Should I Go to Medical School?

Anyone even remotely interested in medicine may have asked themselves, “Is medical school right for me?” Medicine isn’t for everyone, but those who walk this path describe it as their calling. It requires a huge commitment, but the rewards make the downsides worthwhile.

Knowing the right questions to ask can help you confidently decide if medical school is right for you.

Questions To Ask Before Applying to Medical School

Before getting too bogged down researching reasons to go to medical school, perform a quick self-assessment. Regardless of external pressure, the reality is only you can answer, “Is medical school worth it?”  

Answering these seven questions could help you decide if medical school is right for you.

What’s Driving Me Toward a Career in Medicine?

If you’re looking for reasons to go to medical school, first take a step back to understand why a career in medicine is important to you. Medical careers are demanding; they come with long hours, stressful working conditions, and years in school.

If you feel pressured to pursue this career because your family wants you to or you want the privilege associated with being a doctor, that may not be enough to keep you going. Becoming a medical professional is a lifelong commitment to learning as it helps you ensure better patient outcomes. If your heart isn’t entirely into this field, you can quickly burn out.

Having strong internal motivation can remind you why you’re doing this when you have a rough day. When you love what you do, you bring empathy, compassion, and understanding to every patient and family you encounter. Seeing the impact you have on patients can provide you with a deep sense of personal and professional satisfaction, making the challenges of being a doctor worthwhile.

Am I Academically Prepared for Medical School?

Getting into medical school is difficult. According to the American Association of Medical Colleges’ (AAMC) 2024 Fall Applicant, Matriculant, and Enrollment Data Tables report, of the 38,600 first-time medical school applicants for the 2024–25 academic year, only 23,156 matriculated. With such steep competition, you’ll need to make sure your application stands out from the crowd.

It’s generally recommended to aim for a GPA of at least 3.5, and the average Medical College Admissions Test^® (MCAT^®) score for all test takers is 500.7. Remember, these are generalizations. Each school has its own admissions requirements, so it’s important to visit a school’s website for the latest information.  

A strong academic record is important, but that alone isn’t enough to secure your seat. Numbers only tell part of your story. Ross University School of Medicine (Ross Med) conducts a holistic admissions process and accepts a wide range of MCAT scores and GPAs. We want to ensure that we don’t overlook applicants who have qualities that could make them incredible physicians.  

Do I Understand the Long-Term Commitment of Becoming a Doctor?

Becoming a doctor requires years of hard work and dedication. You should be prepared to spend:

• Four years in undergraduate school
• Four years completing a Doctor of Medicine (MD) program
• Three to seven years completing a residency program

Pursuing a fellowship after your residency program can add up to three years to this timeline.  

Your social life may take a bit of a backseat since you will spend countless hours studying, after spending most of the day in class and labs. The clinical rotation portion of your program requires you to balance your education while meeting your clinical hours.  

By the time you start your residency program, you no longer have coursework to complete. That’s because you could be working up to 80 hours a week — including nights, weekends, and possibly holidays. These long work hours, combined with the fear of making a mistake and the pressure of being constantly evaluated, are added stressors and something to reflect on before pursuing this path.  

There’s also the financial side to consider.

Can I Handle the Cost of Medical School?

Medical school can be expensive. Creating a clear financial plan before going to medical school can help you better manage the financial expectations that come with this choice. Even before deciding how you’ll cover your tuition, you’ll need to put money aside to cover:

• MCAT prep
• MCAT exam
• Medical school applications
• Travel for medical school interviews
• Seat deposits

Some schools conduct virtual medical school interviews, which reduce the need for travel expenses. There is also typically an increase in tuition between your second and third years since you’ll need malpractice insurance, additional supplies for your clinical training, to commute between locations, to pay for licensing exams, and more. Some schools may also pay clinical site fees that allow students to train at a teaching hospital’s facilities which could impact your tuition.  

Ross Med offers several institutional scholarships to those who apply and qualify to make getting a medical education more attainable.  

What Is the Day-to-Day Life of a Doctor Like?

Becoming a doctor is rewarding, but it doesn’t come without challenges.

Doctors rarely work a 9-to-5 schedule Monday through Friday, but if you work in a clinical setting, you may get pretty close to those hours. It’s more common for doctors working in hospitals to go to work early and stay late. You may be required to work weekends, nights, and be on call even if you’re not technically scheduled to work.  

When you’re on the clock, every minute counts and every decision matters. Working long hours, managing heavy patient loads, and dealing with emotionally draining cases can easily lead to burnout. Ross Med offers health, wellness, and counseling services to our students to prepare them to cope with these realities.  

Despite the stress, if medicine truly is your calling, the rewards make all of this worth it. You can help people through some vulnerable and difficult times in their lives.  

