This year, I have been accepted to medical school and the Peace Corps (PC) to serve in Africa. I didn’t expect this decision to be so difficult, but it’s starting to take a toll. My background: I am a non-taditional student with a clinical Masters degree (family therapist). I am in my early 30s and have been a premed for a long time. My MCAT is average and though my GPA is lower than average, my only “poor” grades are from early college, with an exponential increase. Graduate degree gpas (science 3.7, non-science 3.9). I have shown I can do the work, as I am finishing a research based graduate program where students take med school courses. I was a reapplicant to medical last year.
Last year, when I started my application, I strongly considered the PC and decided it was a great time in my life to do it. Though I’ve always believed medicine to be my professional goal, I am also seeing a drastic change in how I feel mentally, emotionally and physically. I wasn’t going to reapply last year due to these signs, but the director of my program strongly encouraged it. Because of my academic/grades profile, I was concerned this was my “only chance”. Since last year, I have begun noticing serious signs of burn out, fatigue, depression, serious trouble making decisions (when I used to be very clear, focused and determined) and other signs that either I am not happy or I need a change of pace. What scares me now, as I have a few months to finish my masters and before starting med school, I have a stopped caring about a lot of things. I was a VERY involved person in my community and school, and genuinely interested in what I did. I noticed that I have withdrawn from most of these activities. Everything is cumbersome; which is horrible. I used to be optimistic and happy, and now I don’t recognize myself. I am afraid to begin med school this way, I know how I am and am not sure if my disposition will improve. I am the type of person that thrives on changes in my environment. I know med school is a drastic change, but for me, it will be more of the same. Though I am risking not being accepted to medical school in the future, the PC feels right, and is something I have always wished to do. I could take a year off to do AmeriCorps or a similar program. I have received great advice regarding my dilemma, but this decision still troubles me. Thank you in advance for any feedback.
How long is your obligation to the PC?
To me, that is the deciding factor. I thought PC was generally 2-3 years. If so, when you return:
- your MCAT score will no longer be used by AMCAS
- your premed pre-reqs COULD be too old for many med schools
Maybe consider a 1-year deferment to do AmeriCorps and then start in August 2016 but I would not turn down med school.
(Remember: consider who you’re getting advice from
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If your goal is medicine and you know you will be focused enough to not only retake the MCAT but also suffer another application cycle, then by all means do the Peace Corps.
You’re talking about taking on a lifestyle that can wear you out in hopes that it revitalizes your motivation for life before pursuing a career that is known for wearing people down. In my limited time in Africa on non-PC type work, I wouldn’t recommend the stress/risk of worsening your burn out before medical school unless you know you have the drive and resiliency to make your plan a reality.
Good luck with whatever you decide!