Prob repeated many times but should I just give up on being a doctor?

[zzzopiclone9]

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Hey guys,

I'm a 29 year old male, currently working as a pharmacist in Canada for the last three years for a corporate pharmacy. I have been debating applying to medicine for the last couple years now...I was hoping to get everyone opinion on my current situation. To tell you about myself:

1. 29 year old male, no student loans/debt, single and no kids.
2. two degrees: 3 year degree in with bachelor of science in biology - GPA: 3.8, 4 year degree in pharmaceutical science/ pharmacy GPA:3.3
3. My annual income the last three years have been approximately been: $115 k (before taxes....)
4. I have volunteered for several groups in the past, but haven't done it the last couple years
5. I have approximate networth of 150 K.
6. Being a pharmacist is kinda bleh lol

What would you do in my situation? Pursuing medicine has always been in my mind, but I always wonder if its worth it at this point....

 

[IsleyOfTheNorth]

Why would you want to pursue medicine?

 

[subdermallight]

I’m 28 and just applying right now. You want to be a doctor, go be a doctor. Apply next cycle, get your mcat going, volunteer again. I don’t see a reason not to try if what’s you actually want. Maybe start volunteering at a clinic or shadowing and see how you like it.

3.3 gpa isn’t great but I’m sure there’s a way to make that look better, your undergrad is good

 

[Catalystik]

Hey guys,

I'm a 29 year old male, currently working as a pharmacist in Canada for the last three years for a corporate pharmacy. I have been debating applying to medicine for the last couple years now...I was hoping to get everyone opinion on my current situation. To tell you about myself:

1. 29 year old male, no student loans/debt, single and no kids.
2. two degrees: 3 year degree in with bachelor of science in biology - GPA: 3.8, 4 year degree in pharmaceutical science/ pharmacy GPA:3.3
3. My annual income the last three years have been approximately been: $115 k (before taxes....)
4. I have volunteered for several groups in the past, but haven't done it the last couple years
5. I have approximate networth of 150 K.
6. Being a pharmacist is kinda bleh lol

What would you do in my situation? Pursuing medicine has always been in my mind, but I always wonder if its worth it at this point....

In Canada isn't it possible to specialize in an area of pharmacy that's more interesting to you, like diabetic care, chemotherapy/home infusion, nutrition support, cardiac, compounding, nuclear, etc, like you can in the US? Perhaps pursuing a boarded specialty would appeal to your need for adventure.

 

[zzzopiclone9]

Why would you want to pursue medicine?

I would like to be a doctor because of its culture. When your a doctor their is a certain expectation and excellence that is needed. I personally also believe they provide a greater difference than a pharmacist such as following up on certain conditions etc. In addition the ability to have full automony as a healthcare provider is also nice.

 

[zzzopiclone9]

I’m 28 and just applying right now. You want to be a doctor, go be a doctor. Apply next cycle, get your mcat going, volunteer again. I don’t see a reason not to try if what’s you actually want. Maybe start volunteering at a clinic or shadowing and see how you like it.

3.3 gpa isn’t great but I’m sure there’s a way to make that look better, your undergrad is good

Do you mind if I ask why apply now? What are your reasons? Are you also a working professional like myself?

 

[zzzopiclone9]

In Canada isn't it possible to specialize in an area of pharmacy that's more interesting to you, like diabetic care, chemotherapy/home infusion, nutrition support, cardiac, compounding, nuclear, etc, like you can in the US? Perhaps pursuing a boarded specialty would appeal to your need for adventure.

As a pharmacist you can get your cde( certified diabetes educator) and also specialize in compounding etc. I just don’t think my profession is sustainable. Government cuts, the lack of respect and treatment and fast food culture is horrible

 

[RNtoMD87]

As a pharmacist you can get your cde( certified diabetes educator) and also specialize in compounding etc. I just don’t think my profession is sustainable. Government cuts, the lack of respect and treatment and fast food culture is horrible

America's unhealthy culture if nothing else guarantees a need for medical staff. Job security!

