Reality check!

[Isabella]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Dreams, ambitions and hopes... how far to go to want to be a doctor taking into account expense and hardships. Sometimes I wonder if I am out of my mind considering a 250+ loan. What keeps the rest of you motivated?

 

[jambo]

$250k loan? is that $US? Wow.

Some people tell me I'm nuts for studying so hard with hopes to get into med school, which may not yet even become a reality. I'd also have to move away from family and friends and the town I love, give up my full time job of 5 years, rent a dingy unit someplace, only to be paying back a loan at the end of it all. Gee that really sounds more crazy than I first thought 🙁 what the heck are we all thinking! Some people say to me "there's easier ways to make money" and there sure is, especially in my current field of IT, but they just don't understand.

I guess no matter how hard I try to enjoy my current industry of work, or feel some sort of self gratification from what I do, it just doesn't happen. That emptiness is always going to be there until I satisfy the dream I gave up on so many years ago, no matter how ludicrous the trip there is going to be. I love helping others and would be interested in completing med school for the sole reason of being able to help family and friends with my new knowledge if that was all I could gain. It sounds like a cliche, but to me there will be no bigger buzz than helping and forming bonds with complete strangers as well.

Mark.

 

[Isabella]

Hey Mark,
Totally agree with what you say and I could not have said it better. However, this process of getting in sort of kills the ambition and dreams. Don't you think it is crazy that US and Canadian students, who are not lucky enough (since that is what it comes down to at the end) are travelling to Ireland, Poland, Grenada and god knows where to become doctors and then they have to fight their way to come back here. I am contemplating such a thing but sometimes I just stop and think- wow-what extremes we are all going to. But you are right- an unfilling job is not worth it and if helping people makes us happy then it is all worth it-but you have to admit it is sort of crazy. Try telling people who don't understand how competitive the process is - that you are applying to Ireland or even Grenada- they look at you like you are wacked. Anybody else get the same response?

 

[jambo]

Hi Isabella,
What is the deal with US and Canadian docs having to fight their way back into their own country after med school?

I guess we are all just gluttons for punishment 😎

 

[The Pill Counter]

I came all the way to Jambo's backyard for my degree, and I'd be willing to travel farther if I had to, but really can't go any farther than Australia before you start heading back towards Canada! 😀
End of the day: Do what you have to do to get the job done. Worry about the details later.

 

[ApacheIndian]

Originally posted by Isabella
What keeps the rest of you motivated?

the chick factor...

"Oooohhhh... so you're like... a doctor!? heeheehee" (voluptuous endowments jiggling vigorously)

😎

 

[skypilot]

Freud would be delighted.

 

[getin]

I don?t see what is the big deal with foreign med schools. We basically go through what US med students suffer from, and the only extra exam we have to take is the Toefle (English Exam). Let?s be honest together, do you really think if you was able to get in US med school and pass USMLE with 75 or 80(that is what our MCAT predict 😱 ) you would had chance to get Dermatology or ophthalmology residency ?I guess NO. So, why we all relax and have fun with all these damn exams. Don?t be sensitive for what arrogant people say about you. Be proud of yourself, and do your think. Life is too short to worry about these things. In terms of money, you have 25 yrs to pay it back. 😎
Peace

 

[skypilot]

How are you liking Australia? Would I be crazy to consider going to Australia just for the adventure even if I have a good chance at getting into a US school?

I don't need the most competitive residencies but I would like a shot at Anesthesia or Surgery.

Is the tuition still reasonable? Like under $20k US per year?