When I Grow Up

02 February 2010
When I grow up, I want to be in a career of academic medicine. I have been pushing this idea around for the past couple of years and it has really struck me that this is what I really want to do ever since Christmas and it has been getting stronger and stronger each day. I want to be in a situation where I can practice clinical medicine, perform research, and teach at an academic medical center. That is what I truly want to do. I don't want to be just a doctor. I want to be someone who is looking for cures, teaching future doctors, and helping patients have better lives. I'm kicking myself in the head because I should have went with my instinct when I first applied to medical school. I should not have let others convince me otherwise because I only applied to MD programs when I should have applied to at least some MD/PhD programs. I guess that there is always next year.

Right now, I have three interviews for a MD. I have one next week at Columbia, one the week after at Baylor, and the last in March at The Ohio State. We'll see if I get in or not. To be honest, I hope that I don't get in and I am already starting my applications again. My hope of not getting in is because I am not sure if I can get accepted into an MD program and then switch to an MD/PhD program. If I can, that would be ideal, especially if I got into Columbia or Baylor. If not, I have my back-up plans. My back-up plan is denying admittance or postponing matriculation for a year and then reapplying. I already applied for a post-baccalaureate program at the NIH for a year. I really hope that I get into the program because it will really boost my résumé. The I can apply to MD/PhD programs and see what happens. If I don't get accepted into and MD/PhD, I have my MD to fall back on at one of the three schools above (that is if I get accepted into their institution).

Anyways, those are my plans for right now. I am really loving life. I work 30-40 hours a week in my research lab and then I am still coaching Timpview swimming. We won Region a couple of weekends ago and we are going to make a run for state this coming weekend. I hope that we can win! I am also really excited to be in New York next week for my first interview (It's my first time in the Big Apple).

4 comments:

Mister Curie said...

I am an MD/PhD student at an East Coast medical school. If I remember correctly, when I interviewed at Baylor, they do allow students to switch to the MD/PhD program during their first year. You should definitely ask about it when you interview if you are interested. Feel free to email me if you have additional questions.

Ben said...

Good luck with your interview. I'm so jealous that you're going to New York! The Big Apple is still on my list of top 10 places I need to visit before I die.

I know absolutely nothing of the medical field/profession, but I think that MD/PhD as you described it sounds intriguing. Finding cures for diseases would be fascinating.

A Gay Mormon Boy said...

Best of luck. My best friend is in an MD/PhD program in Texas and loving it.

I've got to say my life is driven by a love for research, writing, and teaching. I know what it's like to be excited and scared about your future.

Colombia's on my list, too, btw.

mollie said...

FYI- I am so sad that I am not going to NYC with you. You could've stayed at my house, for Pete's sake!

Good luck!!