Yes, while market participants on the other side of your trades live and breathe the markets, you should be able to get away with just doing it on the side. If you're going to do something, it's important to do it half-assed. (Not telling you what to do, just pointing out the wobbly parts of some arguments.)
As background, and for what its worth, my wife is graduating with her DO later this year. (And further for what its worth: your wife's preference in future specialty is *very* unlikely to remain the same after 4 years of medical school.) I would say, if you think you potentially might have a grudge some day about "giving up your career"... then you should go ring shopping right now, and propose to the girl by Valentine's Day. If, on the other hand, you're getting into this voluntarily with your head screwed on tight and eyes wide open, then you can take your time on the proposal. Student loans are a great idea. Government-guaranteed 7% interest rate, 30 year to pay it back, and usually many practice groups will cover the debt in full when she graduates out of residency, anyways. Now, as far as your career goes... sounds like you've already given it some thought, so I don't know if you're going to get any useful advice from the "community" here. If I were in your shoes, I personally would give the MBA at either UofM or MSU some consideration. You don't need to be a "full-time" trader to the exclusion of education.
Believe it or not, I had somewhat of a similar situation back in 2006. My Fiancee had just started Dental school and I was working the desk at a small firm. She asked me to move to Ohio to be with her but due to the lack of jobs I never did. I also wasn't ready to leave my job bc I loved trading so much. BUT I did decide not to take any crazy risks and stayed away from the guys who were. I felt at a minimum we didn't need any additional risks from myself. I won't lie to you, I regretted a lot of things. Not moving to be with her, not taking my trading to the next level but all and all I got over it. It's now 2010 and she graduates this May, just landed a job for June and we get married in August. Everything worked out. I am also planning on taking my trading to the next level. You can PM me if you want but I would encourage you to move but to go light on the trading full time. Off the top of my head, you could work on your trading with a sim account or get into options and trade income according to the greeks. That is good experience while you become adjusted down there and won't require you to use much of your savings. Student loans are steep, she will be stressed enough and wont need to know you blew up you account by going for it. This will definitely be more of a sacrifice for you because your sacrificing for her...
+2. Live your life in such a way that you never have to look back and say "what if" or "if i had taken that chance." when things line up like this you have to pay attention to it. Regardless of the negativity on this board, people do make it trading....
You are at a road junction, don't choose the wrong road, don't be like him: http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=186377&highlight=quit
Wow. All these traders without a shred of confidence in themselves. Trading is risky, life is risky, marriage is risky, love is risky. The greatest risk is not pursuing your dream. You know in your heart what you want to do. Don't need confirmation from anyone on this website. Just do it if that's what you want to do. If it doesn't work out -- oh well -- lesson learned. Everytime I've taken a huge risk it has turned out for the better. May not have initially turned out how I thought it would -- but always opened doors to other paths in life. You create your own reality. Create the one you want. Kev
It is very simple. To become a trader, you must be willing to sacrifice all. Your family, loved ones, friends, even your life msut mean nothing to you in your quest to be a successful trader. This is the dedication necessary.