Should I go to medical school or to law school?
I have read other responses to this question on Yahoo answers, but usually the askers are still in high school. This is a serious question, and I would appreciate any real/helpful advice people may have for me. I am 23 years old, and will be graduating with a BA in psychology next year (likely in the winter term, so Winter 2015/2016). I love the understanding and context that psychology gives me, and I am very happy with my choice. However, I want to go to grad school. There is nothing that makes me feel better than helping people, so I feel that being a lawyer or doctor would give me an avenue to make a positive impact in people's lives (and make a living from it... I volunteer all the time but oy vey, nobody pays!) My personal passion is health and wellness. I used to study Grey's Anatomy for fun when I couldn't sleep and I just love the human body, and anything to do with illness recovery (not so much illness itself though.... ew). I even enroll in extra courses on Coursera to do with physiology and medicine. I would want to be a primary care physician if I were to focus on this path. On the other hand, I feel that the above is not in line with what the world "needs" necessarily. I think we have huge policy concerns (where I live, but I guess everywhere else too). I would want to pursue environmental law if I were to become a lawyer. I don't know much about law itself, but I have made a big effort to read about climate change and climate change reports/policies etc. I think there's a lot of good to be done that can help both humans and other animal species, and ecosystems in general. How do I choose? I find that living in a limbo (without a clear direction) is dampening my motivation to do well in life and to live fully, not to mention I never know what opportunities to seek to ameliorate my resumee for grad school application.
Is Medical School worth it?
Doctor: PRO: Health is a good business, I agree. There will be a job for the most of the times, yes. You gain a title that the most of people respect, check. Six digit income AFTER residency, check. CON: 8 years of education (that is if you go directly to med school after undergrad). 3-6 years of specialty practice (you don't want to be sued for malpractice). outrageous debt. 60+ hrs work per week. Physically mentally challenging for a life! One mistake can ruin your life and career. Nurse: relatively easier than doctor, check. earns less (RN earns around 60k, with MSN, that goes up to 80k), but less stressful (depends on where you are placed), check. no room for going up, unless you combine with other masters degree (MPH, MSN, etc). Alternative: Physician's assistance (PA). This is two years masters degree. This is NOT nurse, but directly assist doctors in terms of surgery preparation, or other complicated procedures that nurses don't do. For some states, PA can prescribe medications too. Earns six digit income. No absurdly long years of education. Less responsibility compare to doctor. More flexible schedule. If your goal is $$, then don't pursue nursing. You probably don't want to go to MD/DO if you don't want to invest 12+years of your life for the health of others. CONCLUSION: Consider PA program. It's not a nurse, has high income, it sounds the program you want to consider.