But My Advisor Said…

So I’ve heard way too many times (once was actually too many) lately from students that they’ve been told by their pre-med advisor that they should consider something other than medicine. I also know of several physicians (whole doctors with MDs and DOs behind their names) whose advisors told them the same thing. And look at them today…practicing medicine despite this “advice.” I think it’s very important to meet with your pre-med advisor but there are some things I want you to keep in mind…

All advisors are not bad.

Read that again. This post is not about bashing pre-med advisors. Actually most of them are fantastic. If you missed it or have forgotten it, go back and read one of the earlier posts on this blog about needing to go visit your advisor and doing so regularly. Unfortunately, like every other job, some of them give the others a bad name. I’m talking about the ones who count you out in your first meeting, after one bad grade, or after one poor MCAT performance. The ones who don’t share opportunities with you that you know they are sharing with other students. The ones who tell you to consider another career path instead of helping you navigate alternate routes to medical school when you know that being a physician is the only thing you think about doing as a career.

Know your goal.

The first step to not being deterred from your goal is to know what the goal is and to have it firmly planted in your mind. If you’re sure that being a physician is what you want to do, then nothing inside of you will let any nay-sayer completely talk you out of that. And even more, if someone tries to–even if that someone is a college advisor–you’ll be rooted enough to not throw it all to the wind. Of course, I’m a fan of writing down the vision and making it plain. If you haven’t done that already- do it today!

Hear what they have to say.

Usually, if someone tells you that you can’t do something, immediately afterwards they’ll rattle off some reasons why they think this. So if an advisor tells you that they don’t think you have what it takes to get into medical school, don’t immediately shut down and stop listening. And Lord, don’t cuss them out or burn the place down. Listen to the next words that come out of their mouth. What are the reasons that they give? Is it your BCPM GPA? Your MCAT score? Your lack of medical exposure or service? Don’t discount the fact that they (probably) do have several years of experience and know what a “strong” applicant should look like. So you should hear what they have to say and instead of thinking that where you are at that moment will keep you from medical school, turn your focus to making improvements in those areas.

Create your own path, if needed.

There are so many paths that will land you in a white coat and practicing medicine. Sometimes you have to chart your own course. Your path does not have to be linear—you may need some gap time between college and medical school, either in a formal post-bacc program or taking some extra science courses after graduation or taking time to study and re-take the MCAT. Don’t get stuck on the idea that if you don’t fit nicely within a 4-year schedule that your advisor lays out for you as a freshman that you don’t have a chance at medical school. That is so false and there are many doctors out here (myself included) that are proof of that.

Look elsewhere for the support you need.

Sometimes you have to make a change. If your school has multiple advisors and you don’t jive with the one you have or were initially assigned to, then take the initiative to get paired up with another one. Your tuition is paid and this is a service that the college provides to you. There’s a way to request another advisor respectfully, do it…and do it early if it’s necessary. If you don’t have other options at your school, you may need to seek advice from other sources. This can be upperclassmen, medical students or residents, practicing physicians, etc. You know I believe in finding mentors, people who have already gotten to where you want to be, and getting the most you can out of them. Now if you find someone else on your own, don’t stop seeing your advisor altogether, still go to the scheduled meetings (you may need something from them eventually), but know that you’ve got your own source of support that’s actually…supportive.

Find your drive.

Real story: I submitted one college application. To Duke. I told myself that I was going to Duke University or I wasn’t going to college. My high school counselor thought I was crazy and every time we met to talk about college, she attempted to talk me out of submitting only one application and to either submit multiple initially or to have backups ready in case (or when) I got a rejection letter from Duke. Now, in hindsight, I realize that only submitting one college application is indeed insane but at the time I took it as a direct and personal challenge that she didn’t think I could get into Duke. This perceived doubt from her was all I needed. Who was she to tell me I couldn’t get in to Duke?!? It became my drive, my motivation. This story ends with a degree from Duke on my wall (and the student loans to go with that degree). But the moral of the story is that you can do what you set your mind to, if you know what you want, do what it takes to get there, and not let doubt from others—even those in an advisory role—deter you. I wanted that Duke admission so I went and got it. You want a white coat and medical school admission, right? Go get it!

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Have you met with your pre-med advisor? The answer to that had better be YES! Were they helpful and supportive to you? My prayer for you is that the answer to that is also yes. If it is, great for you. Go see them often. If your answer is no, that they were not supportive and helpful, then my prayer for you is that you don’t let that be your stopping point. Please don’t take their doubt in your ability to get into medical school as fact. Keep your goal in mind and create a path that allows you to get what you need to get to where you’ve gotta go. If you need to discuss this more, as always, feel free to leave comments below or to send me a private email!