Some advice? Picking graduate path....

[Lynxlynx]

Hi everyone,

 

I'm sure not everyone wants to read a super-long post so I'll keep it concise...

 

So I am a 27 year old Canadian graduate, BSc - Animal Biology (2010). I have worked for 7+ years in industry (gov't research labs, and now in private sector in oil+gas). I have contributed by volunteering for more than 10 years.

 

My goal since I was 14: research wild felines (cheetahs, leopards, lynx, caracals, etc.) and live in the bush (or some similar variant).

 

I did an undergrad course in field ecology - in Mexico, two weeks in the rainforest...

 

I went to South Africa a few years ago, volunteering as a research assistant for wildlife conservation and rehabilitation projects. Got my FGASA field guide 1 certification after... (spent four months there).

 

Last year I was a base manager at a biology research station in the Honduran rainforest (this trip was cut short due to illness   )

 

And this year I will be in Costa Rica for sea turtle conservation and research as a volunteer for three weeks.

 

In the next year I will have one (for sure) or two (depending on the supervising author's decision) published papers (they are in the writing phase). I am third author. These are from the aforementioned government research facility.

 

I have achieved very high grades for the majority of my undergrad (a couple mess ups in one bad semester, however, brought my gpa down a little).

 

Not sure of my gpa over the entirety of my undergrad because my first school (a college) did gpa, where my university did %-age.. so mixing the two to make one overall gpa is difficult.

 

Anyways. I am ready to go back to school. I have been out for three years.  I am an extremely motivated person, and really into biology/science.

 

A few years ago, I contacted a professor who was very interested in me and my research topics of choice, and he was coming to my alma mater... however, he was underfunded (if funded at all), and could not afford to take me on (unless I came with my own funding, which at the time I couldn't secure - I applied for an NSERC and didn't receive one).

 

Now, I would like to re-apply for an NSERC (as well as some other grants/scholarships) and try again, with the addition that I will have papers in the process of being written... But if not this person, then I have another choice in another university 4-5 hours away from my city.

 

I am trying to stay close to my city because I can't really afford to live alone (I currently live with my partner).

 

Also, there are few who are in the realm of what I would like to study within driving distance (I am in a coastal city - and honestly, the VAST MAJORITY of professors study: birds, or fish, or insects... I am seeking terrestrial mammals at the very least).

 

This is all fine and well...

 

Except I've thrown a wrench into my 13 year plans...

 

I want to go to medical school. I think.

I have been really trying to understand where this motivation came from (I love all things science and biology - I really enjoy endocrinology, neuroscience, disease and pathology, psychiatry... but I'm not really into microscopes or bench work).

I have been listening to emergency medicine lectures and talks for a week while working, and the idea of immersing myself into the study of all things medicine makes me excited... except that this is so new that I can't just say "yep, okay I want to be a doctor!".

 

I am in the process of signing up with my local hospital to volunteer with the emergency department, as well as planning the timeline to get my one pre-med prereq I didn't need for my own BSc, and then study for and take the MCAT...

 

The program I am looking at is a joint PhD/MD program (7 years, strong research component) intent on creating clinician-scientists... I have no idea the acceptance rate, or how competitive I really am in terms of medical school. I know only a little (have a friend in med school).

 

Does anyone have any insight on these kinds of med programs? or advice, in general? I believe I am in the midst of a four year long 1/4 life crisis that won't begin to abate until I decide "what next".

 

All I know with 100% certainty is that:

- I love biology

            - especially blood+guts style! endocrinology, neuroscience, psychiatry, sports medicine, perhaps - I am still so new to the facets and aspects of medicine...

            - I also love being in the wild, camping, transects, in the forest, population studies, primary research, etc...anywhere as long as I'm not stuck on a microscope/similar equipment...

- I love research

- I would love to work in academia and teach

- I would like to have a viable career at the end of all my hard work where I can continuously learn and be challenged.

- I would *prefer* not to travel to study (especially to be an international student = $$$$$$$)

- I *will* travel, for the right professor...

- If I go the cat-route; I will do MSc... *maybe* PhD, depending how the MSc goes.

 

 

Sorry, I think it became long. Maybe because it's broken up and not one long paragraph, it will be easier to read.

 

Thank you to all who read this and offer me guidance, I'm sure you've been where I am, or are here with me now.

 

Lynx

Edited July 30, 2013 by Lynxlynx