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I turn 41 in July and start med school in August!
It's only too late to go down this path if you don't start NOW!
It's only too late to go down this path if you don't start NOW!
Do you think that 35-40 is too late to start medical school? I was just curious about the ages of the non-trads that are starting medical school. Thanks
Happened to stumble on to this thread and I have to say I'm pretty suprised by how many "older" matriculants there are these days. I am certainly biased in my own way having gone through a 6 year program out of high school and am finishing a 5 year residency at 28 but a question arises from my perspective. With med school spots being at a premium and there being so much competition with very similar applicants to choose from at what point do we take age and subsequent years practicing into consideration. Does it make sense for society (since a large number of med schools are publicly funded and residencies are funded by Medicare) to train a 40 or 50 year old physicians who even if they practce until they are 75 will practice 10 or more years less on average than someone that matriculates at 22-25 especially when data supports a shortage in some specialties and communities. I dont know how this would work with age discrimination claims but with such a precious resource as a med school admission it does seem that these factors need to be put into play.
I'm quite serious. If you want a system where average anticipated years of service is the metric for "worth a seat", then what's your story for women practicing as physicians?I certainly see your point about the funding of our medical education system and the future obligations. That being said I dont think this is as much of a slippery slope arguement as you make; sure you can cite the docs who form a blog, or work for Oprah, etc. but that is why I put on average. I dont think there is any doubt that "on average" younger matriculants (22-25) will practice longer than someone starting at in their 40s and 50s. The question remains is this fact worth changing how we view the admissions process with a med school admission being a scarce resource and with specialties/communities short staffed currently. Your snide remarks aside, the question hasnt really been answered.
I didn't say that age would be the only a metric, I simply asked whether it should be used as a metric at all. I also never made a comment about a cut off simply suggested that if two similarly qualified applicants are available should age become an issue with the limited spots available.
I didn't say that age would be the only a metric, I simply asked whether it should be used as a metric at all. I also never made a comment about a cut off simply suggested that if two similarly qualified applicants are available should age become an issue with the limited spots available.
You may consider snide comments the par, not myself. As for why I posted here was that I was speaking with colleagues about this issue recently. I am in a specialty with a lot of older residents due to a high frequency of MD/PhDs and this discussion came up and so when I saw the thread as I was scrolling to the forums I normally post in I decided to look and post. There is no baiting and I tried to disclose my own bias with the post. Seemed like a pretty reasonable question from my perspective. You're a med student and I can tell you after 5 years of residency its comments like yours that can piss off residents. Not every question asked is an attack or a reason to get up in arms.
I dont think there is any doubt that "on average" younger matriculants (22-25) will practice longer than someone starting at in their 40s and 50s.
I'll try answering this without getting snarky, because I honestly feel that you asked it seriously and weren't trying to bait anyone into a fight.Happened to stumble on to this thread and I have to say I'm pretty suprised by how many "older" matriculants there are these days. I am certainly biased in my own way having gone through a 6 year program out of high school and am finishing a 5 year residency at 28 but a question arises from my perspective. With med school spots being at a premium and there being so much competition with very similar applicants to choose from at what point do we take age and subsequent years practicing into consideration. Does it make sense for society (since a large number of med schools are publicly funded and residencies are funded by Medicare) to train a 40 or 50 year old physicians who even if they practce until they are 75 will practice 10 or more years less on average than someone that matriculates at 22-25 especially when data supports a shortage in some specialties and communities. I dont know how this would work with age discrimination claims but with such a precious resource as a med school admission it does seem that these factors need to be put into play.
There is a 19yr old in my class... Theoretically I am old enough to be her mother. I am not sure who the oldest in the class is, but I know it's not me, as there's a 41yr old starting with us.What about at 18 or 19 going into med school, that counts as non-traditional right?
Nontrads are already offered less aid on average. So less public resources consumed no?
Pretty sure the pool of admitted nontrad students is already more heavily narrowed down because it is harder to match ECs/MCATs of trads with nontrads background. If a nontrad takes up a seat of a trad it is probably because a nontrad is not just slightly more capable than a trad if he/she managed to produce a more appealing profile. Trads have it a lot easier and ON AVERAGE have much more resources extended to them from parents/etc. Feel free to argue but I would bet average trad comes from a waaay wealthier, more educated family than a nontrad.
I don't think nontrads should be cut any slack despite obv advantages that a trad would have over them, but to consider age for admission as a separate factor? Maybe only for extremes like 50+ starting med school. Even then, it is not like many apply at that age, so why bother.
