Unhappy and thinking of quitting my pre-med dreams

[brotherbloat]

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Hi there,

It's BrotherBloat again. I am writing to get all you good folks' advice about my situation.

I'm 27, married, female, and currently work full-time at a hosptial as a clinical research assistant. I did a post-bacc all last year, to take all my pre-med requirements for the first time (I was a humanities major). After my BA, I worked another career, and also as an artist, got tired of it, and started my pre-med courses in an informal post-bacc program, finished in July, took the August MCAT, and started working full-time at the hosptial shortly thereafter. Now I'm studying for the April MCAT, as I got a 25 on the August one. I also applied for the class of '05, but at this late date (almost Feb.) I haven't gotten a single interview but I also haven't heard from any of the schools I applied to (I got rejected by two schools, haven't heard from 10 of them) so I'm assuming I won't get an interview. So my plan was to re-take the April MCAT, apply this summer for fall '06, and keep on working at the hosptial.

However, lately I've really been re-considering whether or not I should just quit pre-med right now and go back to being an artist or maybe something else. I keep going back and forth about it. It's starting to drive me crazy. I feel like such an unfocused slacker. I mean I'm 27, I should be settled in my career and already have found myself by now! But medicien is the only career that would fulfill me. I've done lots of soul-searching on this one. But maybe I should just suck it up and do the boring 9 to 5 office job thing anyways.

I'm getting increasingly irritated by medicine and everything associated with it. I'm really not sure if it's the right career choice for me, even though for the past two years since I made the decision to go pre-med, I've felt really happy and excited about the decision. I like science, have done well in it (3.7 post-bacc ave.) and love helping people, and also love the healing aspect of medicine. I enjoy working in the hospital, like being around blood and guts, and enjoy reading about medical topics (health and medical books are among my favorite spare-time reading material.)

So what's the problem? All the things I'm about to list below. They are the major cons of medicine, as I see it, and right now my con list is far longer than my pro list. This, to me, seems like a huge warning sign.

1. Fear of blood-borne pathogens. I have always been terrified of this. I was the type who was always paranoid about always using condoms correctly, etc. and I am deathly afraid of contracting something. What happens if you're pregnant and you contract something? What happens if you get stuck and have to take anti-virals--what would it do to your developing baby? These things scare me big time. Plus, unfortunately, my husband sustained a needle-stick last Saturday (his first time) and it was the worst experience of our lives. Now I see firsthand what it's like to go through the mental anguish, the anti-virals, and the horrible wrenching fear of contracting something. Definitely not an experience I want to repeat, either with him or eventually me someday. This whole experience, combined with my previous fear, has definietly made me think twice--do I want to be thinking about this in the back of my mind every day I'm on the job? Granted, I would choose the most non-sharp friendly specialty, like psych, but there's no getting around the procuedres you must do in med school and internship.

2. Fear of being sued. Again, my mom's a doctor and I've firsthand witnessed the mental anguish she's had when she's gotten sued twice. It's horrible and I don't know if I want to deal with this awful stress in my job and the accompanying rising malpractice insurance rates because of it.

3. Expense of tuition. I already have my grad school student loans, my post-bacc student loans, and my hubby's med school students loans to deal with. Would it be selfish of me to add my own med school loans to this cauldron? Is it really cost-effective for me to go to med school in the long-run? I'm really struggling with this question.

4. 8 long years. I've already been through two years of med school, a year of internship, and two years of residency with my hubby, and I know firsthand how much studying you have to do and how you really can't be a normal person who comes home at the end of the day and leaves their job behind. Part of me wants to be that normal person. But part of me wants a career, not a job, and something that will fulfill me and where I can be a lifelong learner, and I can't think of anything besides medicine that would do that.

5. Lack of earning power during med school. I've been a student long enough--should I be making up for lost time from now on?

6. Taking orgo lab (last pre-med requirement to do). I hated orgo and the thought of taking orgo lab makes me want to barf.

