Should I Go to Medical School?
Going to medical school is a massive decision that will determine the course of your daily life for four years. It’s a decision you shouldn’t take lightly or pursue for the wrong reasons. So, how can you know if you’re making the right choice?
If you’re wondering, “Should I go to medical school?” It’s a good thing. It means you’re considering this major commitment before diving into the deep end. We’ll outline what all four years of medical school entail, explore the pros and cons of going, and reveal eight critical things to consider as you make this important decision about your future.
What does medical school entail?
Medical school is comprised of four years of rigorous studying and training in the field of medicine. These years are known as M1 through M4. They’re an intense period of education and hands-on learning designed to prepare you for residency, which comes after medical school and marks your transition into independent practice.
Here’s an overview of what happens during each year of medical school.
First-year/M1
You’ll learn a lot about the body, the diseases and disorders that can affect it, and how to treat these conditions. The curriculum and structure of your courses will vary depending on the school you attend. You’ll also have some clinical exposure, shadowing physicians and observing patient-provider interactions in real-world healthcare situations.
Second-year/M2
You’ll build upon the foundational knowledge you acquired in year one and begin honing clinical skills like examining patients and interpreting test results. This year is also heavily dedicated to studying for and taking the first of three medical licensing exams required to become a doctor, which is the USMLE Step 1 exam.
Third-year/M3
The third year of medical school is the first of two clinical years, during which you’ll move from the classroom into a hospital or clinic doing rotations. You’ll help care for actual patients and learn more about various specialties of medicine to help you decide what type of practice you might be interested in.
Fourth-year/M4
During your fourth and final year of med school, you’ll select elective rotations based on the specialties you’re most interested in pursuing. Much of this year will also be spent preparing to apply for your residency. You’ll participate in sub-internships, which are like extended interviews to be considered for a residency program. During your spring semester of M4, you’ll learn which residency program you’ve been matched with. This is where you’ll spend the next three to seven years, depending on the specialty you’ve chosen, completing your residency.
Pros of going to medical school
Helping others
Not many people can say they save lives on a routine basis. Going to medical school and, in turn, becoming a physician can be an incredibly rewarding path that allows you to make a meaningful impact on the lives of others and the communities in which you work.
Earning potential
It’s no secret that doctors can make a lot of money. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, physicians and surgeons are among the highest-paid professionals in any field, with an average salary of $239,200 per year in the United States.
Prestige
Being a doctor commands a certain level of respect, and not for shallow reasons. It takes many years of hard work, dedication, and self-sacrifice to make it in the profession, and society generally recognizes this by having a high regard for physicians.
Job security
If you’ve been interested in the healthcare field for a few years, you’ve probably noticed the near-constant headlines about staffing shortages in the industry. Doctors are in high demand and historically have experienced very strong job security. With a growing number of people living longer than ever before, all of whom require care, job security is something we can expect to remain steady for physicians for decades to come.
Lifelong learning
A med student’s strong appetite for knowledge is one of the qualities that makes them successful. If you pursue a career as a doctor, you’ll constantly be learning about new treatments, acquiring innovative techniques, and potentially going deeper into your specialty area, which means your education will be ongoing.
Flexible career options
There’s no one-size-fits-all career after medical school. You could work in a hospital setting or in a private practice. You could go on to become a surgeon or a health system administrator. You might decide to move into specialized research or become an educator. The options are endless for someone with a Doctor of Medicine degree.
Related: The Most In-Demand Healthcare Jobs
Cons of going to medical school
Student loan debt
According to the Education Data Initiative, the average medical school graduate owes $250,995 in total student loan debt–that’s a quarter of a million dollars. About $202,000 of that is solely from medical school. It’s no surprise that the soaring cost of tuition is a leading cause of hesitation among would-be medical school attendees.
Time commitment
Medical school is a four-year commitment; during those four years, it will be your primary focus. Your social life, relationships, hobbies, and even your family will sometimes need to be placed on the back burner to prioritize your educational requirements. Don’t forget that if you want to be a practicing physician, you’ll also complete several more years of residency after graduating with your MD.
