<p>So basic backstory. Recently graduated from college with BS in biology and was pre-med. I didn't get into medical school this cycle. There were times during undergrad where I felt unsure of the path I had chosen for whatever reason but I didn't feel strongly enough to change so I kept on going with medical school being the goal. </p>
<p>However, lately I have been doubting whether or not medical school is for me. I look at my parents(both doctors) and I am nothing like them in personality/the way they think and really don't have the same outlook on life, which leads to almost constant conflict and tension. I look at my friends that are pre-med or in medical school and I don't really feel like I am similar to them. </p>
<p>I've never felt like "my world would come crashing down" if I am not in medical school maybe because of my "if its meant to be it'll be/there's only so much you can control" outlook on life or something else thats gotten into me. I think I could be successful in other fields if I were to decide to go that way. </p>
<p>While there is a part of me that wants to go to medical school still there is another part of me that is saying "see what else is out there." I've been around the medical field my entire life and through no one's fault but my own I haven't truly experienced anything but the medical field. I feel like thats one of the reasons I chose to go pre-med in the first place, it was comfortable. </p>
<p>Really I just feel like if getting into medicine isn't completely devastating to me, should I be doing it? I feel like medicine is one of those fields where it has to be that kind of feeling and if you don't have it there's a strong chance you end up miserable. I know its something I should discuss with my parents but I can't seem to have a discussion about these sort of things with my parents without it turning into a fight/argument.</p>
<p>I have also heard things similar to this. Is this true? Does one need to have one innate calling to medicine in order to know they want to pursue it? I’ve only heard one story where my parent’s hand surgeon had just decided one day in UG to do go to med school. Is this the one exception or is it common for people to not be unsure if medicine is right for them, because I’ve been told that more often than not that “you just know” that medicine is right for you. Any anecdotes?</p>
<p>I think for many people, “just knowing” is a self-fulfilling prophecy. In your case, if you’ve spent that much time observing the medical field from the front lines and you’re still questioning your will to practice medicine, it is probably a good idea to explore some other options.</p>
<p>Before taking not getting in as a ‘sign’ you might evaluate your application cycle.</p>
<p>Did you apply early? Broadly? How many schools? 20+? Were you applying to all HYPS reaches or were your stats in the middle for some? Did you apply in state?
In other words, did you make a seriously researched best effort with a good set of schools or did you learn a lot along the way about how you might apply differently?</p>
<p>Did you learn more about yourself and med school through the application process that has led you to question it?</p>
<p>I took not getting in as a sign that my application wasn’t strong enough and that I should do something(s) to boost it. </p>
<p>I started applying right after I finished finals in May, I took a couple of days to recharge and then by the end of June had finished applying. I applied all over the state(Texas) and then applied to various medical schools outside the state, the out of state ones were ones that I more fit the stats for. </p>
<p>Not 100% sure but I’m guessing you are asking if I started doubting whether I wanted to do medicine while filling out the application, and I would say no. I had doubts before applying and even during school. </p>
<p>There’s sort of this conflict though. At times I feel like I should definitely do medicine, but there are other times where I feel maybe I should pursue something else. I have interests in other areas which probably contributes to that but its not something that all of a sudden came up because of not getting into medical school this year.</p>
<p>This is puzzling to me because with the sheer number of med schools in Texas and the wide range of acceptance profiles, how would OOS schools fit you better? It is even more puzzling when considering the advantage a Texas resident has in the application process for Texas schools?</p>
<p>Where do you feel that your application fell short?</p>
<p>I am puzzled by this also. One “barrier” for many applicants to texas medical schools is the requirement of more biology courses. But you are a biology major. So this is not a problem for you.</p>
<p>I think that the career plan could be a touchy topic to discuss between parents and a child in many families. It is almost an art rather than science about how to deal with this issue. Each family needs to find their own best way. I always envy those families who can freely talk about this issue. Many parents are overly eager to get involved, even when they should back out sometimes. I know that it is easier said than done.</p>