> but most make way more than $300k after only a handful of years of experience. 'Eh, not really [1]. Most will wind up in the upper $100k region (most being i

> but most make way more than $300k after only a handful of years of experience. 'Eh, not really [1]. Most will wind up in the upper $100k region (most being in some form of primary care). Not after a handful of years, but 4+ yrs college, 4+ yrs medical school, then bare minimum 3 year residency (with most 4+), with each step an order of magnitude more difficult. > most doctors are sons and daughters of rich folks Many are, but since we're in the anecdata game, none of my friends were. Not going to lose sleep over it, upper $100's is plenty to compensate for high debt in the long run. But to pretend its not extremely stressful for most is to be misinformed. Lastly: > 5 years of service in a shortage area After spending the last 2 years in a qualifying region (though not for that purpose); topping off 12 yrs of post-high school with another 5 living somewhere you'd rather not be (to be polite) is no small feat. Thats 35 yrs old before you get a shot at living and working somewhere reasonable. [1] http://www.medscape.com/features/slideshow/compensation/2013/public http://www.medscape.com/features/slideshow/compensation/2013...