2 answers
Taijen
Student
Granger, Iowa
1
Question
Updated
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Is it possible to balance coursework and having a job while going through med school?
I’m currently a senior and I’m planning on attending the University of Iowa to major in biology so that I can hopefully one day become an anesthesiologist. One of the biggest questions I have is what should I expect pertaining to the amount of time I will be studying and prepping for exams on a weekly basis? I understand this is a very difficult degree to obtain and certainly graduate school is difficult as well, however I do intend on working during this time to help afford the necessities of college. For those that are currently studying the same degree or have completed this degree, is it possible for me to be able to balance both my coursework (especially during med school) and having a job both simultaneously at the same time? Additionally, with having a job would I have to give up having any semblance of having a social life or interacting with peers outside of just for studying purposes? Please let me know! #Spring25
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2 answers
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach, Mentor
1221
Answers
Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Taijen,
The question how to afford an extremely long and demanding education like becoming a physician, is an important one. There is no one solution that would fit everyone.
Since you are still in high-school, focus on funding your undergraduate education for now. Talk to the financial office at your school. Submit FAFSA and possibly a CSS profile if your school works with that. FAFSA gives you access to state and federal financial aid for your studies. Pay attention to deadlines (federal and state are different). These funds are often given on a first-come-basis. Colleges also use the information on FAFSA and CSS to determine your need for your overall financial package.
Check the work-study option on FAFSA too. It allows you to get a job on campus, possibly even in your department. The good thing about on-campus jobs is that you don't need to commute, they'll be understanding that your education should come first and if you can work in your department that will be relevant work experience.
You can apply to as many scholarships as you want - but be selective and realistic. Some employers have benefits for children of employees or employees themselves. Your city or the Chamber of Commerce might have programs. Check professional societies and employers in the health and life science space. Search for scholarships specifically aimed at your demographic. There are scholarships for tall people, for twins and multiples, for minorities, for first generation, for certain majors etc. Scholarships sites will let you search and filter so you can apply to the most promising scholarships:
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/scholarship-search
https://scholarships360.org/
https://www.niche.com/colleges/scholarships
https://bold.org/applicants/
https://risefirst.org/resources/resource-directory?category=Scholarship
Now, biology is not necessarily the most difficult undergraduate major but it's not the easiest either. At least in the first two years, you'll have lots of labs for biology, chemistry, physics. As an aspiring medical student, you need to keep your GPA up and study for an excellent score on the MCAT. You'll also need to accumulate medical experience and volunteer hours if you want to be competitive for medical school. And if possible you'll want to get involved in research in your department.
So, it will be difficult to squeeze in time for another job. I would recommend that you start your studies and get settled into a rhythm of studies and campus life before you add on another job. If you absolutely have to work to afford going to school, you may have to reduce your credits per semester to find time for everything. It is not the end of the world if you need a year longer to graduate if that's what it takes to make your dreams come true.
Medical school has a pretty intense amount of work too. Working another job on the side might not be possible if you don't want to fall behind.
There are a few alternatives you can consider to limit the cost of your undergraduate degree and save money for medical school. You could start your education at a local community college, get your gen ed requirements and foundational courses out of the way and transfer credits to a 4-year school after 2 years. Tuition at community college is way cheaper than at a 4-year program.
Since you will need medical experience for a competitive med school application anyway, you could consider getting a certificate e.g. a CNA or EMT certificate so you can work a medical job for a gap year before you start college or between undergraduate and medical school as well as during breaks. You would be able to save some money and maybe even work a few hours during semesters if your study schedule permits while getting valuable hands-on experience.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
https://educate.iowa.gov/higher-ed/financial-aid/scholarships-grants
https://www.scholarships.com/financial-aid/college-scholarships/scholarships-by-state/iowa-scholarships
https://admissions.uiowa.edu/finances/scholarships
https://www.icansucceed.org/financial-aid/scholarships-and-grants/scholarship-searches
The question how to afford an extremely long and demanding education like becoming a physician, is an important one. There is no one solution that would fit everyone.
Since you are still in high-school, focus on funding your undergraduate education for now. Talk to the financial office at your school. Submit FAFSA and possibly a CSS profile if your school works with that. FAFSA gives you access to state and federal financial aid for your studies. Pay attention to deadlines (federal and state are different). These funds are often given on a first-come-basis. Colleges also use the information on FAFSA and CSS to determine your need for your overall financial package.
Check the work-study option on FAFSA too. It allows you to get a job on campus, possibly even in your department. The good thing about on-campus jobs is that you don't need to commute, they'll be understanding that your education should come first and if you can work in your department that will be relevant work experience.
You can apply to as many scholarships as you want - but be selective and realistic. Some employers have benefits for children of employees or employees themselves. Your city or the Chamber of Commerce might have programs. Check professional societies and employers in the health and life science space. Search for scholarships specifically aimed at your demographic. There are scholarships for tall people, for twins and multiples, for minorities, for first generation, for certain majors etc. Scholarships sites will let you search and filter so you can apply to the most promising scholarships:
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/scholarship-search
https://scholarships360.org/
https://www.niche.com/colleges/scholarships
https://bold.org/applicants/
https://risefirst.org/resources/resource-directory?category=Scholarship
Now, biology is not necessarily the most difficult undergraduate major but it's not the easiest either. At least in the first two years, you'll have lots of labs for biology, chemistry, physics. As an aspiring medical student, you need to keep your GPA up and study for an excellent score on the MCAT. You'll also need to accumulate medical experience and volunteer hours if you want to be competitive for medical school. And if possible you'll want to get involved in research in your department.
So, it will be difficult to squeeze in time for another job. I would recommend that you start your studies and get settled into a rhythm of studies and campus life before you add on another job. If you absolutely have to work to afford going to school, you may have to reduce your credits per semester to find time for everything. It is not the end of the world if you need a year longer to graduate if that's what it takes to make your dreams come true.
Medical school has a pretty intense amount of work too. Working another job on the side might not be possible if you don't want to fall behind.
There are a few alternatives you can consider to limit the cost of your undergraduate degree and save money for medical school. You could start your education at a local community college, get your gen ed requirements and foundational courses out of the way and transfer credits to a 4-year school after 2 years. Tuition at community college is way cheaper than at a 4-year program.
Since you will need medical experience for a competitive med school application anyway, you could consider getting a certificate e.g. a CNA or EMT certificate so you can work a medical job for a gap year before you start college or between undergraduate and medical school as well as during breaks. You would be able to save some money and maybe even work a few hours during semesters if your study schedule permits while getting valuable hands-on experience.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Karin recommends the following next steps:
Alyssa Browning
cardiologist
18
Answers
Blue Bell, Pennsylvania
Updated
Alyssa’s Answer
It is extremely unusual to work during medical school, since there is no time and medical school is extremely demanding.
Having a part time job as an undergraduate would be possible, particularly if you are excellent at managing time and willing to give up some social time. Also working during summers is certainly possible (while in college). Medical students do not get a summer break except for between 1st and 2nd years of medical school and that is typically used to do research or some other work related to medical school itself (at least most of that 2-3 month break is used for that).
Having a part time job as an undergraduate would be possible, particularly if you are excellent at managing time and willing to give up some social time. Also working during summers is certainly possible (while in college). Medical students do not get a summer break except for between 1st and 2nd years of medical school and that is typically used to do research or some other work related to medical school itself (at least most of that 2-3 month break is used for that).