34 too old?

[RANE]

Hi all,

Just found this forum and I am looking for some advise. I am 34 soon to be 35 and have always loved the medical field. I graduated HS in 1992 and did not attend college after graduation instead decided to work. I think this was a first mistake. I am now almost 35 and have decided to attend college, am I just dreaming and missed the boat? I now have two kids 8 and 2 and work in the IT field as a Network engineer. I am looking into the medical field as I have always loved the field (Plastic Surgery ) just thought that I could not do it due to age and guess what time just keeps on going. Do you think that its too late to start college at my age? I have never attended college nor did I take my SAT when in HS. How should I start? Is this even a possibility at my age?

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[agirl]

Ideleted
Good luck.

 

[2008orbust]

In your situation, you could be starting medschool at 40. Several people in here have started at an older age than you. It is possible.

There is a ton of really good info here. Please read up on the kind of grades and test scores you will need to be competitive as a medschool applicant as well as volunteer and shadowing hours.

You may also want to research the different specialties, as some (including plastics) are VERY HIGHLY competitive and only take the very best.

Good luck to you. Hopefully in your area it is not too late to start a science class or two right now this fall.

 

[princekc]

Hi all,

Just found this forum and I am looking for some advise. I am 34 soon to be 35 and have always loved the medical field. I graduated HS in 1992 and did not attend college after graduation instead decided to work. I think this was a first mistake. I am now almost 35 and have decided to attend college, am I just dreaming and missed the boat? I now have two kids 8 and 2 and work in the IT field as a Network engineer. I am looking into the medical field as I have always loved the field (Plastic Surgery ) just thought that I could not do it due to age and guess what time just keeps on going. Do you think that its too late to start college at my age? I have never attended college nor did I take my SAT when in HS. How should I start? Is this even a possibility at my age?

You're not too old. Do a search here and you'll be surprised. The oldest non-trad that recently started medical school was 49 or 50.

Welcome to SDN!

 

[J ROD]

Simple and short = you are not too old

BUT, it is a long, hard road. You will need to make 3.7 higher and get a 30+ MCAT for MD schools to be really competitive. Only you know how smart you are.

Plus, you have to consider your family situation.

I have a friend that started med school at 40 with two kids, 4 and 2. He did well! But, he had a strong wife that locked down the home and kids. Plus, you will miss alot of their stuff.

Just decide how bad you want it. It does not come without a price....

 

[RANE]

Thanks all for the advice. have another question, my community college does not offer any medical programs again I have never been to college and really don't know where to start. Should I bee looking at a different college other than a community college? Any more help would be appreciated. If this helps I am from NJ.

Thanks!

 

[J ROD]

Do they offer classes like Bio 101,102 the basic intro classes that will transfer to a 4 yr college?

When I went back to school for healthcare, I did my prereqs at a CC because they offered night classes. I did not have a degree program listed. I was a general student (cant remember the exact term) just taking classes for transfer.

Also, make sure the 4yr college you are looking at will accept all your transfer credit from the CC.

You could always just start at a 4yr college too. But, it will cost more and they usually are not as flexible to me in terms of schedule and trying to work.

 

[RANE]

I am going to call my CC today and ask. Should I tell them that i am looking to ultimately transfer to a 4yr and my ambition is to get to Medical School?

 

[J ROD]

I am going to call my CC today and ask. Should I tell them that i am looking to ultimately transfer to a 4yr and my ambition is to get to Medical School?

I would just tell them I plan to transfer to a 4yr school and get a BS in Biology or something. What exactly do I need to enroll in as far as programs to make this happen?

 

[teacherman84]

You can tell them that but odds are that it means nothing to them. A lot of people at 4 year institutions dont know what is involved in pre-med.
Tell them you want to pursue courses for a science major.
Try to get into Biology that is intended for bio majors for starters and other general requirement classes: college algebra, Eng 101, psych...if that goes well get into chem and other sciences in your second semester. It will be long and hard but as the other poster said, you have the advantage of starting with a clean slate. Do well in everything and see it all as prep for MCAT and getting into school and youll have a big advantage over other non-trads.

