Probably too soon to ask this, but I'm going into my second year

[xoxotoni]

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and I'm going for my BS in physics. I am interested in med school (obviously or I wouldn't be in this forum) for reasons of my own- but there's a side-step that I want to fulfill along the way, and I was just wondering your opinions on the matter.

Right now my gpa is pretty low- got a 2.8 my first semester, and a 3.43 my second semester- so right now I have a 3.1. Going to try to get involved with some physics related research hopefully next summer or junior year.

I dream of first going to grad school to pursue my phd in physics. Few questions about this:

-Would this be a waste of time?
-Could I finish grad school in less time if I don't take any semesters off? If I can, what are the disadvantages of doing this?
- How many semesters does it take to earn a phd in physics?

I plan on going to med school after grad school.. I would also like to not take any semesters off for this, so I could get it done faster and it's easier for my brain to keep going, rather than to stop for one month- three months off in-between semesters.

- Is this possible to do? Silly?
-Disadvantages/advantages?
-Should I make time in my undergrad schedule to fulfill all my prereq's? Or should I do that after my phd?

Want to do the phd because studying physics is fulfilling, but I do not want a career in physics. Would like to end up working in a field dealing with radiation.

Please don't be snarky- I know that this will take a long time to do.. but anything that takes time is worthwhile.

 

[Goro]

If you want to be a doctor, why on earth do you want a PhD in physics? To work at FermiLab? To teach physics classes to pre-meds?

I susggest that you strongly look at your priorities, and then choose the path that is closest to your heart. Medicine is a calling, like being a priest or policeman.

Suggest taking all your pre-reqs close together, as you'll need the info for good perfomance on MCAT.

IF a PhD in physics is anything comparable to one in the biological sciences, it will take a good five years to complete.

I dream of first going to grad school to pursue my phd in physics. Few questions about this:

-Would this be a waste of time?
-Could I finish grad school in less time if I don't take any semesters off? If I can, what are the disadvantages of doing this?
- How many semesters does it take to earn a phd in physics?

I plan on going to med school after grad school.. I would also like to not take any semesters off for this, so I could get it done faster and it's easier for my brain to keep going, rather than to stop for one month- three months off in-between semesters.

- Is this possible to do? Silly?
-Disadvantages/advantages?
-Should I make time in my undergrad schedule to fulfill all my prereq's? Or should I do that after my phd?