Medical School?

[shwang3]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

I am a college student in junior standing at Loyola University at Chicago. I have solid grades (3.81 GPA overall, 3.75 science), and I just received my EMT certification (hoping to find a part-time/volunteer position for the summer). I wanted to go to medical school until two years ago when I heard "horror stories" about being a MD, mostly from an economic and "having no life" standpoint, and I quickly found an "easier" alternative of pursuing to be a physician's assistant. I've gotten past my early hedonistic college years and I'm starting to regret my change of heart toward medical school. I'm wondering if anybody has had this dilemma before and what convinced you to fully commit, balls out, to medical school.

A small blurb on the rewards of your decision would help me tremendously. Thank you!

 

[DO4lifer]

its a self reflection thing. you sacrifice your life, giving up years just to train. eventually get out and make a difference.

i couldn't see myself doing anything else. the intensity of med school and residency is definitely not for the faint of heart...you have to REALLY REALLY want to do it in order to endure the suffering...

 

[Southpaw]

I am a college student in junior standing at Loyola University at Chicago. I have solid grades (3.81 GPA overall, 3.75 science), and I just received my EMT certification (hoping to find a part-time/volunteer position for the summer). I wanted to go to medical school until two years ago when I heard "horror stories" about being a MD, mostly from an economic and "having no life" standpoint, and I quickly found an "easier" alternative of pursuing to be a physician's assistant. I've gotten past my early hedonistic college years and I'm starting to regret my change of heart toward medical school. I'm wondering if anybody has had this dilemma before and what convinced you to fully commit, balls out, to medical school.

A small blurb on the rewards of your decision would help me tremendously. Thank you!

EMT work would be great for you. I did some prior to medical school and really enjoyed it. The PA vs. MD depends a great deal on you and what you want out of your career. Just a few things to think about:

• Do you enjoy the process of learning?
• Do you enjoy learning stuff that may not even be applicable to your career?
• Would it bother you to live without a decent income for 8-10 years after college?
• Do you like having the ultimate responsibility or would you rather follow orders?

There are a lot of other questions to answer, so those are just a few. I can tell you this, those who have chosen medicine after having a former career, are much happier and willing to stick it out than those who've gone straight through from college to med school.

What you should do is volunteer as an EMT, try to shadow a few physicians in various fields. Then do the same with PAs, shadow a few. After some time working with both you'll get a feel for what you want to spend your career doing. Best of luck.

 

[Southpaw]

I am a college student in junior standing at Loyola University at Chicago. I have solid grades (3.81 GPA overall, 3.75 science), and I just received my EMT certification (hoping to find a part-time/volunteer position for the summer). I wanted to go to medical school until two years ago when I heard "horror stories" about being a MD, mostly from an economic and "having no life" standpoint, and I quickly found an "easier" alternative of pursuing to be a physician's assistant. I've gotten past my early hedonistic college years and I'm starting to regret my change of heart toward medical school. I'm wondering if anybody has had this dilemma before and what convinced you to fully commit, balls out, to medical school.

A small blurb on the rewards of your decision would help me tremendously. Thank you!

Also, let me address your two concerns real quick. Economic and time constraints. From an economic standpoint, yes reimbursements have declined, but if you know that coming in and still choose medicine for the right reasons, you'll be less apt to harp negatively on that point.

As far as having no life, I was on SICU (surgery ICU) last week, and the attending trauma surgeon took the day off because he wanted to attend his daughter's induction to the beta club. Having a life is largely dependent on how much of a priority it is for you. If you want a family, kids, and have a strong desire to spend quality time with them, you will.

 

[shwang3]

Awesome. Thanks for all the input and advice.