Pre-thinking a big decision!

[crys20]

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Let me preface this by saying I am just now applying to schools for Fall '06 so this is really early...I'm thinking about a decision that I MAY have because I feel like if I waited til I had it to start considering it it would be a bit late. So here's the situation, tell me what you would do in a similar situation.

30 MCAT, 3.56 GPA (3.43 sci, though at the MDs). Fine ECS. OH resident. Applying to all OH state schools (Wright State, UCinci, MCO...these are schools I feel I am competitive at, Case and OSU seem a bit longer shots). Also DO schools. Significant other of 2+ years is at U of Ariz. My family is all in OH. What if I get an acceptance to one of those OH state schools, and AZCOM (which I feel I'm more than competitive at, just being honest here). Secondary info...I want to be a generalist, of course who the hell really knows when they're in undergrad, but I just feel strongly drawn toward FP, IM, or peds. Probably more important is that I KNOW I'd be happy in one of those fields, regardless of what else maybe caught my eye. I will never be a surgeon, and I feel no interest in gas, rads, etc. I have seen a bit of medicine in the typical undergrad ways (like shadowing, knowing people, etc) so I feel like I'm at least a little informed.

So if you get the MD in OH and the AZCOM acceptance, what do you do? AZCOM means being with SO FINALLY (2 years apart so far) and taking that step in our relationship (but eek, I'm 21 years old! i feel young to be saying that). But I love AZ, the climate and the environment and I love the idea of AZCOM. The campus, the match list, even the rotations. Also could live in a nice, beautiful Biltmore area apartment (central between Phoenix for him and Glendale for me). Or you go OH...Get the MD for whatever that's worth (I don't think much for me), stay close to family (which will make my mom happy, but I feel like it's time for me to get my own life going in some ways), and live in cold OH where I've been my whole life. Also 4 more years being apart from the SO. If we stay together, I would get an AZ FP/IM/whatever allo residency anyway. From the match list, I know AZCOM can do that for me.

I just feel like there's alot to consider. DO/MD...Take a step with this guy or not...Leave family or not...Bigger loans (and wanting to do prim care) or smaller in-state ones...Etc.

I'm sorry for writing a book, and I know this all seems silly and premature. I know it is just as likely I get into NO MD schools, or not AZCOM and everything changes. Just trying to pre-think what I think is a possible outcome knowing what I know about med admissions (yeah, I know it's random 🙂). Any unique perspectives would be much appreciated. 🙂

 

[DrB]

Yes I think your worries are a bit premature. The problem may be even bigger than you think. You may have to choose between more than one school that you liked, you may get placed on a waitlist to a place you like, or some other terrible situation that I would hate to bring to light. I don't want to be "chicken Little" here, but your journey ahead will be littered with difficult decisions.

The only advice I can offer is to stick to the journey, work hard, take the road day by day. It does you no good to worry about things you have no control over yet. You may only make yourself sick. Take comfort in the fact that when the time comes to make your difficult decisions, you will, hopefully, look at all your options and make the best choice.

-Best of Luck

 

[kota315]

Wow.....You are quite the worry bug.....Take solice in the fact that you have several months to sort out your thoughts....If this SO is Mr. Right, he will support you in your decisions. I understand your desire to spread your wings....I encourage this behavior....your only young once! Good luck with your future decisions.....

M-

LECOM-B c/o 09'

 

[Buckeye(OH)]

Im sorta kinda in that same situation right now (sans the relationship). Im an OH resident, I have an acceptance at OUCOM and CCOM (the only two I applied too) and I am waitlisted at Penn State. I talked to a couple people that were in the OUCOM/CCOM boat (current students) because I was so concerned about the extra debt. I kept saying, oh, well I can be miserable (at OUCOM) for four years to save 60k and I will just enjoy my life after that. THe people that I spoke to (from OH that chose CCOM over OUCOM) said, hey, you cant keep putting off living. Go where you will get the most exposure and were you feel you fit best. For me, that's CCOM.

With that said, if Penn State unwaitlists me, that's really gonna throw a wrench in my plans. Additionally, I have no desire to go into peds/FP, rather surgery/EM or hem/onc.

Honestly, if you arent sure about the guy, Id stay in this state. Going into FP and having an overwhelmingly large debt may not be the best idea. Additionally, what happens if you go to AZCOM and you break up? Then you have to see that person even though hes whatever grade your senior. Wouldnt you rather be close to family/friends in that situation?

