Am I crazy to want to become a doctor?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Reviving this year old thread as I embark on my own path to becoming a doctor...I'm 45! I'm divorced with kids, although they aren't super young. I'm starting a DIY post bacc this fall and hoping to app by 47. If I complete med school and residency by 55 even I'll be happy (overjoyed really) spending 10-20 years practicing.

As for cost, I enrolled as a second degree seeking student, which opened federal student loans (there is a cap for undergrad students that I didn't reach with my first degree). Then I will likely apply for NHSC loan forgiveness as a primary care doc in a rural area. I've also considered the military option where they pay for school AND give you a stipend in exchange for a commitment of X years.

I've been fortunate to spend lots of time with my kids not working too much outside the home. I've volunteered, went on more field trips than I can count, helped with homework, cooked fresh, healthy meals, listened to and counseled on friend dramas and had many cool experiences with them....all things that are important to me as a parent. Now they are older and more academically independent I feel as though I can get back to me a little.

I'm not adding to this old thread for any sort of encouragement, but instead to offer some to anyone who asks themselves this very question. There is lots of support and advice at oldpremed.org. Good luck!

Not to be a downer, but you do know that getting into a residency program is not guaranteed, right? It's basically the med school interview/admission process all over again (flights, hotels, application fees) but even more competitive because spots are much more limited than med school. The "we'll pay you back" rural programs only happen if you get into residency. Hours can be grueling as a med student and more so as an intern/resident.
signed,
-someone who has worked in medical education for 10+ years

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Reviving this year old thread as I embark on my own path to becoming a doctor...I'm 45! I'm divorced with kids, although they aren't super young. I'm starting a DIY post bacc this fall and hoping to app by 47. If I complete med school and residency by 55 even I'll be happy (overjoyed really) spending 10-20 years practicing.

As for cost, I enrolled as a second degree seeking student, which opened federal student loans (there is a cap for undergrad students that I didn't reach with my first degree). Then I will likely apply for NHSC loan forgiveness as a primary care doc in a rural area. I've also considered the military option where they pay for school AND give you a stipend in exchange for a commitment of X years.

I've been fortunate to spend lots of time with my kids not working too much outside the home. I've volunteered, went on more field trips than I can count, helped with homework, cooked fresh, healthy meals, listened to and counseled on friend dramas and had many cool experiences with them....all things that are important to me as a parent. Now they are older and more academically independent I feel as though I can get back to me a little.

I'm not adding to this old thread for any sort of encouragement, but instead to offer some to anyone who asks themselves this very question. There is lots of support and advice at oldpremed.org. Good luck!

Not to be a downer, but you do know that getting into a residency program is not guaranteed, right? It's basically the med school interview/admission process all over again (flights, hotels, application fees) but even more competitive because spots are much more limited than med school. The "we'll pay you back" rural programs only happen if you get into residency. Hours can be grueling as a med student and more so as an intern/resident.
signed,
-someone who has worked in medical education for 10+ years

m
What happens to Med school graduates who don't get a residency?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PA is going to work better for your age OP. You are late to the ballgame as you know

+1 OMG. But pretty sure every medical school is going to recognize this who fiasco as a mid-life crisis.

Now OP, let's talk about what you want to do with your second act, not what you wanted to become when you were 20.

[Anonymous]

Have you considered becoming a midlevel (nurse practitioner or physician assistant)?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Reviving this year old thread as I embark on my own path to becoming a doctor...I'm 45! I'm divorced with kids, although they aren't super young. I'm starting a DIY post bacc this fall and hoping to app by 47. If I complete med school and residency by 55 even I'll be happy (overjoyed really) spending 10-20 years practicing.

As for cost, I enrolled as a second degree seeking student, which opened federal student loans (there is a cap for undergrad students that I didn't reach with my first degree). Then I will likely apply for NHSC loan forgiveness as a primary care doc in a rural area. I've also considered the military option where they pay for school AND give you a stipend in exchange for a commitment of X years.

I've been fortunate to spend lots of time with my kids not working too much outside the home. I've volunteered, went on more field trips than I can count, helped with homework, cooked fresh, healthy meals, listened to and counseled on friend dramas and had many cool experiences with them....all things that are important to me as a parent. Now they are older and more academically independent I feel as though I can get back to me a little.

I'm not adding to this old thread for any sort of encouragement, but instead to offer some to anyone who asks themselves this very question. There is lots of support and advice at oldpremed.org. Good luck!

