has really helped my outlook on things.

 

[sunflower79]

WOW. I just wanna say I admire you non-trads so much for your determination in spite of what you have to endure!!! 😱 If/when I am on the adcom this year I would definitely favor non-trads as a group over eager beaver pre-meds coming straight out of college.

I myself took 2 years off after an unsuccessful application, but that's nothing compared to what you all are going through! But I definitely agree with another poster about finding a support system during the app cycle or even before b/c it will be harsh. Secondaries every day, sometimes 3 or 4 come in the mail at once and it's overwhelming.

"The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step." Just one foot in front of the other baby. One midterm at a time. And when I didn't get the success I wanted, I always told myself, you can only redeem mistakes by learning from them. That would always keep me going (esp. since I was reapplying).

Best of luck!

sunflower 🙂

 

[Enkindu]

Originally posted by DrSal
Enkindu, yea, i think i read somewhere on SDN that you got like a 38 or something? How'd you do that? How early did you start? What did you use? Man, that's dedication!

Sorry- I just noticed your question! I used Kaplan- in my personal opinion their review materials and tests are great but their classes are a waste of time. I (re)took organic chem and did upper division bio shortly before the MCAT but I took general chemistry and physics in 1987-88.

I postponed taking the test (and applying) for a year because I didn't feel ready after my first round of preparation. Adding a year to the app process stinks when you're my age but the MCAT is a "high stakes evaluation" that should get a great deal of your energy and respect in. Everyone will have a different optimum prep schedule- find what works for you. Two bits of advice that I think might apply to everyone: Take lots of practice tests, and find a way to get your anxiety level as close to zero as possible on test day (fear is the mind killer). I spent an hour the morning of the test thinking about how I might go about go about opening my own tiki bar in the keys....

Good luck! Be bold and mighty forces will come to your aid.

 

[png-girl]

i wouldn't stress too much about the application process. i didn't really think it was all that bad. the worst part is how much money you have to fork over. i applied to 11 schools and i got secondaries from all of them, my problem was i was half way around the world and my mom had to mail them from my house to where i was living in papua new guinea. it took them about three weeks to get there, then i had to do them and mail them back, which took another three or four weeks to get back. so if i can do the app process a bagillion miles away anyone can do it. i promise.

i agree with everyone, that you need to look at this in baby steps and congratulate yourself when you do something well and have fun and live your life. whenever i tell someone i am going to be a doctor they always say, wow that's a lot of school. but one wise person said to me that if that is what i want than it's cool cause i'll be 30 someday anyway, why not be a doctor at that age. i thought that was really cool. so yeah, it'll be a few more years of school but if it is what i enjoy than i don't see how it could be bad. and i too really admire those of you who are starting this a little later in life then most of us. so good luck, and it really isn't as bad as it may feel. i promise 🙂