7. Re-studying for the MCAT. I've been doing this all month and it's sucked. Big time.

8. I love science (bio) but I really don't care for chem, orgo, or physics. I took anatomy as an upper level bio and loved it, and I love reading medical books and watching what goes on with the patients. I think I have a mind for science, but does the fact that I don't like chem, orgo or physics screw me for being a doctor?

I can totally see myself in medicine and feel a great deal of pride and ecxcitement when I think about how I would be a good doctor, but I can't shake the feeling that this enormous list of cons should make me run the other way.

The other thing, which probably isn't a good reason to enter such a long, hard profession as medicine, is that I've always been treated as somewhat dumb by people for much of my life, and I really want to prove to myself that I'm really smart. I know that my parents and family really underestimate my abilities, and I want to show myself that I can hack the rigors of being a doctor.

I really wish I could settle this internal dilemma once and for all. My hubby's supportive, my parents think I'm nuts for leaving art and are ashamed of the idea of me being a doctor, and I'm not sure what I think anymore.

Thanks,

BB

 

[DrMom]

medicine is not something to drag yourself through if your heart isn't in it. Even at 27, you have plenty of time to consider this if you're unsure.

 

[brotherbloat]

My heart is definitely in it. But there are so many cons. It's hard to know what to do. If there weren't these cons I'd be 100% excited to head in that direction.

 

[ntmed]

A couple thoughts.

1. You only applied to 12 schools. The average applicant applies to 11 schools. If your GPA or MCAT are below average (3.6 GPA, 30 MCAT), you should apply to more. You probably should apply to at least 24 programs.

2. Your post-bacc GPA is great. I don't know what your overall GPA is, but your 25 MCAT is definitely a problem. But it's a problem you can fix.

If you really want to be a doctor (and from the rationalization in your post, I think you do), then here's what I suggest.

1. Put all your effort into doing well on the MCAT this April. If you can, devote 30 to 50 hours a week from now until April.

2. Then apply again to 24 programs (or however many you can, but definitely more than 12) on June 1st.

3. If your undergraduate GPA was low (maybe below 3.4, but definitely if it was below 3.2), then I suggest you start a quick, non-thesis masters degree in Biology this summer, while your application is being processed. The application process will take 15 months, and during that time you can finish most of this degree. This way, if you have to reapply, you'll be that much stronger of an applicant.

Best of luck.

 

[efex101]

I would just wait it out until you are 300% sure you want to do this *even* with the cons. There are pros and cons to every situation so that is a given. It seems that your mind is into it but not your heart. There is no rush really. If you are unsure for whatever reason and obviously you do *know* what you will be getting into (from your husband) then just wait and see what happens. To be successful in this endeavor you have to give it ALL you have. If you are 300% sure then you know what needs to be done. Retake the MCAT this April and re-apply and this time add more schools. Make sure that you are applying to a wide variety of them and that you get your stuff in early...good luck.

 

[adventurer]

Have you considered other careers in health care? You can have a career that will allow you to make a difference and be fulfilled without going into medicine-maybe nursing, pharmacy, med tech, or similar. It may be a nice balance between your fears of being a perpetual student and having a fulfilling career.

 

[NontradICUdoc]

It appears to me that you are suffering from burnout. I have these same feelings. I have in a Masters program for 4 years, I am working fulll time, working on a thesis, studying for the April MCAT, have to spend quality time with my wife and two daughters. I see my friends and how they are enjoying their time off while I am studying.

I have had talks with my father and my mother over this (I am 30 years old but still go to them for advise) and they tell me that this is a long, hard road, but if this is what I want, the pay off is great.

Maybe what you need to do is take some time off and get away from it. If you take a semester or two off, no one is going to look at you in a poor light. If anything, you were able to get yourself rested and be sure that this is what you want. you need to be 100% sure that this is for you.

As for your fears, take them one at a time. We are all afraid of needle sticks, suits, blood borne pathogens and the like. But if you respect them and properly prepare for them, then your chances of being affected by one go down.

Point is, you may need to rest your mind and get away from it all. Maybe when you come back you will feel better and revved up to do what you want to do. Be it become a doctor or otherwise.

