So how did you tell everyone?

[tllajd]

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How did you all tell everyone that you wanted to go to Medical school and how did they react. People don't really respond to me when I tell them. It's like they must think I am off my rocker at 38 years of age.

 

[mommdtobe]

I know exactly how you feel. I have told my mom and she thought it was just a phase I was going through. Or maybe I needed something to do. 🙄 . My hubby and sister are the only ones taking me serious. So I decided to have them as my support and not mention it again to others until I am in Medical School. 😀

 

[ShyRem]

Amazingly, everyone I have spoken to thinks it's a fabulous idea and is incredibly supportive. My parents and siblings think it's great, my husband and children think it's exciting, my classmates are ... well as supportive as they can be (really how supportive can a 19 or 20 year old be?). My professors are POSITIVE I'll get in first time. My former co-workers are just a tad jealous that I have the huevos to actually go for it. And my husband's co-workers are, frankly, jealous that he might get out of this god-forsaken town.

I have gotten nothing but positive reinforcement and support throughout my endeavor. I must be lucky. 😍

Now if someone would just LET ME IN (before I die).

 

[AnAppleADay]

For me, the support has come gradually. I had been thinking about "it" for several months, and had in fact, decided that I would go for it. Then, I was at a little party last summer when someone asked what I planned to do once I had my masters. I said, "I'm going to apply to medical school." My friends--some from graduate school, some from work--were a bit surprised, but were immediately supportive.
It took a bit more time before I told my parents. Neither of them went to college, and I think perhaps that is why they don't quite get this. It has taken nearly a year, and finally my mom has started to say things like, "Well, I know how determined you can be and it looks like you've put your heart into this. I have no doubt you'll do it."
My friends at work all call me "Doctor [AnAppleADay's Real Name]" and come to me for medical advice, which is funny 'cause I know about as much as they do about medicine. But it feels nice to have their support.
So, I'm now a year into this process, and I'm working hard to complete my pre-reqs so that I can apply.

 

[RaistlinMajere]

I left a lucrative job that I enjoyed to become a physician, so it was a shock to some. Most of the people that I worked with did not understand, but a few close friends/co-workers did. Those people who thought I was nuts basically had different goals then myself, which I can appreciate.

My family and wife were supportive and encouraged me to pursue the career change. Without their support, I doubt I would have had the courage to leave. I think that they recognized that this would make me happy and that if I didn't leave, I would always have wondered "what if."

No matter what happens, it has been worth it.

 

[mshheaddoc]

Ha, my parents still think that its a phase and I will grow out of it. Since graduating college, not sure what I was doing with my life. In the business world right now, trying to finish my MBA. But medicine has always been an interest since high school, so here I am. Its what I want to do. My mother is condescending at times. I am single, have a few good friends who know what I'm doing. But I have the people here at SDN to support me and I have myself. That is all I need. Everyone else (all though not all friends will admit to my face - but I hear about it still) thinks I'm crazy so I ignore what they think. I know what is best for me, not them.

 

[N-toxicologist]

My mom thought it was a phase. I think she still does, even though I've submitted my apps and taken the MCAT twice. My hubby obviously didn't take me seriously, and we split (in part) due to the dedication I was showing toward my goal and his lack of support for me doing this.

My kids probably think I'm never going to get out of school, and my mom b*tches at me simultaneously for overworking myself AND not having any money.

*sigh* but they're coming around....😉

 

[NontradICUdoc]

When I told my wife that I wanted to apply, her reaction was "It's about time!" She has been there since then.

My parents are happy although they are a little pre-occupied with my brother's wedding plans. Other people are pretty excited.

I am hoping to make my big announcement Next Thanksgiving, 2005.

 

[2badr]

Pathetically enough, I've told SDN more than I've told my family. I guess that should answer your question. 😳

Seriously, I have to pick and chose who I tell. I still hesitate to tell some people because they would be very discouraging (and my history is not the subject for this thread). 😴

I'll tell all the naysayers when I get in. 😉

Edit: My SO is an exception to the naysayers....uhmmm, that could be because he's not aware of what he's signing up for.

