Keystone logo

Why Med School May Not Be The Right Fit (And Why it's OK)

Many students aspire to become doctors. However, the reality is that it is not the right path for everyone. Because of this, it is especially important to consider sooner rather than later whether or not you should apply to medical school. Read on for five reasons medical school and the field of medicine might not be a good fit for you, along with a roundup of four other healthcare and science careers worth considering.

Aug 20, 2018
  • Education
  • Student Tips
Why Med School May Not Be The Right Fit (And Why it's OK)

Many students aspire to become doctors. However, the reality is that it is not the right path for everyone. Because of this, it is especially important to reflect sooner rather than later on why or why not you should apply to medical school. Read on for five reasons medical school and the field of medicine might not be a good fit for you, along with a roundup of four other healthcare and science careers worth considering.

5 Reasons Med School Might Not Be Right for You

1. You don’t perform well under pressure.

Medical school is intense. In fact, a common adage proposes that “medical school is like drinking water from a fire house.” Not only is there a large volume of work, but there is also brutal competition, demanding hours, and contact with sick and dying patients -- all of which can physically, mentally, and emotionally weigh on medical students.

According to a Washington Post report on high rates of suicide among med students, there is also a troubling lack of support. “Rather than receiving support in these situations, these students often suffer humiliation from senior clinicians. Doctors work in a hierarchy, with attending physicians above residents, who are above interns. At the bottom of the totem pole are medical students,” explains writer Nathaniel Morris.

There is good news, however -- many medical schools are aware of the problem and have taken steps to improve the culture. Still, if you dread the thought of spending the next four years crushed under the burden of “unrelenting pressure”, med school may spell misery for you.

2. You need a lot of sleep.

Sleep is a sought-after commodity for many students, but it can be especially elusive for medical students. Some people can deal with lack of sleep and sleep disruption, but others simply cannot function. While certain specialties offer the relief of daytime hours, others promise more of the same. If sleep comes first for you, medical school -- not to mention a career as a doctor -- may be setting yourself up to fail.

3. Your MCAT scores are repeatedly low.

Plenty of successful doctors have poor MCAT scores in their past. However, most were able to retake the exam and improve with test prep. However, if your best efforts do not lead to improvements in your score, you may find yourself struggling in medical school -- not because the tests are necessarily a measure of whether or not you will be a good doctor, but rather because they are very much part of the medical school process.

4. You’re not interested in giving back.

Many people go into medicine in search of high salaries. But this overlooks a major component in being a doctor: the actual work. The best doctors exhibit traits such as concern and empathy. These are the same traits found in volunteerism. If you are not willing to sacrifice your time for the betterment of others, you may find more frustration than fulfillment in being a doctor.

5. You do not want to sacrifice other aspects of your life.

Doctors can lead rich, well-rounded lives. In fact, there can be a lot of flexibility in medicine. However, medical school is the opposite of flexibility. For starters, the time you will spend in medical school and residency will not be flexible. Instead, you can expect to spend the vast majority of your time in school which will likely mean missing out on other things.

Brian Secemsky, MD, writes for Huffington Post, “If you can’t wrap your mind around putting most of your waking hours into your training for the first years of your professional life, then this field will likely break you down before you have the freedom to personalize a medical career that best fits your needs.”

4 Careers to Consider Instead of Medicine

1. Physician assistant

Jobs.net recently made the case for prospective medical students to become physician assistants instead. Reasons included less time studying, great money, flexibility, more regular hours, excellent job prospects, and rewarding duties with lots of opportunity for teamwork and patient care.

2. Scientist

A love for science and learning drives many people to medicine. Scientist jobs share these same benefits -- in fact, while medicine indeed relies on science, scientists have more opportunities to pursue scientific knowledge because their jobs exist within the realm of “pure science.” In other words, science is not a means to an end for scientists. Rather, it is the means and the ends.

3. Pharmacist

Love chemistry? Think pharmacy. Not only do pharmacists know the ins and outs of drug mechanisms while helping patients lead better lives, but they also spend less time in school, have the ability to work in a variety of settings, and the potential to collect sizable salaries.

4. Veterinarian

Veterinarians are doctors for animals. If the thought of working with all things furry and feathered is more appealing than working with patients, a career in veterinary medicine may check all the boxes.

Still not sure whether medicine is right for you? Consider the words of Hippocrates: Ars longa, vita brevis, which translates to 'art is long, life is short,' as well as John Milton’s musing on how our “light is spent.” If medicine calls to you beyond all else, than it may well be the path best taken. However, if other possibilities seem equally (or more) appealing with fewer demands, a different choice may lead to a more joyful life.

Speaking of joy and medical students, make to to check out "Five Things Medical Students Need to Know About Happiness."

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.

Find a program in these categories