Medical school versus law school?

[scirwode]

Okay I am in high school and I am deciding on what to do with my life. I've always said I have wanted to be a doctor. Medicine is very interesting to me. If I was to go to a medical private school in my state (Louisiana), it would be cheaper than going to let's say UCB (since I don't live in California), right? How much do doctors make a year after school and residencies? I want to be a neurologist or cardiologist (give me estimates for both). I am thinking of working in Louisiana, California, Phoenix, or New York. However, I am going to end up being 24 at the end of undergraduate and medical school, and plus 3-5 years of residency so I will end up being 28 or 29! Not a good image there.

On the other hand, I've always thought law was boring and too complicated (plus, everyone is a lawyer. There are waaaaay too many lawyers in the world.). Also, law is not guaranteed money. (My goal here is to have a job I like with almost 100% guaranteed money. I would like to fit in the upper-class ranking of society [$250,000+ per year]). How much would law school cost compared to medical school (at the schools and areas mentioned previously)? How much do criminal or corporate lawyers make a year (in the areas mentioned previously)? What is the length of law school? Do I have to do any "residency-like" things for some years?

What is another field (besides business) that would get me into the upper-class ranking?

[fiynn]

i think you calculated how old you would be at the end of undergrad and medical school worng... you'd be 26... it think. and then you do residency for 8 years for cardiology and probably neurology [i wouldnt know about neurology b/c it doesnt interest me]. its costs more to go to college out of state. cardiologists make like $300,000 once established in the practice for a few years, and i think if u want to be a doctor your you should first want to do it because you want to help ppl. Also the amount of time and the life long commitment to eduaction shouldn't make you feel effy.
if you are really interested in medicine, be a doctor. if law bores you, don't consider it b/c the lawyers make alots opf money. don't pick either career solely because of the money. you have to see yourself doing the job, as well as making the money.

[dasco]

There are waay too many lawyers and not enough doctors.

Unfortunately due to the lawyers it really isn't all that lucrative to be a doctor any longer. And after the Zombies are thru federalizing health care; it wont be practical to be a doctor.

[colfre]

medical is essential for life not law

[jerrick]

don't chose a career because of "the money"...you'll end up being miserable.

chose what you feel passionate about.

[devon]

Both are extremely, extremely difficult disciplines and career options. They are also polar opposites. Medicine is all science. Being a doctor requires a lot of dedication, sensitivity, and a brilliant mind. Its long hours, and a lot of work.

As is law. My mother is a lawyer. Depending on how busy the law firm is, she can work up to 80 hours a week (which is normal for a lawyer). Not to mention that, yes, law school is very tedious and boring (unless its something you are very passionate about).

Not to sound like the responsible adult in the room, but seriously, the ideal situation in life is to find something you both love and are good at. Not a lot of people can achieve this- so if money is really your top priority in life, I would choose something that you are good at.

But remember, lawyers and doctors have insanely hectic and stressful schedules- they don't always have the chance to enjoy their wealth.

Also, if you really want to be a doctor you're going to have to realize that you are going to be constantly learning, constantly in that education process. Additionally, a lot of doctors don't finish their residencies/fellowships till after 28 or 29. Its just how the field works. Cardiologists typically serve anywhere from 7-12 years of residency and fellowships. Neurologists are a bit less, usually ranging from 4-8, depending on what type of neurology you would like to specialize in.

[archy]

Both are extremely, extremely difficult disciplines and career options. They are also polar opposites. Medicine is all science. Being a doctor requires a lot of dedication, sensitivity, and a brilliant mind. Its long hours, and a lot of work.

As is law. My mother is a lawyer. Depending on how busy the law firm is, she can work up to 80 hours a week (which is normal for a lawyer). Not to mention that, yes, law school is very tedious and boring (unless its something you are very passionate about).

Not to sound like the responsible adult in the room, but seriously, the ideal situation in life is to find something you both love and are good at. Not a lot of people can achieve this- so if money is really your top priority in life, I would choose something that you are good at.

But remember, lawyers and doctors have insanely hectic and stressful schedules- they don't always have the chance to enjoy their wealth.

Also, if you really want to be a doctor you're going to have to realize that you are going to be constantly learning, constantly in that education process. Additionally, a lot of doctors don't finish their residencies/fellowships till after 28 or 29. Its just how the field works. Cardiologists typically serve anywhere from 7-12 years of residency and fellowships. Neurologists are a bit less, usually ranging from 4-8, depending on what type of neurology you would like to specialize in.

Well for starters, a neurologist, right now, makes about just under $200,000 dollars a year. A cardiologist has an average of about $305,000 a year. Of course it all depends on if you sub specialize, where you live, years of experience, private practice or public, how good you are etc. Don't let the internship and residency scare you too much because you will actually be practicing during these years, and of course, being paid. I am in a similar situation. I am a premed college student right now at Cornell and I am going for neurosurgery, which I won't finish with until I am at least 33, but I'lll have a first year wage of $350,000, and probably within 10 years be making close to a million a year. Medicine, I think, is long worth the wait.

The other thing about Medicine, is it is one of the few carriers where you can make really good money without screwing someone over, which you will probably find in law.

The thing about law is that you'lll make money if you are good, and if you are on the defense. The state or government isn't going to pay well.

That said, plan on either medicine or law, but most importantly, keep an open mind. Money doesn't always bring happiness. You have to do what you love to do.

PS the reason cardiologists make so much money is because there are a lot of patients out there with pulmonary disease, and often they do it to themselves. So as a cardio you will have a pretty tight schedule. There are not as many people with neurological disorders so that's why they make less. Neurosurgeons have less patients too, but they have the highest risk, and therefore the most training. Each specialty comes with its ups and downs.

Hope this helped. Good luck!

[egann]

"I am going to end up being 24 at the end of undergraduate and medical school, and plus 3-5 years of residency so I will end up being 28 or 29"

Well with any kind of luck you will be 29 anyway. Don't worry about how long it will take you. Do what you are passionate about. Remember as a doctor you could also work in research. May be you are the one who will find a cure for, cancer, aids or any number of other diseases out there.