Should I even do pre-med??

[couragecat]

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I'm sorry if I shouldn't even be posting in these forums, I'm not sure where else I should do it.

I'm going to be starting university this fall as a freshman, and I'm having a lot of second guesses about medicine.

For my entire life I was pretty much intent on becoming a doctor - both of my parents were doctors and I've been shadowing them since I was a child, I've spent years volunteering at a hospital, I've done medical research on diseases and even contributed to publications, I've read books about medicine written by doctors, I applied to several combined BS/MD programs too (and got interviews for some but didn't go to any).

Despite preparing for an MD all my life, in recent years I've developed a passion for global affairs and politics. I see myself happier working in the United Nations rather than working in some disorderly hospital as a fatigued physician. I would enjoy being a doctor specialized around global health, but those are far and few in between and the vast majority of doctors are the kind I've been surrounded by my entire life.

My question is...should I even start the pre-med track this year? There are pre-med course requirements which would take up the majority of my classes, classes which I could be taking for another track that I may be more passionate about. But at the same time, for the vast majority of my life a career other than medicine has never even occurred to me.

I'm not sure what to do, any help, advice, suggestions, lecturing, etc is greatly appreciated.

 

[Warder]

The entire process leading up to med-school is grueling. Tough classes that you have to do well in, the MCAT, research, ECs, and the entire application process and writing (primary -> secondary -> interviews -> many rejections and maybe an acceptance). It's a tough experience for those who really really really want to get in, and if you aren't feeling it, it will be even worse. And it's not like it gets easier when you get to med school.

I had a very similar story to you, but the opposite. I spent years preparing for a career in a field, and ended up switching into the pre-med track rather late in college. I wish someone had encouraged me to at least investigate medicine earlier in college, as I always was curious about it, but thought it was so far away from what I had been doing that everything I had done for the other field would be wasted. I eventually decided to give it a shot after spending three years contemplating it and not being able to get the idea out of my head. I surprised myself with the classes and just loved my in hospital experiences.

I'd give you the same advice I'd give myself, if I could, when I started college. Take a few classes that cover the topic you think you're interested in and see what happens. If you really like it, stick with it. Don't neglect and give up on your original course in case you don't like this alternative path.

 

[FreeRadicals]

I see myself happier working in the United Nations rather than working in some disorderly hospital as a fatigued physician.

Are you sure you've been shadowing/volunteering for years? Not all doctors are fatigued nor are they all in a 'disorderly hospital.' Do what makes you happy, don't go based on what your parents are or what they tell you.

 

[DrRiker]

It doesn't matter what you major in. Study political science, supplement pre medical coursework. Volunteer in the hospital over the weekend and find government internships over the summer. Figure out which you like more!

Bonus: med schools don't care what type of research you do. Global policy research satisfies most research requirements.

 

[OneTwoThreeFour]

Take the courses you want to take. There is no rush to make sure you go to medical school as quickly as possible. Worst case you decide later in life that you actually want to go to medical school and you spend a year or two taking classes. Best case you actually get to be in your preferred field.

 

[LizzyM]

Med school will aways be there. You can always do a post-bac later, even after a few years in whatever career you do first. '

 

[raiderette]

There will always be plenty of doctors. You can make a difference in other ways. Study what matters to you.

 

[MyOdyssey]

I would enjoy being a doctor specialized around global health, but those are far and few in between and the vast majority of doctors are the kind I've been surrounded by my entire life.

What makes you say that?

Consider

WHO (The World Health Organization) WHO | World Health Organization
The Centers for Disease Control CDC Organization | About | CDC
Doctors Without Borders What we do | Doctors Without Borders - USA
Placement stats from the Harvard School of Public Health
https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/career-services/graduate-employment-outcomes/
Summary of public health careers (Harvard School of Public Health)
https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/career...health-jobs-and-graduate-employment-outcomes/

This is only a tiny sliver of what lies out there in the field of global/public health. One doesn't have to have a MD to take part in many of these opportunities. Some have a Masters in Public Health, for example.

Do some research. Network. Think about whether public/global health might be the right mix of public policy and medicine for you.