 

[DrMom]

Edit: My SO is an exception to the naysayers....uhmmm, that could be because he's not aware of what he's signing up for.

They never do, toobee 😉

 

[2badr]

They never do, toobee 😉

 

[ockhamsRzr]

Cetainly what I've found across the board is that Doctor-neighbors and Doctor-friends (even my kiddos Ped) are uniformly and HUGELY supportive. Like, "ah, you're young, I had classmates in their forties in my med school class...DO IT!"

My regular friends and neighbors think I'm crazy...you decide whose opinion I might value more.

34 with wife, mortgage and two babies!

Ockham

 

[Khenon]

I've only told people I HAVE to tell. Like my co-workers and supervisor (who wrote me one of my references). None of my family knows, mainly because of the reasons some others have already stated. I don't want to hear I'm crazy, or "when am I going to settle down", or have to explain 1 million times what's going on with my MCAT score, my application, my secondaries. I just didn't want to deal with it all. My coworkers aren't as close to me, so they'll occassionally ask me things, but it's in the context of small talk. I can handle that. Of course, my fiance knows, and he's the only supporter I need! 🙂 And just because I'm posting this everywhere else, I'm turning 30 on Oct. 13. Do you think it's unreasonable for me to ask for a 30 on my MCAT?

 

[happy20003]

i have told more people in SDN than my family. my mom is the only one that know that i want to be a doctor.I first started that i wanted to become a veterinarian, but changed my mind and thought i will go more for dr. for sure i want to do graphic/web design because since my whole life i have liked to draw but now i want to have a 2nd career(plan B). I will soon hava a BA (graphic/web design) and currently i will start taking the pre med classes here in tempe, az. I haven't told anyone else because i don't want to deal with everyone in my family thinking that i am crazy and young(i am only 23, so i don't think i am that young, maybe because i am the youngest one in the family). I am the only one in the family that will have a BA degree.

if i tell my brother i know he isn't going to be supportive, as he only wants me to have ONLY one career, graphic/web design. if i start on the pre-req and don't get a good grades and get rejected from med school, for sure he is going to make fun of me for the rest of my life. he thinks he is better than everyone else and tries to discourage you. he thinks that i am a little bit shy and that i don't know what i am getting into, but what he doesn't know is that i had put a lot of afford to change this, so i don't think i am that shy like he thinks i am.

so until i get accepted to med school, that will only be the time he will know this. he is 24 and is thinking of becoming a commerical airline pilot. he hsn't gone to pilot school yet but will in the future. oh well...

 

[ZanMD]

At 29 I know who can tell and get support, and who I can't tell because they will just lecture me. My wife is very supportive. My mom is very supportive. Everyone else I will tell when I am accepted.

Tis better to ask forgiveness then to ask permission.

 

[supercut]

My mom said, "But you will be 42 when you finish!". My reply was, I'll be 42 in 4 years anyway! And sure enough I was 42 when I graduated from med school. Now I'm a PGY 2 in surgery. So far, I still think it's the best job in the world, and I'm happier now as a surgical resident than I ever was before.

 

[phleebie]

My mom said, "But you will be 42 when you finish!". My reply was, I'll be 42 in 4 years anyway! And sure enough I was 42 when I graduated from med school. Now I'm a PGY 2 in surgery. So far, I still think it's the best job in the world, and I'm happier now as a surgical resident than I ever was before.

great story 👍

 

[njbmd]

Hi there,

I didn't bother to tell anyone about my plans except my letter writers. I was so busy getting my fall and spring lectures together that I didn't have time to discuss the pros and cons of medical school with any of my colleagues.

Certainly when I started on the interview trail, I ran into a couple of my students who were pretty surprised. A couple even went as far as to tell me that because of my age, I didn't stand a chance of getting into medical school because after all, I wouldn't be able to keep up with the younger students and I wouldn't practice as long as the younger folks. It would be a waste of a seat. [Wrong] 😀

The worst part of the whole process was sitting in class during first year. I just hated sitting for more than 50 minutes. During second year, I didn't go to class so I solved that problem easily. Since I was able to learn the material better on my own than sitting in a lecture, I didn't waste my time or my money traveling to school unless something cool was up like a great visiting lecturer. Turns out that was my best decision.

