Am I too young for med school?

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jess3232

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For whatever reason, my mom signed me up for kindergarten a year early. Also, I have a August birthday, so I graduated high school when I was 16. I did a lot of dual credit and also took summer classes before and after my freshman year. Sophomore year I did a term in January, Maymester, and right now I'm taking summer classes and I'm going to graduate in August. My plan is to take a month off, then study for the MCAT, and take it in the spring. I would like to apply that June, but I'll be 19 years old at the time. Is this too young to be be applying? I'm not sure how I would be seen since I'll be compared to applicants that are several years older than me. I have good experiences and a solid GPA (3.84 and science is 3.78). Any thoughts would be appreciated. I'm not opposed to waiting another cycle, but I feel like I'll be ready to apply that June. Thanks!!!!
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I would suggest you wait. The average age of matriculants is around 24, and so although you're probably a competitive applicant adcoms may think you are lacking maturity.
 
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We had one girl who had just turned 20 when I started... I don't think it is a good idea. From the medical school's perspective, they will think you are too immature (this may not be the case, but they have tons of qualified applicants who are older)... from your perspective, it can be more socially challenging. In my class, we would all go out for drinks or to clubs after exams and this girl could not go since she was not of age... and as someone pointed out, average age is 24... that means there are a lot of people who are 26-30, and it is sometimes difficult for a 19 year old to communicate with someone who is a decade older than them.

You have a huge advantage in that you can work/research for two years, put together a killer app, and still be younger than most of the people applying. I would wait at least one year.
 
You have to ask yourself if you are ready socially and emotionally. Also, have you had clinical experience, research experience and community service experience? You will be up against people who have had all three. You need to be sure that you have all your ducks in a row before you apply. If that means taking a year or two before applying so as to buff your application to a fine glow, that's what you need to do.
 
piii said:
If I was your interviewer (I am helping out with admissions at my school), I would be extremely skeptical. Like it or not, I would hold you to a higher standard, you would need to be exceptional. I value life experience and maturity over hard core academic qualifications, and I have a preference for people that have taken time off, have real world job experience paying their bills, and who don't rush school which isn't a great sign. This is just one persons preferences when selecting applicants.
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The reason why I rushed school is because of a complicated family situation so it was best for me to stay at my university during breaks and so I took classes here while everyone else was on break. I do have several professors who can attest to my experiences and maturity, and they said they would be willing to write evaluation letters for me. But I understand the skepticism and reservations for matriculated someone my age.
 
LizzyM said:
You have to ask yourself if you are ready socially and emotionally. Also, have you had clinical experience, research experience and community service experience? You will be up against people who have had all three. You need to be sure that you have all your ducks in a row before you apply. If that means taking a year or two before applying so as to buff your application to a fine glow, that's what you need to do.
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This entire summer and the last summer, I've volunteered almost every weekend at a clinic for the uninsured. I'm guessing about 350-400 hours total. I have around 100 hours of community volunteer work with habitat for humanity and at a homeless shelter. I have almost 50 shadowing hours, and two semesters of research experience with an upcoming presentation towards the end of the month. Part of my plan was to build up my application after graduation and after taking the MCAT in January or February.
 
I know someone who matriculated at 19. The real advantage of waiting for her would've been getting to live a little. You get to be 19 and not get your balls busted all the time. But she was close to her family and school was more of a chore. On the other hand if you're like some people I know and sleep 5hours a night and are already a flawless communicator with excellent cooping strategies... why wait. Especially if you've succeeded under adversity. You may be ready for medical school if you think it will enhance your life, not just drain it.
 
Im an MS4 now, but my school had around 15 people who were 18-20 when they started medical school. IMO most of us wish we could have started that young, especially if its your dream to be a MD/DO. Doing a 5 year residency you'll still be out before youre 30. Hell, at 19 you could be a neurosurgeon @ 30 but I personally hate surgery so that would never be me.
 
