Was anyone else not excited/scared after getting accepted?

[Latteandaprayer]

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This has been my dream for two years. I still love research (especially now doing it full time for a year), I still love medicine I think. But now that it’s a reality I’m scared.

I’m not sure of what exactly... I don’t believe in wasted time (I don’t care that it’ll take me 8 years). I’m not sure I’ll be phenomenal as a physician or scientist, but if these programs believe in me then they must see some potential in me. Worst case scenario, it’s not for me and I learn that about myself, though right now I’m sure this is what I want. I’m just scared.

 

[Datypicalpremed]

Just remember that at the end of the day, you are not obligated to become the physician scientist they want you to become. Worst case, you always have the option to do full clinical or full research at the end. All while having a free ride through Med and grad school + stipend. This is not an unfortunate situation to be in by a long shot.

I say this as someone seeing/experiencing just how bad the funding situation for science is nowadays and realizing just how tough it is to manage research and clinical duties at the same time (at least at the start). If the opportunity is there, go for it. But if not, feel no shame for refusing to put your head on the chopping block...

 

[Latteandaprayer]

Just remember that at the end of the day, you are not obligated to become the physician scientist they want you to become. Worst case, you always have the option to do full clinical or full research at the end. All while having a free ride through Med and grad school + stipend. This is not an unfortunate situation to be in by a long shot.

I say this as someone seeing/experiencing just how bad the funding situation for science is nowadays and realizing just how tough it is to manage research and clinical duties at the same time (at least at the start). If the opportunity is there, go for it. But if not, feel no shame for refusing to put your head on the chopping block...

Absolutely, but thank you for the reminder. My PI always says that it’s never too late to change careers. He tells me all the time how his wife almost quit her postdoc to become a wedding planner, but decided to stick with it. Point being, it’s okay to switch.

that’s why I don’t believe in wasted time... worst case, I discover I hate both options and decide to do something else, and that’s okay. Hopefully I like both, and if not at least I’m not shoehorned into a single path.

 

[Alyssum]

I’m not sure I’ll be phenomenal as a physician or scientist

That's a lot to ask of yourself. It may be very hard to be phenomenal when you're surrounded by other people who have also always been phenomenal at science and/or medicine. Life is short and you simply do what you love, even if it turns out that you're not the best at it compared to someone else. In order to be good at something, discover something important, or live the life we always wanted, sometimes we have to take risks, and accept that along the way we might make mistakes or make a fool of ourselves. But that's where the fun is!

Also, consider that there's a pandemic and millions of people are out of jobs right now, with more worried each day about their livelihood. You'll have guaranteed stipend, insurance, and extreme job security for the next 8-9 years. If you choose your program wisely, you could live very comfortably for the next decade, which is not a bad deal. And as others said, you can leave and adjust your career focus at any time if better opportunities arise.