why I'm not pre-med anymore

check out the limited-release beta episode of my podcast here: / tbd-podcast-0-procrast...
It's been a really hard decision, and I know I sound quite complain-y and also very millennial, but, like most people who quit pre-med, I feel really relieved, and I'm proud of myself for finally admitting it.
Maybe one day I'll go to med school; I finished the pre-reqs so at least now I have that option. But for now, I need more than what the prospect of med school offers me.
I actually didn't formally decide to quit until I made this video. Actually, rn it still feels like I have not formally quit. But I guess once I hit "publish"... IM FREE

[@yowisarias1433]

R.I.P Dr. AP Queen

[@sam17577]

Donald J this comment 😭😭😭

[@AN-tz4qu]

Hey girl! I actually just started my senior year and finished applying to medical schools a few weeks ago. I just wanted to say that, while I haven't yet been admitted into medical school (but hopefully I will!), I truly believe that you can be a successful pre-med without doing the stereotypical pre-med activities! I majored in Biology and do research on Type II Diabetes, but it's truly because I'm interested in these topics, and that fact alone has allowed me to perform well. I encourage you to major in whatever you're passionate about and inspired by. If you do ultimately decide to pursue medicine, remember that your end goal is to be a physician, and not just a medical school applicant! It's important you cultivate the parts of yourself you believe will allow you to make a difference and connect with your patients, and that personal growth can be derived from a diverse breadth of experiences! Personally, instead of spending all my free time shadowing doctors or volunteering in a hospital, I joined a community service organization to combat human trafficking in Los Angeles. It's taught me more about humanity and the need for social justice in medicine than I believe I ever could have experienced working in a clinic where the majority of patients have health insurance, a stable income, etc. I also decided to TA biology classes because I felt it was important to share knowledge with my fellow pre-meds, rather than try to compete with them, because medicine is inherently collaborative - physicians need to partner with other physicians, as well as with their patients! If you decide to return to being pre-med, hopefully you can ignore the ultra-competitive and rigid culture and focus on what's meaningful to you and what you think will make you a more competent and compassionate physician. Even if you pursue another career, stay true to yourself in college; you'll never regret it :) Best of luck to you!

[@humilis42]

You sound so overwhelmed and disappointed. Let me tell you something. I struggled in my program. It was horrific, demoralizing and just outright hard. I seriously struggled mostly because I always felt defeated. Crazy stuff was going on around me though. For example, I found out later that some of my peers were getting old test and performing very well in the classes because of them. I had heard of a group that actually got a copy of the same test we were given!!!!! Yes!!! I stuck it out though, got my doctorate degree and now own my own practice. I was where you were. I felt stupid. Not saying that you do but let me tell you. NO ONE cares about you struggling in some classes that have NOTHING to do with you being a doctor. This is about people not gpa, lsat, Mcat, gre, gmat scores, etc. Do people like you? That determines how successful you are with your patients. Don’t dwell over any of this now. Trust me, I know...... Ignore those cliques and stay focused. You can do this girlie! I know you can because I did. Whatever path you choose, you will be successful regardless. ❤️

[@matthewzarate9116]

I absolutely loved the thought process and justification you’ve used for your decision. So excited to see what comes next for you!

[@joseph.m.barnette]

I relate to this video SO much. I'm a QuestBridge Scholar in my third year at Vanderbilt, and I dropped out of premed after taking 3 premed classes first semester with 2 other classes. I came into college with the idea of "wanting to help people." I liked (and still do) science classes, so I figured I could be a doctor. Unfortunately, the premed system is set up against people that didn't come from high schools with really strong science departments. There's also a level of competitiveness that pushes people to study drugs and test banks just to keep up. I'm now a psychology major, hoping to go to graduate school for clinical psychology. The admissions rates for clinical psychology programs are as low, if not lower, than medical school admissions. However, the psychology community is so much more collaborative than the premed community, which is great!

[@sam17577]

Congrats on your graduation this year! How’s it going?

[@joseph.m.barnette]

@@sam17577 oh wow it's so sweet that you remembered 😊 life is going great! I graduated with a double major in psychology and child development, and a minor in spanish. I'm using all those skills for my new job: I'll be moving to Colorado in August to help children low-income communities (most of whom speak Spanish as their first language). I'm really excited! How are things going in your life?

[@sam17577]

@@joseph.m.barnette that sounds amazing omg! I'm so glad you made the decision to pursue your passion. I'm doing great, still trying to figure out what I want to do in life. best of luck to the both of us haha

[@AC-mp7cx]

I sympathize with many of your concerns regarding pre med, however: "The admissions rates for clinical psychology programs are as low, if not lower, than medical school admissions." That isn't even remotely true though. Sorry, not trying to be hostile

[@something-uj4eq]

Really liked the reasoning you used to make your decision. Wish you the best in the future AP Queen!

