Not sure about medical school even though I can probably get into one

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
D

dnase

Full Member
10+ Year Member
Joined
Jul 26, 2009
Messages
73
Reaction score
0
Members don't see this ad.
As the title suggests, I've been having doubts about med school. It's not a matter of whether I can do it; I know that I'm capable (3.95, ivy, pubs, leadership and whatnot). But between the grueling training, my personality type (introverted, somewhat perfectionistic, tires around people quickly, cannot put on a "front" very well), the debt, headaches with insurance and malpractice / the heathcare system in general, and the fact that there are many factors out of a physician's control that affect his/her ability to help a patient.... I don't know if this is what I actually want to do. Eight years time and $200k+ is too bit an investment to make without careful consideration.

I don't want this thread to turn into "don't do medicine unless it's the only thing you can see yourself doing" that seems to be so common on this forum. (I don't think that people should do anything just because it's the "only thing" they can see themselves doing, and to leave it at that is too simplistic.) Does anybody have any advice to somebody in my position? My resume overall screams "premed" (or maybe biological sciences PhD-wannabe..) and I'm not sure where to go from here. It's a bit scary to not have a direction whereas most of my friends are still 100% certain they want to be doctors, or have been working in IB or comp-sci internships for the past two years. I don't know how transferable/marketable my skills would be in other settings.

Some other careers I'm interested in are research-related (although I understand that PhDs don't have much job stability and frankly, there are too many PhDs being produced nowadays). I was thinking of trying out pharmaceutical/industry research, possibly a PharmD/PhD dual degree (if anybody has more information on this, I'd appreciate it!). I also enjoy teaching. One of the main reasons why I'm not sure if I should forego applying to medical school altogether is because I can't really think of another career that has as much job stability as medicine may offer (apparently pharmaceutical research is a bad job market-- correct me if I am wrong). But I also completely understand that going for job stability and only job stability is a really, really bad reason to go into medicine.

Help!
 
Last edited:
dnase said:
As the title suggests, I've been having doubts about med school. It's not a matter of whether I can do it; I know that I'm capable (3.95, ivy, pubs, leadership and whatnot). But between the grueling training, my personality type (introverted, somewhat perfectionistic, tires around people quickly, cannot put on a "front" very well), the debt, headaches with insurance and malpractice / the heathcare system in general, and the fact that there are many factors out of a physician's control to help a patient.... I don't know if this is what I actually want to do. Eight years time and $200k+ is too bit an investment to make without careful consideration.

I don't want this thread to turn into "don't do medicine unless it's the only thing you can see yourself doing" that seems to be so common on this forum. (I don't think that people should do anything just because it's the "only thing" they can see themselves doing, and to leave it at that is too simplistic.) Does anybody have any advice to somebody in my position? My resume overall screams "premed" (or maybe biological sciences PhD-wannabe..) and I'm not sure where to go from here. It's a bit scary to not have a direction whereas most of my friends are still 100% certain they want to be doctors, or have been working in IB or comp-sci internships for the past two years. I don't know how transferable/marketable my skills would be in other settings.

Some other careers I'm interested in are research-related (although I understand that PhDs don't have much job stability and frankly, there are too many PhDs being produced nowadays). I was thinking of trying out pharmaceutical/industry research, possibly a PharmD/PhD dual degree (if anybody has more information on this, I'd appreciate it!). I also enjoy teaching. One of the main reasons why I'm not sure if I should forego applying to medical school altogether is because I can't really think of another career that has as much job stability as medicine may offer (apparently pharmaceutical research is a bad job market-- correct me if I am wrong). But I also completely understand that going for job stability and only job stability is a really, really bad reason to go into medicine.

Help!
Click to expand...

