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<p>If you read through all the posts, the question was changed to "Is it more difficult to go through the process of (1) PhD in engineering, work at a highly regarded company like NASA (consider the working conditions in terms of difficulty in engineering research, independent state of PhD, stress, and risk in failure of projects) or more difficult to (2) go through the process to receive a MD and practice in a specialized field (considering the difficulty in getting into a elite program, the stress of long hours, the risk of malpractice, the early financial “hole” as a young adult).</p>
<p>The question is about the whole picture of both occupations, about the steps to attain each goal, and the conditions faced when holding the titles. Hope this makes a better argument for both cases.</p>
<p>Of course it is easier to become an engineer. You just need to get a B.S from any ABET-accredited program, take the FE, gain about 4 years experience, and then pass the PE. A doctor would have to go through at least 4 more years of school and more stress. Why would that be of discussion then? :D</p>