[SqueedlySplooch]

Is anyone else here aiming for Medical School?

Personally, my plan is to graduate from my career center Medical Technologies course, go to a four year college, (Case Western Reserve? <3) major in Biology/Biochemistry/Forensic Biology and minor in something random, yet awesome, like Astronomy or Greek. o.o From there I plan to go to Medical School and become either a Surgeon, Anesthesiologist, Neurologist, Medical Examiner, or General Physician. I'm pretty undecided so far. xD At least I have it narrowed down, right?

So what are any of your plans? If you want to pursue this field, go for it. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do it and have fun with it! I'm interested to see if we have any other future doctors here. :P

[DocClyde]

Greek, eh? Very cool

Keep working towards your goal is all I can say...

Best,

[meddie]

Future doctor here. Be ready to cope with the extra debt, extra stress (tons extra), the cut throat competition and in general a complete lack of life for the rest of your life. On the other hand, be also ready to become awesome. So that's my opinion.

[autumnevening]

I'm working towards becoming a veterinarian, so pretty close. It's hard right now because my depression is so bad, but I'm not giving up. Best of luck to you!

[Justme_55]

Funny you say that, I have a ton of pre Reqs to accomplish to switch to a university to get to case due to having my G.E.D. which is a really picky school, but having a scholastic back round that was about as sad as old yeller I've chosen to take college seriously & have a 4.0, I know if you aim for the stars it can be achieved! Good luck!

former doc here, lost license for a while now due to attacking a patient. moral of the story is don't attack your patients

Originally Posted by meddie

Be ready to cope with the extra debt, extra stress (tons extra), the cut throat competition and in general a complete lack of life for the rest of your life.

I second what meddie said. I went to medical school (in the UK) but left a few months before finals. Most of your fellow students will stab you in the back as soon as look at you. Granted there are some nice people there and I made some really good friends, but with limited clinician time and patient contact (and in my uni the bottom 10% of the year were failed regardless of how high their mark actually was) be prepared to get screwed over. And I rarely see my friends who are qualified now as they are working ALL THE TIME (what European 48hr working time directive?!), and stressed, and whenever I do see them all they do is ****** about how much they hate their jobs as junior doctors (where everyone treats you like crap until you are Consultant).

Originally Posted by meddie

On the other hand, be also ready to become awesome.

I also think that's part of the problem. A lot of people, myself included, focus on the prestige of being a doctor, but actually it's not about how 'awesome' you are. Being let into the lives of patients is an honour and you should appreciate that. I went into medicine to work holistically with patients, which is what medical schools and doctors say they want, but actually most people I came across see the psychosocial/holistic approach as something they have to pay lip service to to pass their exams, that is then completely irrelevant to their future career and it categorically is not. Being a good doctor is not just about knowing your stuff; it's mostly about genuinely caring about your patients and being a good communicator. With that being hugely underrated at my medical school and by the doctors I met, I decided to retrain as a psychologist.

I do wish you all the best of luck though as you really will need it! If this is what you really want to do (and you're sure you know what you're getting yourself in to), then go for it. Everyone I knew (family, friends & teachers) told me I'd never get into medschool because it is so competitive...and I got offered 3 places (out of 4) so what did they know?! :P

*Willow*

[Monochromexx]

I wouldn't exactly say I'm aiming for medical school... Okay, maybe I am, but it's mainly because of my parents who have already decided that part of my life for me. It's also because of that Asian stereotype too, I feel like I have to live up to it, and there's a lot of Asians where I live too, so it makes the pressure worse.
I don't think it helps that I have a slight(?) fear of hospitals and doctors and etc. I'm also MUCH more interested in astronomy than in medicine too... BUT it wouldn't matter anyway. Parents already got it planned out.
Would it be healthy (mental health-wise) to become a doctor if you have a fear of hospitals? I don't really think it would...

Monochrome, I'm sorry that your parents are pushing you towards a career that you're not interested in. Regardless of your fear of hospitals/doctors, it will not be mentally healthy for you to push yourself in a very challenging area that you do not want to do. Add in your fears and it will be incredibly difficult for you. Of the people I know who went to medschool because their parents made them, they either dropped out and pursued their own dream (not that of their parents) or they graduated and are completely miserable doing a very stressful job they HATE. Don't do that to yourself. You need to talk to your parents about this, regardless of how difficult it will be.

Wishing you all the best,

*Willow*

[Monochromexx]

Thanks, Willow, but I'm just going along with it because I have nothing else to aim for. I mean, yeah, I love astronomy and rant to my friends about the things I've learned, but I can't just see myself having a job in that field... It's the same with art, I love drawing, painting, etc., but I can't see myself being an artist. Plus, inspiration strikes at really random times for me, there are times when I feel like drawing, and times where I just want to lay in my bed and do nothing.
I'm actually sort of grateful that my parents already have my career decided for me, whether I like it or not. At least they chose an area where I really get to help people.

[roads]

Originally Posted by Monochromexx

I have nothing else to aim for. I mean, yeah, I love astronomy and rant to my friends about the things I've learned, but I can't just see myself having a job in that field...

How about astrobiology? That's going to be a growing field this century. Prestigious professorial positions? Appointments to international posts?

But astronomy! Wow. Such an intriguing field. Look how much play astronomy is getting on ETV these days ... sure your folks wouldn't consider it? Let you be the Carl Sagan of the 21st century??? You could rant to millions!!!