[Reina]

What are your honest reasons for doing so?

I know there is so much emphasis on how competitive the course is and how you really shouldn't apply if you don't really want it with a passion, but the medics I know personally don't seem like this at all.

One of them is studying to please his parents, one is just there for the money and the third just applied because he was good at science but didn't really know what they wanted to do.

Obviously, there are a huge number of medical students out there and the majority probably don't think like this, but it just made me wonder how many people do.

[twelve]

(Original post by Reina)
What are your honest reasons for doing so?

I know there is so much emphasis on how competitive the course is and how you really shouldn't apply if you don't really want it with a passion, but the medics I know personally don't seem like this at all.

One of them is studying to please his parents, one is just there for the money and the third just applied because he was good at science but didn't really know what they wanted to do.

Obviously, there are a huge number of medical students out there and the majority probably don't think like this, but it just made me wonder how many people do.

The way that things seem to go, applicants feel that the only important thing to them is medicine, and its the end of the world if they don't get in. After they get in, it becomes clear that it isn't really as big a deal as they thought. Ofe course it matters, but what course you do, or what job you have doesn't define you as a person, its a lot more than that. However, I'm sure if you asked those people what they'd rather do, they wouldn't be able to come up with anything - choosing a career doesn't necessarily have to be the central point in your life, it just has to be what you want to do most. For me, thats medicine. I have spent a long time considering different careers, and medicine is the only thing I can really see myself doing, and my passion for people and the fact I have the grades means I would think I'd be good at it.

[Ignoramus]

1. Exciting job
2. Stable (and well paid) career
3. Course content looked interesting

[twelve]

(Original post by twelve)
The way that things seem to go, applicants feel that the only important thing to them is medicine, and its the end of the world if they don't get in. After they get in, it becomes clear that it isn't really as big a deal as they thought. Ofe course it matters, but what course you do, or what job you have doesn't define you as a person, its a lot more than that. However, I'm sure if you asked those people what they'd rather do, they wouldn't be able to come up with anything - choosing a career doesn't necessarily have to be the central point in your life, it just has to be what you want to do most. For me, thats medicine. I have spent a long time considering different careers, and medicine is the only thing I can really see myself doing, and my passion for people and the fact I have the grades means I would think I'd be good at it.

(Original post by dontreply)
x

Which part didn't you agree with?

[Coke Or Pepsi]

(Original post by twelve)
The way that things seem to go, applicants feel that the only important thing to them is medicine, and its the end of the world if they don't get in. After they get in, it becomes clear that it isn't really as big a deal as they thought. Ofe course it matters, but what course you do, or what job you have doesn't define you as a person, its a lot more than that. However, I'm sure if you asked those people what they'd rather do, they wouldn't be able to come up with anything - choosing a career doesn't necessarily have to be the central point in your life, it just has to be what you want to do most. For me, thats medicine. I have spent a long time considering different careers, and medicine is the only thing I can really see myself doing, and my passion for people and the fact I have the grades means I would think I'd be good at it.

This exactly.

[Democracy]

(Original post by Reina)
One of them is studying to please his parents, one is just there for the money and the third just applied because he was good at science but didn't really know what they wanted to do.

My parents didn't want me to do medicine, if I wanted money I'd have gone into law and I'm not that enthralled by pure science really. In all honesty, my decision was made on the basis of practical considerations and personal experiences. The latter certainly played far more of a role than the former.

Also I do look pretty hot in scrubs, if I do say so myself (really).

[That Bearded Man]

What horrible reasons!! Glad you're not doing it to please your parents either, two of my mates "SAY" they are doing it because they want to help people and get a steady job, they both have money, their own car etc. so I'm not sure.

I can say with pride that I genuiely want to help people, what's the point in doing a job that puts people in misery? It's a steady job, they have good representatives, well-respected, decent salary, was good at science are all true reasons I suppose.

[adsyrah]

(Original post by Reina)
What are your honest reasons for doing so?

I know there is so much emphasis on how competitive the course is and how you really shouldn't apply if you don't really want it with a passion, but the medics I know personally don't seem like this at all.

One of them is studying to please his parents, one is just there for the money and the third just applied because he was good at science but didn't really know what they wanted to do.

Obviously, there are a huge number of medical students out there and the majority probably don't think like this, but it just made me wonder how many people do.

I'm coming into medicine from another perspective. I've had a career as a computer programmer for 7 years and realised it's definitely NOT what I want to be doing for the next 30-40 years.

I considered medicine when I was 17/18 (I'm 29 now) and at the time thought it to be too much work and too much of a commitment. Oh how I was wrong! I instead opted for Maths and Computer Science.

I've grown in maturity now and realised that my desire to work with people, help people and do something "worthwhile" is so strong and that I needed a career change. Writing computer code was definitely not hitting the right buttons for me. That's when the lightbulb lit and I realised medicine really is what I should have done when I was 18.