Good Luck

 

[BMW19]

You should consider the DO route as well. Your ideals make you well suited for the philosophy and you can do everything an allopathic doc can. With your credentials yous should have no prob getting into a DO school. Look into the phil. and read a few books on the subject, is my suggestion.

DO NOT go into medicine to prove anything to anyone except yourself, you will be miserable for that reason.

BMW-

Have you considered other careers in health care? You can have a career that will allow you to make a difference and be fulfilled without going into medicine-maybe nursing, pharmacy, med tech, or similar. It may be a nice balance between your fears of being a perpetual student and having a fulfilling career.

 

[NonTradMed]

I sympathize with you, some days, I sit back and wonder, 'why am I doing this?'. I quit a good job as a software engineer, and refused an even better offer as a consultant at a large company to take some classes so as to bump up my GPA and prepare for a retake of my MCAT.

My friends are all either in med school or working, and certainly none are taking undergrad courses like me. It doesn't help that I'm constantly reminded by my parents that I'm old (just turned 26) as compared to other undergraduates, or that it looks like I'm not going to get in this year and will have to reapply, but I made my decision knowing that this was what I truly wanted to do.

You have to really think....in ten years time, if you decided to forgo med school, would you look at the med students and doctors with envy? Or indifference?

My answer to that question drove me to take such a drastic action as quitting my job to prepare for medical school. Everytime my dad reminds me how 'old' I am, I answer back that I'd rather not have to experience 40 years of bitterness b/c I didn't go to med school b/c, 'gee I'm 26, four years older than the average applicant to medical school'. To me, a lifetime of knowing I picked a career I wanted to go into, is worth a few years of having to attend classes with kids who are 3 years younger than me. I mean, it seems silly the argument that a decision that will affect the REST OF YOUR LIFE should hinge on a small age difference between you and others. How many 21 year olds do you know that went to college b/c they didn't go back when they were 18?

Money certainly is another issue, but I don't believe anyone were poorer with a medical degree. You WILL get a decent paying job, but it will mean more delayed gratification b/c you have to pay it back.

As for your stats....hey, I'm aiming for a good post-bacc grade as well and a higher MCAT score, so I'm in the same boat as you! There are others like you out there. Just take it one day at a time.

 

[amy73]

Hi
I read your post and could identify with it. I am going thru much the same soul searching as you are. In addition to all the above, I am also the mom of a 3 yr old and i worry if i will be able to be a good mother if i do get into medical school. Feel free to PM me.

Also visit www.mommd.com for more prespective on pros and cons. I also keep wondering about all the docs who seem to be leaving medicene to raise kids and spend time with family and then having to pay off loans with the low reimbursements etc.

Bye
Amy

 

[BMW19]

I hate to sound redundant, redundant...but here I go. You guys should all look into osteopathic medical schools. They have more of a primary care philosophy, and the majority of the students are older and it will be second career. I for one am 28 (ancient in med school standards right?) I am a practicing chiropractor who is unfulfilled. I will be attending DO school in the fall. They can do everything an M.D. can (meds, surgery) except they have a more whole body philosophy and can do manipulative therapy (similar to a chiropractor). The curriculum is not easier but it does seem that they put less pressure on you. That is the way it seems at the DO interviews. I suggest doing some research and not giving up on your dreams because the naysayers will always naysay about reimbursement, salary , burnout etc. Anyway enough out of me. Pm me if you want to learn more. The average age of DO med students is much higher, like 26. You can tell your dad that

BMW-

I sympathize with you, some days, I sit back and wonder, 'why am I doing this?'. I quit a good job as a software engineer, and refused an even better offer as a consultant at a large company to take some classes so as to bump up my GPA and prepare for a retake of my MCAT.

My friends are all either in med school or working, and certainly none are taking undergrad courses like me. It doesn't help that I'm constantly reminded by my parents that I'm old (just turned 26) as compared to other undergraduates, or that it looks like I'm not going to get in this year and will have to reapply, but I made my decision knowing that this was what I truly wanted to do.

