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There are two types of people who go into medicine; those who are drawn by the allure of a high-paying job and those who genuinely are interested in medicine and would like to help others and save lives. Regardless of where you fall in this spectrum, getting into medical college is not an easy feat. A lot of work has to be done and if you are interested in joining a medical college there are some tough questions you might have to ask yourself.
Is this the right path for me?
There are a lot of paths to take once you graduate from medical college. You could go the next step forward and become a doctor, or you could become an EMT. Choosing the best path for you personally can be hard, so you have to look at what each path requires of you. For the most part, a strong foundation in and a thorough understanding of all biological sciences will be of huge help. Medicine, as well as all its related fields, is mentally and intellectually taxing. You should ask yourself if you have the resilience to spend countless nights studying as a medical student and even more nights preparing for exams, certifications, and licenses.
Can you afford it?
A medical college is one of the most expensive academic paths one could choose to take. The financial resources do not stop at paying college fees either. There are application fees should you decide to go further, there is travel associated with going to medical interviewers, MCAT prep, room, and board. If you can afford it or know that you have what it takes to go through medical school and graduate, weighing these costs against your earning potential could be a fruitful exercise.
Are you prepared to sacrifice your time?
Getting to the next step after graduating from medical college calls for sacrificing your time. You could be required to work in a lab, assist as an EMT or do other out-of-class work that is necessary for your medical application process or interviews. The time spent doing these things and getting the necessary experience does not count as time spent in class, so you would have to sacrifice your time.
Is this really what you want to do?
Getting through medical school is one thing, going a step above and actually practicing, either as a nurse, EMT, doctor or other healthcare provider is emotionally and mentally draining. You will always be learning, you will have to associate with people, you will have to put yourself in your patient’s shoes, you will have to associate with people at a much more personal and deeper level that you might not be comfortable with. There is a lot more than comes with taking the leap into the medical work. Are you prepared for all of it?
