Life Decisions: Best Course of Action Between Now and Medical School?

[kenykj49]

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First post in a while, I'll try to keep it brief and to the point. I am graduating next semester from a school in Northern California; I will not be applying to medical schools until the next cycle in May. Like most college grads (especially now during COVID) the future seems quite uncertain. I am struggling to determine the best path forward for these next two years until I matriculate to med school, assuming I get in the first round.

Obviously, finances are my primary concern, I'm struggling to stay afloat where I am now. I also have to take into consideration the amount of money I am going to need to dish out for the app cycle. I am only working very limited hours right now while I study for the MCAT. As soon as I take the exam in August, I should be able to work full time while I finish up online classes for my last semester. As soon as the semester is over, I will happily work more than full time to pay living expenses, save up for the app cycle, and continue to build my application with EC's.

I have considered moving home to New York to live with my family. I would be able to live rent-free and save money. One drawback to this is that my family lives in a small rural town, I would have to drive 45 minutes every day to work in the nearest city. I'm assuming opportunities would also be limited, compared to larger metropolitan areas. Another drawback is that I absolutely loathe where my family lives, I would definitely be giving up some happiness. Another big benefit of moving to New York is that applying in-state in NY is better than CA. In summary, moving home seems like the most logical thing to do, but it would make me unhappy.

The free-spirit in me wants to either stay where I am now or move down to Southern California for a change of scenery. I would most likely be able to transfer with my current employer to a hospital somewhere down there; I am also a certified EMT and could look for EMT gigs. Obviously, this would be a really cool experience, but probably not the most logical.

When it comes down to it this decision is purely logos v. pathos. Should I make the logical, unfulfilling choice and move home until I get into med school or should I do what would make me happy, but possibly make things more difficult for myself? Any advice welcome!

 

[KnightDoc]

First post in a while, I'll try to keep it brief and to the point. I am graduating next semester from a school in Northern California; I will not be applying to medical schools until the next cycle in May. Like most college grads (especially now during COVID) the future seems quite uncertain. I am struggling to determine the best path forward for these next two years until I matriculate to med school, assuming I get in the first round.

Obviously, finances are my primary concern, I'm struggling to stay afloat where I am now. I also have to take into consideration the amount of money I am going to need to dish out for the app cycle. I am only working very limited hours right now while I study for the MCAT. As soon as I take the exam in August, I should be able to work full time while I finish up online classes for my last semester. As soon as the semester is over, I will happily work more than full time to pay living expenses, save up for the app cycle, and continue to build my application with EC's.

I have considered moving home to New York to live with my family. I would be able to live rent-free and save money. One drawback to this is that my family lives in a small rural town, I would have to drive 45 minutes every day to work in the nearest city. I'm assuming opportunities would also be limited, compared to larger metropolitan areas. Another drawback is that I absolutely loathe where my family lives, I would definitely be giving up some happiness. Another big benefit of moving to New York is that applying in-state in NY is better than CA. In summary, moving home seems like the most logical thing to do, but it would make me unhappy.

The free-spirit in me wants to either stay where I am now or move down to Southern California for a change of scenery. I would most likely be able to transfer with my current employer to a hospital somewhere down there; I am also a certified EMT and could look for EMT gigs. Obviously, this would be a really cool experience, but probably not the most logical.

When it comes down to it this decision is purely logos v. pathos. Should I make the logical, unfulfilling choice and move home until I get into med school or should I do what would make me happy, but possibly make things more difficult for myself? Any advice welcome!

This sounds like a decision you really need to make yourself. Why would you care what some strangers on the Internet think you should do? It sounds like your choice is to sacrifice happiness now for saving money and positioning yourself to have a more advantageous IS application next year, or not. Only you can decide how the cost/benefit equation shakes out for you!! Good luck!

 

[kenykj49]

This sounds like a decision you really need to make yourself. Why would you care what some strangers on the Internet think you should do? It sounds like your choice is to sacrifice happiness now for saving money and positioning yourself to have a more advantageous IS application next year, or not. Only you can decide how the cost/benefit equation shakes out for you!! Good luck!

You're right, when you put it like that you make it sound like an easy decision.

 

[DrStephennmnm]

This sounds like a decision you really need to make yourself. Why would you care what some strangers on the Internet think you should do?

Why do you always say this? He knows we are strangers. Strangers, especially on an anonymous site, often give objective advice as they are a neutral party. Ever thought of that? Have you never asked for advice on SDN?!?!?

 

[KnightDoc]

Why do you always say this? He knows we are strangers. Strangers, especially on an anonymous site, often give objective advice as they are a neutral party. Ever thought of that? Have you never asked for advice on SDN?!?!?

Because that's my unbiased, subjective opinion. I wasn't informing him that we were strangers. I was asking why it mattered what we thought about CA vs. NY, or saving money vs. not, since he doesn't know us and, more importantly, we don't know him.