If your unsure of medicine, you should use your talents elsewhere- like in academia. If your not lying about ivy league and your excellent GPA you would probably be able to achieve great things in a science of your choice. I don't go to ivy but i attend a tier 1 school and most of the professors here are amazing to work with, they studied at the finest institutions, did amazing research and are actively contributing to the world by producing cutting edge research and educating us. Use your passion wisely, you only have a lifetime worth of it.
 
dnase said:
As the title suggests, I've been having doubts about med school. It's not a matter of whether I can do it; I know that I'm capable (3.95, ivy, pubs, leadership and whatnot). But between the grueling training, my personality type (introverted, somewhat perfectionistic, tires around people quickly, cannot put on a "front" very well), the debt, headaches with insurance and malpractice / the heathcare system in general, and the fact that there are many factors out of a physician's control to help a patient.... I don't know if this is what I actually want to do. Eight years time and $200k+ is too bit an investment to make without careful consideration.
Click to expand...

Have you tried shadowing a physician to see what he/she does consistently on a daily basis? Have you thought about MD/Ph.D? Sort of the best of both worlds if you're also somewhat interested in research etc.

And if you're having that many different reasons NOT to do something, from an outsider's perspective its a no-brainer, you don't want to do medicine. If you want job security, yet not enjoy what you're doing even the slightest bit, not worth it I think.
 
Yes, I've shadowed and volunteered in a clinical setting. Neurology seemed kinda interesting, and I was very impressed with the people skills the physicians had.
 
dnase said:
Yes, I've shadowed and volunteered in a clinical setting. Neurology seemed kinda interesting, and I was very impressed with the people skills the physicians had.
Click to expand...

Have you considered neuroradiology? The neuro aspect would be interesting and the radiology aspect could (potentially) limit direct contact with patients and 'the system' to a minimum.
 
dnase said:
Yes, I've shadowed and volunteered in a clinical setting. Neurology seemed kinda interesting, and I was very impressed with the people skills the physicians had.
Click to expand...

I've gotta be honest, I'm not sensing much of any interest in medicine from you. Think about this: two years of the most intense schooling you can imagine, think two semesters worth of material every eight weeks. Then, at the very least, five years of intense clinical training doing all those people skills things you love so much, being at the bottom rung of the ladder the whole time. If you don't love what you're doing you might be able to get through it, but you'll be miserable. Then, your prize for getting through it is more of the same, but with stability!

I know where you're coming from, not everyone who goes into medicine could not see themselves doing anything else. Hell, I could see myself doing a few other things and being happy, but the thought of doing medicine for the rest of your life has got to hit your heart somewhere to choose this path.

There are other jobs with stability, and someone with your background and smarts could do a lot of good and get far in academia or pharm. And I know you've heard it all before but I hope some simple truth will resonate for you in this: What you do for the rest of your life is about more than an inflated paycheck and a cool epithet. What do you wanna be when you grow up, a doctor, or happy?
 
BadHorse said:
I've gotta be honest, I'm not sensing much of any interest in medicine from you.
Click to expand...

Probably true. Although, I will admit that medicine does seem to be the best combination of teaching, science, research, and humanities. There are several doctors I know who I really, really admire, and if I knew that as a doctor I could do what they do now for their patients, I'd go into medicine for sure. But I'm not sure if it's because they're in another generation or what... 😕
 
I had a friend like this. He had all the numbers and activities but decided he just didn't have the passion for it. He ended up getting an advanced degree in biomedical engineering. He couldn't be happier and still has job security.
 
Looks like you might regret it later.
Start getting involved more in clinical volunteering/activities and see if you have a little heart in the little scope of a much larger profession.
If you really are having doubts, don't pursue further.
 
Just because you can, doesn't mean you should. Don't, if you're not interested. It's not worth it.

And the reason there are so many threads about "don't do medicine unless it's the only thing you can see yourself doing" is because it's true. People come into med school supercharged and become disillusioned and bitter through the grueling training process. Unless you know you love it or predict you likely will, don't bother. If you're having doubts now, you'll have even more in the future and you don't want to be $200k in the hole when you finally decide to do something else.

As an aside, I'm an MS4 and absolutely love the field. I think it's one of the most unique careers that intersects the arts, humanities, and sciences together in a wonderful way and am excited to start the next phase of my training. However I realize more than ever, especially seeing some of my classmates, that medicine is not for everyone and the sacrifices just aren't worth it for some.
 