 

[RANE]

Thanks!!!

So it looks like this

2 years Community College+
4 years in a 4 year college
4 years medical school
4 years residency?

 

[teacherman84]

If you take classes full-time and in the summer as well you can get it done much quicker. It would be 2 years community college(4 semesters) and 2 years at a university (again, 4 semesters). If you did summer classes, making it 3 semesters/year then the 4 years or 8 semesters of undergrad could be done in under 3 years.

Then it 4 years in med school and 3+ in residency depending on the specialty

Thanks!!!

So it looks like this

2 years Community College+
4 years in a 4 year college
4 years medical school
4 years residency?

 

[J ROD]

I concur!

 

[RANE]

Whats considered full time? work full-time so i would be taking night classes ans weekend classes if available. but yes I have no problem going to school all summer if need be. Going to register tomorrow..man I am nervous as hell...

 

[J ROD]

Full-time at school in 12 semester hrs. But to finish in 3yrs, it would take alot more.

Personally, if you are working full-time, I would take it slow and make sure I got good grades. I would complete the BS over 4 years while attending the summer. You also have to work in time for the MCAT!

It's hard and very time demanding before you have the family....

 

[teacherman84]

I agree, take it easy at first but if you can handle it dont be afraid to throw it on, especially while youre working through these lower level goofball classes that everyone takes. If I were doing it again from start I would get a lot of the junk classes that are out of my major done as online classes. If you are diligent with them they can save you a lot of time, especially in classroom hours. I took stats this summer online and rather than spending 3-4 hour/week in class on top of HW and study time, I spent about 1-2 hours/week doing HW and taking the tests. Just a thought...
And definitely dont overload yourself. Its better to take another year and a summer off here and there in order to experience your childrens lives. Especially with medical school and residency in the future...enjoy them while you can

 

[SevoInduction]

You aren't too old! I'm 31, also a network engineer, and I'm going back to school to become an Anesthesiologist Assistant (hopefully).

It isn't easy though. I don't know if you have to do any on call rotations in your IT job. I do, and it can be very tiring at times.

 

[OncoCaP]

Start with a class or two at night and then ramp up. Plan to quit your job after a year or two and study full time if you are serious.

 

[RANE]

Start with a class or two at night and then ramp up. Plan to quit your job after a year or two and study full time if you are serious.

yeah but quitting my job is not an option, i have child support to pay for my 2 kids. don't think the law will care very much about my schooling..lol

 

[echo523]

I will be starting my post bac (due to my low gpa) starting in 2010 and trying to target for 2012 med school. I'll be 37-38 by then... but the age makes me motivated more since I know this will be the last chance I will have.

Though DO, Texas UT stat says the oldest person entering the class is 54. WE COULD DO IT!!!

 

[MeowMix]

Plastic surgery is a 5-7 year residency.

I agree with everyone else - to pull this off, go slow at the beginning, and do not get into anything unless you can pull off the work load and get only straight As. You do not have time or money to screw up and do poorly in any class.

At the same time, allow yourself to follow this dream and see where you end up. Trying is a lot better than giving up now.

 

[J ROD]

yeah but quitting my job is not an option, i have child support to pay for my 2 kids. don't think the law will care very much about my schooling..lol

probably none of my business. but, what happens to paying the child support when you get into med school? just curious in case I slip up, lol!!

 

[RANE]

probably none of my business. but, what happens to paying the child support when you get into med school? just curious in case I slip up, lol!!

I don't think I understand your question but i will give it a shot at answering, even when I get to medical school I am going to have to continue to work either full time or part time as long as I make enough money to cover my payments I don't care. I rather not eat then take food away from my kids. By any means necessary. And don't slip up LOL

 

[Waywoe]

One thing to keep in mind that medical schools want to see that you can handle a full course-load, more than 12 credit hours per semester. The amount of material to learn as a med student can be overwhelming and the admissions committee wants evidence that you can handle it. That said, I would start out as a part-time student at a CC and then increase your course-load as you go along.