Unless you want to go into a high paying specialty and think you're good enough to get into the competitive residency it requires, you should consider becoming an NP or PA. Not much less pay than a primary care physicians, less liability, possibility of shift work so you can spend time with your kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Um, we DESPERATELY need people who WANT to be doctors. We're importing too many who just want to cash in and get American money and then go back to where they came from.

What can I do to help you become a doctor? What do I need to say?

If you have a desire to do it, we need you to do it.

Not the OP, but rather the one who revived the old thread. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kind post! I didn't plan to revisit this thread because I figured it would be filled with more of the same discouragement as previously posted. I will forge ahead as I really do WANT to be a doctor. You can wait for guarantees before moving forward with life, you'll never get anywhere. No risk, no reward. I'll come back to this thread once I am accepted to med school (OP, I hope you will, too!) and then again when I match. You have to believe...and I most certainly do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Um, we DESPERATELY need people who WANT to be doctors. We're importing too many who just want to cash in and get American money and then go back to where they came from.

What can I do to help you become a doctor? What do I need to say?

If you have a desire to do it, we need you to do it.

Not the OP, but rather the one who revived the old thread. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kind post! I didn't plan to revisit this thread because I figured it would be filled with more of the same discouragement as previously posted. I will forge ahead as I really do WANT to be a doctor. You can wait for guarantees before moving forward with life, you'll never get anywhere. No risk, no reward. I'll come back to this thread once I am accepted to med school (OP, I hope you will, too!) and then again when I match. You have to believe...and I most certainly do.

I'm sorry this feels so self destructive, but makes in a mania. I was pp asking for what kind of work you wanted to do, rather than what title but you are looking thru riser colored glasses. I guess a coping mechanism for mid life crisis and divorce. Before investing to much down this or earth, please talk to a therapist and maybe do some informational interviews with doctors in your planned field

[Anonymous]

Do you honestly have the stamina to go to class all day in M1 and M2 and then study until midnight - night after night - at age 47? Have you thought about night call and what it'll be like in residency when you're 51 trying to keep up with 26 yr olds?

[Anonymous]

YOLO

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:YOLO

Student debt is forever

[Anonymous]

As someone who is married to a primary care physician, don't do it.
When you're finally done with training you'll work you ass off for $150K a year.
Become a PA or NP. You'll make less but your hours will be better and you won't have the debt.

The only way medicine is worth it these days is if you're either independently wealthy or go into a lucrative specialty. It's simply not worth it to pay close to $400K in training to make a $150K salary and work REALLY hard for that money. Primary care doctors work frantic days.. no bathroom breaks, no lunch breaks. The documentation is endless. It's not an easy life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Reviving this year old thread as I embark on my own path to becoming a doctor...I'm 45! I'm divorced with kids, although they aren't super young. I'm starting a DIY post bacc this fall and hoping to app by 47. If I complete med school and residency by 55 even I'll be happy (overjoyed really) spending 10-20 years practicing.

As for cost, I enrolled as a second degree seeking student, which opened federal student loans (there is a cap for undergrad students that I didn't reach with my first degree). Then I will likely apply for NHSC loan forgiveness as a primary care doc in a rural area. I've also considered the military option where they pay for school AND give you a stipend in exchange for a commitment of X years.

I've been fortunate to spend lots of time with my kids not working too much outside the home. I've volunteered, went on more field trips than I can count, helped with homework, cooked fresh, healthy meals, listened to and counseled on friend dramas and had many cool experiences with them....all things that are important to me as a parent. Now they are older and more academically independent I feel as though I can get back to me a little.

I'm not adding to this old thread for any sort of encouragement, but instead to offer some to anyone who asks themselves this very question. There is lots of support and advice at oldpremed.org. Good luck!

Not to be a downer, but you do know that getting into a residency program is not guaranteed, right? It's basically the med school interview/admission process all over again (flights, hotels, application fees) but even more competitive because spots are much more limited than med school. The "we'll pay you back" rural programs only happen if you get into residency. Hours can be grueling as a med student and more so as an intern/resident.
signed,
-someone who has worked in medical education for 10+ years

m
What happens to Med school graduates who don't get a residency?

I'm the pp who works in medical education.
Those who don't get into residency on their first try generally apply again the following year (more $ for interviews, flights, hotels, applications). They often use that year "off" to do research and/or gain clinical experience. However, the odds are against them statistically in terms of obtaining a spot that second time. Program directors can be hesitant to seriously consider someone who didn't match the previous year. There are legitimate reasons for taking a year off (serious illness in family, having a kid (although most plan for summers or times when they can take off)), but it's a big gamble for a program to take someone who went unmatched the previous year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Reviving this year old thread as I embark on my own path to becoming a doctor...I'm 45! I'm divorced with kids, although they aren't super young. I'm starting a DIY post bacc this fall and hoping to app by 47. If I complete med school and residency by 55 even I'll be happy (overjoyed really) spending 10-20 years practicing.