You have to really think....in ten years time, if you decided to forgo med school, would you look at the med students and doctors with envy? Or indifference?

My answer to that question drove me to take such a drastic action as quitting my job to prepare for medical school. Everytime my dad reminds me how 'old' I am, I answer back that I'd rather not have to experience 40 years of bitterness b/c I didn't go to med school b/c, 'gee I'm 26, four years older than the average applicant to medical school'. To me, a lifetime of knowing I picked a career I wanted to go into, is worth a few years of having to attend classes with kids who are 3 years younger than me. I mean, it seems silly the argument that a decision that will affect the REST OF YOUR LIFE should hinge on a small age difference between you and others. How many 21 year olds do you know that went to college b/c they didn't go back when they were 18?

Money certainly is another issue, but I don't believe anyone were poorer with a medical degree. You WILL get a decent paying job, but it will mean more delayed gratification b/c you have to pay it back.

As for your stats....hey, I'm aiming for a good post-bacc grade as well and a higher MCAT score, so I'm in the same boat as you! There are others like you out there. Just take it one day at a time.

 

[Static Line]

Hi there,

It's BrotherBloat again. I am writing to get all you good folks' advice about my situation.

I'm 27, married, female, and currently work full-time at a hosptial as a clinical research assistant. I did a post-bacc all last year, to take all my pre-med requirements for the first time (I was a humanities major). After my BA, I worked another career, and also as an artist, got tired of it, and started my pre-med courses in an informal post-bacc program, finished in July, took the August MCAT, and started working full-time at the hosptial shortly thereafter. Now I'm studying for the April MCAT, as I got a 25 on the August one. I also applied for the class of '05, but at this late date (almost Feb.) I haven't gotten a single interview but I also haven't heard from any of the schools I applied to (I got rejected by two schools, haven't heard from 10 of them) so I'm assuming I won't get an interview. So my plan was to re-take the April MCAT, apply this summer for fall '06, and keep on working at the hosptial.

However, lately I've really been re-considering whether or not I should just quit pre-med right now and go back to being an artist or maybe something else. I keep going back and forth about it. It's starting to drive me crazy. I feel like such an unfocused slacker. I mean I'm 27, I should be settled in my career and already have found myself by now! But medicien is the only career that would fulfill me. I've done lots of soul-searching on this one. But maybe I should just suck it up and do the boring 9 to 5 office job thing anyways.

I'm getting increasingly irritated by medicine and everything associated with it. I'm really not sure if it's the right career choice for me, even though for the past two years since I made the decision to go pre-med, I've felt really happy and excited about the decision. I like science, have done well in it (3.7 post-bacc ave.) and love helping people, and also love the healing aspect of medicine. I enjoy working in the hospital, like being around blood and guts, and enjoy reading about medical topics (health and medical books are among my favorite spare-time reading material.)

So what's the problem? All the things I'm about to list below. They are the major cons of medicine, as I see it, and right now my con list is far longer than my pro list. This, to me, seems like a huge warning sign.

1. Fear of blood-borne pathogens. I have always been terrified of this. I was the type who was always paranoid about always using condoms correctly, etc. and I am deathly afraid of contracting something. What happens if you're pregnant and you contract something? What happens if you get stuck and have to take anti-virals--what would it do to your developing baby? These things scare me big time. Plus, unfortunately, my husband sustained a needle-stick last Saturday (his first time) and it was the worst experience of our lives. Now I see firsthand what it's like to go through the mental anguish, the anti-virals, and the horrible wrenching fear of contracting something. Definitely not an experience I want to repeat, either with him or eventually me someday. This whole experience, combined with my previous fear, has definietly made me think twice--do I want to be thinking about this in the back of my mind every day I'm on the job? Granted, I would choose the most non-sharp friendly specialty, like psych, but there's no getting around the procuedres you must do in med school and internship.

2. Fear of being sued. Again, my mom's a doctor and I've firsthand witnessed the mental anguish she's had when she's gotten sued twice. It's horrible and I don't know if I want to deal with this awful stress in my job and the accompanying rising malpractice insurance rates because of it.

