If you have considered becoming a doctor, you may wonder if it is possible to build the type of life you envision for yourself. There is no question that medical school is demanding. Once you graduate, things will slow down, but there is a huge disparity between different specialties and what type of time and emotional energy they require. Before committing it makes sense to explore some of the different options available. Consider where your interests lie and do some research to find out what the day to day life looks like in that specialty. Of course, you don't need to make your final decision. Medical school will open your eyes up to more specialties and lifestyle compromises than you imagined. You do, however, need to have a realistic idea of what to expect before committing to medicine as a career.

Paying for graduate school is not easy. You are still years away from earning a regular salary in your chosen career, and the demands of school make it impossible to work. Even stumbling for one semester can leave you scrambling to catch up. Medical school is expensive. Even if you are familiar with borrowing money and the financial aid process from your undergraduate years, medical school is an entirely different process. Once you have maxed out your federal student loan numbers, which you will probably do each semester, you will need a way to pay the balance of your tuition and living expenses.

Private student loans allow you to borrow what you need to pay for medical school. There may not be a borrowing cap for these loans, and, depending on your credit score, you may find the interest rate is even lower than what is offered through federal student loans. While few people enter the medical field with income as their sole motivator, it can be a decision when you are ready to choose a specialty. Watching your student loan debt add up as you continue your education can make it seem like selecting a well-compensated specialty is just smart business sense. Fortunately, many of the most well-compensated careers in medicine are also rewarding and engaging.

High and Low Compensation

The highest-paid specialties in medicine are plastic surgery, orthopedics, cardiology, radiology, and dermatology. In contrast, the lowest-paid specialties are generally those in the primary care field, including family medicine, pediatrics, and internal medicine.

Most Competitive Specialties

If you are feeling up to a challenge, try for specialization in cardiology, pulmonary disease, hematology, and oncology, as these are the most competitive specialties. If you are determined to choose a highly competitive specialty, every grade, every rotation, and every interaction and relationship you build with your instructors is important. There is nothing wrong with seeking out a highly competitive specialization, but just understand that you are facing a battle against your peers for admittance.

Best Work-Life Balance

Once you have completed medical school and are ready to enter the workforce, you hope that your life will take a more balanced tempo. A great deal about your work life balance will be determined by the specialty you choose. Plastic surgery, dermatology, pathology, and orthopedics, for example typically offer a good work-life balance and low rate of burnout.