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smartiegal8
smartiegal8 asked in Education & ReferenceHigher Education (University +) · 8 years ago

Not sure about med school anymore?

So, I'm a rising junior at an Ivy League university. I'm a Biology and Spanish major and was originally pre-med. But, my grades in my biology classes have been consistently not too good. I've gotten 5 C's so far and actually just got a D+. With my GPA, I don't think even I would let myself into med school even though I've done lots of research and internships already. So I've been trying to accept the fact that med school may not be my best bet.

I always thought I wanted to become a cardiac pathologist and work with autopsy cases because I spent 3 summers doing research in pathology departments. I also really enjoyed analyzing tissue under a microscope and coming up with a diagnosis.

Now in college, I ended up in a plant and insect interaction lab, which I still really enjoy doing research on, but it's not the medical-related research I thought I'd be doing. So I enjoy ecology research and field work too.

I sometimes wish I could just go to a poor Spanish-speaking country with my undergraduate knowledge and be like a doctor for people, without actually having the degree, but still have more knowledge about care than most people there would have. I really don't want to be a nurse though.

I thought about maybe going to grad school. Possibly for a PhD, but I have no idea what I'd actually want to get a PhD in then. And I've heard if you don't like research more than eating or sleeping, that a PhD program might not be for you, since they tend to be pretty devastating for wishy-washy people. Also, I'm not really feeling like too much more schooling after undergrad.

I guess my question really is - if I can't be an actual doctor, what's my next best option? Or what sounds like something I'd be well-suited for an would enjoy doing based on the given information?

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  • lildude211us
    Lv 7
    8 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    Pharmacy school is an option. As a bio major, you would probably meet the specific courses they want with the major. Or you can go to grad school for more specific area in biological science and try to work in a biotech firm. A lot of the major biotech companies in CA post internship, co-op or research job openings and one of the things is experience in lab work (and such)

  • ?
    Lv 4
    8 years ago

    The thing is: you have to really want to be a doctor. As a rising junior, you still have a good shot at medical school IFF you get your grades up. Based on what you've written, I think you have the heart to be a good doctor, but you are losing the determination b/c of your grades. Schools definitely look at grades, but they also look at trends. DO BETTER these next two years and you'll have a great chance at getting into medical school. Refuse to accept anything except that YOU CAN DO IT IF YOU WANT IT. Seriously, getting into med school (and getting through med school ) is more about PERSISTENCE than intelligence.

    Just like being a good doctor is more about heart than mind.

    Another thing to consider: med school entry isn't as tough as it used to be, as the people who wanted to make lots of money are going into other jobs (most doctors actually earn every dime, especially under Obamacare) and there's a massive doctor shortage looming.

    IF you really can't be a doctor, then be a PA. PAs are great, but they do 80% of a doctor's job with only 40% of the pay (admittedly though with only 60% of the headaches). However: PA programs might be more competitive in some sense than MD/DO programs in the next few years, as more applicants will meet the PA criteria.

    Best wishes!!!! (And get those grades up--you can do eeet!)

    Source(s): Old medic.
  • Antony
    8 years ago

    I guess my question really is - if I can't be an actual doctor, what's my next best option? Or what sounds like something I'd be well-suited for an would enjoy doing based on the given information?

    I understand your feelings,

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  • Hugo90
    Lv 7
    8 years ago

    My wife is a General Surgeon. She says often that if she knew how political and old boy it would be, she never would have gone to medical school.

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