Medical Student here looking to jump ship... Forum

[northwood]

why do you want to be a lawyer?

why do you hate medical school? Sure you have to learn a new language, and memorize a lot of things, but once you get past that, is it really that bad? Think of medicine as a puzzle, if you must. You have to do research, make a decision and plan a way to get teh patient healthy.( or keep them alive). thats a lot of pressure and thinking to do.



I would say do some real long soul searching and research. Take the next semester off before you make any formal decisions.

best of luck

[JazzOne]

I know that it's not the foundation of the program. Medical school is all memorization, all the time. Nothing else.

My point is that studying the law isn't as interesting as it seems once you get knee deep into the details of some narrow field of law. There is a lot of minutiae to memorize, and the worst part is that no matter how well you memorize it, you'll be graded on a subjective scale based on your professor's perspective. Don't even get me started about the job prospects. You've already done the hard part and got into med school. Just ride it out, treat sick kids for a few years, and buy yourself a fucking Corvette. Law school isn't going anywhere.

[whymeohgodno]

People basically go to law school if:

1) They have useless UG degrees, or
2) Couldn't get into a reasonable Med School or Business School.

Put me down for #1.

#1 usually is a sufficient condition for #2.

[DoctorNo]

Unless you get into either Yale or Stanford, you are better off being a doctor.

Thats way too extreme.

Doctor No,

I get that you would prefer law school because you miss thinking and all that, but thats not all that law school is. Read through the site and find out exactly what you do as a law student. Its not that glamorous.

Stick with med school.

Could you lead me to some particular topics? My girlfriend is a 1L at a T14 school, and the things she's learning are so much more intriguing to my mind. But I definitely might not get the whole picture from her alone. Thanks for the advice.

1L = common sense, common law subjects
2L/3L/actual legal practice = boring, seemingly arbitrary, detailed rules

A lot of the fun dies.

For us it's supposed to be 1/2- massive memorization of horrific amounts of ridiculous factoids, then boards, then 3/4 - "fun" as defined by seeing patients and learning about rotations and specialties. Only problem is, everytime I've gone on patient visits and interviews recently, I've been incredibly bored.

[northwood]

you can always try to get into research?

im not trying to convince you either way.. but just trying to point out some avenues for you to explore

[JazzOne]

There is the remote possibility that someone might want to be lawyer for some reason besides the money. Just sayin.

Also, OP, do you want to be a lawyer, or do you just not want to be a Doctor? If it's the latter, I would reconsider.

I feel like I should have mentioned that in my original post, for sure...

Well, I'm not sure I would want to be a lawyer, but the diversity of options available to a law degree holder are certainly more intriguing to me than those available to an MD. Especially if I want little to nothing to do with science anymore.

You're flaring up, Sparky!

[DoctorNo]

There is the remote possibility that someone might want to be lawyer for some reason besides the money. Just sayin.

Also, OP, do you want to be a lawyer, or do you just not want to be a Doctor? If it's the latter, I would reconsider.

I feel like I should have mentioned that in my original post, for sure...

Well, I'm not sure I would want to be a lawyer, but the diversity of options available to a law degree holder are certainly more intriguing to me than those available to an MD. Especially if I want little to nothing to do with science anymore.

You're flaring up!

Oh shit, what did I do?

[DoctorNo]

you can always try to get into research?

im not trying to convince you either way.. but just trying to point out some avenues for you to explore

I think I'm just done with science altogether. I did some undergraduate research and I don't have the mind for that.

[D. H2Oman]

Jump quick dude, this ship is sinking

[DoctorNo]

I know that it's not the foundation of the program. Medical school is all memorization, all the time. Nothing else.

My point is that studying the law isn't as interesting as it seems once you get knee deep into the details of some narrow field of law. There is a lot of minutiae to memorize, and the worst part is that no matter how well you memorize it, you'll be graded on a subjective scale based on your professor's perspective. Don't even get me started about the job prospects. You've already done the hard part and got into med school. Just ride it out, treat sick kids for a few years, and buy yourself a fucking Corvette. Law school isn't going anywhere.

Fair enough, but by that point I'll be thirty-some years old, $200,000 in debt, probably with a kid or two.

[DoubleChecks]

There is the remote possibility that someone might want to be lawyer for some reason besides the money. Just sayin.

Also, OP, do you want to be a lawyer, or do you just not want to be a Doctor? If it's the latter, I would reconsider.