3. Expense of tuition. I already have my grad school student loans, my post-bacc student loans, and my hubby's med school students loans to deal with. Would it be selfish of me to add my own med school loans to this cauldron? Is it really cost-effective for me to go to med school in the long-run? I'm really struggling with this question.

4. 8 long years. I've already been through two years of med school, a year of internship, and two years of residency with my hubby, and I know firsthand how much studying you have to do and how you really can't be a normal person who comes home at the end of the day and leaves their job behind. Part of me wants to be that normal person. But part of me wants a career, not a job, and something that will fulfill me and where I can be a lifelong learner, and I can't think of anything besides medicine that would do that.

5. Lack of earning power during med school. I've been a student long enough--should I be making up for lost time from now on?

6. Taking orgo lab (last pre-med requirement to do). I hated orgo and the thought of taking orgo lab makes me want to barf.

7. Re-studying for the MCAT. I've been doing this all month and it's sucked. Big time.

8. I love science (bio) but I really don't care for chem, orgo, or physics. I took anatomy as an upper level bio and loved it, and I love reading medical books and watching what goes on with the patients. I think I have a mind for science, but does the fact that I don't like chem, orgo or physics screw me for being a doctor?

I can totally see myself in medicine and feel a great deal of pride and ecxcitement when I think about how I would be a good doctor, but I can't shake the feeling that this enormous list of cons should make me run the other way.

The other thing, which probably isn't a good reason to enter such a long, hard profession as medicine, is that I've always been treated as somewhat dumb by people for much of my life, and I really want to prove to myself that I'm really smart. I know that my parents and family really underestimate my abilities, and I want to show myself that I can hack the rigors of being a doctor.

I really wish I could settle this internal dilemma once and for all. My hubby's supportive, my parents think I'm nuts for leaving art and are ashamed of the idea of me being a doctor, and I'm not sure what I think anymore.

Thanks,

BB

I am 34 y/o. I have good GPA and experience (10 yrs Paramedic), but lousy MCAT (worse than yours). I am proof positive that you can do it if you want to. Study for April MCAT, but don't let your current score stop you from applying. Do it. For me, my signature says it all.

BTW, you live with your hubby. Who cares what everyone else thinks.

G' Luck

 

[ZanMD]

Hi there,

It's BrotherBloat again. I am writing to get all you good folks' advice about my situation.

I'm 27, married, female, and currently work full-time at a hosptial as a clinical research assistant. I did a post-bacc all last year, to take all my pre-med requirements for the first time (I was a humanities major). After my BA, I worked another career, and also as an artist, got tired of it, and started my pre-med courses in an informal post-bacc program, finished in July, took the August MCAT, and started working full-time at the hosptial shortly thereafter. Now I'm studying for the April MCAT, as I got a 25 on the August one. I also applied for the class of '05, but at this late date (almost Feb.) I haven't gotten a single interview but I also haven't heard from any of the schools I applied to (I got rejected by two schools, haven't heard from 10 of them) so I'm assuming I won't get an interview. So my plan was to re-take the April MCAT, apply this summer for fall '06, and keep on working at the hosptial.

However, lately I've really been re-considering whether or not I should just quit pre-med right now and go back to being an artist or maybe something else. I keep going back and forth about it. It's starting to drive me crazy. I feel like such an unfocused slacker. I mean I'm 27, I should be settled in my career and already have found myself by now! But medicien is the only career that would fulfill me. I've done lots of soul-searching on this one. But maybe I should just suck it up and do the boring 9 to 5 office job thing anyways.

I'm getting increasingly irritated by medicine and everything associated with it. I'm really not sure if it's the right career choice for me, even though for the past two years since I made the decision to go pre-med, I've felt really happy and excited about the decision. I like science, have done well in it (3.7 post-bacc ave.) and love helping people, and also love the healing aspect of medicine. I enjoy working in the hospital, like being around blood and guts, and enjoy reading about medical topics (health and medical books are among my favorite spare-time reading material.)

So what's the problem? All the things I'm about to list below. They are the major cons of medicine, as I see it, and right now my con list is far longer than my pro list. This, to me, seems like a huge warning sign.