Gambler 101 said:
I had a friend like this. He had all the numbers and activities but decided he just didn't have the passion for it. He ended up getting an advanced degree in biomedical engineering. He couldn't be happier and still has job security.
Click to expand...

That sounds like something that could really appeal to me; my major is essentially biomedical engineering as it is. I could see myself being happy working in the biotech industry, although I've heard that jobs aren't secure because of all the mergers and acquisitions.. What kind of advanced degree did he go for?

I could never go into finance or business. Just not my thing. I'd rather go into medicine than finance or business.

Thanks for all your helpful responses. Does anybody have more input?
 
Have you thought about basketball? Or you could join the band Hollywood Undead.
 
Agree with the consensus here above.

You could be burned out from college or just not really programmed for clinical medicine. Give yourself sometime and do something else for a while and see if the idea grows on you or gnaws away that you want to do it. Thats when you'll know. In choosing what you would do instead consider your day to day work- what will make you fulfilled as well as lifestyle factors- ie if you want to teach accept that your lifestyle financially wise will have its limits.

If your qualifications are as advertised you have the lattitude to revisit the idea and people will overlook a short gap. And gawdy stats/numbers in itself doesnt scream pre-med. Alot of kids with their heart in the right place that get in by the seat of their pants and go through MS1 and 2 with B's and C's shine on the wards and real world and become terrific clinicans. Alternatively, there are superqualified people who default to medical school because they think- what else should they do they're so smart- and they get disillusioned along the way when they are dissatisfied.
 
dnase said:
That sounds like something that could really appeal to me; my major is essentially biomedical engineering as it is. I could see myself being happy working in the biotech industry, although I've heard that jobs aren't secure because of all the mergers and acquisitions.. What kind of advanced degree did he go for?

I could never go into finance or business. Just not my thing. I'd rather go into medicine than finance or business.

Thanks for all your helpful responses. Does anybody have more input?
Click to expand...
He decided he would have more options and stability by getting a phd in biomedical engineering. He was definitely someone who could have gone to a top medical school, but he said he didn't want the responsibilities of the medical field. Obviously, he still is working on his phd but so far he seems happy with his decision.
 
I would suggest an MD/PHD. You can avoid debt, and focus your career on research and teaching which would seem to suit you.
 
searun said:
I would suggest an MD/PHD. You can avoid debt, and focus your career on research and teaching which would seem to suit you.
Click to expand...

Wouldn't a MD/PhD take too much time? Is the MD under a MD/PhD program different? (Why would I get a MD if I am not sure about going to medical school?)
 
MD/PhD is NOT going to fix the problems. If nothing else, it will compound them. The MD part was absolutely miserable for me, and I've decided to drop the program to get out of medicine. It's a headache. If your heart is not in it, medical school is not worth it. I wound up resenting everything and everyone around me and finding excuses to avoid what I was supposed to do.

Research can be a wonderful career, especially in consulting and industry. There's a lot of job stability, especially if you have some training in computers/statistics. Less time, less debt, just as much job security without any of the exhaustion or dealing with the medical field as a practitioner 🙂 PM me if you want to talk more 🙂
 
Most people that are capable of becoming physicians choose to do something else. Good people are needed in every career. We can't make the decision for you.
 
thesauce said:
Most people that are capable of becoming physicians choose to do something else. Good people are needed in every career. We can't make the decision for you.
Click to expand...

At least he brings a refreshing dose of humility to the table.
 
dnase said:
That sounds like something that could really appeal to me; my major is essentially biomedical engineering as it is. I could see myself being happy working in the biotech industry, although I've heard that jobs aren't secure because of all the mergers and acquisitions.. What kind of advanced degree did he go for?

I could never go into finance or business. Just not my thing. I'd rather go into medicine than finance or business.

Thanks for all your helpful responses. Does anybody have more input?
Click to expand...

My friends dad has a PhD in something biochem related and works in bio plastics now. He recently lost his job because the company he joined got rid of his branch of the company, but on the upside, he had another offer in about five days. May be try doing research in a field of your major?
 
Yeah, one of the things I'm afraid of is that the frequent mergers in biotech will be really stressful to deal with. Hm.
 
