4 answers
Amarre
Student
Collingdale, Pennsylvania
1
Question
Updated
209 views
What's some advice for a 14 year old freaking out about college and his future in Medicine ?
How as a 14 yo 8th grader can i find out what profession i want to be in or like what job i want to do exactly, all i know right now is that i want to be in the medical field and go to a good college. But with so many options as to which college i go to it makes it a lot more complicated not to mention the fees as well I'm thinking about Penn to go with my passion in medicine any Tips?
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4 answers
Christopher Pichay
physician
3
Answers
Boston, Massachusetts
Updated
Christopher’s Answer
Hi Amarre!
Do not stress about college and medical school right now as an 8th grader! Enjoy your experiences as a 14 year old and attend a rigorous academic and renown high school.
Once there absorb all the opportunities that you can: academic, athletic, social , extracurricular that will shape you into a strong, confident, humble and contributing member! Remember to do your best in everything you happen to do!
Now if when you're going through high school and your desire to become a doctor is still there, then, when the time comes, you apply to colleges/universities that have a good reputation for getting their premed students into medical school. Your high school counselor should be able to help with this.
For now, as a 14 year old about to go to high school, use the experience to help you discern what you want to really do when you graduate high school.! Take as many science courses as you can to see if that really emotes passion.
Good luck and Godspeed!
Do not stress about college and medical school right now as an 8th grader! Enjoy your experiences as a 14 year old and attend a rigorous academic and renown high school.
Once there absorb all the opportunities that you can: academic, athletic, social , extracurricular that will shape you into a strong, confident, humble and contributing member! Remember to do your best in everything you happen to do!
Now if when you're going through high school and your desire to become a doctor is still there, then, when the time comes, you apply to colleges/universities that have a good reputation for getting their premed students into medical school. Your high school counselor should be able to help with this.
For now, as a 14 year old about to go to high school, use the experience to help you discern what you want to really do when you graduate high school.! Take as many science courses as you can to see if that really emotes passion.
Good luck and Godspeed!
Melanie Silverman
Chief Clinical Officer
21
Answers
Laguna Beach, California
Updated
Melanie’s Answer
Hi Amarre. It was a joy to read your question because your passion for the future really shines through. This is truly exciting! To keep things calm, try to focus on one day at a time and do your best each day. You might start by searching online for a list of medical professions and learn about each one. As for college, focus on getting to high school first! During your freshman year, meet with a high school counselor to ask all your great college questions. You'll likely feel more at ease after talking to them. If you need more help, reach out to another counselor or a teacher you trust. Good luck!
Kathleen Rezek
Laboratory and compliance
109
Answers
Stanwood, Michigan
Updated
Kathleen’s Answer
Greetings! First of all: relax. The culture may say you need to have your life plan settled at age 14, but you don't. You have plenty of time and may change your mind a few times. Second: many young people with a plan at age 14 through 18 or even later, change it more than once.
Medicine is a broad field. You don't have to focus on just becoming a physician or P A.
There's Radiology, Laboratory, Information Technology, Biomedical Engineering, Research and Development, just to name a few! Focus on your talents and abilities, what you love doing, talk to various professionals and find your fit.
You're going to be fine...take some time to enjoy your journey!
Kathie
Medicine is a broad field. You don't have to focus on just becoming a physician or P A.
There's Radiology, Laboratory, Information Technology, Biomedical Engineering, Research and Development, just to name a few! Focus on your talents and abilities, what you love doing, talk to various professionals and find your fit.
You're going to be fine...take some time to enjoy your journey!
Kathie
Hwal Lee
DMSc, PA-C
275
Answers
Albany, New York
Updated
Hwal’s Answer
Amarre,
When I was 14, I don't think a future career was at the forefront of my mind, but working two jobs to support family was. In that respect, you're way ahead of me, and I hope you give yourself some credit and don't put pressure on yourself if you can avoid it.
You said you feel like you want to go into the medical field. If you meant working in health care, there's so much you can do, but ultimately, I would encourage you to find something that interests you so you can stick with it and continue to get better at what you do because you're interested. If you meant studying and practicing medicine, there are only a few options, including going to medical school or PA school. I'm a PA working in primary care internal medicine with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, so let me share this article about steps to become a PA:
https://www.aapa.org/news-central/2018/08/6-steps-become-pa/
Let me know if you have any specific questions I can help with.
Hwal
When I was 14, I don't think a future career was at the forefront of my mind, but working two jobs to support family was. In that respect, you're way ahead of me, and I hope you give yourself some credit and don't put pressure on yourself if you can avoid it.
You said you feel like you want to go into the medical field. If you meant working in health care, there's so much you can do, but ultimately, I would encourage you to find something that interests you so you can stick with it and continue to get better at what you do because you're interested. If you meant studying and practicing medicine, there are only a few options, including going to medical school or PA school. I'm a PA working in primary care internal medicine with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, so let me share this article about steps to become a PA:
https://www.aapa.org/news-central/2018/08/6-steps-become-pa/
Let me know if you have any specific questions I can help with.
Hwal