The Business of Medicine

I've gotten quite a few questions recently about how interests and experiences in business are viewed by medical schools. More specifically, students are wondering whether a summer internship or full-time job after college may harm, even doom, one's chances to pursue medicine later.

I do think this is a bit tricky. That is, there may exist a bit of an industry stimga in medicine against business. Business and profit-driven enterprises in general are viewed by some in the medical field as being in conflict with the end goals of medicine. (See: problems with the healthcare system.) But while that sentiment may exist, does it also among medical school admission committees?

My short answer would be probably "not exactly." Regardless of an applicant's background, that applicant will need to show admission committees that they are genuinely interested in patient care, that they have explored and reality-tested their interests in medicine, that they truly understand how their background, interests, and abilities fit with the field. It's true that someone applying to medical school with investment banking experience probably has a more persuasive argument to make than someone doing work at a health clinic abroad. But that argument will need to be made all the same.

There are many students in medical school now who have come from finance or other business backgrounds. I assume that many of them had compelling reasons for doing business and also compelling reasons in deciding that their interests and abilities were in the end better suited for medicine. Having good reasons for doing something is more important than the thing itself, I'd say. Or, another way to put it, the particulars don't matter so long as the overall story makes good logical sense. I also assume that these successful applicants were able to maintain some connection to the medical field even while doing business.

The main thing to know is that it is fine to be pulled in multiple directions. Having other interests besides medicine does not erode one's perceived interest in medicine. Think about it from an admission committee's standpoint: If you were genuinely interested in trying out another career path, did so, but then came back to medicine, that says a lot. The ultimate decision to do medicine then is not just theoretical but firmly grounded in experience. And what's better than to be able to draw from this kind of perspective before committing oneself to a very demanding career.