I feel like I should have mentioned that in my original post, for sure...

Well, I'm not sure I would want to be a lawyer, but the diversity of options available to a law degree holder are certainly more intriguing to me than those available to an MD. Especially if I want little to nothing to do with science anymore.

You're flaring up!

Oh shit, what did I do?

it was funny because a JD doesnt actually provide that much diversity of options

you get it? that was the funny bit /nudge /nudge /wink /wink

[dissonance1848]

The options for someone with an MD are way greater than for those with a JD, seriously. MDs can go into research, private practice, consulting, banking, etc.

For a JD, research is out (unless top of class at top school, prob T14, since I think it would be most comprable to being a law prof), private practice is like drilling for oil; many die, few are chosen, and consulting, banking stuff is also constrained to folks with top grades at T14.

Seriously, make it through, get the MD, and then survey your options. You won't regret it. What you will regret is having your family squander and waste around 200K for a piece of paper, nothing more.

[gdane]

Fair enough, but by that point I'll be thirty-some years old, $200,000 in debt, probably with a kid or two.

Dont become a baby daddy.

[DoctorNo]

it was funny because a JD doesnt actually provide that much diversity of options

you get it? that was the funny bit /nudge /nudge /wink /wink[/quote]


Oh I didn't mean by quantity, but by quality. To me, they are far more interesting. Be it as a lawyer, a lobbyist or working in public service. The prospect of being in a hospital all day for the rest of my life has turned out to be a very depressing thought.

[DoubleChecks]

I know that it's not the foundation of the program. Medical school is all memorization, all the time. Nothing else.

My point is that studying the law isn't as interesting as it seems once you get knee deep into the details of some narrow field of law. There is a lot of minutiae to memorize, and the worst part is that no matter how well you memorize it, you'll be graded on a subjective scale based on your professor's perspective. Don't even get me started about the job prospects. You've already done the hard part and got into med school. Just ride it out, treat sick kids for a few years, and buy yourself a fucking Corvette. Law school isn't going anywhere.

Fair enough, but by that point I'll be thirty-some years old, $200,000 in debt, probably with a kid or two.

so you want to trade that for a job that would put you in debt as well...but w/ a lower chance at paying it off? lol

tbh, i think whether you should do it or not depends on your LSAT score. 170+ and maybe you can consider it. otherwise, it is really not worth it unless you are so loaded that money is literally not an issue (in which case, i dont know why you bothered commenting about the $200k in debt part) and you just want a 'fulfilling career.' but on all practical levels, stay in med school if you cant go to an elite law school, imo.

[DoubleChecks]

Oh I didn't mean by quantity, but by quality. To me, they are far more interesting. Be it as a lawyer, a lobbyist or working in public service. The prospect of being in a hospital all day for the rest of my life has turned out to be a very depressing thought.

oh, so you've worked as a lawyer, a lobbyist, or as someone in public service? lol

[DoctorNo]

I know that it's not the foundation of the program. Medical school is all memorization, all the time. Nothing else.

My point is that studying the law isn't as interesting as it seems once you get knee deep into the details of some narrow field of law. There is a lot of minutiae to memorize, and the worst part is that no matter how well you memorize it, you'll be graded on a subjective scale based on your professor's perspective. Don't even get me started about the job prospects. You've already done the hard part and got into med school. Just ride it out, treat sick kids for a few years, and buy yourself a fucking Corvette. Law school isn't going anywhere.

Fair enough, but by that point I'll be thirty-some years old, $200,000 in debt, probably with a kid or two.

so you want to trade that for a job that would put you in debt as well...but w/ a lower chance at paying it off? lol

tbh, i think whether you should do it or not depends on your LSAT score. 170+ and maybe you can consider it. otherwise, it is really not worth it unless you are so loaded that money is literally not an issue (in which case, i dont know why you bothered commenting about the $200k in debt part) and you just want a 'fulfilling career.' but on all practical levels, stay in med school if you cant go to an elite law school, imo.

Thank you for the advice, sincerely. I think this seems to be the consensus I'm getting.

[DoctorNo]

Oh I didn't mean by quantity, but by quality. To me, they are far more interesting. Be it as a lawyer, a lobbyist or working in public service. The prospect of being in a hospital all day for the rest of my life has turned out to be a very depressing thought.

oh, so you've worked as a lawyer, a lobbyist, or as someone in public service? lol

As much as I've worked as a doctor, surgeon, researcher, or pharmaceutical rep.

