<p>Since I began high school, I've had my mind set on majoring in Chemistry or Biology, following the premed track, and getting into med school. Recently, however, both my parents and just about everyone they know have been reacting negatively to my personal ambitions. They claim that becoming a doctor takes far too long, that the debts accumulated after med school take years to pay off, and that by the time I'm actually earning raw income they'll be either really old or dead (that one really gets me down :(). Beyond that, I'm bombarded with the usual "medical school is grueling" and "unless you become a radiologist or opthomologist, you'll be stressed out and suffer all you're life". I know that they want the best for me and I also realize that they are, in part, correct in their assertions, but I have my heart set on being a doctor and, though I know the money won't come easy and it will be very difficult, I'm ready to take on the challenge because (and this is probably reckless thinking on my part) I feel like actually helping someone and the rewarding feeling garnered from doing so is a key component of life in general. And, I don't mean merely helping people make more money through mutual funds, or defending them in a court of law, or repairing something for them, or being a lazy, donut-chewing cop hellbent on fulfilling weekly quotas, or whatever else you can think of, I mean guaranteeing their good health. Beyond just that, I value learning and I am especially fond of science; I'm pretty sure I'd be really bored just sitting in some cubicle all day, crunching numbers and feigning cheeriness just to attract an additional customer. Maybe I could also consider chemical engineering as a career, but something about medicine and being a doctor strikes me as far more respectable and fulfilling. I want to grow up reveling in the differences I made to peoples' lives, differences to their health and their wellbeing. I volunteer in the cancer ward of a hospital. I've SEEN the happiness that can be brought about by releasing a healthy patient and, to just as great a degree, the grief that can result from the loss of a loved one. I know this got really really long, but can any of you offer some words of wisdom to help me out here? I'm in desparate need of some guidance. Thanks!</p>
<p>I can’t really give you anything but basic advice. If you truly have a passion for Biology and Chemistry, then you should go for it. Some in my family are the same way, but you know what you want more so than they do. Good luck and I know there are some great people on here that can give you some more detailed advice.</p>
<p>Jaccuse, I see what you’re saying, but I don’t want to be completely self-centered either. Ironically, that’s not even the spirit of what I’m trying to pursue for myself. I don’t want my parents to suffer because they have to support me through several years of education just so that I can get what I want…But, of course, at the same time, it’s difficult to completely forsake my ambition…what I really need is a more thorough depiction of what I can expect in this long process from someone who’s gone through it. But, thanks for your input!</p>
<p>
This is not right. If you have a passion for biology and chemistry as academic subjects, you should become a professor in one of these subjects. Medicine requires a passion for the application of a variety of subjects – science-heavy, no doubt, but psychology, economics, English, and statistics all play heavily too – into a specific field.</p>
<p>As far as I’m concerned, though, if you’ve been in a patient care setting for a long period of time – as it sounds like you have – you’ve seen what you need to see. Now you just need to sit down and weigh things against each other. (I should warn you that it sounds to me like you know what you’re getting into, but you are not expressing it very well.)</p>
<p>There’s something very important I haven’t mentioned, and judging from my poorly chosen username and the way I phrased my post, it was probably not assumed by any of you. I’m currently a high school junior, not nearly far enough in the process to make any critical decisions. I just want to know now if medicine is right for me before I start college with a premed focus (or aim for colleges with good science/premed backgrounds). Sorry if that wasn’t clear enough. I’m not sure, but is it reasonable to try to major undergrad in chem engineering and be a premed at the same time? Or is that too difficult (which I think it is)?</p>
<p>If chem engineering is your passion, major in it. Pre med is just a small set of required courses to get in to med school. Any major (including the random humanities) can get you into med school and give you a good worldview on your way to becoming a physician. That being said, seriously consider what BDM said. A passion for science does not mean being a doctor is the best career choice for you. Make sure you know what the path entails (it sounds like you do) and then go for it if it still appeals to you. It’s great that you’re considering your parents, but remember it’s your choice in the end. Best of luck to you.</p>
<p>wow, that was quite a post to type on an iPod touch!</p>
<p>There’s no sane way to determine whether premed makes sense when you’re eighteen. You’re just going to have to try it and see.</p>
<p>Your parents have done a good job of alerting you to the downsides of a medical career. Everything they are saying is true, perhaps less extreme than they have portrayed it. Still, lots of people will go into medicine, and be glad they did. </p>
<p>You seem much better informed than most high school kids. Keep this up, major in something you like, and make a real decision about medical school after a year or two of college.</p>
<p>hmm, alright, thx for the info</p>
<p>nj<em>azn</em>premed,</p>
<p>You seem like a really ambitious person. The most important thing to have when going out into the world is ambition, and if money for college is going to be a problem for you, then you need to come up with creative solutions to solve this problem. I’m not sure how far into high school that you are, but something to keep in mind (as you will soon begin researching colleges, filling out applications, etc.) - is to apply for a LOT of scholarships. I recommend taking a look at a book on this subject called ‘1000 ways to get to college’. It goes into detail about how to take advantage of every financial resource that one can find (and some that you really have to dig for) so as to curb debt. I’m now a freshman in college now (attending Johns Hopkins University), and this book really helped me - I applied for a lot of scholarships - and the ones that I was awarded, in addition to Federal and institutional financial aid have left me debt free!</p>
<p>Best of luck!</p>
<p>Also, just to put this out there for any high school juniors or seniors of minority groups that are reading this thread - definitely apply the Gates Millennium Scholarship. </p>
<p>It was started by the Bill and Milenda Gates Foundation and awards full-tuition scholarships to 1000 students from across the United States every year. Additionally, the scholarship last for ten years. Unfortunately, it doesn’t cover medical school, but it can be used to attain a doctorate degree. You can find more info at <a href=“http://www.gmsp.org%5B/url%5D”>www.gmsp.org</a>. </p>
<p>Check it out!</p>
<p>Hoffman’s post is of course over the top. But the point remains that you elicited this response from somebody, and I think there are reasons for this.</p>
<p>As mentioned in post #5:
This will, in the long run, need to be fixed.</p>
<p>
LOL. I was thinking that the donut chewing quota cop line was worthy of a kick in the rear myself. Glad I didn’t have to do it. 