 

[RANE]

hmm that is very discouraging, 12 credit hours per semester and a full time job...

 

[teacherman84]

I don't think I understand your question but i will give it a shot at answering, even when I get to medical school I am going to have to continue to work either full time or part time as long as I make enough money to cover my payments I don't care. I rather not eat then take food away from my kids. By any means necessary. And don't slip up LOL

Working full-time while in undergrad full-time is doable. 12 credits is only 3-4 classes.

Working full-time in med school though? I have been told part-time during the first two years is plausible if you really try but that working during 3rd year is impoossible.

 

[RANE]

Well lots can happen from now till I get to med School. so we will play by ear i guess :-(....

 

[FuturaDocta]

Hi all,

Just found this forum and I am looking for some advise. I am 34 soon to be 35 and have always loved the medical field.

You're in your mid30s? I would say that is a good age to start. You still have tons of time to start practicing as a doctor. Plus, you didn't have to sacrifice your twenties.

Simple and short = you are not too old

BUT, it is a long, hard road. You will need to make 3.7 higher and get a 30+ MCAT for MD schools to be really competitive. Only you know how smart you are.

Plus, you have to consider your family situation.

I have a friend that started med school at 40 with two kids, 4 and 2. He did well! But, he had a strong wife that locked down the home and kids. Plus, you will miss alot of their stuff.

Just decide how bad you want it. It does not come without a price....

What does that mean?! Did she have a whip? How did she lock down the home? Just curious

 

[J ROD]

What does that mean?! Did she have a whip? How did she lock down the home? Just curious

She took care of all the extra crap while he just focused on school.

I am not privy to if a whip was involved or not. A deadbolt.

 

[chman]

First things first. Take it one step at a time. I would not even tell anyone that you are looking at med school at the community college. Just tell them that you would like to enroll and start a transfer degree.

I strongly advise that you start off taking one or two classes. You don't need to jump into the science right away. In fact, it would probably be a good idea to get a good idea of where you are at as far as math, English, and basic study skills. Maybe start off with Eng 101 and a math course that is at your level.

Feel that out for a while. In the back of your mind remember your long term goals, but also keep in mind that you are only at the start and that it is a long road. Set some short term goals as well. Such as, transferring to a good university, getting good grades, and setting good study habits. Good Luck.

 

[Helen Wheels]

Well, I am 38 and applying to med school this year. I have no idea how this is going to turn out but I am here following my dream!

 

[netminder]

Well, I am 38 and applying to med school this year. I have no idea how this is going to turn out but I am here following my dream!

The You Tube video in your signature is terrific.

 

[Helen Wheels]

The You Tube video in your signature is terrific.

I liked it, too! It's not my video or even my Youtube account, or anything, but I watch it occasionally after I have been on SDN too much and start to feel like everyone out there except for me has a 4.0 GPA and a 38 MCAT.

 

[Jasil]

I wish you luck and don't want to be negative, but how does your family feel? Does it have to be med school? Do you have to be a MD and start a new career at 47?

Our family just went through this with 4 children and my wife opted for the NP/PA route.

 

[Law2Doc]

Age is not the issue here. The issues I see are (1) you will miss out on most of your children's milestones once you get to the med school and residency phase, particularly if you go into a surgical specialty-- are you and they ready for that? And (2) odds are that you won't get plastics-- maybe 1-2 people get it per med school-- and it will require you to have the top grades, devote more hours, probably squeeze in a decent amount of research, and be willing to travel to wherever the residency is. And residency will likely be 7 years plus a research year. A long exceptionally hard path, not well tailored for the nontrad with young kids. You may want to consider if you'd still do med school if this specialty was off the table because it might be.

