Speaking as someone who quit after medical school and codes professionally (going on 10 years), I'd suggest temperance on the recommendation. Debt is high but s

Speaking as someone who quit after medical school and codes professionally (going on 10 years), I'd suggest temperance on the recommendation. Debt is high but so is salary, if they are in it for the long haul they'll be just fine. If you think you want to be a physician, shadow some. If you like what they do, you might like being a physician. I met many doctors who I think would be happier not being a physician, but also many that I think wouldn't be happy doing anything else. I'm happy with my decision overall but frankly i couldn't imagine going back as an NP, PA, Dentist... or anything in the field that wasn't an MD. Those all have much better work life balance, but you need to realistically understand what it means to do each if you want to be happy, and select the one that feels right. (And if it doesn't feel right, Dentistry has the absolute best work life balance, pay, and ability to help people who legitimately need it).