I'm trying to decide whether it makes more financial sense to continue pursuing medical school or pivot to PA school, and I'd appreciate honest perspectives from people who have been in similar situations.

Total debt: about $171,000

relevant factors:

• First-generation college student
• Currently completing a master's program
• No significant family financial support beyond living with my parents so they pay the rent
• Parents are retired and primarily live on Social Security
• No available cosigner
• Fair credit

My current plan is to retake the MCAT this summer and apply primarily to DO schools in August. However, I'm becoming increasingly concerned about the financial side of medicine, especially with discussions about potential federal student loan caps and the possibility that future medical students may need to rely more heavily on private loans.

Given my current debt burden, fair credit, and lack of a cosigner, I'm worried about whether I could realistically finance medical school if substantial private borrowing became necessary.

If you were in my position, would you still pursue medical school, or would PA school be the more financially responsible choice?

I'm not asking about prestige or scope of practice. I'm mainly interested in the financial realities, risks, repayment burden, and whether pursuing medicine still makes sense from a financial standpoint given my circumstances.

I'd especially appreciate hearing from anyone who entered professional school with significant existing debt, limited family support, and no cosigner.

DO vs PA given debt, no cosigner, and possible loan caps? Looking for realistic financial advice.

I'm trying to decide whether it makes more financial sense to continue pursuing medical school or pivot to PA school, and I'd appreciate honest perspectives from people who have been in similar situations.

Total debt: about $171,000

relevant factors:

• First-generation college student
• Currently completing a master's program
• No significant family financial support beyond living with my parents so they pay the rent
• Parents are retired and primarily live on Social Security
• No available cosigner
• Fair credit

My current plan is to retake the MCAT this summer and apply primarily to DO schools in August. However, I'm becoming increasingly concerned about the financial side of medicine, especially with discussions about potential federal student loan caps and the possibility that future medical students may need to rely more heavily on private loans.

Given my current debt burden, fair credit, and lack of a cosigner, I'm worried about whether I could realistically finance medical school if substantial private borrowing became necessary.

If you were in my position, would you still pursue medical school, or would PA school be the more financially responsible choice?

I'm not asking about prestige or scope of practice. I'm mainly interested in the financial realities, risks, repayment burden, and whether pursuing medicine still makes sense from a financial standpoint given my circumstances.

I'd especially appreciate hearing from anyone who entered professional school with significant existing debt, limited family support, and no cosigner.

I'm trying to decide whether it makes more financial sense to continue pursuing medical school or pivot to PA school, and I'd appreciate honest perspectives from people who have been in similar situations.

Total debt: about $171,000

Other relevant factors:

• First-generation college student
• Currently completing a master's program
• No significant family financial support beyond living with my parents so they pay the rent
• Parents are retired and primarily live on Social Security
• No available cosigner
• Fair credit

My current plan is to retake the MCAT this summer and apply primarily to DO schools in August. However, I'm becoming increasingly concerned about the financial side of medicine, especially with discussions about potential federal student loan caps and the possibility that future medical students may need to rely more heavily on private loans.

Given my current debt burden, fair credit, and lack of a cosigner, I'm worried about whether I could realistically finance medical school if substantial private borrowing became necessary.

If you were in my position, would you still pursue medical school, or would PA school be the more financially responsible choice?

I'm not asking about prestige or scope of practice. I'm mainly interested in the financial realities, risks, repayment burden, and whether pursuing medicine still makes sense from a financial standpoint given my circumstances.

I'd especially appreciate hearing from anyone who entered professional school with significant existing debt, limited family support, and no cosigner.