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- Jul 12, 2007
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Howdy all! Let me give you a little background before getting to the question(s)/guidiance.
First of all, it will be at least two more years or so before I can dedicate myself to college, for now I'll have to do what I can online (eew, I know). This post is just so I can hash out a plan and see what I can do to prepare myself for the long hard road to becoming a Doctor.
Anyhoo, after I came out of high school I decided that the military was the way to go for me, so as soon as I turned 18 I shipped off to the Marines and went into the communications field. After four years of fun and excitment running around setting up tactical networks I got out intent on making the world my oyster. Unfortunetly life had other plans for me, right after I got out my grandfather fell ill and needed in-home care. Because he did not have enough money for a nurse and I was the only family member without something holding me down I packed all my worldly possessions and my fiance into my truck and headed up to Oregon.
After 10 months of full-time in home care for my grandfather, then hospice for both grandparents I got a job doing general computer geekery overseas for a nice little chunk of change.
So.....long story a little longer, this is my position (with fancy bullet points!):
1: I am intent and dedicated on becoming a Doctor, come hell or high water.
2: I have the support of frinds and family
3: I am aware and understand the challanges and hardships facing me and my loved ones.
4: I have some limited experience dealing with patient care "smelling patients" and the like.
Right now I am earning 6 figures in Afghanistan, but I just don't get the "warm and fuzzy" feeling installing networks that I get acually helping people. I have been considering going into the medical field for quite some time but I only recently stopped thinking about it and acually decided to do something about it. Yes, I would rather take a significant pay cut and go through 10 more years of expensive and difficult school than stay in an unsatifying (though lucrative) career field.
My current plan involves me staying overseas for about 2 more years. With that pay in savings, I can pay off my "big" bills (car,house, ect...) and undergrad, as well as a nice piece of med school. Here is the real question: What would be best for me in the time gap between now and then? Take some basic classes through an online college just to get through a few non-med prereq's so I can hit the ground running when I get to "real" college? Or should I just wait until I can go full time to a "brick and mortar" college?
Also, when I DO get to college, what would look better on my med school app: Getting certified and working part time as an EMT, Getting my CNA and working at the local hospital or just doing vollunteer work and shadowing?
Pretty much, I am a blank canvas as far as becoming a Doctor is concerned, I would just like to do as well as I can for myself and those I will eventually care for.
Thanks for reading all this, and for any advice Ya'll can give me.
First of all, it will be at least two more years or so before I can dedicate myself to college, for now I'll have to do what I can online (eew, I know). This post is just so I can hash out a plan and see what I can do to prepare myself for the long hard road to becoming a Doctor.
Anyhoo, after I came out of high school I decided that the military was the way to go for me, so as soon as I turned 18 I shipped off to the Marines and went into the communications field. After four years of fun and excitment running around setting up tactical networks I got out intent on making the world my oyster. Unfortunetly life had other plans for me, right after I got out my grandfather fell ill and needed in-home care. Because he did not have enough money for a nurse and I was the only family member without something holding me down I packed all my worldly possessions and my fiance into my truck and headed up to Oregon.
After 10 months of full-time in home care for my grandfather, then hospice for both grandparents I got a job doing general computer geekery overseas for a nice little chunk of change.
So.....long story a little longer, this is my position (with fancy bullet points!):
1: I am intent and dedicated on becoming a Doctor, come hell or high water.
2: I have the support of frinds and family
3: I am aware and understand the challanges and hardships facing me and my loved ones.
4: I have some limited experience dealing with patient care "smelling patients" and the like.
Right now I am earning 6 figures in Afghanistan, but I just don't get the "warm and fuzzy" feeling installing networks that I get acually helping people. I have been considering going into the medical field for quite some time but I only recently stopped thinking about it and acually decided to do something about it. Yes, I would rather take a significant pay cut and go through 10 more years of expensive and difficult school than stay in an unsatifying (though lucrative) career field.
My current plan involves me staying overseas for about 2 more years. With that pay in savings, I can pay off my "big" bills (car,house, ect...) and undergrad, as well as a nice piece of med school. Here is the real question: What would be best for me in the time gap between now and then? Take some basic classes through an online college just to get through a few non-med prereq's so I can hit the ground running when I get to "real" college? Or should I just wait until I can go full time to a "brick and mortar" college?
Also, when I DO get to college, what would look better on my med school app: Getting certified and working part time as an EMT, Getting my CNA and working at the local hospital or just doing vollunteer work and shadowing?
Pretty much, I am a blank canvas as far as becoming a Doctor is concerned, I would just like to do as well as I can for myself and those I will eventually care for.
Thanks for reading all this, and for any advice Ya'll can give me.
