<p>OK, Im sure you heard this one before so please indulge me for a few paragraphs. I am a recent graduate of a masters program in counseling psychology. I am also enrolled in a doctorate program in clinical psychology, which I will most likely complete in three years. My dilemma, however, is that my passion for psychology is not where it was when I started. I know I can do the work well but the spark just isnt there. I am contemplating medical school but because I do not have the necessary prerequisites, I would have to take an extra year to take the necessary courses that would allow me to be considered for acceptance to medical school. Therefore, it would take me about 3 years to get into medical school if things go smoothly.</p>
<p>I am 25 years old and according to my calculations I would be about 32 years-old when I would finish medical school and about 36 years-old when I would start my career as a physician. Not to mention that Id be about $320,000 in debt. On the other hand, the area of medicine that I would like to pursue (anesthesiology) would grant me a salary that would make paying off student loans not a problem, even ones that high.</p>
<p>I need words of wisdom. I dont know if it is worth it to let go of an opportunity to get a doctorate in clinical psychology. Mostly, I dont know whether it is worth starting my career at 36 years of age. If anyone could provide me with any words of wisdom I would greatly appreciate it.</p>
<p>If it's just the age issue you are worried about, know that there are plenty of people who are going to medical school in their 30's - like lots. There are people in the classes ahead and behind mine at my school with people who are in their late 40's and early 50's. The guy in the class ahead of me had his 50th birthday while an M2 and his class threw him a huge party.</p>
<p>The only other thing I'd caution you about is to keep an open mind about specialties. Preferences are constantly changing for most medical students, and particularly for ones like anesthesiology where most people don't have a lot of exposure to before medical school, it's hard for me to believe that you really "know" that anesthesia is right for you...</p>
<p>I don't know what kind of anesthesiologists you're talking to, but $300K worth of debt is always a problem.</p>
<p>The practice of anesthesia, except pain medicine, is very different from the practice of psychology. It would be worth your while to shadow an anesthesiologist.</p>
<p>You are right, it is difficult to predict what specialty of medicine I would pursue if I was to go to med school. So far anesthesiology appeals to me for reasons that I am not going to get into right now; I certainly i do not have my heart set on that specialty. It is also not something I am worried about yet. I find the field of medicine really fascinating and I have my mind open to many aspects of it.</p>
<p>My parents were never able to provide me with financial assistance so I had to rely on student loans (hindsight is always 20/20). I continue to accumulate debt and I get scared every time I even think how much I owe. Let's face it, Psychologists don't exactly have a high earning potential. I am looking to make a wise investment and I am not only speaking financially. Intellectually, I know I could not sustain myself if I was to do psychotherapy for the next 40 years. The helping profession has always appealed to me. It's just the vehicle through which I want to provide that help does not seem right. I also want to be fairly compensated for it. I certainly don't want to have to worry that if a patient cancels a therapy hour I won't be able to make my student loan payment.</p>
<p>Anyways, I really appreciate the input guys. I'll try and stop whining soon and make a decision.</p>