Is it too late for me to switch majors and become a doctor?

Question

I'm a 20-year-old English/Journalism major and junior in college. Lately I have been feeling the pulls of my childhood dream of being a Pediatrician, which I wanted to be from age 6 to 16, instead of a writer/magazine editor. I changed my mind to writing when I realized how much science/math was involved in the path to being a doctor. I used to be fairly good at math and science (AP classes), but I mentally started doubting myself in those areas, so I switched my career area to writing.
I love writing...but I'm starting to wonder if it's possible to even turn that into a successful career. I haven't taken any of the science/ math classes required for a Pre-Health major yet. Is it too late to switch majors and take the MCAT, or would I have to stay an extra two years?
Also...is it worth it?
Thanks for all your input.

Answer 1

As the previous posters said, it is never too late to do something. Tons of people are in school when they're older than 21. Tons of people go back to school to change professions and try something new.

If you're seriously feeling the world of medicine calling to you, then perhaps that's really what you should be doing instead. Remember - this is something that will affect your life. If you only did writing cause the schooling will be "easier" then you could end up feeling regret later on. I think that if being a pediatrician interests you still (after so many years) you should at least look into it. (Perhaps talk to your advisor.)

If you're talking about trying to graduate within the two years you have left, it would all depend on how many classes you would have left to take. Honestly, it would probably mean you'd have to stay in school - not only because you'd need to take major-related classes, but also because medicine tends to take more time in school than journalism. If you got some of your General Education classes taken care of, that would help you out...

Overall, yes, it would probably mean graduating after the age of 21/22, but if you really want to be a pediatrician, I think it will be worth it for you. And, since you love writing, you could write books on medicine.

Answer 2

Well, it is not too late, but don't count on graduating in four years if you are already a junior and have not fulfilled the science requirements necessary. You can keep going with your English/journalism major and still get into medical school (after all, medical schools like it when the people can communicate well). You don't necessarily need a pre-med major to go to medical school, so you don't need to switch. You just need to meet the prerequisites of the medical schools. Also, having the English degree may give you something to fall back on if you don't make it into medical school, whereas a degree in pre-med will not if you don't make it.

But you are going to have to get through a year of introductory or inorganic chemistry, a year of organic chemistry, a year of physics, and a year of biology (as well as a year of calculus, but you probably did that). And if you already satisfied any of these credits through AP, some medical colleges will not accept them and will require that you take higher level classes in the areas you got (like if you got credit for 8 hours of introductory chemistry by taking the AP Chemistry test, you may be required to take a higher level class like a year of physical chemistry).

And it would be a good idea to take the MCAT after you have had some more science.

If it is your dream, and you are 100% certain you would rather be a doctor, you should go for it, even if it means spending 6 years in college. Although of course if you do like to write a lot, writing isn't a bad career either.

Answer 3

You are not too old. Lots of people have graduated, gone on to do things in life and then gone back to school and started all over again on a completely different path.

But the real question is whether you are dreaming of a medical life that is just a fantasy, or whether you have a realistic view of what is involved.

If you really chose all those years not to do the things that are important for doctors, like biology, anatomy, serious chemistry... then are you sure now that you want to stop everything you have chosen up til now, and go a totally different way. The hardest thing is to "know thyself!" What do all your choices up to now tell you about who you are?

So, maybe some good things to do would be - try to shadow a pediatrician. Go with her into the hospital and see what she does. It isnt all fun and games! (Especially when you have to tell a parent that their child is desperately ill. ) Ok, if you see what a pediatrician does, then go ahead and take a couple of the courses that are required, like chemistry and physics. If you do well, then you are all set - you can go on taking the courses until you have done all the pre-reqs and then you can apply. If you don't do well, then you arent going to get into med school, so that will be that.

But, you are not too old. That's definite.

Answer 4

You are the perfect age. You have your basics done. The highest level math you probably will need is calculus 1. You don't have to be smart for A&P, as my A&P professor told us on the first day of class, just study. If this is something you really want, you won't mind putting in a few hours studying every day. It might add another year or two to your undergrad time, but again, if you really want to do this.....
I think it would be worth it. If the long time without a job is an issue, consider a BSN in nursing, and then med school. There are a few doctors who took that route. Good luck!

Answer 5

You can stick with your psychology major, but as eri said, you will need to take premed classes. Starting your premed classes now may set you back a bit and possibly add an extra semester or year of college. I suggest you talk with a premed advisor at your school. It may be better for you to finish your psychology degree, then do a post bacc program and then go to medical school.

Answer 6

It's not too late to change if that's what you really want to do.
I would think whatever will make you happy and successful would be what you should do. Since your still in school it is probably a good idea to change if you don't know what you want to do with your other major. My opinion is change while you still can.

Answer 7

hi,
I am glad to have the opportunity to try answering your question by a story that i had it.
I my self had my doubts of studying chemical engineering or studying the thing that i used to love, being a famous doctor. But i went to my adviser to consult him, so he gave me a piece of advice that i will never forget. he told me that the thing that i am studying now is going to last with me for ever, also he told me that is it the chemical engineering the thing that i want to do for the rest of my life. then he told me to take as much time as "I" need to answer this question, because my life depend on it. at last i will ask you the same question, what is the thing that you want to spend your hole life doing it? and after answering this question I am sure that you will know what to do
bye,
a friend who is hopping that he will make a difference in your life
mzb

Answer 8

Really it is not too late! No offense, but in my eyes you are just a bit more than a kid! My mother went back to school at 37, and taught for 20 years. You are still young, do as you please

Answer 9

It is never to late as long as you have the time&money & ambition