No point regretting not trying, so I took the plunge and am starting in Sept

It's strange as people talk about how medicine is the be-all-and-end-all for them and it's all they've ever wanted to do. But for me, it's more that I can't see myself being happy doing anything else. I've tried a different career, it didn't work out, time for a new beginning.

[pi=3]

(Original post by Reina)
What are your honest reasons for doing so?

I know there is so much emphasis on how competitive the course is and how you really shouldn't apply if you don't really want it with a passion, but the medics I know personally don't seem like this at all.

One of them is studying to please his parents, one is just there for the money and the third just applied because he was good at science but didn't really know what they wanted to do.

Obviously, there are a huge number of medical students out there and the majority probably don't think like this, but it just made me wonder how many people do.

Meh, I s'pose its social pressure really. I come from an Asian background, like many people studying Medicine I imagine, and I guess studying Medicine is a sort of an acceptance ritual. When I walk into family reunions etc, usually parents are off in a rant about what their kid is studying (trust me, most Asian kids know what I am on about) and when it comes for you or your parents to say what you are studying, it better had be Medicine or Law, or else you get looks of shame (however disguised they may be) thrown at you. Yes, I know I'll get negged for saying this is a valid reason, but there it is. In real world (i.e. outside the world of crap you make up in the interview), reasons usually boil down to the respect you get, the job-security relative to the decent pay, the prestige, with the added bonus of helping people.

[Meltingice]

(Original post by Democracy)
My parents didn't want me to do medicine, if I wanted money I'd have gone into law and I'm not that enthralled by pure science really. In all honesty, my decision was made on the basis of practical considerations and personal experiences. The latter certainly played far more of a role than the former.

Also I do look pretty hot in scrubs, if I do say so myself (really).

Totally agree.


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

[twelve]

Also, it seems odd when people say that medicine is 'well-respected'. In my experience, everyone hates doctors. Nurses, patients, the general public. Attitudes to doctors seems to be 'oh, they're all just money-grabbers who think they are all that'. EVen my own mum didn't want me to do medicine because of her own hatred of doctors.

[salsharifi]

(Original post by pi=3)
In real world (i.e. outside the world of crap you make up in the interview), reasons usually boil down to the respect you get, the job-security relative to the decent pay, the prestige, with the added bonus of helping people.

This is true and I think people who have chosen to do medicine would be lying if they said these reasons weren't relevant to them. For me those reasons act like added bonuses but they are not the driving force. I'm applying for medicine 2013 entry and my honest reasons for this are:

1. It's genuinely what I've seen myself doing in the future. When I was little and people would ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I always replied with "doctor".

2. It's interesting. Learning about the human body and diseases and everything in between can't get boring, surely.

3. People say that medicine takes over your life, but I like the idea of that. No joke. I'd rather dedicate myself to a career than do half-arsed work in an office somewhere.

4. It's fulfilling. I know that could be said about other jobs too, but how great would it be to walk into work on a Monday morning and think "I'm going to perform life-saving surgery today" (maybe a little naive, I know)

[digitalis]

(Original post by pi=3)
Meh, I s'pose its social pressure really. I come from an Asian background, like many people studying Medicine I imagine, and I guess studying Medicine is a sort of an acceptance ritual. When I walk into family reunions etc, usually parents are off in a rant about what their kid is studying (trust me, most Asian kids know what I am on about) and when it comes for you or your parents to say what you are studying, it better had be Medicine or Law, or else you get looks of shame (however disguised they may be) thrown at you. Yes, I know I'll get negged for saying this is a valid reason, but there it is. In real world (i.e. outside the world of crap you make up in the interview), reasons usually boil down to the respect you get, the job-security relative to the decent pay, the prestige, with the added bonus of helping people.

Good grief. I'm a quarter Asian and I think this is such an awful reason to do something. It's not YOUR parents or second cousin who will be in the trenches with 100+ patients on a Friday, it will be you.

Your parents will be comfortably in their home, your 'family friends' won't be thinking about you forever....it will you be doing the long flog over a fourty year career, possibly unhappy.

No-one was deciding what I did. I don't give a damn really about what a family friend (who in all likelihood is less qualified than I am) who I see maybe once a year or so thinks about me. I'm the one living my life, not them.

[pi=3]

(Original post by digitalis)
Good grief. I'm a quarter Asian and I think this is such an awful reason to do something. It's not YOUR parents or second cousin who will be in the trenches with 100+ patients on a Friday, it will be you.

Your parents will be comfortably in their home, your 'family friends' won't be thinking about you forever....it will you be doing the long flog over a fourty year career, possibly unhappy.

No-one was deciding what I did. I don't give a damn really about what a family friend (who in all likelihood is less qualified than I am) who I see maybe once a year or so thinks about me. I'm the one living my life, not them.

