Yup, its a nice little program. I had an attending that went there, and he was one of the better docs i worked with.
Step 1 studying in full swing. Only 2 more months and then second year is over. Fucking hated the preclinical years so I'm really hoping the clinical years get a lot better
I never understood the fascination with how "low" primary care compensation is. Large majority make >$150K, seems to be adequate for my family anyway. Granted I'm not north of $600K like the ortho groups in town but I'm not of the opinion that much money makes you any happier or less stressed.
I mean it's a lot of money compared to an average person but it's lower (or the peaks aren't as stratospheric) for a doctor. I'm not complaining at all. She enjoyed the rotation and the lifestyle is appealing which is the most important thing.
People are sleeping on primary care but it's turning into a nice specialty. You can EASILY make $225-$300k+ these days depending on your locale. In Texas and the south or Midwest, no problem at all. Additionally you can get all your loans paid off with a little commuting. In Texas the state chips in $25k after year 1, $35k after year 2, $45k after year 3 and $55k after year 4. All for working in an underserved area. You can find these places here and there in the city but they are abundant in rural areas. Additionally the employer in a rural area usually pumps in approximately $50k per year. You can pay off just about any and all loans in 4 years tops with that setup between the state and employer contributions. Most people sit in traffic 30 min each way. If you drive an hour outside of your city you should be able to find something I described above. Additionally these places will work with you and with many you can negotiate a 4 day work week. You hold the cards with these guys so negotiate. After you get the 4 day work week pick up a BS medical director job at a plasma center and earn an extra $50k/yr. Primary Care/family medicine has minimal call, no nights or weekends, not much life or death stress, showered with Pharm rep gifts and dinners and sporting tickets, easy work. Additionally most of regulation and reform is shifting power back to the PCP. I have a cards friend who had to ask a family medicine Dr of one of his patients for permission to order an EKG. Whatever you do don't let her do a fellowship after family medicine. She is throwing away (likely) a quarter of a million dollars in missed salary.
I have friends who are lawyers & doctors with +$125k in loans who wont be free of them until their 40's. My best friend is a lawyer 2-3 years into his career making $80-90k and lives in a one bedroom apartment. He complains about money & i pick up the tab when we hang out more than not.
Biggest unmentioned thing to consider about picking a specialty for you/your significant other. How is their/your immune system? If your immune system sucks then you by proxy will get exposed to a lot of shit. If you are with/a pediatrician it better be fucking bulletproof bc kids are fucking germ factories. I was glad my dad was a psychiatrist bc he hardly ever brought stuff home with him.
My wife joked about moving there I told her thats the day i retire & get a vasectomy. She didn't make the joke again
Med students are eligible for PAYE and IBR right? Even at 300k loans and making 200k/year it's $1500 a month which doesn't seem that bad.
PSLF is the only one that isn't taxed iirc its a tough decision and lots of math to figure out if you should go payment plan style or just pay it off/refinance to a low interest rate
I came out around $280K but didn't pay anything while in residency and fellowship. Now it's ~$360K and my payment is more than my mortgage. I noticed on my statement the other day I get rung up for $60 a day in interest. Every fucking day. Bastards.
Im upper 200's and paying the IBR based on my PGY2 salary which comes out to around $70/month. THink its a a good deal while still keeping me elgile for the 10 year loan forgiveness. Did a yar of research before residency so Im 3 years in and will be 6 years after residency. If I do a fellowship thats another year, so will only need 3 more years ina qualified place to have the loans forgiven. Im sure by then theyll have rescinded the program.
WHen did they start that 10 year forgiveness program? Has anyone actually had their loans forgiven yet
Feds going to be in for a shock when they see how many people apply for it this coming year when people finally start hitting the 10yr mark. You'd think if they tinkered with it they'd allow it to be retroactive or do a phase out, but the way the program is designed that you basically wait ten years then apply makes it sketchy.
I'm doing the same thing. I am in the repaye IBR plan while keeping eligibility for PSLF. My program is 4 years for psych so will have that many qualified. From the guy who came and talked to us about loan repayments, he felt the government is more likely to grandfather current classes into the PSLF 100% forgiveness at your 10th year given you meet eligibility criteria. And he said he wouldn't be surprised if they cap it soon to 50% or less (50 is maybe an arbitrary number he just said won't be 100%).
It started in 2007. As of 2 months ago group of attorneys already has a lawsuit pending because the Feds refused to forgive the loans (they were the first group). If you're doing PSLF make sure you are doing the pre authorization thing where your employer sends in a form as soon as you start and every year.
Had a friend max out his loans bc the forgiveness. He took the money he didnt spend it on school and invested it. Pretty smart if it works out right..Fucked if not