<p>I think you decided to follow a very smart path. So many freshman come into college as pre-meds, without any second thought; just the prestige and money attracts them, but they don’t think about the level of commitment it entails. I mean, if you happen to major in a science, not only do you go through 4 years of a science, but you’re going to be going through 4 more years of science and many more in residency. I admire the people who take some time off after graduation to do something productive such as actually using the undergrad/grad degree they paid so much to earn.</p>
<p>Between undergrad and medical school, you can do so much that you cannot if you just go straight from undergrad to medical school. Heck, the information you learned to earn your degree might have been long forgotten by the time you go through med school so there goes the chance to go fresh into industry to use the knowledge you paid so much for. Additionally, you’ll be much more mature, learn to value your time and effort much more, and better decide whether medicine is the choice for you.</p>
<p>From friends who have gone the non-traditional route to medical school and decided to go that route in their mid twenties have told me how the interviewers spoke of how much they’d rather have a more mature applicant who is making an informed decision than a fresh out of undergrad applicant who just plowed through [which is exactly why you can find the advice of acting mature in every piece offered to people going on interviews.] Acting mature is one thing, but actually maturing to the level where you feel absolutely comfortable making such a big commitment is another.</p>
<p>Good job! Enjoy your undergrad years and enjoy that major. Don’t waste your undergraduate experience gunning pre-med when you’re not 100% you intend to pursue medicine. That’s not to say that everyone should just settle with mediocre grades. Obviously if you at least considered medicine as a goal, you have high aspirations which require hard work nonetheless.</p>