When did you decide to be a doctor?

[Narmerguy]

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Just curious, especially with a very focused group like SDN, when most of us happened upon our desire to be doctors (I know some of you came out of the womb diagnosing the nearest baby).

So basically, when did you decide that you were going to pursue medicine to become a doctor? I decided in high school.

 

[DrYoda]

I decided after my first year of college. I started college aiming for a business/finance type career.

 

[BennieBlanco]

Just curious, especially with a very focused group like SDN, when most of us happened upon our desire to be doctors (I know some of you came out of the womb diagnosing the nearest baby).

So basically, when did you decide, with certainty, that you were going to pursue medicine to become a doctor? I decided in high school.

I decided this morning over a cup of tea. Seems like a cool gig.

 

[red10]

I thought it was what I wanted to do in high school. Didn't really know what it took or if I'd actually be interested in it once anatomy stopped being like "this is the arm" and more serious.
It was probably freshmen year after listening to the pre-med adviser give the most depressing and scary lecture about how hard it was to be a doctor and I walked out thinking "i can do this"

 

[redlight]

right after the csection

 

[Exalya]

I was 15, in my second year of college... so I guess that constitutes high school (age-wise)? I was getting my degree in marine biology, but decided to go with something more practical and helpful to the human race. Though I won't lie, marine bio kicks a** and I love that I got to learn about it.

 

[Artimacia]

I decided after first semester of college, originally going for forensic science degree

 

[Schemp]

I quit college after 3 years, and after about 2 years of working full time I decided I wanted to go back to school to get a job that involved constantly learning. Medicine sounded like something helpful where I could utilize my potential, so that was my excuse for going back to school. I've been back for almost 3 years and got lucky I guess, cause the more time that passes and the more I learn about the field and myself, the more confident I am that I made the right decision.

(I figured I'd explain since mine is technically one of your options, although I chose "second two years of college.")

 

[SFANJUM]

In Highschool after i watched House for the first time...

 

[ilovebiology]

I agree with red10! I took "AP Bio" my senior year of high school and thought it was hard and crazy that my teacher wanted me to study 1-2 hours a night. hahahaa those were the days...anyways, it was also taking care of my grandmother for several years until she died the end of my junior year...so the combo of those two things is what got me interested into becoming a doctor, but it wasn't until the first famous "pre-med" meeting where I heard the speech of how grueling it is, most of you are going to drop bull****, that just made me want it even more! I absolutely fell in love with science and medicine. 😀

 

[jvesco22]

Last night...after sex. My girl had abdominal pains and that's when I knew...my calling

 

[Narmerguy]

I quit college after 3 years, and after about 2 years of working full time I decided I wanted to go back to school to get a job that involved constantly learning. Medicine sounded like something helpful where I could utilize my potential, so that was my excuse for going back to school. I've been back for almost 3 years and got lucky I guess, cause the more time that passes and the more I learn about the field and myself, the more confident I am that I made the right decision.

(I figured I'd explain since mine is technically one of your options, although I chose "second two years of college.")

Barring your explanation, I'm surprised so many people decided they would pursue physicianhood so late into college.

I wonder if there is a varying level of success into medicine depending on how soon you happened upon your desire to become a physician.

 

[Chemdude]

I was 15, in my second year of college... so I guess that constitutes high school (age-wise)? I was getting my degree in marine biology, but decided to go with something more practical and helpful to the human race. Though I won't lie, marine bio kicks a** and I love that I got to learn about it.

You were 13 when you started college?!!! That means you're going to finish medical school when you're 21. If you want to be a Neurosurgeon, you'll be one by 28. Damn...you'll be making >$500K before you hit 30.

LOL, 17 @ Medical school;you're probably going to get picked on like crazy...

I want my kids to be just like you😀

 

[Narmerguy]

LOL, 17 @ Medical school;you're probably going to get picked on like crazy...

I want my kids to be just like you😀

Wtf?! 😕

 

[Chemdude]

Wtf?! 😕

What's wrong with wanting your children to be successful?

 

[camo]

I decided after my first year of college and after I volunteered in the hospital that summer. Definitely could not see myself doing anything else. Business sucks, layers are lame, teachers are okay, and everything else is just boring.

 

[dw2158]

during high school for me, but wasn't 100% sure until the end of college.

I was 15, in my second year of college... so I guess that constitutes high school (age-wise)? I was getting my degree in marine biology, but decided to go with something more practical and helpful to the human race. Though I won't lie, marine bio kicks a** and I love that I got to learn about it.

please tell me this is a joke.

 

[Schemp]

Barring your explanation, I'm surprised so many people decided they would pursue physicianhood so late into college.

I wonder if there is a varying level of success into medicine depending on how soon you happened upon your desire to become a physician.

Not completely sure what you mean this.

I suspect that more people who decide later are successful in BECOMING doctors. Once they're actually through med school, the success rate is probably very similar, if not the same.

 

[Narmerguy]

What's wrong with wanting your children to be successful?

I more meant your juxtoposition of stating that the guy gets teased and then saying you want your kids to be like him, thus getting teased. I was joking though. Half joking.

Not completely sure what you mean this.

I mean that I wonder how many people that decide later in their career end up successfully completing the process vs people who decide earlier in their career.

Edit: Overall I'm also surprised by how balanced the results are (with the obvious exception of after college)

 

[johncalvin]

Last night...after sex. My girl had abdominal pains and that's when I knew...my calling

Judging by your avatar...

Ahem, my name is Chris Hansen. Please have a seat right here.

 

[DrMattOglesby]

i started doing my premed after i got my BA.
but i kinda knew i was headed in that direction during my last two years when i was a lifeguard.

 

[Exalya]

You were 13 when you started college?!!! That means you're going to finish medical school when you're 21. If you want to be a Neurosurgeon, you'll be one by 28. Damn...you'll be making >$500K before you hit 30.

LOL, 17 @ Medical school;you're probably going to get picked on like crazy...

I want my kids to be just like you😀

Not 17, 20. I was kicked out of the house and had a lot of other bad things happen to me. I started way early, but will only finish semi-early. *shrugs* Life happens.

 

[loveoforganic]

I had it in my head that I wanted to be one coming into college, signed up for the premed track, etc., but I didn't really make the decision that I wanted to be a doctor until sometime second semester of freshman year.

 

[radi0headfan]

abt a yr after college

 

[Narmerguy]

Wow, these results are amazingly consistent. I was not expecting this at all.

 

[TexasFight]

After I earned my first paycheck in a minimum wage job (senior year of HS)