Second Thoughts

[MDmaybe]

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So I just got my MCAT scores back and was planning on submitting my AMCAS sometime this week, but just can't seem to get myself to do it. I'm nervous about the whole process, but one of the biggest issues is that I feel like I'm going to miss out on a regular life during the "prime" years of my life. It feels like everyone I know will be out having fun while I'm stuck working my butt off.

I know I have the stats to get in (3.70 GPA, 35 MCAT) and I think medicine is what I want to do, but I'm concerned about going into this thing half-heartedly.

Anyone else have this problem? Advice?

 

[ziggydoc]

So I just got my MCAT scores back and was planning on submitting my AMCAS sometime this week, but just can't seem to get myself to do it. I'm nervous about the whole process, but one of the biggest issues is that I feel like I'm going to miss out on a regular life during the "prime" years of my life. It feels like everyone I know will be out having fun while I'm stuck working my butt off.

I know I have the stats to get in (3.70 GPA, 35 MCAT) and I think medicine is what I want to do, but I'm concerned about going into this thing half-heartedly.

Anyone else have this problem? Advice?

I am not sure what to tell you, since I am just a premed myself, but the general opinion is that there are a lot of question marks regarding the future of American medicine atm, and even now there are a lot of dissatisfied physicians, and it may get worse when we become doctors. Long hours, high stress, and longer training is not something you should just jump into hoping that you will like it in the end.

So, you should just take a week, think about it hard, talk to any medical students, docs, residents, or anyone that works in the medical field that you know, and get a sense of their life before you make a decision.

 

[crazycab]

I think if you have any doubts you should definitely think about taking a year off. In that time do something you want to do and think about why or if you really want to go in to medicine. I am just a premed but it seems like going into the application process and medical school itself half-heartedly will just end up with you being unhappy.

 

[SteinUmStein]

Also pre-med so take this with a grain of salt, but if I were you I'd figure out whether a career as a physician is right for me before going into massive amounts of debt. Just a thought.

There is nothing wrong with not wanting to do medical school. I've found that classmates of mine who have wanted to back out have just stuck it out anyway for fear of being "looked down upon" as quitters... don't do this to yourself. It's your life. Live it how you want.

 

[txprodigal]

take a year off and explore your other interests. it'll probably help you in the long run instead of always thinking "what if?"

good luck

 

[MDmaybe]

Thanks for the advice. I suppose another issue (probably an issue for another thread) is that I've been dating my girlfriend for the past year and a half. We haven't talk that much about what is going to happen (probably my first mistake), but the relationship is pretty serious and I'd like to give it a chance. I kinda feel like medical school might ruin those chances (whether it be because of location or time constrains or whatever).

I'm well aware that this is probably not the best reason to be having second thoughts (and its not the only reason), but it is what it is.

 

[mmmcdowe]

I had a friend in your same situation (same MCAT even). Decided medicine wasn't for him and taught for Kaplan while he prepared to go into a different program.

 

[xmsr3]

So I just got my MCAT scores back and was planning on submitting my AMCAS sometime this week, but just can't seem to get myself to do it. I'm nervous about the whole process, but one of the biggest issues is that I feel like I'm going to miss out on a regular life during the "prime" years of my life. It feels like everyone I know will be out having fun while I'm stuck working my butt off.

I know I have the stats to get in (3.70 GPA, 35 MCAT) and I think medicine is what I want to do, but I'm concerned about going into this thing half-heartedly.

Anyone else have this problem? Advice?

Obviously you must do what is right for you but let me leave you with this thought.

Your friends will most likely not be having fun, they working long hours, stuck in dead end jobs they hate, working for a hell of a lot less money than you will be making and with no job security.

 

[osumc2014]

It is very important for you to talk to your gf and truthfully lay down all the details of med school and future profession as a physician. Make sure she understands completely and is willing to work on your relationship when times are tough...as many have said on here and I've heard in my life from physicians is that it will be tough and strains will be put on your relationship but its definitely doable, just be able to have a very OPEN line of communication and you will be just fine...that is if you choose to even go into medicine at all...I think (many will agree with me on here despite all the recent threads) that ultimately medicine is very rewarding, and you would have to look at your own motivations to go into medicine and maybe even take a year off as some suggested...but it is perfectly fine for you to be confused, even those that are set on medicine are having second thoughts right now...anyway best of luck! it is all up to you in the end.