Do I Have the Personality and Traits for Medical School?

Medical school will challenge you intellectually, physically, and emotionally. Some traits that can help you see it through to the end are:

• Resilience. Being able to recover from setbacks can take you far in both your studies and career.
• Clear communication skills. You’ll need to clearly explain complex diagnoses to your patients in a way that’s easy for them to understand.  
• Empathy. Your patients are more than a diagnosis; they’re human. Being able to see things from their perspective can help you build trust and provide the highest quality of care.
• Discipline. Medical school is a marathon, not a sprint. Being able to effectively manage your time while staying organized can help you stay on top of your studies.

Have I Gained Exposure to Medicine?

Gaining firsthand experience in healthcare can give you a better idea of whether this is the right career for you. Shadowing doctors across various specialties lets you observe how healthcare teams collaborate and gain insight into the challenges they face. You’ll gain a more in-depth understanding of a doctor’s daily responsibilities and a deeper appreciation for the medical field.

Pros and Cons of Going to Medical School

Pros

• High earning potential. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, physicians earn from $66,260 to more than $239,200¹ as of May 2023. Estimated wage range is based on the 10th–75th percentile.  
• Job security. As long as humans continue to get sick or injured, skilled physicians will be needed.
• Ability to specialize. Deepen your knowledge of one medical specialty or supplement this knowledge with a different subspeciality. Focus your career based on your interests and where you feel you can make the most difference.
• Impact. Physicians make a difference in the lives of every patient they encounter, as well as their families and the community.

Cons

• Cost. We won’t sugarcoat it: Medical school is expensive. Not everyone is comfortable taking out large loans once they run out of financial aid or scholarships.
• Stress. Medical school is a huge adjustment, since students must learn a large amount of information in a very short amount of time. The stress doesn’t end once they’re practicing: Now they have people’s lives in their hands. Being on call and working long hours can contribute to high stress levels and even burnout.
• Time. Medical school is a huge time commitment, and it can eat into your social life.

What To Do If You’re Not Ready for Med School Yet

There’s more than one way to make an impact in healthcare. If medical school isn’t the right fit for you just yet, there are other roles that require less training and can still allow you to make a difference.

Some patient-facing roles include:

• Medical assistant
• Emergency medical technician (EMT)
• Nurse
• Occupational therapist

Want to start in a non-clinical role? Consider positions such as:

• Medical biller and coder
• Medical researcher
• Administrative medical assistant
• Pharmacy technician

Checklist: How to Know You’re Ready for Medical School

Still looking for reasons to go to medical school? Start by asking yourself:

• Have I shadowed a physician?
• Am I prepared for more than four years of study?
• Have I completed the necessary pre-medical coursework?
• Have I researched the realities of the job?
• Are my motivations for pursuing medicine internal?

If you answered yes, then medical school may be right for you.

FAQ About Going to Medical School

Is medical school worth it?

Only if you’re truly dedicated to a lifetime of learning and a career helping others.

How do I know if I’m ready?

Only you can decide that. However, there are steps you can take to put yourself in the best possible position for medical school. Check out the checklist above to perform a quick self-assessment.

What if I didn’t major in science?

Unless a medical school specifies that it prefers science majors, your undergraduate major shouldn’t negatively impact your chances of getting accepted into medical school. You will need to complete the prerequisite pre-medical courses to ensure you have the foundation needed for a medical education.

Can I go to medical school later in life?

Just know that applying for medical school later in life means you’ll also start practicing later in life.  

Let’s say you decide to become a doctor at 50. At a minimum, you likely wouldn’t start practicing medicine until you’re at least 55.  

Is Caribbean medical school a good option?

Attending medical school in paradise is a wonderful option. For more details on why, check out any of the following blogs:

• Best Caribbean Medical Schools: How to Choose
• Answers to Caribbean Medical Schools FAQs
• Caribbean Medical Schools Accreditation: What You Need to Know
• The Best Reasons to Apply to a Caribbean Medical School

Making the Right Decision About Medical School

There’s no rush when asking yourself, “Is med school worth it?” Take all the time you need to make the best decision for you. If you’re feeling certain this is the right path for you, apply to Ross Med today. With enrollment dates in January, May and September, you don’t have to wait a full year before starting your medical journey.

Still on the fence? That’s perfectly fine. Check out our upcoming events where you can hear from alumni, get support completing your application, and even have your application reviewed.

¹ Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (as of May 2023). The 10th percentile figure reasonably represents entry level wages. BLS wages are national estimates and are not specific to graduates of RUSM. Wages may vary by state or region. No guarantee is made that a person who enrolls at RUSM will obtain a job or earn the estimated salaries.