Support from friends & family?

[Medhog]

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Hello All! After spending 9 years in a finance career, I have made the jump and started post-bac classes this week. I have received a cold to luke warm response from close friends and family members (parents) regarding my decision. My parents probably the most negative. Do you think this is common with non-trads? My wife and children are very supportive so it really shouldn't matter. But it does.

I look forward to interacting with you all.

 

[Faze2]

When it all comes down to it, your parents, friends, family are not the ones who have to live your life. Explain to them how much you feel this is your calling. If they still don't bend, oh well, that's life. YOURS!!! Not theirs. They'll change their tune when they see that white coat and those letters after your name.

 

[Harry Bahgina]

Hi there! Welcome. If your wife and kids support you, that's great. I do think we get more grief as non-trads simply because people see giving up one career to pursue another as risky; especially with a family.

Good luck to ya!

 

[Medhog]

They'll change their tune when they see that white coat and those letters after your name.

The day of satisfaction seems so far away. At least now I won't feel guilty for sending them a bill for medical advice.

 

[Medhog]

Hi there! Welcome. If your wife and kids support you, that's great. I do think we get more grief as non-trads simply because people see giving up one career to pursue another as risky; especially with a family.

Good luck to ya!

The way I see it, doing what I have a passion for in a secure profession is less risky than a finance career I despised. But hey, on this forum, I'm preaching to the choir. Thanks for your words of encouragement!

 

[Tekar]

I remember the day I told my parents I was leaving teaching. My mom was a bit taken aback. I think they were also a bit cautious. In the nearly 2 years now since I told them.. they have really opened up to the process. My friends were all a bit shocked, but really supportive after a moment of ??? seriously?.

It's a long journey to get the pre-reqs out of the way..take the MCAT, volunteer, etc.. but its over that time of you doing those things and meandering toward the process that it becomes clearer and clearer. They'll come around as the thought of one of their kids being a doctor begins to become a reality.

If your wife and kids support you. then do it. the rest will follow suit.

Good luck

P.S. your pre-req education doesn't have to be post bac classes. Did just about half of mine at the community college, the remaining at a university. Dont' get yourself stuck for more debt paying for graduate classes when you don't have to.

P.S. Some schools have dual MD/MBA programs. Check them out.

Hi there! Welcome. If your wife and kids support you, that's great. I do think we get more grief as non-trads simply because people see giving up one career to pursue another as risky; especially with a family.

Good luck to ya!

Exactly...but

The way I see it, doing what I have a passion for in a secure profession is less risky than a finance career I despised. But hey, on this forum, I preaching to the choir. Thanks for your words of encouragement!

More true. and more important.

 

[Medhog]

I remember the day I told my parents I was leaving teaching. My mom was a bit taken aback. I think they were also a bit cautious. In the nearly 2 years now since I told them.. they have really opened up to the process. My friends were all a bit shocked, but really supportive after a moment of ??? seriously?.

It's a long journey to get the pre-reqs out of the way..take the MCAT, volunteer, etc.. but its over that time of you doing those things and meandering toward the process that it becomes clearer and clearer. They'll come around as the thought of one of their kids being a doctor begins to become a reality.

If your wife and kids support you. then do it. the rest will follow suit.

Good luck

P.S. your pre-req education doesn't have to be post bac classes. Did just about half of mine at the community college, the remaining at a university. Dont' get yourself stuck for more debt paying for graduate classes when you don't have to.

P.S. Some schools have dual MD/MBA programs. Check them out.

It's good to hear this experience is pretty common.

I am completing my pre-req's at a large state univ. There is not a formal "post-bac" program but there is separate post-bac advising. Fortunately, as a state resident the $ difference between univ. and cc will be minimal (diff. is appx. $2500 for 36hrs).

I have considered MD/MBA. I'm only 6 days removed from working in finance. Not exactly pumped for it right now.

Thanks for your reply

 

[Deepa100]

Hello All! After spending 9 years in a finance career, I have made the jump and started post-bac classes this week. I have received a cold to luke warm response from close friends and family members (parents) regarding my decision. My parents probably the most negative. Do you think this is common with non-trads? My wife and children are very supportive so it really shouldn't matter. But it does.

I look forward to interacting with you all.

When I left a well paying but boring job as a software engineer after 13 years, my father in law and my brother thought it was a dumb move. I also noticed that most older people frowned on it more than younger ones.

 

[montessori2md]

Hopefully once you get an accept and get the coat they'll turn around. I guess how much it matters depends a lot on the relationship you have with them -how well do they "really" know you, anyhow? And are they thinking about what's best for you when they respond, or just thinking about financial stability?

If they know you really well, it might be useful, on a day when you're feeling optimistic and pumped about medicine, to go and hear what they have to say about the negatives, because they might actually have something helpful to add -like they think your bedside manner would suck 😉 (no offense, just trying to think outside the box here) If they're just worried about the cash, do the numbers in worst case scenario, and show them it's not that bad.

Oh, and try not to spend time with them while you're stressed out about an exam, and especially avoid them before an interview.

 

[awsmlikeapossum]

Oh man I can't wait for my bi-weekly "stay in engineering because medicine is for idoits and crooks" speech from my Mom and Dad.

Should be any day now.

 

[Scottish Chap]

Hello All! After spending 9 years in a finance career, I have made the jump and started post-bac classes this week. I have received a cold to luke warm response from close friends and family members (parents) regarding my decision. My parents probably the most negative. Do you think this is common with non-trads? My wife and children are very supportive so it really shouldn't matter. But it does.

I look forward to interacting with you all.

I think this is a common response. When I announced I was applying, my family were less than thrilled. I was fortunate to have success in my previous career, and I had an AMAZING job offer on the table (which I ultimately walked away from). My spouse was by biggest supporter - much like yours.

Bottom line: is you, your wife, and your kids against the world. You will definitely need their support in medical school. If you have that, you're golden. Congratulations, and good luck!

 

[NonTradMed]

When I announced it to friends, they were all baffled. They weren't disuasive of my decision, but most had not known me from my premed days (most didn't even know I had all the premed requirements done already) so they thought it was coming out of left field.
Many probably thought I was having a nervous breakdown or something to want to quit my job and try for something that I may or may not get into.

The reason nontrads get such a lukewarm response is that med school requires so much prep work for no guarantee. It's not like law school where you can prep for teh LSAT on the side, or bschool where you prep for the GMAT on the side (and would couple well with most corporate professions).

One has to give up (sometimes) a good job to take loans out for classes which usually offers little value (post-bacc etc) by itself. And there were no guarantee that you can get into med school. It's a long ardous road.

But once you really push hard and persistant in your goal, most people come around to the idea that this is what you want to do. Oh yeah, once I got INTO med school, most people think it's great I'm going to med school---it's not medicine itself so much as the uncertainty of not getting in that has people worried. Just give people time. 🙂