- Joined
- Dec 13, 2011
- Messages
- 54
- Reaction score
- 4
I am seriously ONLY interested in Psychiatry. If psychiatry as field were to "end" tomorrow (or somehow cease to exist), i would quit "being premed" and try to become a clinical psychologist instead. i have absolutely no interest in any other medical specialty what so ever. I'm ok with this fact, but i get the feeling from reading SDN that premeds arent supposed to know what specialty they want & that those that say they do know are silly or naive. but psychiatry is quite a bit different from the other possible specialties & i know what my interests are and they have always been in mental health.
i also get the feeling from reading SDN that some people would perceive my lack of interest in being a "regular doctor" (read: not psychiatrist) as a good indication that i should become a psychologist instead of a psychiatrist. but to me, although psychologist would be my second choice, why settle (for my second choice)?
so what's the big deal? i understand going into premed/med school hell bent on entering one of the more competitive specialties can be problematic & disapointing if you dont score high enough on your tests & dont match, etc. but since psychiatry is not too competitive, has a shortage, & post residency hours/lifestyle are more flexible (than say surgery), i feel that those concerns dont so much apply to me.
ideally, i should shadow some psychiatrists to make sure i know what it's really like. but do psychiatrists really allow that? seems like too sensitive a field in terms of privacy, perceived (or real) stigma, HIPPA, etc to allow that...? so instead i read stuff & would accept suggestions on how to secure psych shadowing or recommendations of good books or resources to give insight on what its like to be a psychiatrist, etc.
by the way, a little about me: i am 36 & have been interested in mental health and in psychiatry since i was a young teenager & this interest has never wavered. my BA is in psychology & my work experience has been more social-worky in nature. quit my job to go premed full time (a la carte style) & have a 2yr old & want to try for a second child early next yr.
I also wonder how i am supposed to approach med school interviews, personal statements, secondary essays, etc. Am i supposed to act like i'm more open minded than i really am? i am open minded in the sense that i am not afraid of change. if some other specialty were to sweep me away & really catch my attention, i would certainly look into it as a possibility. i just dont really see that happening...
i also get the feeling from reading SDN that some people would perceive my lack of interest in being a "regular doctor" (read: not psychiatrist) as a good indication that i should become a psychologist instead of a psychiatrist. but to me, although psychologist would be my second choice, why settle (for my second choice)?
so what's the big deal? i understand going into premed/med school hell bent on entering one of the more competitive specialties can be problematic & disapointing if you dont score high enough on your tests & dont match, etc. but since psychiatry is not too competitive, has a shortage, & post residency hours/lifestyle are more flexible (than say surgery), i feel that those concerns dont so much apply to me.
ideally, i should shadow some psychiatrists to make sure i know what it's really like. but do psychiatrists really allow that? seems like too sensitive a field in terms of privacy, perceived (or real) stigma, HIPPA, etc to allow that...? so instead i read stuff & would accept suggestions on how to secure psych shadowing or recommendations of good books or resources to give insight on what its like to be a psychiatrist, etc.
by the way, a little about me: i am 36 & have been interested in mental health and in psychiatry since i was a young teenager & this interest has never wavered. my BA is in psychology & my work experience has been more social-worky in nature. quit my job to go premed full time (a la carte style) & have a 2yr old & want to try for a second child early next yr.
I also wonder how i am supposed to approach med school interviews, personal statements, secondary essays, etc. Am i supposed to act like i'm more open minded than i really am? i am open minded in the sense that i am not afraid of change. if some other specialty were to sweep me away & really catch my attention, i would certainly look into it as a possibility. i just dont really see that happening...