So I was about to apply this cycle and had started getting things ready for the committee letter. Now I'm thinking of dropping the whole thing. Maybe I should get a letter together just in case I change my mind...? Thoughts?

Also, cons of PhD: there are just too many these days...
 
Excuse me for saying, and I may be way off-base here, but I find it hard to believe that someone goes through the pre-med pre-reqs at an ivy with a 3.95 gpa , gets involved in research, leadership, and then suddenly has a change of heart. It takes an insane amount of motivation and drive to become a competitive applicant for med school, much less competitive at a top-5 school, much less an OUTSTANDING med school applicant at a top-5 school. I call bs.
 
how is it bs lol? he was probably just going with the flow the entire duration of college...now, in face of the reality that he HIMSELF must pay for med school and bear that grueling training despite not having his heart set on it, he is having second thoughts.
 
iggs99988 said:
Excuse me for saying, and I may be way off-base here, but I find it hard to believe that someone goes through the pre-med pre-reqs at an ivy with a 3.95 gpa , gets involved in research, leadership, and then suddenly has a change of heart. It takes an insane amount of motivation and drive to become a competitive applicant for med school, much less competitive at a top-5 school, much less an OUTSTANDING med school applicant at a top-5 school. I call bs.
Click to expand...

Many students will feel that they've made a mistake and some will even change their mind DURING medical school. You set your sights on a goal and, after many years, wake up and wonder what it was all about. The real thing is always different than we envisioned.
 
dnase said:
So I was about to apply this cycle and had started getting things ready for the committee letter. Now I'm thinking of dropping the whole thing. Maybe I should get a letter together just in case I change my mind...? Thoughts?

Also, cons of PhD: there are just too many these days...
Click to expand...
I think it depends on the phd we're talking about. Not all phds are built the same ie biology vs. biomedical engineering vs. Psychology vs english.
 
No, I'm really not bsing about my stats. And I wasn't even pre-med for my entire time during college or seriously pre-med, just always sort of considering it because everyone around me was. I just really enjoyed research and I ended up getting leadership positions for lots of things because I was very involved in teaching-related activities on campus. My main application weakness, if I were to apply, is that I haven't done much clinical volunteering, and I haven't been involved in anything "health"-related on my campus. I wouldn't say that I was just going through with the motions for most of my activities... although sure, I can freely admit that that was the case for my several clinical volunteer gigs.

Look, sometimes I think that lots of kids on campus are pre-med just because it is a relatively well-defined "track," and being a doctor is a career option they're aware of from ... maybe age four or so (how many kids grow up saying, "I want to be an I-Banker!"? They don't even know what that is...).

I'm not saying that there's necessarily a list of activities people need to check off for pre-med, but come on, taking the MCAT, having a set of prereqs, knowing that you have to demonstrate your commitment to medicine... those are all well-defined things that sort of echo the process of college admissions that students already know how to deal with. Plus, while a MD isn't a golden ticket to wealth, it certainly is a profession that will allow almost anybody to remain in the upper-middle class (which is where many medical school applicants come from in the first place). And the romantic notion of "helping people" certainly never hurts in further motivating applicants. I'm just finding now that the security of knowing I can achieve a, b, and c and probably land a spot in medical school doesn't really outweigh my concerns about having to compromise my role in taking care of the family I may one day decide to have, my ideals on what a decent work-life balance are, and the fact that I think I'd really dislike practicing medicine in the current state of this healthcare system.
 
dnase said:
No, I'm really not bsing about my stats. And I wasn't even pre-med for my entire time during college or seriously pre-med, just always sort of considering it because everyone around me was. I just really enjoyed research and I ended up getting leadership positions for lots of things because I was very involved in teaching-related activities on campus. My main application weakness, if I were to apply, is that I haven't done much clinical volunteering, and I haven't been involved in anything "health"-related on my campus. I wouldn't say that I was just going through with the motions for most of my activities... although sure, I can freely admit that that was the case for my several clinical volunteer gigs.