You have the GPA and we can assume you are mature enough to prepare adequately for he MCAT. How do you like when it comes to EC's? You can also do some introspection and decide if there is something you would like to do to increase your app like teaching or maybe travel and learn a language that may be useful later in practice.
 
Blanky said:
You have the GPA and we can assume you are mature enough to prepare adequately for he MCAT. How do you like when it comes to EC's? You can also do some introspection and decide if there is something you would like to do to increase your app like teaching or maybe travel and learn a language that may be useful later in practice.
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I have about 350-400 hours of volunteering at a clinic for the uninsured, around 100 hours of community volunteer work with habitat for humanity and at a homeless shelter, 50 shadowing hours, two semesters of research with an upcoming presentation towards the end of the month, officer for a wildlife and habitat restoration club, choir, sorority, amateur photographer but get hired every now and then
 
jess3232 said:
I have about 350-400 hours of volunteering at a clinic for the uninsured, around 100 hours of community volunteer work with habitat for humanity and at a homeless shelter, 50 shadowing hours, two semesters of research with an upcoming presentation towards the end of the month, officer for a wildlife and habitat restoration club, choir, sorority, amateur photographer but get hired every now and then
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Listen if it becomes annoying that you end up putting off a year and feel like you are not moving forward. DO NOT feel that way you are killing it! Make sure you also enjoy life a little in a safe way, go get some hobbies. You could start doing some research an plan to take a gap year in which you build EC's and focus on getting a 515+ MCAT. If you can pull that of you will be one year older but you will also be top tier and possibly going to a prestigious med school.
 
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Live a little. Be on your own a little. Travel a little. Gasp, be irresponsible a little.

I’ve always told people, be sure to try everything else that you think you want to do before you decide on medicine.

And if you are using medicine to escape from your complicated family situation. You’re in for a rude awakening. Unless you have strong support system, it can drag the best of us down.

Good luck.
 
IMGASMD said:
Live a little. Be on your own a little. Travel a little. Gasp, be irresponsible a little.

I’ve always told people, be sure to try everything else that you think you want to do before you decide on medicine.

And if you are using medicine to escape from your complicated family situation. You’re in for a rude awakening. Unless you have strong support system, it can drag the best of us down.

Good luck.
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I'm not escaping my family situation it was just better for me to be at school during the summers. My mom and I are close but she travels a lot for her work meaning I would live with my step-dad the majority of the time and we're not that close so I chose to stay and take classes.
 
I wonder if an interviewer typically looks at the age of the applicant along with other stuff or do they check the age if the applicant looks young ish or a bit immature?
@gyngyn @Goro @gonnif @LizzyM
 
Pizza12 said:
I wonder if an interviewer typically looks at the age of the applicant along with other stuff or do they check the age if the applicant looks young ish or a bit immature?
@gyngyn @Goro @gonnif @LizzyM
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Some places have interviews with no access to the application file. In those cases, the interviewer would not know the age of the applicant.
At the places where there is access to the applicant's age, we are not allowed to address it in the interview.
 
I'll be matriculating at 19 and had no problem at my interviews. Don't do or say anything immature at yours and you'll be fine. That being said, only apply if you're 1000% confident that you're ready to move forward.
 
gyngyn said:
At the places where there is access to the applicant's age, we are not allowed to address it in the interview.
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And we all know what actually happens in real life... I'd say age was brought up in some form in roughly a quarter of my med school and residency interviews, ranging from off hand comments to actual questions.
 
smukke said:
And we all know what actually happens in real life... I'd say age was brought up in some form in roughly a quarter of my med school and residency interviews, ranging from off hand comments to actual questions.
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Report these cases.
 
jess3232 said:
The reason why I rushed school is because of a complicated family situation so it was best for me to stay at my university during breaks and so I took classes here while everyone else was on break. I do have several professors who can attest to my experiences and maturity, and they said they would be willing to write evaluation letters for me. But I understand the skepticism and reservations for matriculated someone my age.
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jess3232 said:
This entire summer and the last summer, I've volunteered almost every weekend at a clinic for the uninsured. I'm guessing about 350-400 hours total. I have around 100 hours of community volunteer work with habitat for humanity and at a homeless shelter. I have almost 50 shadowing hours, and two semesters of research experience with an upcoming presentation towards the end of the month. Part of my plan was to build up my application after graduation and after taking the MCAT in January or February.
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You have an opportunity to do something extraordinary!

