Medical School

Cc: @JoshD

To avoid derailing another thread, I mentioned I was considering medical school. When I was in high school, medicine was my chosen profession. In the high school poll at graduation, I was voted most likely to become a doctor.

But then I flamed out and dropped out of college (for a bunch of reasons.) I decided I really couldn't hack it and put medicine aside, first for Social Work and then for IT.

But recently I was thinking about it. I got a 2.0 in high school but a 3.5 in my undergrad, a 3.7 and 3.8 in my two masters and currently have a 4.0 in my PhD coursework. I got into Mensa. I passed my PMP exam. Who says I can't learn basic sciences like I learned Human Services, Data Science or Business?

So I'm starting to work on my prereqs. I always had in my bucket list to complete college biology and chemistry courses to make up for my previous struggles. If I complete those and decide this isn't for me, I'll still have ticked off that bucket list item.

If I do well though, I'll work through the rest of the sequence and target MCAT/admissions in 2 years. That will put me on track for admissions in 2026. I'll have a PhD either completed or close to completed. 4 years of medical school and 3 years of residency would put me in my early 40s. Financially, 25 or 25 years of medical practice (after the debt and opportunity cost) would be a financial break-even at best.

However, it would quiet the nagging in the back of my head that says medicine is the best opportunity for me to make a difference, in ways that nonprofit consulting just can't.

 

Incredible goal!

Just a little input from someone who has a brother that is an ER Physician. Make sure medicine is what you want to do. He absolutely hates his career even though he makes $600,000/year. Society sees doctors as a goal to achieve but according to him, the doctors are the low man on the totem pole and answer to the administration. Apparently, they are given net promoter scores and get their butts chewed out for negative patient feedback despite being understaffed and handling 8+ patients at the same time.

He says all the time he wishes he would have gone to trade school. Lol

 

I was going to respond on Dustin’s post about the nagging in the back of the head but it also applies here. You only go around once, do what you enjoy and make sure it really is what you will enjoy. It is rarely too late to make things right but also we change and sometimes we are attached to our dreams even though we may not realize they aren’t as important to us any longer.

I wanted to be a lawyer since I was a kid and had a path to get it fully funded and get paid my full salary while doing it. I applied and I wasn’t accepted to the program because I would need a waiver for one requirement and they had too many applicants already. A few years later my LSAT had expired and I was well positioned to be accepted but I couldn’t get motivated to do the LSAT again. I realized my goals had shifted and found other avenues to align with what I prioritized at the time. Occasionally the desire pops up but it isn’t nagging me about not going.

 

Go for it, Dustin! Better late than never and honestly I think working in the world of NGOs can force people to gain a level of patience that is probably no too common among medical school applicants that I suspect people would appreciate.

JBjunior, do you know about the JD-Next? LSAT will apparently no longer be required and the number of schools already have exceptions to accept students with just the JD-next.

 

Dustin, we always say just follow your heart, but we all know how challenging it may be. You are soooooo courageous to step out of your comfort zone.

I am much older than you, and I am also doing my best to get a second doctorate. So I fully support your amazing decision. All my best wishes to you, buddy!

 

Dustin,

A PhD followed by years of medical school and residency sounds like the perfect setup for incredible burnout and the development of mental health maladies. Considering that both of these groups (PhDs and medical students) have some of the highest rates of mental health decline and depression, I would not recommend the potential double whammy. Even if you successfully emerge with all the qualifications (and I don't doubt your abilities), you could still end up paying for it (ironically) with your health. This is more anecdotal, but I've noticed that many people who complete full-time PHDs say that they cannot even imagine doing further schooling in the immediate future, or even casual book reading.

 

If your brother has that kind of situation, I can help him find a place that appreciates the contributions physicians make every day.

 

I've never met you personally, and mist often have little to say here, but in this case, I want to offer encouragement and some advice. The American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC aamc.org) indicates that by 2034 the US will face a shortage of physicians of 124,000. There is a tremendous need, and you can make a positive difference. Is it easy, no! But these prerequisite courses can be accomplished.

My youngest went to IT as well. Crowded market now. At the health system I serve as a Trustee, we have a fairly new residency program, and this year upward so 300 medical residents. In my metro, I have 13 Ophthalmologists, all but 3 65+. The need is there, and in my view watching your posts here, you will do fine.

Finally, consider this, yes, you'll be in your ancient 40s (I only wish I could go back!). But if you go and complete med school, residents are paid a minimal amount, and the earning potential, if that's what it's about. it excellent. You'll be early 40s with 25 years or more left to practice. If you don't you'll still be in your 40s wondering what if I'd done it!

Now to nonprofit consulting, you can make a difference there, and a great one. But the income potential is limited. You may be surprised at the funding opportunities that exist. Whatever you decide, I believe you'll give it plenty of sound thought. I wish you the very best!

 

Dustin, you already know about this but for the benefit of the casual reader, you might think about PA school instead. I understand that the University of New Mexico trains medical and PA students together for the first two years then offers the PA students the choice to switch to the M.D. I also understand few students take the school up on that offer.

 

Two thoughts here:
My wife is an internist who I met in the U.S. Army while in residency. There is a lot of needless bureaucracy with CYA style charting. Often, it results in long hours and many physicians intimate they would never do it again.

My hat is off to you for wanting to pursue this dream you've had. Remember: age is just a number. I am starting my doctorate in January and I will be 56.

 

Just wanted to share I tested in the 80's and never rejoined. Was always quite about it, except for the SIG's back then! What a time as the possibilities were endless (before the internet was a thing) - local Citadel BBS through dial-up modems...Now that I'm an old sailor, I might rejoin.

 

Age is just a number but numbers like student loan balances matter. Medical school can be appallingly expensive and medical training can go on for a decade or more post bachelor's. There's also an issue of quiet age discrimination. Illegal but hard to prove.

I'm absolutely not saying "Don't do it" but I do say that if medical school is the goal, go NOW.

 

I have known a few people who were in that MD program and everyone speaks well of it.

Dustin, the state is also having a major shortage of doctors (particularly DOs), and eagerly discussing ways to keep and attract talent, including now offering free undergrad degrees.

Besides the MD school I think there are two DO schools in the state. I suspect you would want to try to stay closer to where you are though.

 

Two? Burrell is here in Las Cruces and UNM is the only other medical school in New Mexico I know of. Texas Tech has a medical school in El Paso, perhaps that's what you're thinking of?

 

So I hear you are having trouble deciding witch medical school to attend. Click Here.

 

Fashion guy here says the headgear and makeup are absolutely bitchin' -- or witchin' -- no, both. Wear it shopping. Be seen!

 

That outfit is SO reminiscent (to me) of Big Joe Turner's 1954 hit, "Shake, Rattle and Roll." I have lots of Big Joe recordings, most with Pete Johnson on piano. What a team! Good memories.

To the tune of "Streets of Laredo"

I see by your outfit that you are a Doctor.
If I buy an outfit, can I be one, too?

Let's all buy outfits and we'll all be Doctors.
If you buy an outfit, then you'll be one, too.

 

No, I had seen something awhile back but could not remember the exact details. I just went and looked it up. The second thing I was thinking of was not a DO program but a pre-med DO "pathway program" at NMSU.