Bureaucracy
As any medical school student knows, you’ll handle your fair share of bureaucracy. From rules that feel unfair or downright pointless to red tape that makes the healthcare educational system seem to function worse instead of better, you’ll encounter many frustrations that are largely outside of your control. However, you’ll have no choice but to deal with them if you want to get your medical degree.
Burnout
Medical school is challenging for the mind, body, and spirit. High-pressure exams, long rotation shifts without a break or sleep, and the weight of having real human lives in your hands can all take a toll. Some students struggle with depression, anxiety, and substance abuse as a result.
Related: Ways to Avoid Burnout at Work
Sunk costs
You’ve probably heard of the sunk cost fallacy–a phenomenon in which a person realizes they’ve made the wrong choice but is reluctant to change course because of the investment they’ve already made in their current path. If you ultimately decide medical school isn’t for you, it may be difficult for you to switch gears because of how much time, energy, and money you’ve already put into it.
8 critical things to think about when considering medical school
1. Your GPA
For many undergrads, GPA is a number they’ll never mention again after graduation. Pre-med students are not part of this group. Medical school is highly competitive, and your GPA is a strong factor that admissions committees will look at when deciding whether to let you in.
According to the Princeton Review, just 41% of the roughly 55,000 undergrad students who applied to medical school were accepted for the 2022-2023 academic year. Of those, just 20% had a GPA below the average range for accepted applicants. The average GPA for students who get into medical school is 3.7.
2. Your standardized test scores
The MCAT is the standardized exam you’ll take before applying to medical school. Your total score can range from 472 to 578. Medical schools will be looking for an excellent score, with the average accepted applicant having a score of 512. You can take the MCAT up to three times in one calendar year and four times across two calendar years. You cannot take it more than seven times.
Also, consider your performance on standardized tests in general. If you’re someone who struggles with formalized testing, this is a challenge you’ll likely need to address, as medical school will be filled with high-stakes exams.
3. Your partner and/or family
Having a partner or spouse in medical school requires sacrifice. If you’re the student, it’s incredibly likely your partner will be asked to carry more than their “fair share” of the load or put your commitments above their own needs at times. If you’re married or in a long-term partnership, you’ll need to jointly consider whether your partner is in a position to support you during this rigorous academic phase.
4. Your need for flexibility
To put it plainly, there isn’t a lot of it. For many years, you won’t have full control over vacations, holidays, or even how long you can sleep. Be honest with yourself about whether you’ll be okay with the inflexibility that comes with medical school.
5. Your comfort level with being a subordinate
Are you comfortable following directions, even when they’re delivered discourteously or you don’t agree with them? It will be a long time before you’re able to call the shots, and until then, you’ll be taking orders from physicians and more senior medical staff. Be honest with yourself about whether this is something you can live with for a few years.
6. Your motivation
Think long and hard about your reasons for pursuing this career path. If you’re becoming a doctor because your parents want you to, you’re a likely candidate for burnout. If it’s money you’re after, there are a number of other careers where you can earn a substantial living without the enormous up-front commitment. Your motivation is what will keep you going during the toughest days of medical school, so be sure you’re in it for the right reasons.
7. Your commitment
Becoming a doctor takes more than a decade if you include undergrad. With such a lengthy training process, you should feel confident the profession is something you can see yourself doing for the rest of your life. If you’re still in undergrad, consider pursuing internships or volunteering with a program like Doctors Without Borders to get a feel for what the job looks like daily.
8. Your passion
For physicians who have been in the healthcare field a long time, joy and passion are among the top ideals keeping them in the profession. Consider whether you feel excited and driven by the following things:
- Making a difference
- Challenging yourself
- Improving your community
- Collaborating with others
- Science
- Lifelong learning
- Personal growth
- Working with diverse populations
- Advocating for the underserved
If one or more of the above ring true to you rather than money, respect, or living up to others’ expectations, it’s a good sign you’re on the right track.
The decision to attend medical school is one of the biggest you’ll make in your lifetime. By considering the factors above and weighing all available options–not just the med school path–you’ll be in a position to make an informed and confident choice you’ll feel comfortable with for the defining years ahead.