I like Part 1 of your plan where you take the MCAT after graduating. Depending on how you score and where your priorities lie, you can then choose how to proceed and when to apply. Doing something unique and different can help set you apart in a way that top schools value. OR - better yet - do it just for yourself. Maybe travel around the world and take gigs teaching English. Take amazing photographs and blog your way around. Do a stint in the Peace Corps. Bike through Europe. Or get a real job and live independently or semi-independently. Move someplace else just to experience a different culture -- You'll learn a ton about yourself that way.

but take some time off to enhance your life experiences. That's the best use of your time.
 
I still like what the 4th med student said... if this is your jam and you can handle the ass kicking. Just get on with it. Sooner you’ve got a stable practice the sooner you can start enjoying the fruits of your labor.
 
gyngyn said:
Some places have interviews with no access to the application file. In those cases, the interviewer would not know the age of the applicant.
At the places where there is access to the applicant's age, we are not allowed to address it in the interview.
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Thank you
 
bluejaysandearlgray2.0 said:
What kinds of things were you doing at the free clinic? Have you ever been employed?
Also, if you did 400 hours over weekends of the last 2 summers, the math is:
400 hours/24 weeks/2 days=8 hours per day on both weekend days. Is that correct? If not, make sure you aren't exaggerating your hours.
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Cleaning and stocking rooms at first, and taking vitals what I mainly do now. And yes its about 350-400 hours! I calculated in the various times throughout the school year when I have volunteered there as well. It's about 10-12 hours each Saturday and I've volunteered there a total of 36 Saturdays. And I worked in high-school and I've had an on-campus job the past year.
 
gyngyn said:
At this point, yes.
The only place there could even theoretically be any push back is at the residency she attends. This too could easily be managed (depending on the offender).
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There should be no "depending" but there always is.
Ideally, just like it never should have been brought up in the first place, there shouldn't be consequences to calling attention to it but that's not how real life works. Like I said, I'm not the martyr type and that's the strategy that I'm comfortable with. If other's want to carry the torch, go for it, I'll support you in anyway that I'm comfortable with.
 
Medical school is a huge time commitment and you will be studying your a** off 24/7. It is extremely draining (watch vlogs from any medical student on youtube). Are you willing to throw yourself at such a young age, and sacrifice your early 20's for an early career start?

I have no doubt that you are very intelligent since you are graduating at such a young age, but some skills come with age, i.e. interpersonal communication, leadership, etc. If you gave yourself another year to work, you could get the valuable experience needed to build those skills.

I am adamant that gap years are so crucial to helping you realize what your true goals are. It gives you time to build new interests and explore different career paths. If I hadn't taken my gap year(s), I would never had the chance to explore the fields of genetic counseling and basic science research, which ultimately built my story about why I wanted to enter the medical field.

Delaying med school by just 1 year will let you live life and enjoy it before you start the very long journey towards your own private practice.

Ultimately, it is up to you, your family situation, and your career goals. If you can think of anything that you would love to do now (such as study or teach abroad) take the time to do it now because this will be your last chance before your life will inevitably be caught up in maintaining your career and family life.
 
Pizza12 said:
I wonder if an interviewer typically looks at the age of the applicant along with other stuff or do they check the age if the applicant looks young ish or a bit immature?
@gyngyn @Goro @gonnif @LizzyM
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I always look at a candidate's age and have some interview questions specifically for them to assess maturity. No, I'm not sharing.