In fact, I always suggest that you don't bother going to med school if a specific specialty is the only one you'd want to do, because there's only so much control you have in the process -- you can work your hardest, but it may not be enough. So go to med school because you want to be a doctor. The next decision point will be surgery vs non-surgical, which is one of the last choices you get to make just based on your own desire. After that it really depends on abilities, hard work, connections, luck, etc. So unless you think you'd be happy being a doctor first and a specialist a distant second, don't go down this road. Some of the most bitter folks you will ever meet are the folks stuck in FP who went into med school thinking they'd rake it in in derm.

 

[RANE]

First things first. Take it one step at a time. I would not even tell anyone that you are looking at med school at the community college. Just tell them that you would like to enroll and start a transfer degree.

I strongly advise that you start off taking one or two classes. You don't need to jump into the science right away. In fact, it would probably be a good idea to get a good idea of where you are at as far as math, English, and basic study skills. Maybe start off with Eng 101 and a math course that is at your level.

Feel that out for a while. In the back of your mind remember your long term goals, but also keep in mind that you are only at the start and that it is a long road. Set some short term goals as well. Such as, transferring to a good university, getting good grades, and setting good study habits. Good Luck.

That is exactly what I am doing, I am taking three classes this semester which is my first and taking it easy soaking it all in. I am trying to get the best grades possible and also getting used to the whole study habit once again. Yes my ultimate goal and dream is Plastics but not my only option.
But that is what I am going to shot for if I don't get to that point i will just specialize in something else. but for me right now failure is not an option.

 

[Law2Doc]

... Yes my ultimate goal and dream is Plastics but not my only option.
But that is what I am going to shot for if I don't get to that point i will just specialize in something else. but for me right now failure is not an option.

I'd say rethink this. Yes failure is absolutely a possibility you have to contemplate if you are trying to go into one of the hardest fields to get into, coming from the starting point of a much older age and no college background. Most folks will not get plastics, derm, rad onc, the most competitive specialties. If one of those is what your ultimate dream is, then step back and look at medicine as a whole and see if you are really on a good path. You absolutely need to go into this NOT WITH A SPECIALTY AS YOUR DREAM, but with BEING A DOCTOR AS YOUR DREAM. If you dream of being a physician, then that's great, you are not too old and with hard work you can attain this. If you dream of being in a very very very competitive subset of physician as your dream, not so great. Even with the hardest of work, you may not be able to attain this. Most people who want plastics don't get it. Most won't even make it to the point where that is a possibility on the decision tree (based on grades, board scores, evals). I'm not saying this to be a downer, or to say that it's impossible for you. I'm just saying that you don't want to go down this road with this being the thing that would make you happy. You have to be happy with the road itself. Look at it like playing sports. You play, eg, basketball because you enjoy playing, not because you want to be an NBA star. If you are only doing it to be an NBA star, but don't particularly enjoy the game, I'd say find something else. So too with medicine and subspecialties. If you enjoy the "game" of being a physician, go for it. If you are only doing it to get to an end point most won't get, this is a really really foolish path to start down.

Cool it with the whole "failure is not an option" talk. That's fine if you are a 19 year old premed, but a nontrad in his 30s with a family, you have to be more of a realist. Yes, failure is an option -- in fact it is the likelihood coming from your starting point, if you deem not getting to plastics as a failure. Deal with it. If you shoot for the stars, you usually don't get past the moon. So even better would be to have the attitude that you'll be shooting for the moon, and if once you get there, the stars are an option, then fantastic. Such is the path here -- you have a lot of years to go to become a doctor -- and you can get there if you are really devoted, work hard, and have family stay supportive. But once you start telling us your dream is to be a plastic surgeon, then no, we can't give you the same kind of assurances that you can get there. And so again, if that's where you need to end up to satisfy this dream, it may not pay to uproot your life and start down this path. If, however, that is but one of many interests in medicine, and you'd be similarly happy becoming an internist or a physiatrist or FP, then I'd say sounds good, proceed. Sorry to be blunt, but the problem with SDN is sometimes that there are often many people to cheer you on and too few who tell you what you don't want to hear.

