Hello! I'm new, and I have a few questions...

[HERBIE1]

I would forgo EMS. If you have the smarts and the ambition and your real desire is to be a doctor, focus on that and do not waste your time with EMS. Working as an EMT- even in an ER setting- could be a great temporary gig to make a few bucks while you are in college, to get your feet wet in medicine, but with your vision issues I think you will find your job opportunities severely limited. Pursuing medical school is a full time job that starts the minute you step foot into college.

Besides, you have a long way to go, and unless you are already CERTAIN medical school is your future, I would not limit my choices either. Many people start college with a certain major or field of study in mind and end up changing their minds several times before they finally decide on their careers. Granted, medical school aspirations are slightly different, but don't get tunnel vision. Keep your options open- money, time, realities of school(a pre med curriculum is hard, ultra competitive, and you need to be on top of your game), test scores, the MCAT- these are all hurdles you must overcome, and you may find another career actually better suits your interests.

Your first task- ask yourself WHY do you want to be a doctor- or any other career, for that matter. Then speak with a guidance counselor who is actually knowledgeable about the process. In most cases, a high school counselor is NOT the best person to speak to about this subject. Do some leg work on what medical school, being a doctor, and medicine in general is REALLY all about. Talk to your doctor. You may find that your perceptions about the profession and reality are 2 very different things. Most people have no idea what being a doctor- or the process of becoming one- is really like.

Edited February 20, 2010 by HERBIE1

[KDB2011]

Thanks so much for all the replies! If anyone else has more input, I'd love to hear it.

Yeah, I'm realizing that being a nurse or a doctor would be much better for me.