We do reject people for being immature....even for 21-23 year olds.
 
Questions to ask yourself when reflecting on whether you are mature enough for medical school

Have you been disappointed? How did you take it?
Have you been betrayed or lied to? How did you recover?
Have you been criticized publicly? How did you take it?
Have you been punished unjustly? How did you take it?
Have you had to give someone bad news? How did you feel afterwards?
Can you describe three things you need to work on with regard to your life and your habits?
Can you describe one fault you have as a student, scholar or professional that you know that you need to improve?
 
You'll be fine I applied this year at 19 and did well. Your ECs sound good enough, just get a strong MCAT score in the 90th percentile or higher. Age was never brought up at my interviews
 
I will be matriculating in fall of ‘19, at the age of 23, and I look back even on my life and I wish I had done more fun things as other posters are suggesting. Due to financial reasons, I had to work ever since I was 16 (no joke). You are so young. I would wait a little not based off maturity, rather to just live a little. Do anything that seems really interesting to you. Camp counselor, travel abroad, backpacking the Rocky Mountains, anything that you wish you could do.
 
@jess3232 I've been in your boat - I was 16 when I graduated high school and 20 when I graduated from college earlier this year. I'm applying right now in my gap year, and YMMV, but I'm pretty glad to have taken this year off. If I didn't take a gap year, I would have submitted my AMCAS when I was 19, and I think there were a lot of experiences that I had when I was 20 (and in my senior year of college) that helped me become a better applicant / more ready for med school.
 
I didn’t read all the posts above. But if you have all the requirements done and you know what you want then don’t waste time.
All that travel and relaxing crap will be a financial drain.
And I also resent the idea that Med students need to be older these days. 7 years of research before Med school shouldn’t be the norm (or other random experiences). They aren’t necessary for people who want to just be normal doctors in the community.
 
If I was the OP, I'd take the MCAT and apply if I had a competitive score. The OP is obviously smart.

Shoot, being an MD at 24 (basically the time I was an MS1).

I became an attending at 29, I look young. . . you want to know how many times I was called Dooie? (it was a lot) I'm almost sad to say, its been at least 6 months since the last one.....I think this second baby is getting to me.
 
Not about age but about maturity, do you feel ready?
 
So, OP, I will say that I'm a little on the younger side--I just started my first year, and I'm 21. I've had no issues getting along with my classmates, even those who are significantly older (in fact, the classmate I'm closest to is 28). I do have some trouble in the social setting, but that's more because of personal choices (don't drink, don't like going out, very introverted) than an age difference. I've also had no issues with maturity or taking responsibility.

I have gotten a lot of the advice that you're getting in this post about taking a gap year or living a little from many people I've met. Because this feedback is from people who are older and wiser, I do take it seriously, but frankly, I'm uninterested in that stuff. This might sound silly, but as a woman who has both a lot of career aspirations and a desire to have a family, I like knowing that I have more time and maybe even more flexibility than my peers; I've talked to some of my older female classmates (I guess men might worry about this, too, but in my experience, women do more) who don't have kids yet who are worried about when to do it, because they don't want to wait too long, but they also don't want kids in residency, etc. Some of them are avoiding fields like surgery where postgraduate training is longer, whereas I feel like all the doors are still open for me. I'm thinking about getting an MPH maybe, and because I'm so young, I don't have to think about that extra year as much as older peers do. Some of my peers have said that they wished they'd realized they wanted to go to medical school earlier so they could've started earlier. Others, though, have had great experiences doing research or teaching with Teach for America, so I think it's all really on a case by case basis.

It all depends on whether or not you're ready, though. If you think a gap year would be beneficial, do it, but don't do it because of fomo (my general rule being that doing anything for the sake of fomo is a bad idea), do it because you really want to. And if you are sure going to med school is really what you want to do, I encourage you to go for it.
 
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