 

[faith2]

The pre req for med school can make you competitive for PA, NP, PharmD etc so if you do not suceed there are alternate roots, but you have to at least try and you can do after building up my profile I am finally applying and I am so excited so you can do it if you want just give your all.

 

[purplepower]

I have an idea...go to pharmacy school! 3 or 4 years and your out making over 100K and you don't have to worry about a residency (very hard on family life!) I'm 40, a wife and mother, and in my first year. It is pretty grueling but doable.

Good luck whatever you do. Definitely don't give up on school, you only live once.

 

[DucoNonducor]

I agree! go slow at the beginning. I am currently working full time and taking classes (9 credits) I have almost 200 hours of undergrad (previous degree) with a 3.7 GPA...
It's harder than you think when you're having to work full time and be taking several classes, but it's doable!

Good luck!

First things first. Take it one step at a time. I would not even tell anyone that you are looking at med school at the community college. Just tell them that you would like to enroll and start a transfer degree.

I strongly advise that you start off taking one or two classes. You don't need to jump into the science right away. In fact, it would probably be a good idea to get a good idea of where you are at as far as math, English, and basic study skills. Maybe start off with Eng 101 and a math course that is at your level.

Feel that out for a while. In the back of your mind remember your long term goals, but also keep in mind that you are only at the start and that it is a long road. Set some short term goals as well. Such as, transferring to a good university, getting good grades, and setting good study habits. Good Luck.

 

[dotdash]

I agree with those who say you need a Plan B. Not that you can't do your Plan A, but this doesn't sound as if it should be a no-backup situation. You have kids, you haven't been in school in a long time, and med school at 40 is hard. You'll have some time to think about it while you're finishing your BA. If I were you I'd try to hedge my bets and get the requirements for alternative careers out of the way, too.

(How are you planning to support your kids while you are in medical school?)

 

[MexicanDr]

First, congratulations on getting back on the road and working as hard as you can to achieve your dream.

Second, Don't rely on what other people tell you what you should be doing. If it is YOUR dream, work hard for it and I ll wish you the best of lucks.

Third, as everyone has said, this won't be an easy road, it will be hard, especially because you have a family to support.

Fourth, if this is your dream(becoming a physician) then go for it, don't be pessimistic about yourself and have a plan B or C if you don't make it. I mean, wouldnt plan B be your current job since a doctor is what you have always wanted to be? So, if your Goal and Dream is to become a physician, go full force on this, work hard, study hard and play hard, no time to goof around or second guess yourself.

Fifth- I will agree with "Law2Doc", don't go into premed and even med school thinking about a specialty. Take it one step at a time and once you are in med school, go with an open mind and experience all of your rotations to the fullest, you never know what you might end up liking...

What I do not agree with Law2doc is the way he is coming off at you in regards to difficulty of getting accepted to Plastic Surgery. Yeah, maybe 1 or 2 will get it per med school, but who says this guy wont be one of those 2? I agree with your idea of being straight and direct, but since he is not even in med school you have no right of bringing his hopes down of a plastic surgery residency.

I'd say rethink this. Yes failure is absolutely a possibility you have to contemplate if you are trying to go into one of the hardest fields to get into, coming from the starting point of a much older age and no college background. Most folks will not get plastics, derm, rad onc, the most competitive specialties. If one of those is what your ultimate dream is, then step back and look at medicine as a whole and see if you are really on a good path. You absolutely need to go into this NOT WITH A SPECIALTY AS YOUR DREAM, but with BEING A DOCTOR AS YOUR DREAM. If you dream of being a physician, then that's great, you are not too old and with hard work you can attain this. If you dream of being in a very very very competitive subset of physician as your dream, not so great. Even with the hardest of work, you may not be able to attain this. Most people who want plastics don't get it. Most won't even make it to the point where that is a possibility on the decision tree (based on grades, board scores, evals). I'm not saying this to be a downer, or to say that it's impossible for you. I'm just saying that you don't want to go down this road with this being the thing that would make you happy. ......

