44 yr old assistant principal to MD/DO...can it be done??

[cathollertx]

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Greetings,

I am a longtime lurker and have come to value the candor and realistic encouragement of the members here. I finally joined to post about my goal and get feedback from those who have been in or know someone in a similar situation. I welcome any and all feedback/suggestions/help.

Background:

Age: 44

Family: Married (wife is in her last semester of nursing school) and we have three children – 16 yr. old daughter, 15yr. old son, 14 yr. old son.

Employment: Currently, I am a junior high assistant principal - been in this role 10 years and taught elementary school for 7 years prior.

Education: B.A. Political Science (GPA: 2.2);
Post Bac. Business (GPA: 3.56);
MBA (GPA: 3.7);
MEd. (GPA: 3.8).

I have wanted to be a physician since junior high, however I gave up on the idea later because I felt I couldn’t strap my family with the kind of financial commitment required and truthfully, I lacked the requisite drive, commitment and maturity early on. As such, I opted to just go get a degree and decided to go into education. I did go back and get an MBA, which required me to take 33 hours of undergraduate business courses to have the appropriate pre reqs. but also to “rehabilitate” my abysmal undergraduate GPA. When I made the decision to go into school administration I was required to get the masters in education. As I have watched my wife go through nursing school my desire to be a physician was rekindled, along with a ton of regret.

Studying along with her for the past two years and at the same time engaging in self study and exploration have convinced me that this is what I am meant to do. Practicing higher math, chemistry, and physics are no longer daunting like they were 25 years ago. In short, I know I can achieve the necessary grades in the pre requisites and we have a financial plan in place to help us maintain our current standard of living. I also have the support of my wife and my kids. I have spent a 17-year career telling kids that they can be anything that they want to be if they have a plan and work hard. Now I am taking my own advice.

The plan is to quit my job and start my pre reqs. at age 45 and hopefully apply to medical schools at 47. I am drawn toward emergency medicine but will probably choose internal medicine or family practice because I can see myself sustaining a longer career in either of those vs. EM. I plan to apply to state schools in Texas.

So…am I crazy? Is anyone in a similar boat or know someone who has been successful coming into medicine in their mid-late 40’s? Seeing people’s ages on this board makes me feel like I have one foot in the grave!

 

[Coltuna]

Not crazy at all! My anecdote: The first physician I ever shadowed was in his mid 50's in only is his 3rd year of practice in the ER. Ironically enough, he also had his MBA lol. It sounds like you want to do this for all the right reasons and have the support of your family! Depending on what pre-req's you've completed, 2 years mayyyy lead to a pretty daunting schedule of classes, but it sounds like you're motivated. I'm a little less confident in giving advice pertaining to that low undergrad GPA, so I'll defer to someone else on that.

 

[Frosty808]

You will have an extremely VALUABLE INSIGHT after having worked in the school system. You understand the demands of meeting deadlines, are more familiar with your learning-habits more now than in your early 20s, and have a mentorship-vibe in which you became a role model for your children and the students you work with.

I honestly believe there is no time better than NOW to get your career ambitions going! If you truly believe in the advice you give your children, then you should know if they were asking you for this very same advice in their 40s, that you would still want them to pursue their goals, right?

I am not yet in my 40s, however I will be entering my 30s soon. I have been through so much trial and error with my self-esteem regarding my competency in math, chemistry, and physics. These three classes just felt like math classes but chemistry and physics being word-problems-focused math classes. However, THE IRONY, is that I became a private tutor for elementary-aged children and then my confidence allowed me to become open-minded to high school students.. After seeing that I could help increase the confidence and grades of these two-groups, I started accepting college students in statistics and chemistry and physics! Then they started to get As... so now I realize all the anxiety I had was slowly diminishing. It just took a lot of evidence of my commitment to see these children and young adults succeed for me to recognize in my OWN POTENTIAL.

I wonder if you can PM me, I would love to ask you more questions.

 

[cathollertx]

Not crazy at all! My anecdote: The first physician I ever shadowed was in his mid 50's in only is his 3rd year of practice in the ER. Ironically enough, he also had his MBA lol. It sounds like you want to do this for all the right reasons and have the support of your family! Depending on what pre-req's you've completed, 2 years mayyyy lead to a pretty daunting schedule of classes, but it sounds like you're motivated. I'm a little less confident in giving advice pertaining to that low undergrad GPA, so I'll defer to someone else on that.

