The decision to become a doctor is probably one of the most
intimidating you can make. It means publicly stating that you
want something that only about 40% of those applying received — a
position in medical school. And then after an arduous application
process, that decision means committing yourself to a
labor-intensive course of study, including four years of medical
school and three to twelve years of residency and fellowship.
Physician, Know Thyself
One important element of preparing your application campaign
is articulating why you want to be a doctor. This also involves
demonstrating that you have glimpsed the reality of what it is to
practice real medicine, not the glamorized version on Grey's
Anatomy .
The path to becoming a doctor is a long and hard road.
However, there are a number of compelling — and rewarding —
reasons to make the journey. So what should you consider when
thinking about med school?
Innumerable Benefits
Intimate Rapport
Being a physician gives you the most privileged listening post
a human being can have. A doctor gets to hear the innermost
issues of a patient and is privileged to weave those hints and
facts into a diagnosis and treatment.
Unique Responsibility
At the hospital level, physicians work on a team with the
nurses, therapists, and residents who are taking care of the
patient. The physician, however, has the voice that will carry
the most weight and will be expected to make the difficult
decisions.
Reasons to Reconsider
If you're applying to med school for any of the reasons listed
below, you should examine your motivations before you take the
plunge.
Parental Approval
Saying you want to be a doctor, even as a child, evokes
pleased responses from adults. If you're someone who's always
wanted to be a doctor, you might be able to remember how your
goal was received early in life. Making your career decision
early isn't necessarily bad, as long as you've progressed beyond
the approval-seeking stage. You need to have a realistic sense of
the profession and of why you want to be a doctor.
The Longest Path
Another faulty reason is the "difficulty of the path." It's
sometimes the case that high achievers pursue a career in
medicine simply because it's so competitive and involves such an
arduous path. Though stick-to-itiveness and the discipline to
accomplish a difficult goal are valuable assets in life and
prized by admissions officers, they alone are not enough. The
alchemy of desire and motivation has to precede the chemistry of
mixing the right MCATscores, letters of recommendation, and
extracurriculars. Real desire should be there.
Following in Footsteps
Many med school applicants are children of physicians. Though
having a parent who practices medicine may indeed give you a
sense of the field, be aware that your folks went to med school
in a different era and attending med school and starting to
practice medicine are now different in terms of greater
competition and changing medical climate.
The Bottom Line
So is it right for you? Ultimately, that's a decision you have
to make. Medical school is a serious time and financial
commitment. But if you have specific career goals and apply
yourself, the pay off can be extraordinary. Remember, it's
important that you can explain why medicine is your
chosen profession.
Visit studentdoctor.net for free and helpful information on medical school admissions, to connect with real-life students and read helpful Q&As from established medical professionals.