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What are your thoughts about medical school? Any doctors on the O-T?
Posted on 9/5/17 at 1:34 pm
Posted on 9/5/17 at 1:34 pm
I'm a recent grad from LSU with a 3.8 GPA in biological sciences. I'm currently taking a gap year to do some soul searching before ultimately deciding what my next step will be. Always wanted to do something in the healthcare field (was all about pharmacy at first, but didn't like it after shadowing). I'm trying to decide between med school, PA school, or maybe even careers in healthcare management and just looking for work.
Is med school still worth it? I hear all the time it's soul crushing and being a doctor isn't what it used to be, less money now, etc. Just interested if any doctors on here can chime in or what other working people recommend. It's big decision, but this is where I'm at right now. It'd be a lot of money and time on my end and a lot lost in opportunity cost
Is med school still worth it? I hear all the time it's soul crushing and being a doctor isn't what it used to be, less money now, etc. Just interested if any doctors on here can chime in or what other working people recommend. It's big decision, but this is where I'm at right now. It'd be a lot of money and time on my end and a lot lost in opportunity cost
This post was edited on 9/5/17 at 1:36 pm
49
Posted on 9/5/17 at 1:36 pm to schwartzy
Dont do it
Do PA or something where you can still make a good living but much less stress and liability and less crippling debt
Do PA or something where you can still make a good living but much less stress and liability and less crippling debt
This post was edited on 9/5/17 at 1:36 pm
Posted on 9/5/17 at 1:36 pm to schwartzy
Be a PA $100 grand+ a year. 2 more years of school.
Posted on 9/5/17 at 1:40 pm to schwartzy
Hospitalalists never make less than $220k and have 6 months of vacation a year. It's a pretty good life if you like 7on-7off
Posted on 9/5/17 at 1:41 pm to schwartzy
I'm not a gynecologist, but I'll take a look anyway.
Posted on 9/5/17 at 1:43 pm to schwartzy
Posted on 9/5/17 at 1:44 pm to schwartzy
have you considered becoming a nurse practitioner?
Posted on 9/5/17 at 1:44 pm to schwartzy
It is a long haul, but I think very worth the wait if you find a field you like. May I suggest radiology. That being said, taking a year off to find yourself is just about the worst thing you can do in the eyes of the acceptance board. So unless you are connected, make that year useful or dive right in. I would try and get in ASAP so you don't lose a year of future earnings. My two cents
Posted on 9/5/17 at 1:46 pm to schwartzy
If I was to go back and do it again, I would most likely go the hospitalist route.
There are jobs literally everywhere, the pay is good (most I know are in the upper 200's after bonuses), and the 7 on 7 off is a no brainer. It is boring as shite, but for the money/life style trade off it's absolutely worth it.
There are jobs literally everywhere, the pay is good (most I know are in the upper 200's after bonuses), and the 7 on 7 off is a no brainer. It is boring as shite, but for the money/life style trade off it's absolutely worth it.
Posted on 9/5/17 at 1:46 pm to schwartzy
Do it. Just be mindful of what salary expectations are for different specialties. It is an investment in terms of both time and money, so be sure you get a return on your investment. It is a long road to become an expert in any field of medicine. I would not become a midlevel of any kind. They are not the experts in any field, and their education is being devalued by the online diploma mills pumping out graduates at alarming rates.
Posted on 9/5/17 at 1:49 pm to lsustone57
quote:
It is a long haul, but I think very worth the wait if you find a field you like. May I suggest radiology. That being said, taking a year off to find yourself is just about the worst thing you can do in the eyes of the acceptance board. So unless you are connected, make that year useful or dive right in. I would try and get in ASAP so you don't lose a year of future earnings. My two cents
Absolutely agree
For the love of God, do not take a year off!
Take your MCAT within the next 2 months
This post was edited on 9/5/17 at 1:50 pm
Posted on 9/5/17 at 1:49 pm to schwartzy
Go be a welder baw, - OT
Posted on 9/5/17 at 1:52 pm to lsustone57
quote:
That being said, taking a year off to find yourself is just about the worst thing you can do in the eyes of the acceptance board
Really? What dicks.
This post was edited on 9/5/17 at 1:52 pm
Posted on 9/5/17 at 1:55 pm to schwartzy
Also, be very mindful of the student loans. Becoming a doctor is very expensive, and it can hit you like a ton of bricks when graduate.
Another positive for the hospitalist route is the option for public student loan forgiveness. If you were to work for a non-profit hospital after finishing residency (assuming your residency is at a non-profit hospital) then after 7 years your loans are forgiven.
Another positive for the hospitalist route is the option for public student loan forgiveness. If you were to work for a non-profit hospital after finishing residency (assuming your residency is at a non-profit hospital) then after 7 years your loans are forgiven.
Posted on 9/5/17 at 1:56 pm to Teddy Ruxpin
I don't think the gap year is a bad thing as long as it's being used properly. In my case I've gotten more shadowing experience and went on a mission trip. I think a gap year can either be good or bad depending on how the person uses it.
Posted on 9/5/17 at 1:57 pm to schwartzy
Depends on what you end up doing.
Scruffy loves his job. Doing pediatric emergency medicine.
Would I go through medical school again? Probably. It wasn't that bad outside of fricking STEP tests.
Would I do residency again? Absolutely. I've enjoyed the hell out of it.
I can't tell you where medicine will be in 5-10 years.
Just find something you enjoy and hold onto it.
Scruffy loves his job. Doing pediatric emergency medicine.
Would I go through medical school again? Probably. It wasn't that bad outside of fricking STEP tests.
Would I do residency again? Absolutely. I've enjoyed the hell out of it.
I can't tell you where medicine will be in 5-10 years.
Just find something you enjoy and hold onto it.
Posted on 9/5/17 at 1:57 pm to schwartzy
How much do you value time off, and how passionate are you about medicine? Being a doctor is a commitment. If you are ok with having to miss stuff when you are older and have a family and what not then go for it. A good friend of mine's gorfiriends dad is a leading neonatal specialist, but his life is medicine. He's always at the hospital. My buddy is in med school and realizes that he doesn't want that kind of life so he is trying to focus on things where he would get more time off.
No one can make a decision for you, but you need to weigh that kind of stuff. If you are in it for the money, I wouldnt recommend medical school.
No one can make a decision for you, but you need to weigh that kind of stuff. If you are in it for the money, I wouldnt recommend medical school.
Posted on 9/5/17 at 1:58 pm to lsustone57
quote:Who told you that?
That being said, taking a year off to find yourself is just about the worst thing you can do in the eyes of the acceptance board.
Posted on 9/5/17 at 1:58 pm to schwartzy
4th year medical student here.
Go to PA school
Go to PA school
Posted on 9/5/17 at 1:59 pm to schwartzy
I'm a PA and happy with my decision, work ER, make good money, pretty cool for only 2 more years of school. Still tons of autonomy, just wish I would have done it sooner than my late 20's
This post was edited on 9/5/17 at 2:00 pm
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