i was going to make this exact statement. I am 29 now and will be 30 when i start vet school this fall. As another non-trad, i'll briefly share my experience.
I began working full-time straight out of high school instead of going to college. I was 22 or 23 before i decided that i wanted to study biology and eventually apply to veterinary school. I worked full time for years while taking classes on a part time basis (6 or 9 hours). Then, two years ago, i cut back my working hours to 30 hours a work, took 12-14 credits a semester both to finish my degree up and to make a stronger case for myself for being able to handle the class load in vet school, and i was also shadowing a vet every saturday during this time, and trying to maintain a relationship with my so (we lived together and had 3 pets).
I cannot tell you much i sacrificed.... Sleep, free time, any time with my so, sanity some days!!! It cost me my relationship with my so, but i wouldn't give up my dreams... He just couldn't deal with it. But in four years i will be a veterinarian and just shy of my 35th birthday.
i have no kids now and am single.... It's scary as hell to go from being in a committed, long term relationship, and having a house, to beginning a 4 year intense program like vet school, without having my so or any place to live, lol. But i'm a strong woman who worked hard to follow my dreams, and they are coming true.
And i like that i'm older.... I am more confident than i was when i was only 22 or even 25 or 26, lol. I have great leadership and interpersonal skills, am quite capable of problem solving and multi-tasking, and i can talk to anyone. I am emotionally more mature than i was before, which i believe will be helfpul in dealing with stressful, emotional situations with clients, staff, and sick animals. All in all, i arrived at this moment at the perfect time. I am finally comfortable in my skin, with who i am, and as a woman. I'm a mature and confident woman, and i am going to be a veterinarian!!!!
So rock on all you non-trads!!!!