Look, sometimes I think that lots of kids on campus are pre-med just because it is a relatively well-defined "track," and being a doctor is a career option they're aware of from ... maybe age four or so (how many kids grow up saying, "I want to be an I-Banker!"? They don't even know what that is...).

I'm not saying that there's necessarily a list of activities people need to check off for pre-med, but come on, taking the MCAT, having a set of prereqs, knowing that you have to demonstrate your commitment to medicine... those are all well-defined things that sort of echo the process of college admissions that students already know how to deal with. Plus, while a MD isn't a golden ticket to wealth, it certainly is a profession that will allow almost anybody to remain in the upper-middle class (which is where many medical school applicants come from in the first place). And the romantic notion of "helping people" certainly never hurts in further motivating applicants. I'm just finding now that the security of knowing I can achieve a, b, and c and probably land a spot in medical school doesn't really outweigh my concerns about having to compromise my role in taking care of the family I may one day decide to have, my ideals on what a decent work-life balance are, and the fact that I think I'd really dislike practicing medicine in the current state of this healthcare system.
Click to expand...

Life isn't like the movies. Not everyone is destined for a career. Stop whining and just pick something.
 
i did academic research as an undergrad.
i did research for a biotech company out of undergrad.
i wanted to teach at the university level.
then i went to medical school...
 
A couple of suggestions:

1. If you're in a BME-ish major now and have all this research, don't you have many connections with grad students, postdocs, and professors that may be able to shed light on the BME PhD option? If you're concerned about having time for a family and a life, maybe seek out a female mentor that has children especially.

2. Have you considered taking 1-2 years off after college? Working full time in a lab would keep your options open and maybe give you some time to figure out who you are outside of school and what you want to do for a living. Maybe you could experience what working outside academia would be like since you expressed an interest there.
 
Yes, I'm also looking into taking a year or two off, perhaps working in research or whatever else. Or I suppose I could apply and defer a year (is that ever a good option over taking time off)? ... Will have to do some more research.
 
Have you thought about pathology, or an MD/PhD program? Possibly more researched based? My coworkers always describe this route as being more introverted... I for one would love to be a pathologist. I like the slight distance from patients. Or after medical school you always have the option of possibly teaching?

You have many options with your stats, if they are indeed true. Good luck to you!
 
nuance said:
Have you considered neuroradiology? The neuro aspect would be interesting and the radiology aspect could (potentially) limit direct contact with patients and 'the system' to a minimum.
Click to expand...
Don't go to med school because you want to be a neuroradiologist. Go to med school because you want to be a physician.
 
Hm, yes, I'm looking more into fields such as pathology and medical genetics. I hear that the job market is terrible for those fields, however.
 
The job market isn't static; it can change. 20-30 years from now MDs might be struggling to find jobs and make ends meet. Try to balance some practicality with your interests and go after your goals.

On medicine, an MD/PhD professor told me he didn't pursue residency because he found out that physicians are professional technicians and not real scientists. Another quit the MD altogether and finished his PhD. You can also read the story of Nobel Laureate Roderick Mackinnon who quit medicine altogether for a research career.

I know it's far easier to finish medical school, residency and go make six figures, but I am very passionate about laboratory science, research, and translational medicine. Therefore I'm pursuing the MD because I think it will give me perspective on what is clinically relevant. I probably could've done the same with a PhD but I want the option of treating patients, even if it's one day a week.

Be introspective and honest with yourself. Look at real life, assess your talents, motivations and interests, then make your decision.
 
Who cares about security if you hate your job? Find something you enjoy.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

G
Not sure about possibly damaging "unique pathway to medical school" prompt
Replies
2
Views
975
Mr.Smile12
Mr.Smile12
B
Not Sure If I'm Rushing Things
Replies
0
Views
286
BeGladNonTrad
B
S
Can LPR gratuated abroad get into medschool?
Replies
14
Views
813
AJS59
AJS59
I
BS/MD program forcing students into satellite campus - not sure what to do?
Replies
6
Views
1K
Med Ed
Med Ed
smc285
Chances of Getting Into a T20 Medical School
Replies
5
Views
3K
wysdoc
wysdoc
Top