Is Medical School Right for You?

Many students who haven’t found a career path yet may find themselves wondering, “Should I go to medical school?” While a career as a doctor can be incredibly rewarding, the path leading to it isn’t for everyone.

The prestige that comes with being a doctor may help justify the cost of medical school for some. But prestige alone isn’t necessarily enough to cope with the day-to-day responsibilities that come with the title.

Is Medical School Worth the Cost?

Based on data gathered by the Education Data Initiative, the Class of 2025 paid an average of $228,959 to attend medical school in the U.S. If we include the average tuition and fees spent on earning a bachelor’s degree, these graduates spent somewhere around $371,278 for their entire education. This price tag is expected to balloon to $418,674 for the Class of 2030.

Keep in mind that these figures don’t account for any interest accrued on loans during or after the program.  

Fortunately, medical schools like American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine (AUC) offer in-house scholarships to those who apply and qualify. These funds can help cover educational costs, reducing the amount you’ll owe later. Making interest payments while you’re still in medical school can also help lower the amount you’ll have to repay after graduation.

Lifestyle Considerations

Another thing to consider when asking yourself, “Is med school for me?” is the lifestyle that comes with it. Medical students have to study long hours and work hard to get into the residencies they want. Depending on your specialty, you may work 9-to-5 shifts or be on call for what feels like 24/7.

Many doctors work long hours, are on call during the night, or work weekends or holidays. Throughout your time practicing, you’ll see patients at their highest and lowest moments. The emotional toll of delivering devastating news can be compounded by the stress of long shifts and little down time, potentially leading to burnout.

That said, there are good days when you can help your patients have positive outcomes and even deliver celebratory news. Seeing your patients get better and helping improve their quality of life can be more than enough to make the harder days worth it.  

You will need to carefully consider the lifestyle you will have during medical school and residency, and then as a doctor.

Comparing Medicine to Other Healthcare Career Paths

There are many other healthcare paths to consider if you’re still unsure whether becoming a physician is right for you.

Take, for instance, physician assistants (PAs), who can practice in most specialties, though the scope of their responsibilities varies by state. They work under the supervision of a physician and can even assist surgeons in the operating room. Depending on where they work, they may also make house calls or provide care to patients in nursing homes.  

Unlike a Doctor of Medicine (MD), PAs typically work 40 hours a week. They may be expected to work nights, weekends, or holidays—and occasionally be on call—but this will vary depending on where they’re employed.

How Do I Decide if Medical School Is Right for Me?

There are several key questions you can ask yourself as a mini self-assessment if you’re searching “how to know if med school is right for you”:

1. Why do you want to be a doctor?
2. Do you have the academic qualifications?
3. Are you ready for the time commitment?
4. Can you afford medical school?
5. Do you understand the lifestyle of a doctor?
6. Do you have the traits of a good doctor?
7. Have you explored the field firsthand?

For a more detailed explanation of why these questions can point you in the right direction, check out our Should I Go to Medical School? blog post.

What Are the Requirements for Medical School?

Specific requirements can vary by school, but you’ll need to complete premedical studies and the Medical College Admission Test^® (MCAT^®). At AUC, we require applicants to have:²

• A bachelor's degree (a strong science background is preferred)
• Two semesters (8 credit hours) including labs for each of the following:
  • General biology
  • General chemistry
  • Organic chemistry or biochemistry
• One semester of general physics, calculus, or statistics
• MCAT score
• English-language proficiency
• Educational and employment history
• Supporting documents for medical school
• Transcripts

Based on recent data provided by the Association of American Medical Colleges, those with a GPA of 3.79 or higher were shown to have a higher acceptance rate. It’s important to note, however, that GPA alone isn’t enough to guarantee acceptance.

Schools like AUC conduct a holistic admission process, meaning academic performance alone doesn’t determine an applicant’s potential. As such, AUC doesn’t have a minimum MCAT score requirement; however, the higher your score, the higher your chance of acceptance.

What Does the Medical School Journey Look Like?

The length of your medical school journey can vary depending on your preferred specialty and whether you want to attend a fellowship after residency. Overall, it can take:

• 4 (or more) years of premed studies
• 4 years of medical school
• 3-7 years of residency
• 1-2 years of fellowship (optional)

During medical school, you’ll complete Step 1 of the United States Medical Licensing Examination^® (USMLE^®) between years 2 and 3. Once you complete your core clinical rotations, you’ll complete the USMLE Step 2 CK. If you haven’t already chosen a medical specialty prior to completing your core clinical rotations, you’ll need to narrow your options before it’s time to apply to residency programs through the Electronic Residency Application Service^® (ERAS^®).

Within the first year of your residency program, you’ll take the USMLE Step 3, which is a crucial milestone for obtaining your medical license. Once you complete your residency program and meet the requirements laid out by the board of your preferred specialty, you can also pursue certification through them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is going to medical school worth it financially?

Only you can decide if attending medical school is worth the financial investment. When you start out as a physician, you’ll likely be on the lower end of the pay scale. You may not feel financially secure until you’re a few years into your career and no longer in an entry-level position.

While you’ll get paid during your residency program (and fellowship, should you attend one), you’ll likely be earning a full-time salary much later in life than your undergraduate classmates. This can delay wealth-building and lead to more accrued interest on your loans if you haven’t been making regular payments.

However, if you’re truly committed to becoming a physician, medical school can be a worthwhile financial investment.

What GPA do I need for medical school?

It can vary depending on the school, but generally aim for a 3.7 or higher. Schools may reserve the right to accept students above or below their stated requirements, but check for specifics.

What is the average debt for medical school?

According to the Education Data Initiative, the average debt balance for 2025 graduates of a U.S. medical school was $216,659, not counting undergraduate loans. Factoring in those loans, the average debt was $246,659.

Is medical school harder than a PhD?

Both are hard, but in different ways.

Medical school is a bit like drinking water from a fire hydrant. The fast-paced learning environments mean you’ll have to study a lot outside of class to effectively follow lectures and pass exams. While gaining clinical exposure during your last two years of medical school, you’ll also need to make time for your studies and preparing for the residency application process.

PhD programs can be longer than medical school and require much more independent research. Earning a PhD is demanding, but so is attending medical school.

What is the best age to go to medical school?

Most students attend medical school soon after their undergraduate studies because of how long the journey to becoming a doctor takes. However, you can always apply in your 30s or even 40s if you’re thinking of a lifestyle change. The life experience you bring to the applicant pool can help you stand out as long as you have the academics and drive to back it up.

There isn’t a perfect age to go to medical school. The best time is when you feel prepared financially, mentally, academically, and emotionally for this commitment.

Ready to begin your medical school journey? Apply to AUC today!

¹Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (as of May 2023). The 10th percentile figure reasonably represents entry-level wages. BLS wages are national estimates and are not specific to graduates of AUC. Wages may vary by state or region. No guarantee is made that a person who enrolls at AUC will obtain a job or earn the estimated salaries.  

²Substitutions and/or exceptions for med school prerequisites are made on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the admissions dean and faculty admissions committee.