<p>Hi, I'm a 1st pre-med student in France. I'm american but i grew up in the south of france. After graduating high school I wanted to return to the states, for the under-graduate program but after looking at prices I decided to try out school in france first.
I have no idea what I would like to do, there are so many options, so many things to try. In france you don't have a year or so to decide what you like, no general program, you pick a field and go right into it.
I love science, I've always found it interesting and cool and I seem to be pretty good at it. It's not what you'd call a passion, but I enjoy it.
Since school is pretty much free in France, I decided to try out the medical program, after doing some research it seemed to be the perfect thing for me, combining science, interactions with people, anthropology etc.I will also add that both my parents have been persistent that I could be a great doctor and that it would be something that I like.
So, taking their advice I enrolled.
Now the pre-med program in the States is different from the one in france, what you do in 4 or so years, we do in one, and have an exam about the equivalent of the MCAT after that first year. Out of 3000 about 300 are chosen (they can only let a certain amount pass).
I am currently in my 3rd month, and having huge difficulties, second guessing my choice. I spoken with friends and family, and I know it amounts to my decision alone, but I would appreciate any advice from other medical students.
Like I said, I don't know if this is for me. I'm usually very competitive, when I want something, I get it. And the fact that I am not seeing this as a challenge but as long, and tiring, and not worth it, is making me very anxious.
In other words, can anyone help ?</p>
<p>Nobody here would know what are you dealing with in France.
However, if the Medical School part is about the same (starting with the 2nd year for you, based on your post, correct?), then I have to warn you that Med. School here in the USA is very mature, very strong and persistant people who know exactly what they want. I imagine that first year in France is much harder than 4 years of pre-med in the USA. However, the academic material in the USA Med. Schools is so much harder than in UG that my D. (3rd year Med. Student) said that they are simply not comparable, they exist in different universe. On the other hand, it is apparent to her and all of us around her that she was meant to be in Medicine. She is very similar to you in this respect, math was very easy, excelled in sciences (especially Chem.) and she easily connects to others (lots of positive comments about it at Med. School). The challenges at Med. School here are so great though, that going there without complete determination and devotion would be very hard. I do not have any knowledge of Med. Schools in France. However, Med. student in France is apparently much younger. is program adjusted to the lack of maturity? There is no way that 19 y o would be as grown up and strong as 23 - 25 y o as a good number in the USA also take a gap year after graduating from college, or sometime even couple years.</p>
<p>Basically, my advice is to assess your situation very carefully yourself. You alone know your ability, your work ethic, can asses your devotion to medicine.</p>