[@AP-pm9qy]

I don't want to be that bitch that said I knew all along or had my reservations. But I have always admired your eloquence and your ability to communicate original and thought-provoking ideas that I thought something like law or journalism would be a good fit for you. I also think that there is this slight subconscious push from parents, outsiders and society that any female who is good at science should go into medicine. I used to want to be premed but like you I never wanted to be a doctor for my whole life, I saw myself owning my own clinic and maybe venturing into biomedical engineering consultancy. I'm really interested in innovation and making things. I reconsidered medicine because for me there was a lack of creativity in the field (more than generating creative solutions) Fast forward, I'm a Computer Science major with a minor in Computer Engineering and Design and I'm now pursuing my entrepreneurial aspirations.

[@danifuturee]

youre so well spoken and everything you say goes so well into the next topic, i wish i had your speaking skills

[@zackaryentwistle978]

Computational linguistics! You're like the only college youtuber who actually does linguistics and that's exactly what I wanna do :)

[@CrisGarcia6]

It is good to hear your story about what happened and your experience. I hope it goes well on your dreams

[@dellacrawford3731]

Long time no see, happy you’re back

[@donavanalbano8478]

Thank you for posting this! I can't fathom how much our situations align, and I have been contemplating a lot lately as a second-year student whether pursuing Medicine is my calling. All my life I have been saying that I wanted to become doctor, but as I continued taking the premed courses, I realized that there are so many other academic interests that I'm missing out on, including business, law, psychology, and more. Your video has inspired me to deeply think about my options, and I couldn't agree more with what you said about how, as a doctor, the length at which you can affirmatively begin seeing results and actually make an impact is too long for young people like us. This was truly inspiring; thank you! :)

[@siiiiiuu7]

Super late to this vid and I'm not sure what path you ultimately took but watching this, I so admire your unapologetic stance when it comes to your passions and quality of life. It says a lot about the value you see in yourself and you gave me that little dose of courage I needed (for a different matter). Much love to you Danielle! 💖

[@peachypopspit]

Wow this video just changed everything I’ve ever thought about my career path

[@Squiderrant]

From my own experience changing degrees, when you have a plan to do something for a few years and then do something else, it's the something else that you should be doing right now.

[@peacearobieke]

🤩 Wow

[@kristenturner1222]

What did you change from and to?

[@Squiderrant]

@@kristenturner1222 Changed from Computer Science to Paramedicine

[@shwnceline]

"im always going to be like my own doctor im just not gonna be anyone elses."

[@danielledupreez]

love you shawn

[@anvee7155]

this video puts all my thoughts into words I have never been able to relate to anything more

[@thatweirdscienceguy9880]

lol, I was the one who called you out.

[@kylelogan3923]

Your story is echoing how I am really feeling right now during quarantine: I really want to pursue my passion of sports analytics and data science. However, I’m going to graduate biology premed with minors in chemistry and spanish. Honesty besides this past spring semester: I’ve gotten a B in gen Bio 1/2, a B in gen chem 1/2, B in orgo 1 and C in orgo 2, B in microbiology, B in gen bio 1/2 Lab, And B in physics 1 lab and lecture. Anyway, I love wayy more things than premed. Ima shy person but I hate studying for tests. I’m currently studying for the mcat and trying to apply for Med school this cycle but honestly I’m gonna decide not to, because I’m having high anxiety and I’ve lost motivation. I want to get a masters In epidemiology or data science.. but I have to see what I have to do. But honestly, I might decide on Med school later. I always wanted to work for NFL network or like ESPN, but I felt like I wasted 4 years of my life doing premed and now I hate it. I honestly don’t know what to do. But yeah premeds at my school are cliquish as well and I don’t have friends in college either. I love to learn but I don’t want to work yet.

[@makeupanddbeauty]

i also switched from premed to wanting to go to law school ,crazy

[@sam17577]

how did you make your decision?

[@mielpax3894]

"I'm always going to be my own doctor, I'm just not going to be anyone else's." I need a number or an email where I can speak to you. This video has hit me in a very hard to reach place. All the support and love to you. ⭐️

[@jjj1897]

There’s multiple things to do in medicine. Many fields with many doctors

[@nauj92]

It's a good thing you know yourself

[@connerpettit4384]

Wow, well said

[@hawwaamaryam]

Kinda crazy how ive been watching you channel for like a year but i kept forgetting your real name 😂

[@bingqicai953]

WOW this is the first video that you add bgm in the end

[@markhamilton4287]

Could u make a video on the apprenticeship that seems interesting

[@kylelogan3923]

I love numbers and data sets and I want to figure out how correlations exist and patterns aggregate.

