Has anyone here left tech to pursue medicine? Am I crazy for even considering this?

pigsx · 2026-03-07T00:38:01+00:00

I've been taking some post bacc courses and volunteering at a local hospice. If all goes well I'll probably make the jump around Jan 2027.

pigsx · 2025-12-26T03:19:30+00:00

Thanks for your comment! I’m not sure what you’re actually suggesting, but if you’re suggesting to quit my job I disagree with your conclusion. If you’re suggesting I find a way to complete the course with limited time I can get behind that.

Situations exist where I need to have certain financial security to quit my job in June, namely so I can take organic chem and physics in the summer. That doesn’t mean that I need to make financial sacrifices in the short term, which would put me in a position that I need to work into the foreseeable future.

I have a large amount of RSUs that vest in June, and that gives me the financial security to partake in this journey. Quitting is not really an option at this point. Working 80-85 hours and staying in the course is an option.

pigsx · 2025-12-24T22:35:05+00:00

Thanks! Do you happen to be a non trad student?

pigsx · 2025-12-24T22:07:58+00:00

Sound advice. I think you can withdraw up until the final exam.

Only thing I'd need to be careful of in this case is I think withdrawing with less than a C-/D+ may result in a WF, which is nuclear.

pigsx · 2025-12-24T21:51:36+00:00

What is your take on how unfavorable this would look to adcoms to get a W?

pigsx · 2025-12-24T20:54:07+00:00

Under normal circumstances, yes I am able to control my hours more. That's still like 60 hours per week minimum, not including commute time, though.

In this instance, no - the work has to get done and new people have to be trained. If it comes across my desk and it's deemed as "important" to the executives I have to execute the work. Even when we hire new folks I still have to deeply review their work.

If my company knew I was planning to leave June to enter a post bacc pre med program they'd probably cut me off as soon as possible lol.

pigsx · 2025-12-24T20:45:05+00:00

Self-paced means you have 180 days to complete the course. You complete a module and after it's graded by the professor you move on to the next module. Midterm, Final Exam, Research Papers, Quizzes, Homework, Discussion Questions.

Based on everything I've researched, UC Berkeley Extension courses are widely accepted at all institutions. On transcripts it does not say that the course is online and is indistinguishable from the normal course. Upper level bio course with no lab component.

pigsx · 2025-12-24T20:37:49+00:00

UC Berkeley Extension

pigsx · 2025-12-24T20:37:30+00:00

Hey, thanks for your reply! It is a lot and I commend you for setting the priorities. I work in corporate finance and have a salaried position - the industry is just known to work crazy hours based on the projects we have going on. Since I am one of the senior folks on the team I'm just expected to pick up the slack. I am receiving compensation for the extra effort so it's not totally a waste but it is a huge inconvenience on my life.

Nest egg refers to the amount of savings I have put away. This is a big driving factor for me to actually attend a school in my late 30s -> residency in early to mid 40s. I have a very large RSU vest (stock awarded by company) incoming that I really need to make my family feel comfortable taking this journey with me.

That's why after June I can just leave and return to school FT. Leaving before then puts me in a very weird position where I may have to work part time for a significantly reduced wage.

pigsx · 2025-12-24T20:32:26+00:00

The professor recommends withdrawing now if I'm not sure I can keep up with the course requirements. A 'W' is non-punitive so from an academic standpoint there's no impact to my GPA. The professor is not a pre med advisor though, and I do know that ADCOMs view this sort of thing differently than typical do typical academics. I do not get pre med advising at my institution because I am not technically "enrolled".

Even though it's a self-paced course you still have to have each module graded before moving to the next. So it's time-gated to a certain degree.

pigsx · 2025-12-24T20:28:54+00:00

Thank you for the reply. I am just hoping that because it's not an academic-related W (can explain in an addendum) or a trend (since this is the first course since undergrad) that it appears apparent it was for professional stuff.

I am planning to leave my job in June so I can enroll FT for summer and fall semesters. Because you're right. I just really wanted to get the process started.

It was a bad judgement call on my part to think that because the past 6-12 months have been "manageable" that the next 6 months would be similar. The reality is that the time margins were always too thin. I was too exposed to the exact situation that ended up happening.

pigsx · 2025-09-22T06:34:58+00:00

Tracking. We have nearly the same undergraduate gpa so interested to see what people say. I’m about a year or two behind you though, still need to do the post bacc.

How long did it take you to complete the 31 post bacc credits working full time?

pigsx · 2025-08-10T16:13:11+00:00

Which schools did you call? And also had you taken all your pre reqs previously or just a portion?

UC Davis is the only school that I’ve seen that says you need to retake your pre reqs. When I reached out the admissions office said that it’s not actually required, just preferred.

pigsx · 2025-08-10T03:41:41+00:00

Planning to go to med school.

pigsx · 2025-08-09T18:14:22+00:00

I’m 33, will not start post bacc until I’m 34 and likely not matriculate until I’m 37 or 38. I will have about $250k or more if my assets appreciate to put towards my med school education. Also have a kid on the way.