Thanks for the encouragement! Interesting that you've had some contact with "older folks" who are relative new to medicine. I am not firm on the two year pre req timetable, as I would rather be impeccable than fast as far as that goes. I believe that the undergrad sciences I'll need will help allay concerns from the admissions committees as to my capabilities (along with a good MCAT score). Again, thanks for the vote of confidence! I've got a long road ahead but I am excited to get started!

 

[Coltuna]

Thanks for the encouragement! Interesting that you've had some contact with "older folks" who are relative new to medicine. I am not firm on the two year pre req timetable, as I would rather be impeccable than fast as far as that goes. I believe that the undergrad sciences I'll need will help allay concerns from the admissions committees as to my capabilities (along with a good MCAT score). Again, thanks for the vote of confidence! I've got a long road ahead but I am excited to get started!

Best of luck going forward! I'll be tuning into your journey here on SDN for sure.

 

[Frosty808]

Thanks for the encouragement! Interesting that you've had some contact with "older folks" who are relative new to medicine. I am not firm on the two year pre req timetable, as I would rather be impeccable than fast as far as that goes. I believe that the undergrad sciences I'll need will help allay concerns from the admissions committees as to my capabilities (along with a good MCAT score). Again, thanks for the vote of confidence! I've got a long road ahead but I am excited to get started!

love it! I love this positivity. No one wants a negative nancy lol.. but yenno what... this is another thing I said in a pre-med facebook group about nontrads being anxious with pursuing medical school:

It always fascinates me how much anxiety nontrads have with applying to medical school. Yet, no one questions having a child or buying a house in their late 20s or 30s or 40s or even 50s. The whole point is when that time happens, everyone is just happy for them.

The responsibilities (to me at least) are both costly and time-consuming but no one reallllly freaks out about being too old to have a baby or buy a house, but rather older adults are more intentional as they want the circumstances to be ideal to have a baby or a house. I think we all need to realize the circumstances for pre-med is also not a one-way street. Sure if we had the money and didn't do anything but take classes and focused, we could be in med school by now. But same could go for people who want to have a house or start a family before age 30... circumstances will happen that challenge us. The whole point is, just because you don't get approved for a house mortgage or that pregnancy test is negative the first time around doesn't mean you stop and/or lose hope right?. You keep going, right?

 

[cathollertx]

love it! I love this positivity. No one wants a negative nancy lol.. but yenno what... this is another thing I said in a pre-med facebook group about nontrads being anxious with pursuing medical school:

It always fascinates me how much anxiety nontrads have with applying to medical school. Yet, no one questions having a child or buying a house in their late 20s or 30s or 40s or even 50s. The whole point is when that time happens, everyone is just happy for them.

The responsibilities (to me at least) are both costly and time-consuming but no one reallllly freaks out about being too old to have a baby or buy a house, but rather older adults are more intentional as they want the circumstances to be ideal to have a baby or a house. I think we all need to realize the circumstances for pre-med is also not a one-way street. Sure if we had the money and didn't do anything but take classes and focused, we could be in med school by now. But same could go for people who want to have a house or start a family before age 30... circumstances will happen that challenge us. The whole point is, just because you don't get approved for a house mortgage or that pregnancy test is negative the first time around doesn't mean you stop and/or lose hope right?. You keep going, right?

Great analogy about life milestones at early ages and how nontrads are wound up about about applying to med school but we didn't stress as much over the mortgage or the college fund or my two kids who are driving now!!!!! (I am stressed about my kids driving-not gonna lie)

I think the stress really centers on the time commitment to become a physician and for lack of a better term, our "useful life" afterwards. As in, how much time can I give the profession before I become the patient! The money thing is another huge issue for those of us with families, etc. Can I keep a relatively similar quality of life for my family as I pursue this goal? These are tough questions and every individual has a different answer. For those who are just embarking on the process I think being meticulous about finding the classes, programs, schools, prep courses, etc will help maximize the return on this investment...not just in dollars but in time and effort, as well.

