3 answers
Ali
Student
Chandler, Arizona
1
Question
Asked
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#Spring25 What are some tips I can use to help me narrow down my choice of what type of doctoral occupation to choose before I get into medical school?
I'm currently a freshman in college, pursuing a bachelor of science in Biological Sciences. I love chemistry and anatomy. I have shadowed many different fields but can't quite pick my favorite yet.
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3 answers
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach
543
Answers
Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Ali,
There is no need to decide on a specialty before you even get to med school. The first 2 years in med school you'll be mostly in the classroom learning theory. In year 3 and 4 you'll enter the clinical phase. You'll rotate through several different departments and get to know some of the specialties. You'll find out what you enjoy most during those rotations and by having conversations with other students and doctors at the school and outside. That's early enough to have preferences. You still need to match into a preferred program for residency. So, you might end up with something other than your first choice.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
There is no need to decide on a specialty before you even get to med school. The first 2 years in med school you'll be mostly in the classroom learning theory. In year 3 and 4 you'll enter the clinical phase. You'll rotate through several different departments and get to know some of the specialties. You'll find out what you enjoy most during those rotations and by having conversations with other students and doctors at the school and outside. That's early enough to have preferences. You still need to match into a preferred program for residency. So, you might end up with something other than your first choice.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Perry Zuckerman
Psychiatrist
23
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Perry’s Answer
As a fellow MD [psychiatrist] I am here to second James' answer. Well said. You may reach a decision at any time [which could change later], but you are WAY ahead of HAVING to decide. As James said, during medical school, and especially during the third year with its clinical exposures [and even into the fourth year], your experiences and feelings will bring your decision to you.
And you can even switch while you are in residency [or finished]! A good medical school friend finished a residency in something else, went out to practice and within a year decided he wanted to go into Anesthesiology instead. It was a VERY hard decision, he had to go back and spend 3 more years of his life[!] in another residency, even had to go across the country with a wife and infant in tow, but he did it and he has been so happy in all the years since.
In my Psychiatry residency, there were a few other residents who had switched from other residencies and the topper was one guy in his late thirties who had been practicing Ophthalmology for years !
Your MD never expires.
As physicians, James' and my point to you as a college freshman is that you have 7 years to let a decision come to you [in fact I discourage a decision until you are well into medical school, but if you become "sure" of something before, some people do], and you can always later change your mind and switch. You may even decide not to go into medicine at all.
And you can even switch while you are in residency [or finished]! A good medical school friend finished a residency in something else, went out to practice and within a year decided he wanted to go into Anesthesiology instead. It was a VERY hard decision, he had to go back and spend 3 more years of his life[!] in another residency, even had to go across the country with a wife and infant in tow, but he did it and he has been so happy in all the years since.
In my Psychiatry residency, there were a few other residents who had switched from other residencies and the topper was one guy in his late thirties who had been practicing Ophthalmology for years !
Your MD never expires.
As physicians, James' and my point to you as a college freshman is that you have 7 years to let a decision come to you [in fact I discourage a decision until you are well into medical school, but if you become "sure" of something before, some people do], and you can always later change your mind and switch. You may even decide not to go into medicine at all.
James Hanson
Pediatric Intensive Care Physician; Consultant
45
Answers
Oakland, California
Updated
James’s Answer
You shouldn't narrow down your choices at this point, Ali. Work hard to get in to medical school, then allow your experiences on your different rotations to guide you towards what specialty feels right for you. I actually applied to residencies in both pediatrics and internal medicine, because even after 3+ years of medical school I hadn't decided completely (I am glad I chose pediatrics, by the way).
Even during residency there is plenty of time to continue to learn and explore the many possible careers. Enjoy the journey!
Even during residency there is plenty of time to continue to learn and explore the many possible careers. Enjoy the journey!