I think I want to go to medical school after my PhD. Career cold feet, or a viable option?

November 22, 2010 5:41 AM

Submitting my thesis (dissertation) in a few weeks; queasy about academia as a career; thinking of applying to medical school at 27; is this a foolish fantasy?

Here's the situation: I'm submitting my PhD thesis, in a humanities field, in a few weeks, and I'm not feeling too great. It's also probably worthwhile noting that I'm Australian, so that's the education system I'm talking about. I'm 27 and have been at university for my entire adult life. My thesis is on a health-related topic, and mutated from being straight-up cultural studies to a science and technology studies-type project. I'm pleased with my thesis, and I know that if I wanted I could have a career as a humanities researcher. The problem is I don't think I want to.

I've been thinking about medicine as a career since the second year of my candidature, for three reasons. One, I think I'm drawn to science and technology studies because I am, perhaps, a bit of a frustrated scientist. Two, while I do believe in the value of the humanities, I badly want to feel as though I have skills that are 'of use.' Three, while, as I mentioned, I do feel I could carve out a career in the academy, I just don't have the kind of single-minded focus and determination I believe is necessary to survive that hardscrabble world. I can't say I'm thrilled about the precarious, insecure life of an academic.

So I like science; I like to feel useful; I know I'd like to work in a healthcare related field because I already (sort of) do. I've taught medical and nursing students healthcare policy units before, and I've been invited to speak as the 'token humanities' person at several medical conferences. I'm sick of observing, and I want to do something. I know that I'd be plunging into four more years of university if I get in to medical school, and the question of whether someone with an arts PhD is even a viable candidate opens up another kettle of fish.

Here is what I am asking:
1. Does this sound like 'cold feet,' where I'm just talking myself out of my chosen profession?
2. Is it completely implausible for someone with my educational background to think they could pass GAMSAT?
3. How badly does my age/education count against me?

I'm posting this anonymously because I'm concerned future employers might come across my career ambivalence, and it might not make the best impression. I really just need to get some feedback from the hive mind on this one. Thanks!

posted by anonymous to Work & Money (8 answers total)

1. A little bit, yes. How do you know that you will like medicine any more than what you're already hoping to do? Have you ever done any shadowing or work in the health care industry beyond teaching? Have you considered perhaps working for a year or two in your field while you carve out your prerequisite coursework (unless you have it already) and volunteer on your days off? You need to have this experience before you commit to the idea of medical school.

2. If the GAMSAT is anything like the MCAT (and I have no idea whether it is or is not), then anyone who spends a significant amount of time studying for it can learn the material that will be on the science portion. As someone with graduate work in humanities, you'd probably do better than most pre-meds in any English/verbal/writing sections (as is generally true for the MCAT). I've also heard that the verbal section of the MCAT is also the highest predictor of success once actually *in* medical school. Make of that what you will, and bear in mind that the GAMSAT is a different test. But, you've already made it all the way through a doctorate program, so you know how to take tests.

3. In the US, your age and education wouldn't count against you at all. The average age of admission at my school is 26. We had one woman who entered at 45 years old after years of working as a pharmacist. Others have advanced degrees in humanities and sciences alike, while others only took as much science as was required to fulfill prerequisites.

All of that said, if you really feel like you want to be a physician, flesh out the dream a little more. Decide what you need to do to put yourself in a position of knowing that this is really what you want. It's cliche, but if you can see yourself doing anything else with your life, go and do that instead. I like medicine a lot, it's a lot of work and misery to go through if you're not really committed to it.
posted by honeybee413 at 5:56 AM on November 22, 2010

Re question one:

Data point: As I was turning in my PhD. dissertation, I thought that I wanted to quit science forever -- it just was not fun anymore. After a three month break, I started a post-doctoral position. One month later, I was having a wonderful time in the laboratory, and I discovered that I actually like what I am studying. In talking to my peers, this is entirely normal.

I think that the end of graduate school is amazingly stressful, and that taking a step back for a bit might guide you. Perhaps look for a post-doctoral position that lasts one or two years and apply for medical school during that time. If you like what you are doing, do not go to medical school. If you do not like what you are doing, then the applications are already in the mail.
posted by Peter Petridish at 6:18 AM on November 22, 2010

I have some useful info that I don't feel like posting right now (doing my defense today!). PM me if you like.
posted by bolognius maximus at 6:25 AM on November 22, 2010

Anecdata: I know someone with a PhD in poetics who had a successful career as a folk singer and songwriter, who then went to medical school in his 40s and is now in family practice (and just released a new album).

Basically, anything's possible.
posted by dlugoczaj at 6:55 AM on November 22, 2010 [1 favorite]

3. Your age does not count against you. I have a good friend who started med at UWA at 35. She has a remote area nursing background, and I'd assume that was a major advantage in both knowing what she wanted to do, and talking her way through the interview. But her age was not a problem. Similarly, my GP would be in her 50s, and is only a few years out of school.

2. Not completely implausible at all. I'd guess you'd want to brush up on your biology and anatomy - I think it's assumed you have at least a 1st year uni level of knowledge. On the flip side, PhD level communications skills are likely to give you an advantage on essay questions and interviews.

1. I don't know. That one's up to you. But I'd suggest pursuing your dreams now, because they get a harder to catch as you get older.
posted by Ahab at 7:16 AM on November 22, 2010

I went into medicine in my 20s with an arts undergrad degree, and I don't regret it (well, I'm only in third year, so perhaps I should say I don't regret it yet).

My worry is that you might be doing this because of end-of-PhD burnout (which from my friends seems to be compulsory), rather than because this is what you really want to do. Have you considered trying to get a basic healthcare job for a year? It would be relevant experience for your application, and would give you time to think about your decision in a relevant environment.

I just don't have the kind of single-minded focus and determination I believe is necessary to survive that hardscrabble world.
Eh, if you get into medical school and decide you want to be a neurosurgeon (or any other competitive specialty) then that's exactly what you're going to have to do. We're talking about medical undergrads who are only twenty and are worrying that they don't have publications in high-impact journals.

If this is what you want to do, then I think you'll be fine with your age and your GAMSAT (as long as you revise!) and so on. What you want to be sure is that you're being pulled towards medicine, and not just being pushed away from your current path.
posted by Coobeastie at 9:55 AM on November 22, 2010

You're not crazy. GAMSAT is (mostly) once-a-year and registrations are open now. It'll still be a year before you start classes, so you've got plenty of time to think things over if it's just cold feet. You will need to register for GAMSAT soon, though - $400 or so.
The average age of entry to graduate medicine is 26, so you're normal. And your background sounds incredibly relevant and applicable.
If you are concerned about your performance as a humanities graduate in the GAMSAT, please PM me. I have coached others and performed well myself, and I've seen humanities graduates perform well.
posted by quercus23 at 4:50 PM on November 24, 2010

Finally the Paging Dr forum is one of the best resources out there. They even have a couple of admissions officers who post and may be able to give you feedback.
posted by quercus23 at 4:50 PM on November 24, 2010