You are absolutely right. But there it is anyway. When you are young and impressionable, and you see that 'golden horde' that got into Medicine and everyone looking at them with envy...well, its hard not to resist. Too late people realize that same 'golden horde' will spend the best years of their life as an underpaid slave for the most part. Still, I think for some people, it becomes a certain ideal to aim to achieve, especially teenagers who havent really thought about what they want to do (i.e. people like me), but rather just 'go with what other people are doing'. Social pressure, I believe, is an inevitable factor to why some people will choose to be a doctor.

[theatrical]

I chose to do medicine because I thought it would be an interesting, secure and relatively well paid career. I really wanted to get in but I didn't have a 'passion' for medicine, and if I hadn't got in I would have just made the best of it. Those people with a burning desire and overwhelming passion to become a doctor are definitely in the minority at my medical school.

I'll always be a person who works to live, not the other way around.

[roh]

(Original post by twelve)
Also, it seems odd when people say that medicine is 'well-respected'. In my experience, everyone hates doctors. Nurses, patients, the general public. Attitudes to doctors seems to be 'oh, they're all just money-grabbers who think they are all that'. EVen my own mum didn't want me to do medicine because of her own hatred of doctors.

Try telling people you want to be a City lawyer and witness the relative disgust, largely because you at least act like a money grabbing, morals free **** who will do anything a client asks if the price is right. I get this contrast nicely as my girlfriend is a medic.

According to this Doctors are relatively well liked: http://www.ipsos-mori.com/researchpu...t-trusted.aspx

[digitalis]

(Original post by pi=3)
You are absolutely right. But there it is anyway. When you are young and impressionable, and you see that 'golden horde' that got into Medicine and everyone looking at them with envy...well, its hard not to resist. Too late people realize that same 'golden horde' will spend the best years of their life as an underpaid slave for the most part. Still, I think for some people, it becomes a certain ideal to aim to achieve, especially teenagers who havent really thought about what they want to do (i.e. people like me), but rather just 'go with what other people are doing'. Social pressure, I believe, is an inevitable factor to why some people will choose to be a doctor.

That's a different story. It is perfectly OK to look up to people who are successful and respected off your own bat, but to have family nagging you and telling you 'oh look at him, he's a DOCTOR'...as if they are holy...and then effectively forcing you into it (stories like 'I'll only fund you if you do medicine/law/engineering') is outrageous imo.

[tpxvs]

(Original post by digitalis)
That's a different story. It is perfectly OK to look up to people who are successful and respected off your own bat, but to have family nagging you and telling you 'oh look at him, he's a DOCTOR'...as if they are holy...and then effectively forcing you into it (stories like 'I'll only fund you if you do medicine/law/engineering') is outrageous imo.

Though i agree with basically everything you're saying.. i thought of it like a parent (im only 19 btw and yet to start med school come sept..) but yeah if i had a kid(s) im not sure id be too pleased funding for a degree that isnt worthwhile.. I have so many friends who have gone off to uni this year (whilst i took a gap year) and are doing very..... im not sure what the right word is, below average degrees? Then i know plenty of other people who are doing near enough the same thing with same career prospects at the local college which is thousands of £££ cheaper! If i didnt have a very academic child, Id rather them do whatever is to the best of their ability but to invest into their education wisely.

Too many people go off to uni to "get away from here", to enjoy the social life and fully realise they most likely wont ever earn enough to pay off their insane loans but its ok because they know itll be wiped off in 30 years time..

[digitalis]

(Original post by tpxvs)
Though i agree with basically everything you're saying.. i thought of it like a parent (im only 19 btw and yet to start med school come sept..) but yeah if i had a kid(s) im not sure id be too pleased funding for a degree that isnt worthwhile.. I have so many friends who have gone off to uni this year (whilst i took a gap year) and are doing very..... im not sure what the right word is, below average degrees? Then i know plenty of other people who are doing near enough the same thing with same career prospects at the local college which is thousands of £££ cheaper! If i didnt have a very academic child, Id rather them do whatever is to the best of their ability but to invest into their education wisely.

Too many people go off to uni to "get away from here", to enjoy the social life and fully realise they most likely wont ever earn enough to pay off their insane loans but its ok because they know itll be wiped off in 30 years time..

Yes, I agree as a parent I'd only want to fund a degree with a decent investment...but the thing with Asians is that there is always the Big Three. Medicine, Law, Engineering. The three that traditionally produced the most 'prestige' (whatever the hell that may be) back home. Why isn't something like International Relations decent? Or a good marketing degree? Or philosophy? English? Etc etc.

Hell, even my aging grandfather keeps going on about how his elder brother just decided for him when he was like 14 back home that he was going to do medicine. Luckily he wasn't very good at science.

[AndrewWong92]

So i can say to people 'Trust me, i'm a doctor'