I dont like the way you give your "advice", it seems you are upset because this was probably your dream and could not get it....


Other than that, good luck to the OP, work hard, keep in mind your GPA, always, always always...I wish I would have someone tell me this, but I didn't...

 

[kia ora]

34? you're a baby I recently turned 40. today I got my first medical school acceptance. if you want this, make it happen!

 

[EdLongshanks]

Fifth- I will agree with "Law2Doc", don't go into premed and even med school thinking about a specialty. Take it one step at a time and once you are in med school, go with an open mind and experience all of your rotations to the fullest, you never know what you might end up liking...

What I do not agree with Law2doc is the way he is coming off at you in regards to difficulty of getting accepted to Plastic Surgery.

I would think that this is similar to having a dream of being a pitcher in Major League Baseball or a quarterback in the NFL. Yes, that can be a dream, and yet a person with that dream might be very happy to accomplish a position of third baseman or defensive tackle. The paths to both positions are the same.

So if a person dreams of being a plastic surgeon, yet would be reasonably happy if he became a family practitioner, then med school is the path for him. On the other hand, if his dream is "I'll be a plastic surgeon or be a nothing - I'll do boob jobs or dig ditches - nothing in between." Then he may be deluding himself. There aren't very many plastic surgeon residencies available each year - it's pretty comparable to MLB pitchers, actually. 74 positions were available in 2008.

https://freida.ama-assn.org/Freida/...h.do?method=viewDetail&spcCd=360&pageNumber=2

 

[BennieBlanco]

I would think that this is similar to having a dream of being a pitcher in Major League Baseball or a quarterback in the NFL. Yes, that can be a dream, and yet a person with that dream might be very happy to accomplish a position of third baseman or defensive tackle. The paths to both positions are the same.

So if a person dreams of being a plastic surgeon, yet would be reasonably happy if he became a family practitioner, then med school is the path for him. On the other hand, if his dream is "I'll be a plastic surgeon or be a nothing - I'll do boob jobs or dig ditches - nothing in between." Then he may be deluding himself. There aren't very many plastic surgeon residencies available each year - it's pretty comparable to MLB pitchers, actually. 74 positions were available in 2008.

https://freida.ama-assn.org/Freida/...h.do?method=viewDetail&spcCd=360&pageNumber=2

wow. I think having the focus is good. I want to do emergency medicine.

It gives me something to visualize. I know people who have done the same thing and they started with the end goal of emergency.

To each his own I guess. I like having the focus though.

 

[Coastie]

Hi all,

Just found this forum and I am looking for some advise. I am 34 soon to be 35 and have always loved the medical field. I graduated HS in 1992 and did not attend college after graduation instead decided to work. I think this was a first mistake. I am now almost 35 and have decided to attend college, am I just dreaming and missed the boat? I now have two kids 8 and 2 and work in the IT field as a Network engineer. I am looking into the medical field as I have always loved the field (Plastic Surgery ) just thought that I could not do it due to age and guess what time just keeps on going. Do you think that its too late to start college at my age? I have never attended college nor did I take my SAT when in HS. How should I start? Is this even a possibility at my age?

Don't do it. Not worth it financially, not worth it in terms of family sacrifice, and this is assuming you are able to get in.

How did you love plastic surgery if you never went to college? Seriously, stick with your current situation.

 

[Coastie]

yeah but quitting my job is not an option, i have child support to pay for my 2 kids. don't think the law will care very much about my schooling..lol

You have child support for 2 kids and can't slow down?

Seriously, stay in your job. Do not pursue medical school. It's not gonna be worth it financially or otherwise..Sounds like you have enough responsibilities on your plate. This is the advice of someone who isn't a pre-med, and while I love medicine, it's been a long long road, with more to go, and it's just beginning..