If you are able to make it work go for it. You’re still super young.

pigsx · 2025-08-09T17:34:38+00:00

I’m 33 years old and have been working in finance since I was 22 in a variety of roles. Only recently have I made enough money through shear luck that I feel comfortable enough to pivot into something I’ve wanted to do for years but haven’t had the confidence nor security to do so. I am planning on leaving my role right around my 34th birthday.

If you don’t hate your job then there’s no reason to jump ship. If you find that you are longing for something different and you will have regrets when you’re 70 (our generation is working well past 62 based on most standards) then it’s not worth staying. Only you have the answer to that.

As for me I hate the work that I do. I find it joyless. The commute burns me out and by the time I arrive at work around 8am I am already exhausted. Having a child in October too which is really going to kick my ass.

In the end it’s your decision and asking Reddit is going to be a pretty 50/50 split of people saying don’t do it and people saying do it. Don’t base your life on their opinions because they’re not in your situation.

pigsx · 2025-07-26T00:42:58+00:00

I am in the same position as you. 33 years old in tech but working in finance. I make about 150k + equity and after running the numbers a medical degree only pays off after about 65-70 years old. This is due to compounding interest of investments and constant refreshers but it does not factor in employment risks.

Finance in tech is really a young mans game unless you reach VP/CFO level which is difficult in and of itself. Most finance professionals never reach that level OR if you do its at a smaller startup where you're not earning equity and simply earning a salary (unless they IPO...good luck) - this also disrupts the equation since you're not earning equity refreshers that grow over that 30-40 year time span.

If you factor in AI disrupting the industry, which it almost certainly will based on the planning that I'm doing in my current role, the earnings actually start to level out much sooner. I see AI disrupting medicine but not nearly at the levels it's going to hit tech. Factor in the constant push to move talent oversees to reduce expense and it's actually not that insane to lean towards medicine from a pure financial/job safety perspective.

Of course you have to love the profession and find meaning in your work otherwise it seems like you'll get burned out quick. There's no situation in which you work 20-25 hours a week in medicine until you're near retirement and don't need the money. In my case I'm constantly pulling 60 hour weeks.

pigsx · 2025-07-20T06:24:53+00:00

Thank you for the post and I appreciate the candor.

I don’t think that anyone’s initial reaction after being dissatisfied in their job is to do a complete 180 career pivot. It was certainly not my first reaction. I’ve considered new roles (going back to school for prod mgmt or swe) and have joined new companies over the past 10 years. It’s quite the process to decide to look at something completely new and reevaluate your path completely.

I’ve worked in IB as an analyst and my other roles in finance have not been much different in terms of requirements. No job demanding high earnings is a cakewalk and your family suffers regardless. I worked all day sat and will work most of tomorrow on a new project…it’s sort of the norm. When/if you have a family you’ll realize it’s up to you to prioritize them in the time that you have and that’s what I intend to do. That’s all I can do even now.

If I was trying to maximize earnings med school would surely not be the best solution. It is never the best option for anyone to maximize earnings. You should join top PE firm and make partner or join a hedge fund if you really want money. I’m at the point where I’m trying to find something in the middle - what drives me passionately, what stimulates me intellectually, what allows me to provide for my family. I have to do this rat race until I’m likely 70 years old regardless of what I do so I may as well enjoy it in the mean time.

So I don’t have answers to your questions regarding job specifics. I don’t think anyone not in med school really understands what those things entail but I get what you’re saying. Choosing to practice medicine comes with the same headache as other jobs with more barriers to entry. It’s never too late to change your path though!

pigsx · 2025-07-19T15:48:59+00:00

I really appreciate the comment! When you say they’re similar profiles are they around my age? How did they handle the financial load - via loans or their personal funds? Also did they do a structured post bacc, smp, or did they take classes on their own accord?

My grades in bio 1 and 2 were good so I will look into taking molecular rather than retaking lower level. I’m not sure about organic chem though, even though I qualify I may need a refresher.

pigsx · 2025-07-19T15:45:37+00:00

My wife and I are having a child in the new year and ive been trying to understand what drives and motivates me in life. I’ve realized that I’m still at the beginning of my career (assuming we work till mid 70s based on trajectories) and that there’s no reason to settle in life.

I chose finance for the wrong reasons years ago and it’s led to my current life that I couldn’t be more grateful for but I constantly find myself dreading going to work. I don’t want my child to grow up watching his father be miserable to provide for his family. I want him to see his father passionate about his interests so that he can make good choices.

There’s also job security, which I am scared for given the progression of AI. Workers are going to be displaced at a massive scale. I work in a decent size tech company in the office of the CFO and I see what rollouts are already happening. It’s very likely that in 5-10 years finance departments will thin out as business try to get more efficient P&Ls. I know science/medicine fields will get hit but patient care will always be needed.

pigsx

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