Taking a few years or more to decide after undergrad...

Pre-Med & Medical School Pre-Med Topics
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<p>I mentioned this in another topic but it doesn't seem to be getting much attention so i figured i'd articulate my situation a little more concisely in a new thread...</p>

<p>I am a junior in college with a 3.62 or so. I am currently the secretary of our premed club, which is sponsored directly by our premed office. I am a mathematics major currently undecided as to which option I would like to do. I think I want to go to medical school, but I am not 100% sure, and I feel I owe it to myself to explore my options and really solidify my decision before I make any commitments.</p>

<p>Here's my current situation. Hopefully after the rest of my undergraduate career I can end up with something along the lines of a 3.7 or so. It's unfortunate that my grades have only dropped in the last 2 semesters (not terribly, but I'm not working to my potential), but that can be explained by my indecision. I have a hard time motivating myself when a clear goal is not in sight.</p>

<p>I have all of my phyics done, all of my mathematics done, all of my inorganic chemistry done, one biology course under my belt (my university suggests taking three specific courses before the MCATs), and no organic chemistry. I was in O-Chem 1 during my fall semester of this year, however I made the decision not to pursue medical school immediately after undergrad last semester and dropped the course--mostly for fear of an unnecessary B. I have since rethought this, and that could have potentially been a mistake, but what's done is done.</p>

<p>Here is my current plan. I want to finish my undergraduate degree in math without doing any more medical school prerequisites. I -think- I can graduate in 4 years (thus saving me some money) if I take 18 credits this semester, 18 credits the following semester, and 21 credits my last semester. I want to focus on statistics, and my intent is to perhaps get a job in research after I graduate (specifically in medical research) in order to help me get acquainted with the medical field. I have not done any shadowing and I have no clinical experience, I am simply very involved in my premed club, and could perhaps become president next year. My intent is to do volunteering after undergrad and possibly pursue becoming an EMT--this would all be a part of my decision to go to medical school. The research, the volunteering/shadowing, possibly being an EMT--this would all play a major role.</p>

<p>If I did indeed decide to go to medical school, I would then go back to my undergrad university (they allow that, right?) and finish up my med school prereqs. I would then take the MCATs, apply, and be on my way.</p>

<p>If I didn't do that, I would pursue other options. This brings me to another point--instead of focusing on statistics, I could instead focus on the actuarial option as a math major to pursue another possible career. The problem with pursuing an actuarial position is that it is competitive, and I feel that I would have a hard time breaking into the field without being able to assure my employers that I was in it for the long haul, even with several exams under my belt. With medical school on my mind, I'd be a risky hire, so working as an actuary during my decision-making year(s) doesn't seem all that plausible. Thoughts?</p>

<p>My main problem is this. I don't like closing doors. I am not the type of person that has known what he wants to do since the third grade, and it's going to take some time for me to make my final decision. I think I'm doing what needs to be done right now to secure a future in medicine if I want it (good extracurriculars, good grades, a plan that involves medical school as an option), but I'm not entirely sure.</p>

<p>Am I shooting myself in the foot by not completing my med school prereqs now? Would it be better for me to take care of them before I graduate, as opposed to waiting? Would that possibly present too much of a barrier if I did indeed decide to go to medical school? Would it even save me money in the long run, or have much of an effect even if I took the prereqs and decided not to become a doctor?</p>

<p>First and foremost, I can't lock myself into something right now. I am not sure enough to do that. Sometimes I think I am, which is what started me down this road in the first place, but half the reason I have so many premed prereqs done is because I've gone from comp sci to architectural engineering to what have you... I've been around. I think I'm honing in, but I need more time, and I feel like I need to take my life one step at a time. I want to focus on something sure for the short term, and to me that's getting a bachelor's degree under my belt. Is that wrong?</p>

<p>I know that this post is very long-winded, and I apologize. I've asked a lot of questions, but they're questions that are important to me, so for all of you forum veterans--bluedevilmike, norcalguy, bigredmed, and others I'm sure I've forgotten--I would really appreciate a response to this. I can take criticism or whatever you'd like to throw at me. Your advice is very good, but I won't take it as gospel... regardless, it will absolutely help me in my path while I still have time to alter it.</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