 

[Coastie]

Chill with the rosy view, this guy ain't getting plastics if he has to work full time to pay child support during med school.

The OP needs realism, not sunshine and teddy bears. Stick with your job and bennies, and get your feet wet in paramedic school/PA school tops, but don't do medical school.

First, congratulations on getting back on the road and working as hard as you can to achieve your dream.

Second, Don't rely on what other people tell you what you should be doing. If it is YOUR dream, work hard for it and I ll wish you the best of lucks.

Third, as everyone has said, this won't be an easy road, it will be hard, especially because you have a family to support.

Fourth, if this is your dream(becoming a physician) then go for it, don't be pessimistic about yourself and have a plan B or C if you don't make it. I mean, wouldnt plan B be your current job since a doctor is what you have always wanted to be? So, if your Goal and Dream is to become a physician, go full force on this, work hard, study hard and play hard, no time to goof around or second guess yourself.

Fifth- I will agree with "Law2Doc", don't go into premed and even med school thinking about a specialty. Take it one step at a time and once you are in med school, go with an open mind and experience all of your rotations to the fullest, you never know what you might end up liking...

What I do not agree with Law2doc is the way he is coming off at you in regards to difficulty of getting accepted to Plastic Surgery. Yeah, maybe 1 or 2 will get it per med school, but who says this guy wont be one of those 2? I agree with your idea of being straight and direct, but since he is not even in med school you have no right of bringing his hopes down of a plastic surgery residency.



I dont like the way you give your "advice", it seems you are upset because this was probably your dream and could not get it....


Other than that, good luck to the OP, work hard, keep in mind your GPA, always, always always...I wish I would have someone tell me this, but I didn't...

 

[lawyerdoc2b]

Hi all,

Just found this forum and I am looking for some advise. I am 34 soon to be 35 and have always loved the medical field. I graduated HS in 1992 and did not attend college after graduation instead decided to work. I think this was a first mistake. I am now almost 35 and have decided to attend college, am I just dreaming and missed the boat? I now have two kids 8 and 2 and work in the IT field as a Network engineer. I am looking into the medical field as I have always loved the field (Plastic Surgery ) just thought that I could not do it due to age and guess what time just keeps on going. Do you think that its too late to start college at my age? I have never attended college nor did I take my SAT when in HS. How should I start? Is this even a possibility at my age?

I have read with interest everyones' post and your questions. I am 52-years-old and am applying to attend medical school now. I have been invited to two interviews. If I were too old the schools would simply ignore my application.

First, pursue your dream. Don't wake up decades later and wonder "what if?"

Second, I agree that your GPA is important. I recommend that you go to a local college and take some placement tests. They are usually free or low cost. That will determine where you start. When your placement level is determined, start with one class (just one) say a three semester hour class in Math, English, History, whatever. Do the best that you can. Earn an A a 4.0. to prove to your self that you can do it.

Next semester, take two classes. Maybe another general course plus Biology I or Chemistry I. Earn an A in each class. Go all year round including the summer. In six years part time you can finish your Bachelors degree. Another thing, avoid the colleges that are all on-line rather than a tradional brick and mortar school. I don't necessarily believe that the education is bad but medical schools frown on such degrees. That does not mean that you shouldn't take some non-science courses on-line at your traditional college. This may help you squeeze in a few more course toward the four-year degree that you will need.

While taking classes you will be able to decide where your passion lies.

Happiness requires someone to love; something to do and something to hope for. Find out what you would love to do and go for it. I did. Good luck

 

[dotdash]

First, pursue your dream. Don't wake up decades later and wonder "what if?"

It's one thing to pursue a quixotic dream if you are the only one affected. But with kids to support? How can it be that 12 years of poverty and near-poverty won't affect the kids who depend on the OP for support? Are you saying he should pursue this risky dream at the expense of his kids' well-being? Coastie is closer to the mark "Chill with the rosy view". And that's from a parent and survivor of a late career change to medicine.