 

[zzzopiclone9]

America's unhealthy culture if nothing else guarantees a need for medical staff. Job security!

i agree with you there.....

 

[pms_testosterone]

I left a Canadian pharmacy school to attend a Canadian medical school. It is certainly possible for you to get into medicine, although the 3.3 is not ideal. What province do you have residency status in?

 

[zzzopiclone9]

I left a Canadian pharmacy school to attend a Canadian medical school. It is certainly possible for you to get into medicine, although the 3.3 is not ideal. What province do you have residency status in?

I am currently resided in Ontario. It’s pretty ridiculous cause my gpa doesn’t reflect much for pharmacy school. I would have like a 90 in a class and still get a B+ because my classes were curved in pharmacy school so B+ be a 3.3 l. Whatever what can we do. What pharmacy school did you leave

 

[pms_testosterone]

It's unlucky for you that you're from Ontario. (I'm not, so things were easier for me.) As you probably know, Ontario med schools have very low acceptance rates, and other provinces' med schools favour in-province students, so you don't have good odds with them either. But with an overall GPA around 3.5-3.6 you're not totally out of the running. I think it's reasonable for you to start volunteering again, study for and take the MCAT, and think about applying next year. Would recommend applying for 3-5 years (if necessary) if you're serious about this plan. Worst case scenario, you never get accepted and you've wasted a few hundred hours and a few thousand dollars, which you can easily afford.

Edit: Here is the latest version of Admission Requirements of Canadian Faculties of Medicine, which includes acceptance rates by school. http://uoitdcpremed.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/2018-AdmissionRequirements_en.pdf

 

[zzzopiclone9]

It's unlucky for you that you're from Ontario. (I'm not, so things were easier for me.) As you probably know, Ontario med schools have very low acceptance rates, and other provinces' med schools favour in-province students, so you don't have good odds with them either. But with an overall GPA around 3.5-3.6 you're not totally out of the running. I think it's reasonable for you to start volunteering again, study for and take the MCAT, and think about applying next year. Would recommend applying for 3-5 years (if necessary) if you're serious about this plan. Worst case scenario, you never get accepted and you've wasted a few hundred hours and a few thousand dollars, which you can easily afford.

Edit: Here is the latest version of Admission Requirements of Canadian Faculties of Medicine, which includes acceptance rates by school.

Yeah I know what your talking about. The acceptance rate is very low. Thanks for your opinion for sure. Do you mind if I ask what province your in?

 

[pms_testosterone]

I'm not really sure my experience is that relevant to yours, but feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

 

[zzzopiclone9]

I'm not really sure my experience is that relevant to yours, but feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

for sure. thanks alot

 

[subdermallight]

Do you mind if I ask why apply now? What are your reasons? Are you also a working professional like myself?

There’s the difference.. I don’t have a good job or anything like that. I could get one quickly I suppose because I’m switching careers from research to medcicine, I could probably be a lab manger or lab tech with my resume.

Med school is my future so I’m going for it. You’ve already got a lot more than me, so your decision to give that up will certainly be a different from mine and probably more difficult.

 

[zzzopiclone9]

There’s the difference.. I don’t have a good job or anything like that. I could get one quickly I suppose because I’m switching careers from research to medcicine, I could probably be a lab manger or lab tech with my resume.

Med school is my future so I’m going for it. You’ve already got a lot more than me, so your decision to give that up will certainly be a different from mine and probably more difficult.

