quote:
No.
It almost certainly is not.
Is that simple enough?

It may be "worth it" for folks who'd eventually benefit from your care

For you, it may be "worth it" if you choose to pursue a career in medicine with the same attitude you would in pursuing a career in the Peace Corps.

Otherwise, "no" it is probably not worth it.

The ONLY basis for pursuing a career in medicine in the current environment is the good you'll do for others. That's it. Period.

There is no reasonable financial argument for the choice.
There is only the good of your potential contributions to others' well-being, albeit at great personal sacrifice.

Do NOT make the choice for money.
If making money is anywhere on your decision screen, choose another field.
If money is a goal, you'll almost inevitably regret the choice.

Money may come, but almost assuredly not to the extent it would if you set your goals on a Wall Street, Corporate, or Consulting position.

I could not agree more with this. Take NC_Tigahs advice.

If you become a doctor for the right reasons, money is not the issue. Money should not be the primary motivation for or deterrent from going to med school - as NC_Tigah correctly pointed out you will be continually frustrated by others below your academic level making (sometimes substantially) more.

To answer your questions of whether it's 'worth it', I suggest you do some introspection and really be honest with yourself about why you want to become an MD.

The loans look daunting, but what is more daunting is the prospect of years of grueling study and work to reach your goal. If you are doing it with the goal in mind of making a lot of money, 7-10 years post-graduate schooling/residency is a long miserable time.

Personally, I love what I do, and could not imagine myself doing anything different. The loans were paid back in my first 2 years of practice by continuing to live like a resident, as several others have mentioned.

Good luck to you!

This post was edited on 5/26/18 at 11:40 am