<p>so here's my story. i've been premed for my first year of college and i made it through with excellent grades. i also volunteered, did research, and shadowed a surgeon. i'm still taking the med school courses (chem, bio, english) this year, but i'm still not sure if medicine is right for me. </p>
<p>one of my biggest problems with going into medicine is that since i'm indian, i feel like i have a responsibility to break the stereotype and become something else (like a lawyer or possibly business). my parents want me to become a doctor, and it's to the point where my dad keeps telling me that i have no other option. i really like science and all, but i want to explore the world outside of science. quite honestly, i'm fed up with the constant pressure of needing to do well in school (by any means possible) in order to get into med school. i don't want to look at my undergraduate education as a worthless means to an end.</p>
<p>when i shadowed the surgeon, i saw several serious cases, but i don't really think i had an urge to help these people out. i felt bad for some patients but i didn't for others...i'm not a sympathetic person by nature. i don't want to do medicine for the money, which is something that is very evident in people of my culture...i just want to make the right decision. my question is, how did you guys decide medicine was truly the right career for you?</p>
<p>i can relate to what you're saying p reepa. i thought that i wanted to become a doctor ever since i was young, but as senior year of high school came to an end, i realized that i should explore other areas and make sure that if i do go to med school, i go b/c i know its the path for me.
im also indian and feel the need to break the stereotype (although in my opinion going into law or business is not really breaking the stereotype for indians, but w/e floats your boat...)
if you shadowed a surgeon and didnt have an urge to help many of the people out, then i think you should def. reconsider going into medicine. you could always stay pre med until you are sure, and major in something you really like and are passionate about.</p>
<p>I always thought I wanted to go into medicine not only because I'm Asian but also because majority of my family members are/were doctors. Ever since my final days as a senior in high school, I decided to look for other careers such as foreign affairs.</p>
<p>You don't have to just study science during your undergraduate years. I like science, but I am also making it a point to choose my non-science classes carefully, so I can broaden and further enjoy my education. You can major in something else that interests you...after two years you'll mostly be taking classes in the areas you want to...not just classes for medical school. Take advantage of this fact and find subject areas you feel passionate about. If you are a doctor that doesn't mean you can't pursue other interests and hobbies.</p>
<p>Also, to answer your question...I am Asian, so obviously medicine as a career is talked about a lot in my house. All the kids in my family are studying to become doctors or dentists. However, we all chose this path for ourselves. I did volunteer work in high school and did a lot of research about the profession. I talked with a lot of different people and analyzed my academic abilities and interests. I came to the conclusion that medicine was what I wanted to pursue and I am doing just that. I am in a BS/MD program at a school I like and I am pleased with my decision so far.</p>
<p>As for you not feeling sympathetic, you don't have to be sympathetic, you need to empathetic. No one wants pity, but if you understand what they're going through, that's what they want. Don't base your decision off just one experience.</p>
<p>The stereotype is always going to be there whether you're a doctor or not. If you go against it, people could care less. If you go with it, people could care less. Don't let a stereotype change your mind about anything.</p>
<p>I can understand your parents' pressure (my cousin's parents are the same way). If their pressure is bothering you, find something else that motivates you to do well in school.</p>