5 Ways to Know if Medical School is Right for You
Choosing a career is one of life’s biggest decisions. The stakes are even higher, however, for students thinking of becoming physicians. Why? Because becoming a doctor is a long and arduous path -- one that begins with four years of medical school. Wondering whether you’ve got what it takes to survive and thrive as a medical student? Read on for five signs that medical school may be the right place for you.
- Healthcare Studies

Choosing a career is one of life’s biggest decisions. The stakes are even higher, however, for students thinking of becoming physicians. Why? Because becoming a doctor is a long and arduous path -- one that begins with four years of medical school. Wondering whether you’ve got what it takes to survive and thrive as a medical student? Read on for five signs that medical school may be the right place for you.

1. You understand the commitment.
Few people think that medical school is a walk in the park, but equally few realize just what it takes to get through it. On the bright side? Medical schools are notoriously selective: If you do well enough as an undergraduate to gain admittance, you’re well-positioned to succeed. And the truth is that most medical students do go on to graduate.
However, medical school is a massive commitment which requires unparalleled dedication for a sustained period of time. Getting into and through medical school isn’t a race. It’s the first step of a very long and sometimes relentless journey -- especially if you choose a longer residency. Knowing what you’re getting into can help you adopt a winning mindset.

2. Your motivations are in the right place.
As with any major commitment, the right motivations can make or break your medical school experience. If you’re thinking of attending medical school because your parents have had you fitted for a white lab coat since you first learned to walk or because you’re hoping to follow in the footsteps of someone you love or admire, you may be setting yourself up for disappointment and potential failure.
Another misplaced allure which sometimes leads people to medical school? The desire to do/be the best. Having a difficult goal is fine. But having a difficult goal just because it’s perceived as the most difficult goal is not only shortsighted, but is also unlikely to resonate with admissions officers looking for candidates with the authentic desire to become doctors.
Ultimately, becoming a doctor shouldn’t be aimed at gaining approval or impressing someone else. Genuinely reflecting on your own goals can help you avoid this misstep.

3. You are interested in volunteering.
The medical school admissions process is extremely competitive, and volunteering is viewed as one way for candidates to distinguish themselves from the pack. But volunteering can be much more than a means to an end for those interested in positioning themselves for truly fulfilling careers as doctors.
The experiences you have as a volunteer can help you become a more empathetic doctor for both patients and their families. Not to mention that if volunteering sounds like a drag, you may not be well-suited for the largely altruistic life of a healthcare professional.
Caring deeply about helping people overcome their problems and their pain can also help you avoid burnout and remain committed even during more challenging phases of your training and career.

4. You’ve considered all of your options.
If you’ve “had your eye on the prize” of becoming a doctor for years, odds are you haven’t given much thought to the many other career options out there. However, there’s only one way to truly know if medical school is right for you is to explore a breadth and depth of potential career tracks: Know your options.
This doesn’t necessarily mean going in an entirely different direction, however. If you’re strongly interested in working in the healthcare sector, make sure to look into other potential careers, such as physicians assistants, medical technologies, and advance nurse practitioners, which require less preparation and yet boast a strong job market outlook. If you’re guided more by an interest in science and less by patient care, then research jobs are also worth a look.

5. You have a strong support system.
Support from the people in your life can help sustain you through medical school. Conversely, lack of support from close loved ones -- such as a spouse or partner -- can quickly become an impediment to success. This doesn’t mean that someone else’s objections should stop you from pursuing your dream of becoming a doctor. However, it does mean acknowledging that if you’re not on the same page now, the chasm will probably only continue to widen as the demands of your career accumulate.
Doing your research, asking the right questions, and honestly factoring in your individual interests, wants and needs can help you assess whether becoming a medical student makes sense for you -- both personally and professionally. The good news? If medical school is indeed the right route, you’re positioning yourself for one of the most interesting, inspiring and impactful jobs out there.

Joanna Hughes
Author
Joanna worked in higher education administration for many years at a leading research institution before becoming a full-time freelance writer. She lives in the beautiful White Mountains region of New Hampshire with her family.
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