 

[Frosty808]

Great analogy about life milestones at early ages and how nontrads are wound up about about applying to med school but we didn't stress as much over the mortgage or the college fund or my two kids who are driving now!!!!! (I am stressed about my kids driving-not gonna lie)

I think the stress really centers on the time commitment to become a physician and for lack of a better term, our "useful life" afterwards. As in, how much time can I give the profession before I become the patient! The money thing is another huge issue for those of us with families, etc. Can I keep a relatively similar quality of life for my family as I pursue this goal? These are tough questions and every individual has a different answer. For those who are just embarking on the process I think being meticulous about finding the classes, programs, schools, prep courses, etc will help maximize the return on this investment...not just in dollars but in time and effort, as well.

You would be a great example for your children... don't be 80 years old and regretting it. Look at it this way, Obama become president in his 40s but Trump waited 30 years but he's President in his 70s. It will happen if you have the motivation. MEDICAL SCHOOL IS BEST WHEN YOU ARE MENTALLY PREPARED... The finances will come, please do not get distracted with age. =)

 

[tiramisucheese]

It's sounds like you have a well-thought-out plan! Go for it. Your heart is in the right place, and it sounds like you're at the right place in your life to make it happen. I also originally came from education, but I made the jump very quickly. No regrets!

 

[Stagg737]

If you have a valid financial plan, have an education plan, and have thoroughly researched the application process, the rigors and requirements of medical school, residency, and beyond and you feel it's the right path, then go for it.

The two major things that cause people to advise older applicants not to pursue this field is the high financial burden that late in life and the physical toll it takes. It already sounds like you've got a financial plan, so the only thing I'll say to that is to make sure it covers the "what if you decide to quit medical school/don't make it" factor. Not saying you can't or won't, but everyone should have a plan B or back-up in case it doesn't work out for some reason.

The other thing is the physical (and by extension mental) toll of the process. I bring this up because it's something a lot of people don't realize coming into medical school. It's something many people in their mid-20's find difficult, and it's even more so for individuals several decades older. As an example, I had a classmate in his mid-40's who dropped out either at the end of second year or start of 3rd year because he couldn't physically do it anymore. He was previously a lawyer and was used to high-pressure jobs, but said his previous career wasn't as demanding as med school. He was in pretty average physical condition coming in from what it seemed, but after a hospital visit he realized school was taking too much of a toll on his health. Was a really good guy and I think would have made a great physician, but couldn't cut it physically. Just another thing to keep in mind as you're taking pre-reqs and preparing to apply. Best of luck.

 

[cathollertx]

If you have a valid financial plan, have an education plan, and have thoroughly researched the application process, the rigors and requirements of medical school, residency, and beyond and you feel it's the right path, then go for it.

The two major things that cause people to advise older applicants not to pursue this field is the high financial burden that late in life and the physical toll it takes. It already sounds like you've got a financial plan, so the only thing I'll say to that is to make sure it covers the "what if you decide to quit medical school/don't make it" factor. Not saying you can't or won't, but everyone should have a plan B or back-up in case it doesn't work out for some reason.

The other thing is the physical (and by extension mental) toll of the process. I bring this up because it's something a lot of people don't realize coming into medical school. It's something many people in their mid-20's find difficult, and it's even more so for individuals several decades older. As an example, I had a classmate in his mid-40's who dropped out either at the end of second year or start of 3rd year because he couldn't physically do it anymore. He was previously a lawyer and was used to high-pressure jobs, but said his previous career wasn't as demanding as med school. He was in pretty average physical condition coming in from what it seemed, but after a hospital visit he realized school was taking too much of a toll on his health. Was a really good guy and I think would have made a great physician, but couldn't cut it physically. Just another thing to keep in mind as you're taking pre-reqs and preparing to apply. Best of luck.

You bring up some really valid points. I guess I will never be 100% comfortable with my financial plan because unforeseen exigencies will surely arise. I just hope they are ones I can combat. I do have a great support system in place in a dire emergency so I am confident that we can weather the majority of storms that may come.