1. Fear of blood-borne pathogens. I have always been terrified of this. I was the type who was always paranoid about always using condoms correctly, etc. and I am deathly afraid of contracting something. What happens if you're pregnant and you contract something? What happens if you get stuck and have to take anti-virals--what would it do to your developing baby? These things scare me big time. Plus, unfortunately, my husband sustained a needle-stick last Saturday (his first time) and it was the worst experience of our lives. Now I see firsthand what it's like to go through the mental anguish, the anti-virals, and the horrible wrenching fear of contracting something. Definitely not an experience I want to repeat, either with him or eventually me someday. This whole experience, combined with my previous fear, has definietly made me think twice--do I want to be thinking about this in the back of my mind every day I'm on the job? Granted, I would choose the most non-sharp friendly specialty, like psych, but there's no getting around the procuedres you must do in med school and internship.

2. Fear of being sued. Again, my mom's a doctor and I've firsthand witnessed the mental anguish she's had when she's gotten sued twice. It's horrible and I don't know if I want to deal with this awful stress in my job and the accompanying rising malpractice insurance rates because of it.

3. Expense of tuition. I already have my grad school student loans, my post-bacc student loans, and my hubby's med school students loans to deal with. Would it be selfish of me to add my own med school loans to this cauldron? Is it really cost-effective for me to go to med school in the long-run? I'm really struggling with this question.

4. 8 long years. I've already been through two years of med school, a year of internship, and two years of residency with my hubby, and I know firsthand how much studying you have to do and how you really can't be a normal person who comes home at the end of the day and leaves their job behind. Part of me wants to be that normal person. But part of me wants a career, not a job, and something that will fulfill me and where I can be a lifelong learner, and I can't think of anything besides medicine that would do that.

5. Lack of earning power during med school. I've been a student long enough--should I be making up for lost time from now on?

6. Taking orgo lab (last pre-med requirement to do). I hated orgo and the thought of taking orgo lab makes me want to barf.

7. Re-studying for the MCAT. I've been doing this all month and it's sucked. Big time.

8. I love science (bio) but I really don't care for chem, orgo, or physics. I took anatomy as an upper level bio and loved it, and I love reading medical books and watching what goes on with the patients. I think I have a mind for science, but does the fact that I don't like chem, orgo or physics screw me for being a doctor?

I can totally see myself in medicine and feel a great deal of pride and ecxcitement when I think about how I would be a good doctor, but I can't shake the feeling that this enormous list of cons should make me run the other way.

The other thing, which probably isn't a good reason to enter such a long, hard profession as medicine, is that I've always been treated as somewhat dumb by people for much of my life, and I really want to prove to myself that I'm really smart. I know that my parents and family really underestimate my abilities, and I want to show myself that I can hack the rigors of being a doctor.

I really wish I could settle this internal dilemma once and for all. My hubby's supportive, my parents think I'm nuts for leaving art and are ashamed of the idea of me being a doctor, and I'm not sure what I think anymore.

Thanks,

BB

Couple of things..

1. If you KNOW you can this this, then you can do this, regardless of what anyone else says. It's a mindset you have to have.

2. Yes you won't be a millionaire most likely, but you'll live a more than comfortable life,especially when compared to virtually any other career. Don't do it for the money.

3. If you love doing this, then the strings that come attached can be overcome. Yes there's a danger of being sued. Anything could happen. But That shouldn't be a deciding factor. You could get hit by a bus crossing the street tomorrow, but I bet you still leave your house.

4. It troubles me that your parents are unsupportive. I don't how it could bring ANY shame to them. Just ATTEMPTING to become a doctor is an admirable task. But you say your husband is supportive, so that's all the encouragement you need.

In the end the only opinion that really matters is your own.