 

[dr.z]

I think you'll be competitive at most schools with your numbers. I would goto the cheapest one possible since I prefer that I don't have much debt. I suggest that you apply to those schools and take a good look at them when you interview. It's not too late to decide once you have your acceptances.

 

[Tonloc08]

Let me preface this by saying I am just now applying to schools for Fall '06 so this is really early...I'm thinking about a decision that I MAY have because I feel like if I waited til I had it to start considering it it would be a bit late. So here's the situation, tell me what you would do in a similar situation.

30 MCAT, 3.56 GPA (3.43 sci, though at the MDs). Fine ECS. OH resident. Applying to all OH state schools (Wright State, UCinci, MCO...these are schools I feel I am competitive at, Case and OSU seem a bit longer shots). Also DO schools. Significant other of 2+ years is at U of Ariz. My family is all in OH. What if I get an acceptance to one of those OH state schools, and AZCOM (which I feel I'm more than competitive at, just being honest here). Secondary info...I want to be a generalist, of course who the hell really knows when they're in undergrad, but I just feel strongly drawn toward FP, IM, or peds. Probably more important is that I KNOW I'd be happy in one of those fields, regardless of what else maybe caught my eye. I will never be a surgeon, and I feel no interest in gas, rads, etc. I have seen a bit of medicine in the typical undergrad ways (like shadowing, knowing people, etc) so I feel like I'm at least a little informed.

So if you get the MD in OH and the AZCOM acceptance, what do you do? AZCOM means being with SO FINALLY (2 years apart so far) and taking that step in our relationship (but eek, I'm 21 years old! i feel young to be saying that). But I love AZ, the climate and the environment and I love the idea of AZCOM. The campus, the match list, even the rotations. Also could live in a nice, beautiful Biltmore area apartment (central between Phoenix for him and Glendale for me). Or you go OH...Get the MD for whatever that's worth (I don't think much for me), stay close to family (which will make my mom happy, but I feel like it's time for me to get my own life going in some ways), and live in cold OH where I've been my whole life. Also 4 more years being apart from the SO. If we stay together, I would get an AZ FP/IM/whatever allo residency anyway. From the match list, I know AZCOM can do that for me.

I just feel like there's alot to consider. DO/MD...Take a step with this guy or not...Leave family or not...Bigger loans (and wanting to do prim care) or smaller in-state ones...Etc.

I'm sorry for writing a book, and I know this all seems silly and premature. I know it is just as likely I get into NO MD schools, or not AZCOM and everything changes. Just trying to pre-think what I think is a possible outcome knowing what I know about med admissions (yeah, I know it's random 🙂). Any unique perspectives would be much appreciated. 🙂

You need to do what you think would make you the happiest. You need to think about where you would be the happiest with or without your SO. You'll find that you won't have a lot of free time so when you do you should choose a place that best suits your needs. I admire you for putting your career first, and good luck with your future!

 

[macman]

1. Only go DO if you are attracted to the philosophy and have a existing interest/at least open mind regarding OMM/OPP/OMT.

2. Pick a school based on your research and then on how you feel on interview day, and the students you meet. Does it feel like a good fit?

3. Family and relationships are important factors but they are not worth being at a school you dislike. You will probably end up holding it against them.

4. Good luck (and go to DMU-we are halfway between OH and AZ) 😛

 

[Boxer1]

You need to do what you think would make you the happiest. You need to think about where you would be the happiest with or without your SO. You'll find that you won't have a lot of free time so when you do you should choose a place that best suits your needs. I admire you for putting your career first, and good luck with your future!

I agree that you need to do what makes you happiest. I also agree that you should make your career a high priority. Just don't make it your top priority to the exclusion of everything else that's important to you.

Take what other people say with a grain of salt. Your priorities may be different from theirs. Decide what your priorities are and use them to make your decision.

Also, wait until you have acceptances in-hand to put too much time into deciding. I thought I had my school all picked out a year before I applied. Then, when I had been accepted there and a few other places, some things changed and I picked another school. I chose a school that fit my priorities, and I'm very happy I did.
Good luck

 

[JMC_MarineCorps]

I just feel like there's alot to consider. DO/MD...Take a step with this guy or not...Leave family or not...Bigger loans (and wanting to do prim care) or smaller in-state ones...Etc.

You go with the in-state MD and the in-state tuition that follows. PERIOD.

I don't even think I really need to explain. You are competitive for your OH programs. Being separated sucks, I feel you on that one, but you have your family close by and for females, this is important since you are more prone to rely on a 'support' group.