[sarahh]

There is the remote possibility that someone might want to be lawyer for some reason besides the money. Just sayin.

Also, OP, do you want to be a lawyer, or do you just not want to be a Doctor? If it's the latter, I would reconsider.

I feel like I should have mentioned that in my original post, for sure...

Well, I'm not sure I would want to be a lawyer, but the diversity of options available to a law degree holder are certainly more intriguing to me than those available to an MD. Especially if I want little to nothing to do with science anymore.

You mean they have the option of working at McDonalds or Starbucks? School is only a means to an end, not the end itself. I would not go to law school just because you think school itself would be enjoyable. Sure, in law school you get to learn about and discuss a variety of issues, but that is not what being a lawyer is like. And I would not bank on a JD giving you a leg up in other fields - it may hurt you. Why not take some time to think about what you really may enjoy?

[DoubleChecks]

Oh I didn't mean by quantity, but by quality. To me, they are far more interesting. Be it as a lawyer, a lobbyist or working in public service. The prospect of being in a hospital all day for the rest of my life has turned out to be a very depressing thought.

oh, so you've worked as a lawyer, a lobbyist, or as someone in public service? lol

As much as I've worked as a doctor, surgeon, researcher, or pharmaceutical rep.

exactly my point. i just watched a house episode, and this reminded me of it haha. while you may know that you dislike one option, you dont know if the other one is any better. i guess what im trying to say is, IF YOU ARENT EVEN SURE THE GUY HAS HEP C, DONT GIVE HIM HEP A IN THE SLIM HOPES OF IT CURING HIM!!

lol ok im out for a bit to go do my riveting civ pro reading.

[gerbal]

Is there any way you could take a leave of absence from medical school in order to study for the LSATs? I'd say if you hate what you're doing now and think you would enjoy law school, jumping ship might be worth it. However, from what I've gathered here, it won't be worth doing unless you can get a 170+ and get into a good school especially considering your current position.

[DoctorNo]

There is the remote possibility that someone might want to be lawyer for some reason besides the money. Just sayin.

Also, OP, do you want to be a lawyer, or do you just not want to be a Doctor? If it's the latter, I would reconsider.

I feel like I should have mentioned that in my original post, for sure...

Well, I'm not sure I would want to be a lawyer, but the diversity of options available to a law degree holder are certainly more intriguing to me than those available to an MD. Especially if I want little to nothing to do with science anymore.

You mean they have the option of working at McDonalds or Starbucks? School is only a means to an end, not the end itself. I would not go to law school just because you think school itself would be enjoyable. Sure, in law school you get to learn about and discuss a variety of issues, but that is not what being a lawyer is like. And I would not bank on a JD giving you a leg up in other fields - it may hurt you. Why not take some time to think about what you really may enjoy?

One of my posts was eaten by the forum...I am also not excited about the end goal of medical school any longer. I made my decision primarily based on shadowing I did in high school and early college, when everything was new and interesting. Now I'm bored of it, bored with science, hospitals and patients. I guess my concern now is if my science-related grades and scores and such would confer me any advantage or disadvantage as a law school applicant.

[DoctorNo]

Oh I didn't mean by quantity, but by quality. To me, they are far more interesting. Be it as a lawyer, a lobbyist or working in public service. The prospect of being in a hospital all day for the rest of my life has turned out to be a very depressing thought.

oh, so you've worked as a lawyer, a lobbyist, or as someone in public service? lol

As much as I've worked as a doctor, surgeon, researcher, or pharmaceutical rep.

exactly my point. i just watched a house episode, and this reminded me of it haha. while you may know that you dislike one option, you dont know if the other one is any better. i guess what im trying to say is, IF YOU ARENT EVEN SURE THE GUY HAS HEP C, DONT GIVE HIM HEP A IN THE SLIM HOPES OF IT CURING HIM!!

lol ok im out for a bit to go do my riveting civ pro reading.

Thank you! Just remember, it's never lupus.

[sarahh]

Ah, I see I was too slow with my response. You can do public service or lobbying without a JD. It may be a good idea to talk to some lawyers about what their job actually entails. You don't want to go to law school and realize, This is what lawyers do? I hate this.

[ahduth]

I don't blame you for not wanting to be a doctor. A lot of my friends are doctors, not my scene.

He's probably smart enough to blow some of you out of the water too. Cut him some slack, it's not totally insane.