The physical/mental toll is another matter that I have considered in great detail but is one of those things that one has to be in the fire to understand/appreciate the true heat. Physically I’m squared away. Because of past experiences, I feel like I am mentally resilient but I won’t know for sure until the bullets start flying.

I guess there are no certainties but I’m trying like hell to eliminate all the potential stumbling blocks in my last 18 months before I begin this journey. If I fall short for some reason I can always return to education in some capacity. Good advice. Thanks!

 

[Goro]

Greetings,

I am a longtime lurker and have come to value the candor and realistic encouragement of the members here. I finally joined to post about my goal and get feedback from those who have been in or know someone in a similar situation. I welcome any and all feedback/suggestions/help.

Background:

Age: 44

Family: Married (wife is in her last semester of nursing school) and we have three children – 16 yr. old daughter, 15yr. old son, 14 yr. old son.

Employment: Currently, I am a junior high assistant principal - been in this role 10 years and taught elementary school for 7 years prior.

Education: B.A. Political Science (GPA: 2.2);
Post Bac. Business (GPA: 3.56);
MBA (GPA: 3.7);
MEd. (GPA: 3.8).

I have wanted to be a physician since junior high, however I gave up on the idea later because I felt I couldn’t strap my family with the kind of financial commitment required and truthfully, I lacked the requisite drive, commitment and maturity early on. As such, I opted to just go get a degree and decided to go into education. I did go back and get an MBA, which required me to take 33 hours of undergraduate business courses to have the appropriate pre reqs. but also to “rehabilitate” my abysmal undergraduate GPA. When I made the decision to go into school administration I was required to get the masters in education. As I have watched my wife go through nursing school my desire to be a physician was rekindled, along with a ton of regret.

Studying along with her for the past two years and at the same time engaging in self study and exploration have convinced me that this is what I am meant to do. Practicing higher math, chemistry, and physics are no longer daunting like they were 25 years ago. In short, I know I can achieve the necessary grades in the pre requisites and we have a financial plan in place to help us maintain our current standard of living. I also have the support of my wife and my kids. I have spent a 17-year career telling kids that they can be anything that they want to be if they have a plan and work hard. Now I am taking my own advice.

The plan is to quit my job and start my pre reqs. at age 45 and hopefully apply to medical schools at 47. I am drawn toward emergency medicine but will probably choose internal medicine or family practice because I can see myself sustaining a longer career in either of those vs. EM. I plan to apply to state schools in Texas.

So…am I crazy? Is anyone in a similar boat or know someone who has been successful coming into medicine in their mid-late 40’s? Seeing people’s ages on this board makes me feel like I have one foot in the grave!

Some of my all time best students have been in their 30s and 40s. I graduated one at 50 a few years ago. She's now a PGY-2 or 3 in Southern CA.

So yes, it's doable. But strongly suggest that you start shadowing physicians and engaging in patient contact volunteering.

 

[cathollertx]

Some of my all time best students have been in their 30s and 40s. I graduated one at 50 a few years ago. She's now a PGY-2 or 3 in Southern CA.

So yes, it's doable. But strongly suggest that you start shadowing physicians and engaging in patient contact volunteering.

First, a word of thanks. I have read many of your posts and probably speak for many on here when I say that your wisdom, perspective, and candor about the process and people's realistic chances of reaching their goals is incredibly encouraging and, in fact, priceless.

I also appreciate the perspective you provide regarding nontraditional students, particularly those on the upper end of the nontrad age spectrum. As to your advice about patient contact hours/shadowing, thankfully my father-in-law, a physician who recently retired after a 43 year career in family practice, and my wife, a nurse, will open some doors to some good shadowing opportunities. True patient contact hours will be a different story. I am not sure how to go about that. I am considering taking a wilderness EMT class and seeing what kind of volunteer activities I can scare up with that certification. That is a pretty significant cost outlay though, so I may rethink that. I bet I can find suggestions on SDN. 🙂

 

[Goro]

First, a word of thanks. I have read many of your posts and probably speak for many on here when I say that your wisdom, perspective, and candor about the process and people's realistic chances of reaching their goals is incredibly encouraging and, in fact, priceless.

