I did it again. I changed my mind. I'm back on the path to becoming an MD/PhD. Why? Because I talked to an adviser, and she thinks it would be in my best interests to go for the combined degree. After an hour long discussion, the conclusion we came to was that at the age of thirty, having both degrees would be a great advantage. I do love school, so I don't think the length of time would be a problem. Also, it is hard to say whether I would get enough patient interaction by just doing a PhD program. I really love working with people, especially at older ages, and I think working with Alzheimer's patients would be really rewarding. By getting both degrees, I wouldn't necessarily need to use both. I could use one or the other, but would have the correct training to utilize both if I needed to. I still think working with patients would be excellent motivation to apply to my research.
With that said, the professor I talked to has confidence in me about getting accepted into such a prestigious program, which is quite encouraging. She has been to medical school and has her MD, so she knows what it is like and what it takes to get there, and she believes I am on the right track. While I am at school, I will be focusing on my coursework, grades, research, and extracurricular activities, and on my breaks I will be focusing on volunteering and preparing for the MCAT. I actually can't wait to get back to the senior village to volunteer again over Thanksgiving break.
I am, of course, still a little nervous about getting accepted into a program. Everyone keeps telling me that I won't have a problem, but it is extremely competitive. However, if I do not get accepted, I can still apply to PhD programs or take a year off to do research. I would rather not take a year off, but there is no way to tell what is going to happen.
This summer is going to have to be very productive if I want to get into a program. The application for the research program in St. Louis I really want to attend comes out this week! I am really hoping I get accepted into the program. It would be such an awesome experience. I have a backup plan with a neuroscience summer research program in Maryland, and beyond that I am going to have to make some phone calls. If anyone has any connections in the field of neuroscience, I would love to spend some time with them.
On a more personal note, classes are going okay. It has been a rough semester just out of business, but I'm hanging in there. Track has officially started and it should be a really good season. I am still having tons of fun dancing. Our last football game is next Saturday and then we switch gears to basketball season. Halloween weekend was pretty disappointing this year, but I got some relaxing in so I can't really complain.
Well I am off to organize my life and get some homework done. Thanks for reading.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
How Can I Say This?
New Orleans is a crazy, crazy city. That's pretty much the only way I can describe it. It is definitely a place that you just have to visit to know what it is like. I can do all the explaining in the world, but you will never get it unless you experience it yourself.
I traveled to New Orleans this past weekend to watch my beautiful older sister get married. It was a gorgeous day, lovely wedding, and awesome reception. Held at the House of Blues, we had a private room to eat and celebrate in. We all definitely had a great time.
The weekend trip was without question an adventure. Getting up at 3AM to catch a flight, watching the sun rise at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport during a two and a half hour layover, seeing things I've never seen before, experiencing a new city and culture, spending time with family, taking my first taxi and trolley rides, walking endless amounts, trying new foods, going to three states I'd never been to before (even if it was just to hang out at the airport), and much, much more, I'd say it was well worth my extended break from school.
Unfortunately, I now have to come back to real life for a while. I have a ton of homework that I should be doing instead of typing all this, but I feel that if I don't keep up with updates I won't ever come back. That would totally defeat the purpose of starting a blog.
Some of you are probably wondering (if any of you noticed anyway) that I have changed the title to my blog. The answer is simple. After doing some more research, I have learned that getting my PhD will give me everything I want out of an education. I will still be able to do my research and eventually teach if I still choose to. I will still be a doctor. I will still be helping people (even if it isn't always directly). By not choosing to enter into an MD/PhD program, I will save myself three or four years of going to school, plus I do not have to worry about taking the MCAT. Instead, I will be taking the GRE, which tests more on critical thinking and analytical skills. Another benefit of opting for a PhD only is that it increases the number of schools I will be applying to. Although I am generally looking at the same schools, I am pretty excited about my decision, and I can't wait to look into more programs.
Since I am pretty sure I won't be updating before this weekend, I'll let you know that I am planning on traveling with my boyfriend to visit his family. It should be a somewhat relaxing weekend. I am trying to get all my homework that is due at least at the beginning of next week finished before the weekend so I won't have to worry about it then. With that said, I better get going.
As always, thanks for reading! Feel free to leave any comments or questions. Until next time.
“There's a difference between interest and commitment. When you're interested in doing something, you do it only when it's convenient. When you're committed to something, you accept no excuses; only results.”
I traveled to New Orleans this past weekend to watch my beautiful older sister get married. It was a gorgeous day, lovely wedding, and awesome reception. Held at the House of Blues, we had a private room to eat and celebrate in. We all definitely had a great time.
The weekend trip was without question an adventure. Getting up at 3AM to catch a flight, watching the sun rise at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport during a two and a half hour layover, seeing things I've never seen before, experiencing a new city and culture, spending time with family, taking my first taxi and trolley rides, walking endless amounts, trying new foods, going to three states I'd never been to before (even if it was just to hang out at the airport), and much, much more, I'd say it was well worth my extended break from school.
Unfortunately, I now have to come back to real life for a while. I have a ton of homework that I should be doing instead of typing all this, but I feel that if I don't keep up with updates I won't ever come back. That would totally defeat the purpose of starting a blog.
Some of you are probably wondering (if any of you noticed anyway) that I have changed the title to my blog. The answer is simple. After doing some more research, I have learned that getting my PhD will give me everything I want out of an education. I will still be able to do my research and eventually teach if I still choose to. I will still be a doctor. I will still be helping people (even if it isn't always directly). By not choosing to enter into an MD/PhD program, I will save myself three or four years of going to school, plus I do not have to worry about taking the MCAT. Instead, I will be taking the GRE, which tests more on critical thinking and analytical skills. Another benefit of opting for a PhD only is that it increases the number of schools I will be applying to. Although I am generally looking at the same schools, I am pretty excited about my decision, and I can't wait to look into more programs.
Since I am pretty sure I won't be updating before this weekend, I'll let you know that I am planning on traveling with my boyfriend to visit his family. It should be a somewhat relaxing weekend. I am trying to get all my homework that is due at least at the beginning of next week finished before the weekend so I won't have to worry about it then. With that said, I better get going.
As always, thanks for reading! Feel free to leave any comments or questions. Until next time.
“There's a difference between interest and commitment. When you're interested in doing something, you do it only when it's convenient. When you're committed to something, you accept no excuses; only results.”
-Kenneth Blanchard
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