Of course I ask questions here, but mostly to learn things about the process I don't know, and not so much whether I should value money and IS admission preferences more than personal happiness, where, to your point, by definition, there is no objective answer.

I have friends who got out of their house as soon as they could, and greatly struggle financially as a result, but they don't care because they just had to get out. I have other friends who put up with all kinds of crap at home because they don't want to have to worry about money. They all made the correct decision for them. What difference does it make what you, or I, "objectively" think they should be doing?

 

[DrStephennmnm]

Because that's my unbiased, subjective opinion. I wasn't informing him that we were strangers. I was asking why it mattered what we thought about CA vs. NY, or saving money vs. not, since he doesn't know us and, more importantly, we don't know him.

Of course I ask questions here, but mostly to learn things about the process I don't know, and not so much whether I should value money and IS admission preferences more than personal happiness, where, to your point, by definition, there is no objective answer.

I have friends who got out of their house as soon as they could, and greatly struggle financially as a result, but they don't care because they just had to get out. I have other friends who put up with all kinds of crap at home because they don't want to have to worry about money. They all made the correct decision for them. What difference does it make what you, or I, "objectively" think they should be doing?

Because we can offer our point of view which OP may not have originally considered. I'm sure OP isn't going to decide from what we say individually, but I'm sure it will provide him with some guidance on which way to go and what he can expect from each path.

 

[KnightDoc]

Because we can offer our point of view which OP may not have originally considered. I'm sure OP isn't going to decide from what we say individually, but I'm sure it will provide him with some guidance on which way to go and what he can expect from each path.

Don't waste your time with him. He literally argues with everyone, including members of the admission committee

Fair enough. If you don't mind my asking -- why are you taking the time to argue with me, the guy who "literally argues with everyone," over the validity of my opinion while failing to offer OP the benefit of your "guidance on which way to go and what he can expect from each path"?

Believe me, I am very flattered by the attention, but I'm not sure that I am worthy.

 

[DrStephennmnm]

Fair enough. If you don't mind my asking -- why are you taking the time to argue with me, the guy who "literally argues with everyone," over the validity of my opinion while failing to offer OP the benefit of your "guidance on which way to go and what he can expect from each path"?

Believe me, I am very flattered by the attention, but I'm not sure that I am worthy.

Because your posts don't make any sense to me whatsoever and it seems that you argue for arguments sake. Case in point your post now.

 

[lumya]

First post in a while, I'll try to keep it brief and to the point. I am graduating next semester from a school in Northern California; I will not be applying to medical schools until the next cycle in May. Like most college grads (especially now during COVID) the future seems quite uncertain. I am struggling to determine the best path forward for these next two years until I matriculate to med school, assuming I get in the first round.

Obviously, finances are my primary concern, I'm struggling to stay afloat where I am now. I also have to take into consideration the amount of money I am going to need to dish out for the app cycle. I am only working very limited hours right now while I study for the MCAT. As soon as I take the exam in August, I should be able to work full time while I finish up online classes for my last semester. As soon as the semester is over, I will happily work more than full time to pay living expenses, save up for the app cycle, and continue to build my application with EC's.

I have considered moving home to New York to live with my family. I would be able to live rent-free and save money. One drawback to this is that my family lives in a small rural town, I would have to drive 45 minutes every day to work in the nearest city. I'm assuming opportunities would also be limited, compared to larger metropolitan areas. Another drawback is that I absolutely loathe where my family lives, I would definitely be giving up some happiness. Another big benefit of moving to New York is that applying in-state in NY is better than CA. In summary, moving home seems like the most logical thing to do, but it would make me unhappy.

The free-spirit in me wants to either stay where I am now or move down to Southern California for a change of scenery. I would most likely be able to transfer with my current employer to a hospital somewhere down there; I am also a certified EMT and could look for EMT gigs. Obviously, this would be a really cool experience, but probably not the most logical.

When it comes down to it this decision is purely logos v. pathos. Should I make the logical, unfulfilling choice and move home until I get into med school or should I do what would make me happy, but possibly make things more difficult for myself? Any advice welcome!

Hey OP. I don't think your decisions are an either or choice. If I was in your position, I'd calculate whether or not it's feasible to support yourself with your income once you're done with the exam. EMT is a position that's transferable to different locations. If where you're living is too expensive but living in NY makes you unhappy, would you be open to moving to another state where the cost of living is lower and is more in-state friendly? I'm originally from Ohio so I have a soft spot for the midwest - there are lots of other states in the midwest like Missouri, Idaho, Kansas, Iowa, etc. that are also very in-state friendly (and there's always Texas...). Each state has it's own metropolitan areas and might give you an opportunity to explore mid-America. I've lived in places for jobs before that I've absolutely loathed and no matter how much you tell yourself it's the logical choice, it kinda gets to you. Finding a middle-ground is always an option.