<p>Right now I'm a senior in high school. Lately the thought of going pre-med in college has been appealing.</p>
<p>I've been digging deep to find out what my reasons for wanting to do this are. First I thought about the pay. Yes, doctors make a lot, and even though that salary is apparently decreasing, it's still nothing to look down your nose at.</p>
<p>I asked myself, "Would I still want to go through all of that if they only made 1/4 as much as they really do?"</p>
<p>To my surprise...I found myself thinking, "Yes."</p>
<p>I've narrowed my reasons down to two: genuine interest in the inner workings of the human body, and a generally masochistic approach to my academic life (much like everyone else on this God-forsaken website).</p>
<p>I know I have it in me, knowledge-wise, but I'd just like to hear someone's story first... it's just that I just don't want to wind up one of those kids who starts out as pre-med and is a Communications major by next semester.</p>
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I asked myself, "Would I still want to go through all of that if they only made 1/4 as much as they really do?"</p>
<p>To my surprise...I found myself thinking, "Yes."
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Then that brings into question your entire thinking process. That would be a pretty stupid decision if you ask me. The fusion of science and people is great, but it would be foolish to think that compensation shouldn't be an issue. While I'm not thinking about the doctor route "for the money", it certainly is a consideration.</p>
<p>GS, are you only saying that in light of the debt accumulation that most physicians have?</p>
<p>I think it's an important exercise, and particularly (at least for those already in medical school, and thus trapped) important when considering specialties - believe me, as a future pediatrician, I definitely am aware that I'll be making less than my adult treating colleagues...in some cases in ratios that near 1/4. But I also am keen to know that I'd be fairly miserable NOT working with kids and in the end my happiness is worth more than money. </p>
<p>As for the OP's original question:</p>
<p>hard working, dedicated, persistent, problem solver, and willing to learn are all qualities I think every physician has.</p>
<p>Beyond that, there are sorts of other things that can be thrown about. Perhaps it's because I'm at the point that I tend to think specialties are very different I split hairs over terms like "people oriented" and "outgoing" and "analytical". That and I can think of very specific examples of residents and attendings that I know who don't fit those descriptions...;)</p>
<p>In general, most of the people I know in medical school or who are residents are intelligent, interested in people, conversational, well-rounded, and genuinely well meaning. Certainly there are exceptions (most radiology residents I've met are not very conversational, and most pathologists I've met aren't exactly people persons). I'd say that my med school class is by far the most talented group of people I've ever been around.</p>
<p>Debt is a part of it, but it's also a matter of principle and the standard of living I'd like in my life. If I go through 4 years of college, 4 years of med school, and 3-7+ years of residency/fellowship, not to mention the inherently necessary nature of the work that (most) docs do, I would like to be compensated for it. I know that insurance reimbursement is declining, but at least for now, that's not enough to turn me away from eventually applying to med school. I know that average physician salaries have decreases some 7-8% since 1995, but if doctors only got paid 1/4 what they do now (or 1/4 what they were paid in 1995), that would be enough to lead me down a different path.</p>
<p>I agree about the financial issue. I've been thinking about med-school. Yes one of the reasons is a because of the money. I've been poor my whole life so money always seems to be the reason my body and mind wont even acknowledge most liberal arts majors. For me it's either business, engineering, or health. (I hate law lol) </p>
<p>But to be honest, any person who's willing to get to medical school and tries their best is the best type of person to go to med-school. You could be (excuse my language) a dickhead or a goodie two shoes, it really doesn't matter.</p>
<p>I don't think it matters what motivates you (whether it be money or respect or the fact that cutting someone up puts a smile on your face), what matters is how you make it work for yourself. You usually figure this out while trying some of your pre-requisites. They realize, "I don't wanna work for this, so I'm just gonna quit." This is usually the case... but they cover it up in obvious ways. There is the occasional kid who figures out he likes something else rather than health and goes to communication or sumtin, but that kid is rare.</p>
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I don't think it matters what motivates you (whether it be money or respect or the fact that cutting someone up puts a smile on your face)
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From what I've seen, it very much does matter, unless you don't mind ending up miserable and misanthropic.</p>