 

[cfdavid]

What you're going through is normal. I think the uncertainty is what is making you second guess yourself. This is natural, and is one of the most difficult aspects of trying to get into med school. I have no idea if I'll be getting into med school in 06 or not. I still need to take the MCAT etc.
But, the uncertainty is what is fun in a sense (If I keep telling myself this I'll start to realy believe it! LOL). Just say f@#% it!
Don't get yourself down because this round MAY not turn out for you. This is a war of attrition. Don't take yourself out so soon, or at all, in my opinion.

 

[kota315]

I have wanted to be a doctor for as long as I can remember....I received my B.S. in biology in 95 and failed to gain acceptance after 2 application cycles and 2 MCATs so I hung up my coat and went out to see what life had to offer. I had a lot of fun and did a lot of different things over the next few years...but something was always missing.....turned out to be medicine. I completed my BSN in 01' and have been working in the ER ever since. Now being a nurse is very rewarding, but I still did not feel complete.....had an void in my soul that just couldn't be filled. I took another shot at the MCAT, I did significantly better, not out of the world better, but I did do better then the national average for my age bracket by 2 pts....My GPA isn't stellar either, but my resume is out of this world. So if you want to be a doctor, stay the course, focus on what is important.....if your husband is supportive, that is all the support you need. Find a way to make your application stand out, apply early, be positive!

Mark
LECOM c/o 2009

 

[medtechv79]

You could be suffering burnout...Maybe u should take a break. But if you have these doubts maybe u should really look and think hard into yourself if this is the right path for you. Not to get religious or anything I usually pray or turn to GOD in these dilemmas =). Only you can answer these questions.
Yeesh I sound really philisophical right now. Sorry.
Have you thought of other professions? Maybe if you are extremely worried about malpractice and blood borne pathogens you could go into pathology, dermatology or psychiatry? Obviously you probably still have to go through your clerkships and other anattomy stuff but that stuff might be better for you? Dermatology is kinda cushy lifestyle. My aunt is one and its definitely better than being a surgeon. hahah!
Also, I think your parents are unsupportive because they know going this route is sucha long and hard road and worry your wasting time...My parents are like this. I'm contemplating going the vet school route and my dad always tells me to think long and hard about this. Do u really want to spend another 4 years in school? What about yer fiance? How will you support yourself. yada yada. If this is truly what you want...then those tiny obstacles won't stand in your way. Have u talked to your husband about your fears? If he's in med school right now he should be able to help you. Good Luck!

 

[medtechv79]

I sympathize with you, some days, I sit back and wonder, 'why am I doing this?'. I quit a good job as a software engineer, and refused an even better offer as a consultant at a large company to take some classes so as to bump up my GPA and prepare for a retake of my MCAT.

My friends are all either in med school or working, and certainly none are taking undergrad courses like me. It doesn't help that I'm constantly reminded by my parents that I'm old (just turned 26) as compared to other undergraduates, or that it looks like I'm not going to get in this year and will have to reapply, but I made my decision knowing that this was what I truly wanted to do.

You have to really think....in ten years time, if you decided to forgo med school, would you look at the med students and doctors with envy? Or indifference?

My answer to that question drove me to take such a drastic action as quitting my job to prepare for medical school. Everytime my dad reminds me how 'old' I am, I answer back that I'd rather not have to experience 40 years of bitterness b/c I didn't go to med school b/c, 'gee I'm 26, four years older than the average applicant to medical school'. To me, a lifetime of knowing I picked a career I wanted to go into, is worth a few years of having to attend classes with kids who are 3 years younger than me. I mean, it seems silly the argument that a decision that will affect the REST OF YOUR LIFE should hinge on a small age difference between you and others. How many 21 year olds do you know that went to college b/c they didn't go back when they were 18?

Money certainly is another issue, but I don't believe anyone were poorer with a medical degree. You WILL get a decent paying job, but it will mean more delayed gratification b/c you have to pay it back.

As for your stats....hey, I'm aiming for a good post-bacc grade as well and a higher MCAT score, so I'm in the same boat as you! There are others like you out there. Just take it one day at a time.

OMG! I'm 25 and that's old?!! I know people who are 30 or 35 years old who don't think they are old! I personally do not think 25 or 26 years old is old! Maybe to parents because in their heyday that's when they were well established in their careers...but not this day and age! Your dad is probably like mine...conservative with a traditional mindset!!