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<p>Have you tried talking to an adviser?</p>

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<p>From your post it appears to me that 1) You are definite about graduating with a degree in Math 2) If you uncertain about Medicine at this time and 3) you would like a slide year or two</p>

<p>Regarding finding a job which utilizes both your Math skills and allows you to explore your Medical leaning, I would suggest completing as many Stats courses as you can during your Bachelors degree. Thereafter, you can join a Pharmaceutical company as an assistant to Project Statisticians.</p>

<p>A primary PS is assigned to each project that is in clinical development. If you are hired, you will get exposure to statistical methodologies, reviewing clinical data, and providing input to a priori Stats plans for Clinical Trials (Ph I through IV). </p>

<p>Generally, the primary statisticians hired are PhDs. However, you could apply as an assistant or get experience as a contractor before getting an exempt position. I have seen non-PhD Contractor assistants that support the main Project Statistician. You could concurrently go part-time to school and finish up your premed requirements. Assuming you are hired by a company, they will pay for your course work.</p>

<p>If you ultimately decide that medicine is not your cup of tea, you could pursue a PhD in Stats. Statisticians have very cushy jobs in Clinical Research.</p>

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<p>Yes fjm, I have definitely spoken to several advisers throughout undergrad and I intend to make many more trips in the future. I'm simply using this forum as another source of information so that I am better equipped to make my decision.</p>

<p>Pharmagal, thank you for your advice. That is the sort of thing that I am looking for. I'm glad that you were able to outline a definite path for me--it makes me feel a little more comfortable with my situation. I guess in the end my biggest concern is if putting medical school off will hurt my chances or if it's relatively normal to feel indecisive about this sort of thing. I'm glad that you affirmed my choice in focusing on statistics. I wasn't entirely sure where or how I'd get a job in the medical field with a statistics background, I suppose I just sort of assumed it was possible because who else could make sense of all of that raw data?</p>

<p>Once again, thank you both for your input, and I hope I get some feedback from others as well. As you have probably guessed, this is pretty important to me!</p>

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<p>I don't think there would be any issue in going to med school with a math degree, nor is there any problem in a delay between UG & med school. In fact it may help your case if you have experienced the world and made certain medicine is the way to go.</p>

<p>I would NOT recommend 18-21 units- one of my DDs did this and it did impact her GPA< it's just too much work, she was still about 3.0, but if med school had been in her future she might have shot herself in the foot. Better to take longer and preserve the GPA.</p>

<p>I would also recommend either doing your last med school requirements whilst you are in school and in the studying mode or at least the summer after grad, live at home and do that OChem at the local community college- just get it out of the way. You could then take the MCAT and it would be good for three years.</p>

<p>Or wait until later, take a prep course and take the MCAT then, gicing you more time for med school apps.</p>

<p>Many HS kids are determined to go to med school, that is why the prereqs are suc weeders, to narrow the field. Half of all applicants still don't get in any where. I do not think med schools are convinced by a kid who says, "I have always wanted to be a doctor" not unless the kid has done tons of shadowing to make sure he is familiar with the reality. Your taking time to be sure ought to be respected.</p>

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<p>Also, not all university advising is equal, my DDs flagship public gives very cookie cutter advising and that would not have worked for her, luckily I found CC & SDN ;) There is no ONE path to med school.</p>

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<p>Thanks for your input somemom! I'm glad you say that taking my time ought to be something medical school adcoms take into consideration when/if I apply, because I feel the same way. It doesn't make sense to commit to something that important if I'm not in it 110%.</p>

<p>I'll take your prereq advice into consideration as well, certainly. I'm lucky in that I could live at home and take those prereqs at a branch campus. I will definitely explore that option, because you're right... it'd be probably be better for me to get those sorts of things done when I'm still in an academic mode.</p>

<p>One thing however is that I thought perhaps by leaving those prereqs for later, I would be allowing myself the opportunity to get back into that mode before going to medical school. Do you think this is unfounded? I don't know how long some people have taken before going to medical school, but I figured that would be a good way to ease back into academics before really hitting the books in med school. Just a thought!</p>

<p>Once again, thanks for your advice!</p>