I agree with you. I’d like to tell myself how do you measure personal success. For me I think it’s personal growth, fulfillment and satisfaction . I personally don’t see that as a pharmacist. Yes I would be losing a six figure salary at over 100k a year but to be honest at first it might seem like an eye opener but I can’t take that with me when I die lol

 

[subdermallight]

I agree with you. I’d like to tell myself how do you measure personal success. For me I think it’s personal growth, fulfillment and satisfaction . I personally don’t see that as a pharmacist. Yes I would be losing a six figure salary at over 100k a year but to be honest at first it might seem like an eye opener but I can’t take that with me when I die lol

Sounds like you could this into a really good personal statement! In my opinion, as long you confirm medicine is what you love, then you’re on the right track

 

[sinigang14]

Hey guys,

I'm a 29 year old male, currently working as a pharmacist in Canada for the last three years for a corporate pharmacy. I have been debating applying to medicine for the last couple years now...I was hoping to get everyone opinion on my current situation. To tell you about myself:

1. 29 year old male, no student loans/debt, single and no kids.
2. two degrees: 3 year degree in with bachelor of science in biology - GPA: 3.8, 4 year degree in pharmaceutical science/ pharmacy GPA:3.3
3. My annual income the last three years have been approximately been: $115 k (before taxes....)
4. I have volunteered for several groups in the past, but haven't done it the last couple years
5. I have approximate networth of 150 K.
6. Being a pharmacist is kinda bleh lol

What would you do in my situation? Pursuing medicine has always been in my mind, but I always wonder if its worth it at this point....

This is definitely not unprecedented. You only have one life, so go do what you want to do!

Also, like others are saying, interviewers might ask you why you switched careers. I was asked at an interview why i didnt just go into research just because i did research as an undergrad.

 

[zzzopiclone9]

This is definitely not unprecedented. You only have one life, so go do what you want to do!

Also, like others are saying, interviewers might ask you why you switched careers. I was asked at an interview why i didnt just go into research just because i did research as an undergrad.

I have an answer for that easily lol, I am a registered pharmacist for the last 3 years and interact with patients every day. I know why I want to make the switch - My answer is the culture of the profession too be completely honest. BTW I love your username - very good filipino dish ahah

 

[zzzopiclone9]

Sounds like you could this into a really good personal statement! In my opinion, as long you confirm medicine is what you love, then you’re on the right track

Thanks a lot - currently reading on the MCAT and will hopefully find a way to shadow some physicians, working as a community pharmacists I have some access to do that hopefully lol

 

[sinigang14]

I have an answer for that easily lol, I am a registered pharmacist for the last 3 years and interact with patients every day. I know why I want to make the switch - My answer is the culture of the profession too be completely honest. BTW I love your username - very good filipino dish ahah

Thanks lol

 

[Angus Avagadro]

Thanks a lot - currently reading on the MCAT and will hopefully find a way to shadow some physicians, working as a community pharmacists I have some access to do that hopefully lol

Try to consider the cost of med school, about 300,000. 4 years of lost income, 3 years or more of reduced income of around 100k while a resident,and the cost of repaying those loans
Any field of medicine has routine and mundane aspects. My friends in primary care spend about 2 hrs a day entering data into EMR which is uncompensated. As far as the culture, many find there is little time for that anymore, no one goes to Rads to look at films, OR folks often can't eat lunch, same with ER. As more algorithms are introduced , there will be less autonomy. If medicine is where your heart is go for it. But make sure it's about a life of service to others and not the medical culture, which is rapidly changing.

 

[Tenk]

Grass is always greener. Also, that whole autonomy thing died like 20-30 years ago. Welcome to the age of google, twitter, facebook, yelp and patient satisfaction. You’re just a cog in a wheel. Easily replaced and forgotten. Do what you want but if I were in your shoes I sure as hell wouldn’t.

 

[zzzopiclone9]

Grass is always greener. Also, that whole autonomy thing died like 20-30 years ago. Welcome to the age of google, twitter, facebook, yelp and patient satisfaction. You’re just a cog in a wheel. Easily replaced and forgotten. Do what you want but if I were in your shoes I sure as hell wouldn’t.

That is true the grass is always greener on other side. Our of curiosity are you a practicing physician?

 

[863168]

That is true the grass is always greener on other side. Our of curiosity are you a practicing physician?

He's a practicing ED physician.

 

[gyngyn]

This thread can be followed here: Prob repeated many times but should I just give up on being a doctor?