 

[dentist_to_be?]

I was originally a med school hopeful... but I decided against applying for med school for many of the same reasons, brotherbloat. I have a lot of family in medicine, and I saw first hand how difficult it is... I got turned off medicine for numerous reason, firstly I want a family, not realistic when medicine is a 8-10 year path, depending on what you want to specialize in.

I looked into other branches, dentistry, optometry, speech pathology etc. Dentistry suited me, its four years, and then you can start practicing, and now they find that dentists are making as much as physicans, if not more! They say the average salary is $170000... I believe it, I know someone who just graduated from dental school, working at a practise now earning $170000 gross, it comes out to $110000 net.

My point is this, look into other medical branches, such as dentistry (this is my bias, since this is my avenue). Its not as prestiage, but when all said and done, you dont have to go to medical school to be a health care professional. And if medicine is your passion, as it is mine, you can still be involved without all the cons of being a physician.

Consider all your options, I find that people always aim for medical school, without realizing that there are many other avenues in medicine that they dont know about. If you are having so many doubts, re-consider your choices, also re-evaluate why you are consider med school in the first place.

You should not go to impress everyone else. I was heavily pressured by my family, and I felt I needed to prove myself to my family. However, impressing your family wont mean anything when you are miserable 8 years down the road.

dont become the 30+ year old who lives in regret... ( I know plenty of them).

Good luck!

 

[Paws]

I hope you're still studying for the MCAT, and that you decided to stick with it. Having doubts is natural and healthy, it would be weird to be working so hard and not sometimes stop and think: am I doing the right thing? Self assessment is a good thing.

I'm sorry your parents think trying to get to med school is a 'bad' thing. But then, some parents are hard to figure out. A big plus is that you have a nice husband who seems to think you're pretty smart, and that's money you can take to the bank. 😉

I had a twenty five the first time I took the MCAT, and I didn't even bother to apply but worked hard to boost my score and then applied to about 30 schools just to cover all bases. I only wanted to do this once! and I got in to a couple of great schools.

I found that having doubtful moments was really helpful and helped me to really see if this was what I wanted to do. Now that I am here I have to pinch myself because I can hardly believe I am actually doing this. It so incredibly awesome to me. So, keep the faith and listen to your instincts -

 

[TwoLegacies]

hi there.

every time i get fed up with being a pre-med (having started later than i "should have") and wonder if i really want to be a doctor, which seems to happen every month or so, i ask myself this:

if i were to be accepted right now, would i do it?

the answer is always an emphatic "YES!!!", which i think suggests that my anxiety about the future lies in the *application process*, not in whether or not i will be happy as a doctor. ask yourself that question.

i didn't finish reading everyone else's responses, so i don't know if this has been asked. have you shadowed a physician? i think it's important to see first hand what life will be like as a doctor.

addressing your concerns...
blood borne pathogens: i can't convince you not to be scared of them, just like i can't convince someone who's afraid of flying that they're more likely to be struck by lightning than die in a plane crash. my best is this: is that fear really big enough to keep you from being a dr.?

parents think you're crazy for giving up art: do what you want to do, not what someone else wants you to do. not only that, but you can still be an artist even as a doctor.

debt/insurance: as a doctor, you will not be hard up for cash. i promise you this. i think with this worry, you are forgetting the big picture. will you make more money as an artist than as a doctor, even after factoring in student debt and insurance costs? not only that, but is money what you're concerned about anyway? i have a feeling that being satisfied with your career is a higher priority to you than having a lot of money.

anyway, i hope that helps and that it was coherent. good luck

 

[smc927]

Someday, when I'm 75, I'm guessing I'll look back at now, when I'm 26 and starting medical school in the fall, and when I'm 36, done with school and residency and actually practicing, and think two things:

1- Not much difference between 26 and 36, especially looking back at age 75.

2- Sure glad I did it. It would be terrible to be 75 and look back and wish I had gone to medical school, regretting that I let my age or time stop me.