As a lawyer , I expect the disrespect and am rarely disappointed.</p>
<p>“your punk ass doesn’t even have a job yet.”</p>
<p>Wow, people on this forum can be mean. Hoffman, you are the disrespectful person. azn-premed is still a high school student, and as BDM and many other experienced posters have said, high school students may have many ludicrous ideas about real life. Therefore, I can easily condone any “offenses” azn-premed may have said.</p>
<p>“have your parents brainwashed you into thinking that well at least you’ll have a fallback career that makes good $$ in case medicine doesn’t work out?”<br>
Maybe, he is truly interested in ChemE_ he just doesn’t know (HS student, remember?). Besides, I don’t see what’s bad about having a fall back career. Each person has his or her plan to become successful. </p>
<p>Being ironic may be OK, but your tone turns often into the sarcastic (“might i remind you that your punk ass doesn’t even have a job yet.”). Please learn how to express your ideas constructively instead of hollering at other novice posters.</p>
<p>To BDM:“If you have a passion for biology and chemistry as academic subjects, you should become a professor in one of these subjects”</p>
<p>Why are you saying this? I never heard that loving biology/chemistry as academic subjects is mutually exclusive from being a good doctor and loving medecine.</p>
<p>I actually read this article (<a href=“http://msn.careerbuilder.com/custom/msn/careeradvice/viewarticle.aspx?articleid=1178&SiteId=cbmsnhp41178&sc_extcmp=JS_1178_home1>1=10785&cbRecursionCnt=2&cbsid=194ad46d8f454598ba43756e6de852a2-254615578-WD-2[/url]”>http://msn.careerbuilder.com/custom/msn/careeradvice/viewarticle.aspx?articleid=1178&SiteId=cbmsnhp41178&sc_extcmp=JS_1178_home1>1=10785&cbRecursionCnt=2&cbsid=194ad46d8f454598ba43756e6de852a2-254615578-WD-2</a>) this morning about job prestige. In short, firefighters have the most job prestige. 
They are followed by scientists and teachers, then doctors and military officers, and then nurses as the six most prestigious jobs.</p>
<p>I’ll amend my statement.</p>
<p>If your primary interest in biology and chemistry is in the nature of the subjects themselves rather than their potential applications, then you should become a professor in one of these subjects.</p>
<p>This is a response to that belligerent fool who commented several posts above (I didn’t notice it until now): </p>
<p>I lived in New York City for the majority of my life. DON’T tell ME of all people that being a police officer is a respectable profession. Maybe where you’re from they aren’t being payed off, raping children, harassing innocent people, and purposely avoiding criminal-infested neighborhoods…maybe. But being a cop and the shady stereotype (at least in my mind) associated with it is not worth the poor return. And, unless you’re naive in addition to being socially barbaric, you can’t possibly deny the profound lack of intelligence and sophistication associated with such professions as the police officer and firefighter. Oh, I’m sorry, were you trying to be politically correct? I value (brutal) honesty more than the false facades society adopts and that constitute humanity’s greatest flaw. So, let me be quite clear in stating that I hold myself above the level of a firefighter or police officer. For the most part, I value what they do. Undoubtedly, they play a necessary role in our lives. However, it is an undesirable a role and, therefore, a role reserved for those who aren’t capable of achieving much better. Don’t run from the truth buddy.</p>
<p>And, to address your comments about my motives…I’m not afraid to admit that money is among the prime factors in making such life-affecting decisions as the career I WILL BE ENGAGED IN FOR THE VAST MAJORITY OF MY LIFE. I originally started this thread to address the issue of the viability of a career in medicine from a pragmatic perspective. Yes, I want my family to be happy. Yes I want to enjoy my life (a nice car, nice house, etc). And, absolutely: Yes, I want to help others. Do you want to help others buddy? Huh? If so, do you think you’re presenting a good image of yourself by attacking someone who is probably several years under your age and looking for advice as to how to go about making an important decision? Calm down. Take a breather. Maybe see a psychiatrist…</p>
<p>Hm. I retract my post #14.</p>