I also appreciate the perspective you provide regarding nontraditional students, particularly those on the upper end of the nontrad age spectrum. As to your advice about patient contact hours/shadowing, thankfully my father-in-law, a physician who recently retired after a 43 year career in family practice, and my wife, a nurse, will open some doors to some good shadowing opportunities. True patient contact hours will be a different story. I am not sure how to go about that. I am considering taking a wilderness EMT class and seeing what kind of volunteer activities I can scare up with that certification. That is a pretty significant cost outlay though, so I may rethink that. I bet I can find suggestions on SDN. 🙂

Many thanks for the kind words. I'd like to add some thoughts from a sadly missed SDNer (Law2Doc) on the idea of career switching:

If you want a good application you'll be much better off having actually given your chosen profession a fair shake, and also done a fair amount of due diligence about medicine before applying. If you "feel like a slave" in your first profession, what makes you think you won't in medical training where you have even less of a say in schedule, hours, call, and are frankly going to log double the hours?

You have three biggest hurdles (1) why were you so excited about your chosen profession going in but so unenthusiastic about it after actually seeing it, and why should Adcoms think you aren't similarly just enamored with medicine from the outside? (2) med schools want people drawn to medicine for some concrete reason, not people running from another bad situation. No profession wants another's malcontents and washouts. (3) Adcoms don’t like professional students or “degree collectors”. And (4) the biggest indicator of someone not seeing through on a medical education and training is someone with a history of already not following through on another professional education. Adcoms want people who will actually become doctors; that is a mission they take seriously -- they can't give a seat to someone who just wants to give it a try".

All of these issues can be addressed by really looking before you leap. Meaning significant time, maybe years, of shadowing and volunteering and talking to doctors and soul searching before you pull the trigger and take a post-bac course or sign up for the MCAT. Medicine is not a good fit for everyone. So yes, you should probably finish your program/training and give it a try first, especially at a hospital setting where you'll have access to doctors and can pick their brains. At the same time do some volunteering and shadowing to see what's what. After a fair amount of research you can be better assured you aren't just jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire.

I advise against the EMT program unless is a burning desire inside you. For volunteering venues, keep in mind that not all volunteering needs to be in a hospital. Think hospice, Planned Parenthood, nursing homes, rehab facilities, crisis hotlines, camps for sick children, or clinics.

Some types of volunteer activities are more appealing than others. Volunteering in a nice suburban hospital is all very well and good and all, but doesn't show that you're willing to dig in and get your hands dirty in the same way that working with the developmentally disabled (or homeless, the dying, or Alzheimers or mentally ill or elderly or ESL or domestic, rural impoverished) does. The uncomfortable situations are the ones that really demonstrate your altruism and get you 'brownie points'. Plus, they frankly teach you more -- they develop your compassion and humanity in ways comfortable situations can't.

 

[esob]

If you are in Tx, you should consider invoking academic fresh start if it won't wipe out too many of your prereqs. Your UG GPA is the only thing that hurts your application and AFS could take care of that.

 

[MC_Spartan]

You bring up some really valid points. I guess I will never be 100% comfortable with my financial plan because unforeseen exigencies will surely arise. I just hope they are ones I can combat. I do have a great support system in place in a dire emergency so I am confident that we can weather the majority of storms that may come.

The physical/mental toll is another matter that I have considered in great detail but is one of those things that one has to be in the fire to understand/appreciate the true heat. Physically I’m squared away. Because of past experiences, I feel like I am mentally resilient but I won’t know for sure until the bullets start flying.

I guess there are no certainties but I’m trying like hell to eliminate all the potential stumbling blocks in my last 18 months before I begin this journey. If I fall short for some reason I can always return to education in some capacity. Good advice. Thanks!

I'm just a young pup in my mid-20s finishing the admissions process myself, and I find your story/resolve seriously inspiring! Listening to my own mother continue to lament not going to law school to this day, I see real value in tackling this goal especially with your family on-board.