[@kylelogan3923]

I want to learn programming and learn how to operate data sets

[@noneofyabusiness1098]

Ochem2 aye should have cheated lol

[@leonardobarzi7010]

A good ass video 👍

[@UnknownCartoonEditor]

It just seems like you didn’t have a passion for becoming a doctor - and there’s nothing wrong with that! It’s just a fact, and it especially shows because you seem really uninterested in everything premed. However, if you are premed and you’re watching this (reader) DO NOT GIVE UP! Yes - it’s hard, yes you will have to find time to study independently, but if you know it in your heart that you want to become a doctor than DO IT! If you believe you can achieve. One incredible REAL PREMED source is Dr.Pinesett - i cannot recommend him more. Yes, people are struggling in your classes - but one simple fact will always remain true no matter where you go. If other people can get A’s in the class - so can you.

[@danielledupreez]

Hey, I don’t think that’s fair. I was absolutely, undeniably passionate about becoming a doctor. Anyone who knows me knows that. I’ve had multiple moments of intense doubt since I quit, because I legitimately feel like my life is missing something if I don’t go into medicine. I think you’re confusing it. I have very little passion for competing with other people who want to be doctors. I have very little passion for doing watered-down exercises like hospital volunteering when there’s more impactful things I can be doing elsewhere. I have very little passion for compromising my physical and mental health, or being chronically sleep-deprived, which is a several-years-long inevitability for residents. But I definitely was passionate about being a doctor. “Passion” doesn’t mean willing to hurt yourself for something. That’s irresponsible. Maybe it means I didn’t want it enough, but if the bar is as high as it is for entry into medicine, you can want it really really badly and it’s still not good enough. I quit because I decided to value my health and stability as much as I value my interests and dreams. I know you mean well, but medicine really sucks for a lot of passionate people for a lot different of reasons, and its a little insulting to say that its just because they didn’t want it.

[@teacup3064]

Medicine is like that in every part of the world

[@UnknownCartoonEditor]

Danielle du Preez I deleted my previous comments. Two final things I want to say. 1. You don’t need to volunteer or do watered down activities to go to medical school. Read that again. You don’t need to volunteer at a hospital to go to medical school. In fact, you are statistically more likely to get into medical school if you find some other way to give back to people. This is where people find ways to be creative and show passion for other things besides medicine. Also passion doesn’t necessarily mean you need to hurt yourself - of course not. Your passion should never give you personal scarring. But you should be ready to go through hell for your purpose, especially if it’s what you’re meant to be on this Earth. Temporary pain leads to success - whether it’s big or small. 2. If you were absolutely passionate about being a doctor, residency wouldn’t be stopping your decision. Either start telling yourself that you made the right choice or start preparing to make sacrifices to become a doctor. The people who want to be a doctor are willing to do whatever it takes to get there. That’s what’s the separator between those who get in and those who don’t. You need resolve and grit for medicine. I’m not saying you don’t have those things or only can have them for medicine. Maybe you can find another outlet for it. Maybe you won’t. I don’t personally know you - it’s you who knows you. Take some time, figure out what you value in life, and ask if it really matches up with being a doctor. That’s the only way you’ll know if becoming a doctor is your destiny, Danielle.

@@UnknownCartoonEditor she has been passionate about becoming a doctor. It's not merely residency that stopped it, she made a whole video of many reasons that led her to her decision. It's usually never one thing .her realization about residency could've been the last straw BC the doubts were continuously gnawing at her. U don't get to decide what should or shouldnt be stopping someone's decision or use their deicison as a metric for someone's passion . she just found herself flourishing elsewhere and she got more out of channeling into other fields. Everyone has a limit.

[@sandro9uerra]

Dude, I understand you want to do well in school and everything. But, who gives a shit about grades? Einstein didn’t have very good grades, Steve Wozniak, Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Marc Zuckeberg, Woody Allen they all dropped out of college. People who worry too mush about learning the details tend to forget about the big picture, and that’s where it’s at. Been smart is about having guts not about having good grades.

[@dmitrobagrov5830]

Meooow :))

[@dellacrawford3731]

Did you change your name?

[@danielledupreez]

Yup! Rebranded to my real name haha

[@cheylam7056]

Bye AP Queen, welcome Danielle du Preez. lol