What kind of impact do you want to make?

[mapandterritory]

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It wouldn't surprise me if most pre-med students on here were very certain about their decision to go to medical school, even if they considered other options. Somehow I just don't share that kind of certainty. Why? There are many reasons, but I came up with two major ones:

1. Will medicine allow me to make the kind of impact that I want? An MD/PhD program would probably be the best choice for me when it comes to medicine, as the research going on today is pioneering new treatments that could save thousands in the future.

2. A lack of both confidence and focus (sometimes). Part of me knows that I have the ability to get into a great program, but another part is not so sure of my capacity for original thought. I am also interested in many things (e.g., physics, nanotech, history, etc.), so I will have to find something that is quite...interdisciplinary. 😀

So, enough about me...

- How certain are you of medical school? What things make you question it, even just a little?

- What kind of impact do you want to make? For example, some people want to do research, while others love to see the small differences they see in patients' lives every day. Many people together can participate in creating changes bigger than themselves. Or, on a bigger scale, some people want to shake up health care reform.

 

[Oxygen206]

So, enough about me...

- How certain are you of medical school? What things make you question it, even just a little?

- What kind of impact do you want to make? For example, some people want to do research, while others love to see the small differences they see in patients' lives every day. Many people together can participate in creating changes bigger than themselves. Or, on a bigger scale, some people want to shake up health care reform.

I'll bite 😉

1. I was so certain about going to medical school until I got accepted. Sometimes I second guess myself and think "wow, omg maybe I should be getting a PhD....oh **** I'm doing the wrong thing.....what if I suck as a doctor? What if I can't remember everything I need to?? Ahhhhhh!" But then I remind myself of how hard I worked to get into school, and how most people don't even make it to the point of applying, let alone gaining an acceptance. I try to remind myself that I have already "proven" I have what it takes to make it. However, I think no matter what there will always be moments when I second guess myself. I've come to understand (and accept) that this is probably normal.

2. I'm not sure about the impact I want to make, whether its on an individual scale, or a massive scale. I see myself doing both. There are so many areas I have an interest in (neuro, immuno, onc, psych, cardio) its hard to say at this point. I think I'll figure it out as I go. Sometimes its nice not to know...when you're open to anything, there's more opportunity for the right thing to come to you.