I do have one idea I thought could be of value to you concerning finances, otherwise all I can offer is encouragement sans experience:

When you get around to picking schools to apply to, perhaps you should look for "primary care commitment" programs. Some of schools (DO Marian, MD LSU-NO come to mind) I've applied to offer tuition waivers (via an additional application process) to students committing to practice primary care for 4-5 years within the school's state. If you're really thinking family or IM, this could remove the "years on years of loan payments" hurdle (assuming you haven't already budgeted for school costs) from your path. It is an attractive option if you know you want a primary field! Or so it is to me, as I face piling med school debt on top of my wife's PharmD debt...

Whether or not that is helpful, I sincerely hope you are as successful as can be going forward

 

[cathollertx]

I'm just a young pup on my mid-20s finishing the admissions process myself, and I find your story/resolve seriously inspiring! Listening to my own mother continue to lament not going to law schools to this day, I see real value in tackling this goal especially with your family on-board.

I do have one idea I thought could be of value to you concerning finances, otherwise all I can offer is encouragement sans experience:

When you get around to picking schools to apply to, perhaps you should look for "primary care commitment" programs. Some of schools (DO Marian, MD LSU-NO come to mind) I've applied to offer full tuition (via an additional application process) to students committing to practice primary care for 4-5 years within the school's state. If you're really thinking family or IM, this could remove the "years on years of loan payments" hurdle (assuming you haven't already budgeted for school costs) from your path. It is an attractive option if you know you want a primary field! Or so it is to me, as I face piling med school debt on top of my wife's PharmD debt...

Whether or not that is helpful, I sincerely hope you are as successful as can be going forward

Thank you for the encouraging words! Even more so, thanks for the info on the primary care commitment programs! I had no idea that such a program existed. I'll definitely take a hard look that! Best of luck to you and your family as you work toward your goals!

 

[BelleIndifference]

Not crazy at all! My anecdote: The first physician I ever shadowed was in his mid 50's in only is his 3rd year of practice in the ER. Ironically enough, he also had his MBA lol. It sounds like you want to do this for all the right reasons and have the support of your family! Depending on what pre-req's you've completed, 2 years mayyyy lead to a pretty daunting schedule of classes, but it sounds like you're motivated. I'm a little less confident in giving advice pertaining to that low undergrad GPA, so I'll defer to someone else on that.

Greetings,

I am a longtime lurker and have come to value the candor and realistic encouragement of the members here. I finally joined to post about my goal and get feedback from those who have been in or know someone in a similar situation. I welcome any and all feedback/suggestions/help.

Background:

Age: 44

Family: Married (wife is in her last semester of nursing school) and we have three children – 16 yr. old daughter, 15yr. old son, 14 yr. old son.

Employment: Currently, I am a junior high assistant principal - been in this role 10 years and taught elementary school for 7 years prior.

Education: B.A. Political Science (GPA: 2.2);
Post Bac. Business (GPA: 3.56);
MBA (GPA: 3.7);
MEd. (GPA: 3.8).

I have wanted to be a physician since junior high, however I gave up on the idea later because I felt I couldn’t strap my family with the kind of financial commitment required and truthfully, I lacked the requisite drive, commitment and maturity early on. As such, I opted to just go get a degree and decided to go into education. I did go back and get an MBA, which required me to take 33 hours of undergraduate business courses to have the appropriate pre reqs. but also to “rehabilitate” my abysmal undergraduate GPA. When I made the decision to go into school administration I was required to get the masters in education. As I have watched my wife go through nursing school my desire to be a physician was rekindled, along with a ton of regret.

Studying along with her for the past two years and at the same time engaging in self study and exploration have convinced me that this is what I am meant to do. Practicing higher math, chemistry, and physics are no longer daunting like they were 25 years ago. In short, I know I can achieve the necessary grades in the pre requisites and we have a financial plan in place to help us maintain our current standard of living. I also have the support of my wife and my kids. I have spent a 17-year career telling kids that they can be anything that they want to be if they have a plan and work hard. Now I am taking my own advice.

The plan is to quit my job and start my pre reqs. at age 45 and hopefully apply to medical schools at 47. I am drawn toward emergency medicine but will probably choose internal medicine or family practice because I can see myself sustaining a longer career in either of those vs. EM. I plan to apply to state schools in Texas.

So…am I crazy? Is anyone in a similar boat or know someone who has been successful coming into medicine in their mid-late 40’s? Seeing people’s ages on this board makes me feel like I have one foot in the grave!

