Will I be able to survive medical school?

[BTR1208]

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Hi guys. So let me tell you a little about the situation I am in. I am 20 years old in my 2nd year at a community college (cheaper). I have not taken any of my science classes yet, plan to do that this upcoming year at Indiana University. Anyway, I was a slacker in high school, I got through with like a 3.0, but I did not study one time in 4 years. Stupid, I know. Originally coming out of high school I was set on going to Chiropractic School but decided that wasn't for me. Seems like they are scam artists to me. I then switched my focus to Optometry but after reading a lot of stuff about them and even receiving advice from an Optometrist to not go into the field, I am thinking it may not be a wise decision. I would love to go to med school. I know it is hard work but I know I will be able to put all I have into it. I have not taken a science class in 2 years and next year will be thrown into several. I have a 3.8 right now just from taking general prerequisites. Should I continue to pursue this? Will I be able to learn along the way? Ideally I would love to become a Dermatologist. What do you guys suggest?

Thanks so much!

B

 

[EBTrailRunner]

I hope you realize that there's no accurate way of answering whether you'll survive medical school when you haven't even taken one pre-req yet. Throw any pre-conceptions based on your performance in high school out the window. You're in college now. My suggestion is to do your best to be successful in your science classes for now. You'll have to regularly evaluate your progress along the way. You'll run into major checkpoints where, historically, many pre-meds have been weeded out (e.g., Orgo, the MCAT). If you make it past these in good shape, that's a positive sign.

All that being said, what makes you so sure you'd love to go to medical school? Have you had any clinical exposure yet? If not, you'll definitely want to test your interest in medicine by experiencing clinical medicine first-hand through volunteering, working as an ER tech, etc. Who knows, you may find out along the way that your long-term interests lie elsewhere. You simply won't know until you test it out.

Anyway, go ahead and start taking your science classes. It's a long road ahead and the answers to many of the questions you may have can be found along the way.

 

[MT Headed]

All that being said, what makes you so sure you'd love to go to medical school?

Because the OP has always wanted to be a chiropractor an optometrist an ophthalmologist a rads oncologist a dermatologist, and is currently a 2nd year Indiana University 2nd year CC student.

Strong consistency-to-post ratio.

 

[Catalystik]

I would love to go to med school.
I know it is hard work but I know I will be able to put all I have into it.
I have not taken a science class in 2 years and next year will be thrown into several.
Should I continue to pursue this?
Will I be able to learn along the way?
What do you guys suggest?

I suggest you engage in the same process of exploration that you applied to your past enthusiasms. Read about the practice of medicine, shadow a few docs (soliciting the advice of more than one of them), and volunteer where you can interact with sick people. Then decide if grueling med school and residency expectations, threat of malpractice, insurance woes, abusive patients, and little sleep are worth it. I expect you will find a downside to any occupation you research. You have to decide for yourself if it is worthwhile regardless.