I had more than a few naysayers among my fellow interviewees when I was interviewing for residency too. Many of them looked at me and said that I would never get into a categorical slot anywhere. [Wrong again!] 😀

So the point of my story is this: You don't need anyone's approval to pursue your dream. It is true that if you have an SO (significant other) and family, you have to make sure that they are provided for as you will be out of the workforce for four years but other than some creative financial planning, I did OK. My SO is still very much with me and we have a great relationship. He is quite self-sufficient and has his own career that demands his attention.

njbmd 🙂

 

[NonTradMed]

Wow, such inspiring stories.

I just told my co-workers today and most weren't even surprised which is puzzling since I made no mention of it....well, they were all supportive, mainly because I am in the middle of applying and I am "only" 25 with no dependents and debts---so they see it as a good time as ever to do this. But they were very surprised when I said I am quitting to retake focus all my energy on studying for the MCAT (in case I dont' get in) and to take a few classes in preparation for medical school as well as helping to bolster my GPA in case I need to reapply. Most did not understand the admissions process, or how rigid it is (wait, they only allow you take the MCAT twice a year?!) so they think I am overly preparing. I mean, who thinks to prepare for an exam six months in advance....

Actually, my biggest problem is that no one can understand why I would want to quit such a good job to do this. My mom is supportive, but my dad thinks I would be better off in law or finance, and that I should keep my job until I get somethign else lined up.

My friends try to be supportive but some think i've been 'cowed' by my parents (both are biologists). All in all, most think it's great I'm pursuing something I love, but many don't understand the sacrifices I am making to do it (quitting job, moving back home, taking extra classes etc).

However, I believe it's better to try your hand at something you love, rather than spend your life doing something you don't enjoy wondering 'what if....'

🙂

 

[me3]

I'm an '05 applicant and still haven't told anyone except for my wife (of course). My parents and pretty much everyone else is in the dark. I'm hoping to surprise them once I get an acceptance. I can't wait to see the look on their faces when I give them the letter to read. I started as a premed in college, left it, and journeyed back.

 

[r_salis]

The first person (after my husband) who I told about the career change I was planning to make was a friend I worked with. We were outside, taking a walk, and I sort of just bounced the idea off of him to see if he thought I was crazy, and he was amazingly supportive. Having my husband behind me was wonderful, but it didn't really feel "real" until I told an "outside" person.

 

[OneiroKnight]

No one in my family is very supportive. They, as well as most of my friends, tell me I should stop going to school, relax, and just be happy with that. I was pretty excited about my own decision, but then was discouraged by everyone I told. My wife told me she was tired of me going to school, and didn't want that life anymore. So, I just let go of the dream a little while. After some time passed, and my wife spoke to a few of the physicians we know, she started growing a bit more supportive. Those she spoke with told her they would help me out with letters, and would encourage me to do it. Guess she thought about it more, and realizes that it is something I would like to accomplish, and at this point she is supportive. I still have a few pre reqs to do, so I won't be applying for another year or so. My wife is the only truly important one I need the support from. I have told only one or two coworkers.

 

[PthaloKitty]

When I told my parents I was going back to school for premed, I think they were kind of relieved....because my original plan was to make a living as an artist. My dad was really excited about it....so I have an inkling that the holidays will be fun as I'll have tons of relatives asking me tons of questions. 😳

 

[Truth74]

OneiroKnight,
I have the exact opposite situation. My husband is the only one who is not supporting me in my pursuit. He has absolutely no faith in me whatsoever. 🙁
He got me a school sweatshirt once, so I guess it's better than nothing.

Truth74

 

[DSM]

Everyone has been really supportive of me, especially my husband. I think everyone really believed in me when they saw that I stuck with it. I turned my whole life upside down in order to do this. My mom has always been supportive but she was finally enthusiastic when I got an interview this past week. 😀

 

[PthaloKitty]

Ok, so I thought wrong...I get the feeling my family was hoping I'd have babies!...but my husband is supportive. I start premed in January.