I've known several physicians who started medicine later in life. One was an intern in his late 40s/early 50s who had 4 children. Another started med school at age 48 after years of working in IT. He's in his 60s now and hasn't been practicing all that long but has already done a lot to impact healthcare and his patients.

I think it's something that only you can decide after deep introspection and weighing the costs and rewards. Then if you do decide on the switch, go after it with determination, knowing it won't be easy but that there are others like you who have made it through. Flexibility and willingness to let go and make sacrifices are important, and these are things that most older students should understand well because of a thing called "life."

Good luck with whatever path you choose!

 

[esob]

Also, I'll be 43 when I apply this spring, so we are in a similar boat from an age standpoint. I have not encountered much resistance regarding my age, other than the words of a wise mentor who noted that keeping my grades up will alleviate any concern that my aging brain wouldn't be able to keep up in medical school, lol.

 

[arcus]

Also, I'll be 43 when I apply this spring, so we are in a similar boat from an age standpoint.

I feel like I am mentally resilient but I won’t know for sure until the bullets start flying

You have no idea how better positioned you are compared to “safe space” university kids today. Insufferable comes to mind. “Mentally resilient” is the number 1 skillset in medical school (aside from learning capability) you will tap more often than not

If the older non-trad applicant trend continues, applicants in their 20s will be at a serious disadvantage competing against applicants in their 40s. Heck, your posts were written in complete sentences, perfect grammar, proper punctuation and clear thought. I could kiss you just for that alone!

You've got this!

 

[cathollertx]

You have no idea how better positioned you are compared to “safe space” university kids today. Insufferable comes to mind. “Mentally resilient” is the number 1 skillset in medical school (aside from learning capability) you will tap more often than not

If the older non-trad applicant trend continues, applicants in their 20s will be at a serious disadvantage competing against applicants in their 40s. Heck, your posts were written in complete sentences, perfect grammar, proper punctuation and clear thought. I could kiss you just for that alone!

You've got this!

OMG! LOL! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

thx!

 

[Phil McCracken]

I had a few 40 and 50 year-old's in my class. Age is not an issue.

My honest advice is to focus on the numbers game now and medical school admissions secondarily. Get as high a GPA you can in your science coursework and then make sure the MCAT correlates with that. The process will be a lot smoother once you get passed that.

I completed basic sciences in my mid 30's. It's hard but it's not impossible. Just understand that you will need to learn how to become an EXPERT test-taker.

 

[cathollertx]

I had a few 40 and 50 year-old's in my class. Age is not an issue.

My honest advice is to focus on the numbers game now and medical school admissions secondarily. Get as high a GPA you can in your science coursework and then make sure the MCAT correlates with that. The process will be a lot smoother once you get passed that.

I completed basic sciences in my mid 30's. It's hard but it's not impossible. Just understand that you will need to learn how to become an EXPERT test-taker.

Roger that. Good advice. That's my objective. One step at a time...

 

[JudgeIsInTheHouse]

Your story sounds really awesome! I wish you the best of luck. Inputting all those grades onto AMCAS/AACOMAS sounds like it'll be super fun though 😉.

 

[hdmed1318]

You've received a ton of great advice and I don't think any of it is wrong, I'm only here to share this link with you! I'm 26 - so although I consider myself outside the traditional route to medical school, I'm not sure I entirely qualify. After working part-time and finishing prereqs, then doing an SMP to give myself a better shot, I was accepted to my top choice MD school and will start in August. It's totally possible, you can do it. Anyway, the link! I think you'll find you have a lot in common with the speaker, enjoy!

 

[cathollertx]

Thanks so much for passing that along! Seeing and hearing from others who are similarly situated gives me hope! Congrats on your acceptance and best of luck on your journey. I will be in your shoes one day. Thanks again!

 

[hdmed1318]

Thanks so much for passing that along! Seeing and hearing from others who are similarly situated gives me hope! Congrats on your acceptance and best of luck on your journey. I will be in your shoes one day. Thanks again!

You 100% will be - I truly think if you're putting this much effort and thought into it, it's because it's what you truly want and need to do. And if it's that important to you, you will make it happen. Best of luck!!!