~Future Crazy Cat Lady Spinster, M.D.~

I was both insulted and wished luck in the same conversation.

At work a couple hours ago I rang out a well-spoken friendly Indian man who was with his family. They were all super chatty and nice as well.

Half way through the transaction the man inquires if I am in college. Yes, I say.

Where I go. I tell him.

What my major is. Pre-medicine, I say.

He seemed impressed. Then proceeded to ask if I’ve taken the MCATs, what my GPA is, what I plan for the future, etc. I explain about my year off, that I am taking the MCATs next year, I want to go to Tufts, and I want to work at Maine Med.

He then disapprovingly tells me that taking a year off is a horrid decision, I need to bring up my gpa, and then proceeds to tell me that he is a doctor who works at MMC and demonstrates extensive knowledge about the program I wish to pursue.

THIS FOLKS, IS WHERE I START SWEATING BULLETS. All I can think of is how maybe my plan is bad. How I am going to fail. How horrible of a student I must be.

THEN I calm down and explain that I have had this plan for years. I have not changed my mind and will not. And my role model, my own Cardiologist, used to sit on the admissions board of the med school I am in love with and she not only worked in retail as an undergrad, but she took a year off after graduation to supplement her knowledge-base with hands on experience.

THIS is where I remember that I am doing exactly what she did. **AND NOW SHE IS HEAD OF HER DEPARTMENT AND HAS BOTH HER OWN PRACTICE AND WORKS IN THE HOSPITAL.**

I smile through the rest of the exchange and just as I hand him his receipt he smiles, winks, and says, “You have a lovely evening. Good luck, young lady. I look forward to seeing you at MMC in 4 years.”

And that is where I die of confusion and then happiness and then nausea. The End.