As for cost, I enrolled as a second degree seeking student, which opened federal student loans (there is a cap for undergrad students that I didn't reach with my first degree). Then I will likely apply for NHSC loan forgiveness as a primary care doc in a rural area. I've also considered the military option where they pay for school AND give you a stipend in exchange for a commitment of X years.

I've been fortunate to spend lots of time with my kids not working too much outside the home. I've volunteered, went on more field trips than I can count, helped with homework, cooked fresh, healthy meals, listened to and counseled on friend dramas and had many cool experiences with them....all things that are important to me as a parent. Now they are older and more academically independent I feel as though I can get back to me a little.

I'm not adding to this old thread for any sort of encouragement, but instead to offer some to anyone who asks themselves this very question. There is lots of support and advice at oldpremed.org. Good luck!

Not to be a downer, but you do know that getting into a residency program is not guaranteed, right? It's basically the med school interview/admission process all over again (flights, hotels, application fees) but even more competitive because spots are much more limited than med school. The "we'll pay you back" rural programs only happen if you get into residency. Hours can be grueling as a med student and more so as an intern/resident.
signed,
-someone who has worked in medical education for 10+ years

m
What happens to Med school graduates who don't get a residency?

I'm the pp who works in medical education.
Those who don't get into residency on their first try generally apply again the following year (more $ for interviews, flights, hotels, applications). They often use that year "off" to do research and/or gain clinical experience. However, the odds are against them statistically in terms of obtaining a spot that second time. Program directors can be hesitant to seriously consider someone who didn't match the previous year. There are legitimate reasons for taking a year off (serious illness in family, having a kid (although most plan for summers or times when they can take off)), but it's a big gamble for a program to take someone who went unmatched the previous year.

What happens to them long term without residency?

[Anonymous]

To OP and PP who revived it:yes

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Reviving this year old thread as I embark on my own path to becoming a doctor...I'm 45! I'm divorced with kids, although they aren't super young. I'm starting a DIY post bacc this fall and hoping to app by 47. If I complete med school and residency by 55 even I'll be happy (overjoyed really) spending 10-20 years practicing.

As for cost, I enrolled as a second degree seeking student, which opened federal student loans (there is a cap for undergrad students that I didn't reach with my first degree). Then I will likely apply for NHSC loan forgiveness as a primary care doc in a rural area. I've also considered the military option where they pay for school AND give you a stipend in exchange for a commitment of X years.

I've been fortunate to spend lots of time with my kids not working too much outside the home. I've volunteered, went on more field trips than I can count, helped with homework, cooked fresh, healthy meals, listened to and counseled on friend dramas and had many cool experiences with them....all things that are important to me as a parent. Now they are older and more academically independent I feel as though I can get back to me a little.

I'm not adding to this old thread for any sort of encouragement, but instead to offer some to anyone who asks themselves this very question. There is lots of support and advice at oldpremed.org. Good luck!

Not to be a downer, but you do know that getting into a residency program is not guaranteed, right? It's basically the med school interview/admission process all over again (flights, hotels, application fees) but even more competitive because spots are much more limited than med school. The "we'll pay you back" rural programs only happen if you get into residency. Hours can be grueling as a med student and more so as an intern/resident.
signed,
-someone who has worked in medical education for 10+ years

m
What happens to Med school graduates who don't get a residency?

I'm the pp who works in medical education.
Those who don't get into residency on their first try generally apply again the following year (more $ for interviews, flights, hotels, applications). They often use that year "off" to do research and/or gain clinical experience. However, the odds are against them statistically in terms of obtaining a spot that second time. Program directors can be hesitant to seriously consider someone who didn't match the previous year. There are legitimate reasons for taking a year off (serious illness in family, having a kid (although most plan for summers or times when they can take off)), but it's a big gamble for a program to take someone who went unmatched the previous year.

Doctor here. I don't know of anyone in my medical school class who didn't get into residency. A few didn't match on match day, but then they scrambled for the open spots and all in my class went somewhere. Unless you are tied to an area, if you are willing to travel, some place will take you, especially if you passed parts 1 and 2 of your boards, us med school grad, decent recs, no disciplinary issues etc.

Should consider being a PA or NP, you get to treat patients, but less school and stress. In some places, you can make more than primary care doc.