The Pros and Cons of Going to Med School

Filed under medical school admissions, May 18th, 2009 by admin

Going into medical school is not an easy decision to make.  There are several factors you have to consider.  Plus, making sacrifices is part of pursuing a career in the medical field.  To help you make the right decision, the following are the advantages and disadvantages of getting into med school.

Pros

Most of the people who became medical doctors or are currently medical students have been dreaming about it ever since they were young.  As a very prestigious, rewarding, and established profession, a medical career surely is one of the best careers out there.(1) Furthermore, you will have the capacity to serve humanity by providing good medical services to your community.  Pursuing a medical career also entails continuous learning, which means that your mind will not deteriorate.  As a medical doctor, you will invariably be a leader and teacher of health in your community.  And of course, once you are established, you can expect financial gains.  Furthermore, it may be the most gratifying endeavour that you will do in your life.

Cons

Do not forget that as a medical doctor, you will literally be handling people’s lives.  That is why studying medicine is one of the most gruelling, demanding, and extremely difficult academic paths you can ever take.   The medical school will get the best out of you, and it will be very stressful.(2)  It will also take much time to reach your goal, which is an established, high-earning practice of course.  Usual attendance to a medical school would be four years of undergraduate studies, plus several years of internship, residency, and fellowships depending on your specialty.  You will also be sacrificing much when you are in medical school, such as spending time with family and other affairs.  Lastly, in the absence of a good scholarship aid, it is financially draining.

Do you really want to?

With the advantages and disadvantages of both studying in medical school and eventually practicing a medical career, you might think twice before pursuing it.  If it is really your passion, and if you really believe that it is your calling, then it will be worthwhile.  Just imagine yourself in other careers and if you still think that it’s medicine, then so be it.  Just prepare yourself, physically and emotionally.(3)  Another preparation you can do is to come up with a good essay about myself or admissions essay.  To help you out, read a sample essay about myself online.  A reliable sample essay about myself should help you come up with a concise and engaging med school admissions essay about myself.

(1) http://gradschool.about.com/od/medicalschool/f/advdoc.htm
(2) http://fmignet.aafp.org/online/fmig/index/medical-school/surviving.html
(3) http://www.phd-survey.org/advice/advice.htm

One Response to “The Pros and Cons of Going to Med School”

  1. evelyn says on June 14th, 2010 at 6:24 am

    Medical school is made for people who are willing to endure
    a lot of effort in studying medicine. It is not an easy task and it is not a
    joke enrolling yourself and devoting your time to patients. A lot of people
    worked hard in order to achieve this prestigious title and it takes a lot of
    patience to earn this.
    Being a medical student has lots of benefits, you can treat
    or cure anybody and most of all you have the knowledge on how to do these
    things. It is said to be that doctors earn a lot of respect from people because
    they mean what they say and they say what is true.
    But there are also things that can get you down when you are
    a student. You really have to make some sacrifices like your time and effort.
    It is a very hard task that you portray, you need to tend all your time with
    patients and you will have a minimum time to spend with your friends and families.
    Most of all, it takes a lot of responsibility to become a doctor because you
    are expected to be at your best at all times.
    Lastly, in becoming a doctor you should always keep in mind
    that you have enrolled in this kind of course because you wanted it in the
    first place. It makes you happy and you are contented with it. Most of all you
    are willing to endure all kinds of consequences that you are going to encounter
    when you become a student. It may sound as easy as it is, but it takes a lot of
    time to adjust in such a profession. It only takes a great time of perseverance
    and a huge amount of patience to finish what you are about to start.

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