The future Dr. Stephanie Speagle, M.D.?

In response to "what's your major?" for the past year, I've always been quick to reply that while I was Psychology major, I was still unsure about my ultimate decision for a major.

As some of you know, I've recently been meeting with a career counselor to do some soul-searching with my educational endeavors. As of now, I've been a Psychology major, with the intention of attaining a bachlelor's and masters degree to be a Psychologist. After meeting with a fantastic career counselor (with the help of a few tests determining both known and unknown strengths, interests, values, etc.), I had definitely narrowed it down to a career in psychology. After some research into specific career possibilities, I started seriously considering pre-med/med school to eventually be a licensed Psychiatrist.

After meeting with my current Liberal Arts and Sciences academic advisor and the pre-med academic advisor yesterday, I have officially decided to adjust my bachelor's degree to include pre-med courses. My major doesn't change, but instead of the easier, more flexible Psychology degree-bound course plan, I am now including 2 semesters of Organic Chemistry, 2 semesters of Inorganic Chemistry, 2 General Biology courses, and 2 semesters of Physics. Eventually, I will also take the recommended (but not required) genetics and anatomy classes, as well as a few other recommended classes that will help me be more successful with the MCAT and my medical school studies. Coming from someone who was never a huge science fan, it's going to have to become my new best friend. I'll just have to rely on my interest in math to get me through. I honetly think I'll enjoy it all. It will be a lot of work, no doubt, but I truly believe I have the ability to do it.

Ultimately, my freedoms in psychology will be at their highest if I am a Psychiatrist. Having only a masters in Psychology, as great as that would be, would still hold some rather tumultuous limits for me in the counseling world. Obtaining a doctorate in Psychology would be optimal, if I were going that route, but there would always be limitations without a medical degree. With a little extra effort, I can do med school, learn more, be more useful to potential patients, and earn more money.

To get accepted to med school, I have to have a bachelor's degree in anything (as long as I include the pre-med courses), keep a decently high GPA, score relatively high on the MCAT, have some good volunteer/shadowing/work experience, and have some decent references. There is an official interview, as well. After speaking with the pre-med advisor, I realized that it's not necessarily about the GPA. It's more about the person applying, the MCAT score (which would measure my capabilities on many levels), and my references/experiences prior to applying. It will be SO much work, but I have faith in myslef...and I'm going to give it a go...

Given my limits on relocating, KU Med School (in Wichita) is my only logical option for med school after I graduate from WSU with my bachelor's in Psychology (and probably a minor in Sociology...or something else), however, my first 2 years of med school have to indeed be at the Kansas City location (which, for those of you who do not know, is at least 3-4 hours from here). Until I found out that information, I was 100% sold on everything. I felt completely defeated at first, as I couldn't imagine possibly making that work with my family obligations. After talking to Andy, however, he really wants me to do this, and I have a new hope. Med school isn't official, as that is 3-4 years away yet, but that is my intention and my goal. Andy, the girlies, and I would have to work out some crazy scheduling for me to be able to live and go to school in Kansas City during the week for 2 years, but my faith is gradually growing. The anticipation of being away from my wonderful family brings me almost to tears every time I even remotely think about it, but I know we could make it work. We are very strong. As Andy told me yesterday during our lunch, 3-4 years is still quite a ways away from the present, and many things could change between now and then that would make it much easier. He's been so encouraging of this journey I'm about to take...and I only love him more for it.

Since I have to take the MCAT and get accepted into med school a year before I actually begin med school, I'm probably going to be doing undergraduate studies at Wichita State for another 4 years. I'll probably attempt the MCAT after my junior year, but there are certain classes I would want to take that would help me score higher on the MCAT (classes which won't be possible for me to take until after that time). I'll probably end up taking the MCAT twice, unless I somehow miraculously out-do myself the first time! Also, taking more time to obtain my bachelor's degree would give me an opportunity to easily include at least one minor. In the case that med school doesn't work for me, I'd like to have as much educational experience as possible to fall back on. And honestly, there are still so many classes I want to take...

Med school would be 4 years, and then I'd have to do a residency. As I mentioned, the first 2 years would be at KU Med in Kansas City, but I have the option of transferring to the Wichita location for my last 2 years. Wichita is my obvious choice, of course, since it's only 40 minutes from home.

My GPA is at 3.88 right now, and with continuously high grades, I hope to continue to increase it. I've been putting my OCD side to good use so far, it seems! Andy can certainly attest to that. I'll be taking 18 credit hours in the fall, which consists of 5 academic classes and one Pre-Med workshop class. I'll be taking a Spanish class, Prep. Chemistry (since I don't have any Chemistry credits from HS), Social Psychology, College Trig., and Cultural Anthropology. I'm hoping to also begin soon with either Co-op Education (which would allow me to work a few hours, get college credit, get paid, and get some good work experience in my field) or to begin working with one of the volunteer programs. My schedule appears to be getting busier and busier every semester. Luckily, Andy is very supportive and makes it as easy as possible for me. This wouldn't be possible without his support.

I picture myself jobless, broke, and single not so very long ago...and it's difficult to imagine that I could be where I am now. It empowers me to know I'm capable of such a long but rewarding journey. The prospect of making over $150,000 a year is appealing too, I guess... I just wanted to inform you all of this major decision in my life. I hope for your thoughts and prayers of strength...and hope for your constant patience encouragement throughout this overwhelming journey.

I've come so far, in every way imaginable. This is an opportunity for me to eventually offer something extremely valuable to the world...and to be able to provide well for myself and my family. It's very overwhelming...and exciting. So wish me luck...and thank you to those who have been supportive of this decision.

If any of you are interested in viewing the prospective, overwhelming curriculum I would be facing in med school, check out the
KU Med School Curriculum.