Hi WSO, long time user in need of help as I make a decision.
I’m in my 3rd year East Coast MBB office started FT right after undergrad and recently got accepted into a top 25 US med school. What should I do?
Joined my MBB with the idea I’d leave for school eventually but have really enjoyed the work I do and the people. Have a good network and did above average on my most recent annual review. Can genuinely see myself here in the long run and don’t really have much interest in other exits (e.g., investing roles, B school)
What would you do or consider if you were in my shoes.
Thanks!
Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some key considerations to help you decide:
Long-Term Career Goals: Reflect on what you truly want in the long run. If your passion lies in medicine and you’ve always envisioned yourself as a physician, med school could be the right path. However, if you’ve grown to enjoy consulting and see a fulfilling career at MBB, it’s worth considering staying.
Opportunity Cost: Leaving MBB for med school involves significant opportunity costs, including tuition, years of training, and lost income. Compare this to the stability and growth potential you currently have at MBB, especially since you’ve built a strong network and are performing well.
Lifestyle and Commitment: Medicine is a long and demanding journey, requiring years of education, residency, and potentially fellowship. If you’re enjoying the lifestyle and work-life balance at MBB, consider whether you’re ready to commit to the rigorous path of becoming a doctor.
Passion vs. Practicality: Ask yourself if your interest in med school is driven by a genuine passion for medicine or if it’s based on an earlier plan that may no longer align with your current interests and satisfaction at MBB.
Exit Options: While you mentioned you’re not interested in other exits like investing roles or business school, staying at MBB keeps those doors open. Med school, on the other hand, narrows your focus to a specific field.
Timing: If you’re still uncertain, consider deferring your med school acceptance (if possible) to give yourself more time to evaluate your decision. This could allow you to gain more clarity while continuing to excel at MBB.
Ultimately, the decision comes down to your personal goals, values, and what excites you most about your future. If you’re genuinely torn, seeking advice from mentors or professionals who’ve navigated similar crossroads could provide additional perspective.
Sources: Medical School --> IBanking, Should I leave PE after a month and go back to my MBB?, Getting into Finance with a MD
Honestly if you have to ask, spending minimum 8 years for medicine does not seem like the move.
Medicine isn't a job, it's a calling.
blessed with an insightful comment from Isaiah. I agree.
A couple of things here. Firstly, congrats on getting into a T25 med school. You're a pretty smart guy so maybe you'll make a good doctor if you choose to go.
The oppurunity cost for you going to med school is massive, like hundreds of thousands (maybe even a million) of dollars in lost income.
My brother is in med school, fourth year. He won't clear six figures until he's 29 or 30, so 4 years of residency on top of 4ish years of med school(took a gap year). He'll make pretty good money once he's an attending, but his student loans will be probably be something he's paying well into his 40s. If you've been fiscally responsible and saved that sweet MBB bonus you probably could get away with little to no student loans.
Med school is hard. USMLE step 1 and step two will probably be the two hardest exams you've ever taken in your life. On top of being paid nothing when you're doing rotations and eating shit from attendings while you're an intern.
Stick to your current job. You like the work, the people, and the career overall. Very few people have the luxury of saying that nowadays.
Ill add to this, the people who really want to be doctors and are infatuated with medicine probably dont care about opportunity cost. Medicine is one of the few fields where you need to be passionate about it (theres probably plenty of decent doctors that aren’t). You'll be dealing with people at their worst moments, someone will eventually die, does your motivation run deeper than money/prestige?
Ironically, a lot of my brother's classmates are purely in medicine for either money or familial pressure on them to pursue a prestigious career, or both.
Granted, my brother doesn't go to a great med school(didn't do so hot on the MCAT back in college), but the acceptance rate is in the single digits.
For a lot of these kids, they really want the money and prestige that comes with the title, as well as having pretty safe job security.
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