Speculative rumor. Cite your sources...there are none? Didn't think so.Nontrads are already offered less aid on average.
This makes no sense at all. Where are you getting the idea that MCAT scores are subjective? The MCAT is the great equalizer.Pretty sure the pool of admitted nontrad students is already more heavily narrowed down because it is harder to match ECs/MCATs of trads with nontrads background.
More speculative garbage. What is this line of thinking doing for you? Are you looking for a pre-emptive excuse if you don't get in? Are you confusing "nontrad" with "low GPA"?If a nontrad takes up a seat of a trad it is probably because a nontrad is not just slightly more capable than a trad if he/she managed to produce a more appealing profile. Trads have it a lot easier and ON AVERAGE have much more resources extended to them from parents/etc. Feel free to argue but I would bet average trad comes from a waaay wealthier, more educated family than a nontrad.
as there's a 41yr old starting with us.
Speculative rumor. Cite your sources...there are none? Didn't think so.
This makes no sense at all. Where are you getting the idea that MCAT scores are subjective? The MCAT is the great equalizer.
More speculative garbage. What is this line of thinking doing for you? Are you looking for a pre-emptive excuse if you don't get in? Are you confusing "nontrad" with "low GPA"?
We don't live in a country where those who benefit from a public investment in medical education are held accountable. In other countries, that investment is secured by public service for all who receive it. No, in the US, we are free to take our publicly funded education and open a botox clinic. We can quit medicine to do a blog. We can run a practice that takes no Medicare or Medicaid patients. We can go work for Oprah. We can go work for big pharm or do Hydroxycut commercials. We're free to do as we like.
My point is that you need a better metric for the public value of a medical education than the likelihood of many years in practice, because that's not specific to age at matriculation.
Please continue, though. Soon you'll find that allowing women to be doctors, when years of productive practice are lost to childbearing, also seems an inappropriate use of public resources. Good luck with that one.
Best of luck to you.
Didn't say it was subjective. Average trad lives and breathes chemistry/bio/physics and has no other responsibilities. It is fresh in his/her head, while nontrad often has a job, goes to school part time and is spread more thin. Average trad also has better connectivity to professors to do research for them as some independent study, much harder to do the same as part timer that professors do not see as often/know as well.
I've heard of someone who was starting med school at 58
You guys read about that guy who graduated MD/PhD at 21 (started at age 12). If you're older than 12 when you start medical school, you are a complete failure.
Took him NINE YEARS to get through medical school? What an idiot.
Really? I think it'd be irresponsible for a medical school to start training someone at the age of 58. They'll not be able to practice until they're 63-64.. So maybe 10-12 years of service when someone younger and equally or better qualified could've had their spot.
Oh well.
Surely you must be kidding.
No, I'm pretty serious. 58 is a lot different than 40-45.
These places need docs, and they could care less if one is more long in the touch than another.
I dunno, I think most places would be pretty concerned if the doc was too long in the touch
I started med school at 52.
Here I am, and here is my story. Although it isn't too interesting overall.
I am currently 48. I became a mom at age 42. My pregnancy was considered high risk but I got through with little complications. My daughter was born by a c- section 2 weeks early. She weighed 7 pounds so she was not small. She is now 6 and this fall will be going to school full time.
I have had a bunch of jobs throughout my life, including working as a nanny, at UPS, and a home for severely handicapped kids. I have always had a fascination with medicine and anything medical.
I went to college right out of high school but at the time preferred to party and have fun more than studying. About 10 years ago I took a few classes at a local university and did very well, but I left my job and loss the reimbursement benefit.
Now I am at a cross roads since the past 10 years I have not worked outside the home and loath getting a job to just make money. I want to go back to school finish my degree and possibly go to medical school or a graduate program that is medical related, like the Anesthesia Assistant Masters degree.
I do not think I am too old, and I have maturity and drive to finish anything I undertake.
Thanks for reading this I hope others will help me to make the right decisions.
You are going to be my inspiration! I'm 48 but I have to get my bachelors done. I figure 3 years to get all the prereq's done. I took biology and college math but it was over 10 years ago so I'll do them again, not to mention it will help me to get back into the groove of college life.
No, I'm pretty serious. 58 is a lot different than 40-45.
If you have some of the pre-reqs taken, you don't HAVE to take them again. I didn't retake any of mine and it's been 15+yrs for most of them