Any advice?

[equus77]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

First, thanks for taking the time to read this and respond.

I've begun the process of exploring going to med school. I'm 35 (36 in May), single, and currently work full-time. I have a BS in management/marketing. While I enjoy my current job, I don't make much money (25k/year) and I don't have any savings.

I'm passionate about helping people and trying to make a difference in the world. Hopefully those are good reasons for wanting to pursue a career in medicine. My end goal is to be an ID doc.

Since my undergrad is in business, I know I'll need to complete the pre-reqs. I was thinking a formal post-bacc program might be the best way to facilitate that.

Any advice on where to start? I'd love to start coursework in the fall if at all possible. Between researching programs, figuring out how I'm going to pay for school and support myself at the same time, I'm feeling a little overwhelmed. Am I crazy to be considering this?

 

[survivordo]

You're not crazy man. Plenty of people have made it work! You're at an advantage as you only have yourself to take care of and don't have to worry about supporting children. Remember that during medical school you can take out loans for "cost of living" because there is no way you can support yourself during this time. I'm not sure if you can do the same for post bac but it is worth looking in to. Obviously it's never a good idea to add to the cost of medical school but in the end you gotta do what you gotta do.

Survivor DO

 

[justkeepswiming]

I have an acquaintance who was in a similar position as you a few years ago, and he's starting medical school this fall. If you know that this is what you want to do, then go for it!

If you're looking to start in the fall with a formal program, make sure you apply sooner rather than later- some deadlines may have already passed. If you don't have a science background and will be taking all of the prerecs, a formal program is definitely better than doing it on your own, since you'll have much more support, structure and advisement, not to mention a committee letter when it comes time to apply to med schools. (Although at some schools I know it's possible to take a couple of classes part-time as a non-matriculated student and then apply into the formal program the following semester. I had looked into this when I missed an early deadline at a postbac program I had looked at.)

With little/no savings it's going to be a very tough road financially. If you're just interested in healthcare in general, there are probably cheaper options-- shorter programs/fewer prerecs-- but if you're certain about med school and in it 100%, I'm sure you can make it work. Best of luck to you!!

 

[Gfliptastic]

I agree w/ what has been posted already. But I would suggest a formal/linked post-bacc, if you are worried about your age or timeline.

Formal/linked post-baccs refer to post-bacc programs w/ a linkage to a medical school. And generally (widely speaking), if you get a +3.0 in the post-bacc program, you will get invited to interview at the linked med school. And when you are an exceptional student, it is merely a formality, as far as that interview goes.

There's a lot to be said about a informal/non-linked post-bacc. It gives you additional "freedom". You can encompass a greater breadth of work in a non-linked post-bacc. You are usually not as restricted in your classes. Which can be a good thing if you want to devote some time into getting a really competitive MCAT score. Linked post-bacc don't set their required MCAT minimum too high. Kinda like taking some pressure off you so you can focus on THEIR curricula, and not the MCAT.

The differences are great since the main ones are time and $$. Linked are usually a shorter process because you can apply concurrently w/ your completion date, and be accepted that cycle for the fall after you complete the post-bacc. But they usually cost more. And it is a lil like putting all of your eggs in one basket. Formal/linked post-baccs are rarely "transferable". School A's post-bacc might not be valued as much by School B, so they'll use your MCAT score.

You can do an informal/non-linked post-bacc at a college of your choosing. Just try to stay well above part-time course load , and you should be able to receive student loans. Choose a school that has some variety beyond the pre-reqs. And can be cheap!!! lol

It's NOT crazy. I left a great job in my 30's to pursue this. But if being a physician is something that will constantly eat a way at you, be in the back of your mind and gnaw away at you, you have to give it try. You automatically fail at realizing a dream like this if you don't try. HOWEVER, do not take this decision lightly. And also explore all the options. There is nursing, and a lot of mid-level medical professions that fulfill the need to help people w/o the IMMENSE BURDEN imposed by medical school. So think about it.

Good luck!

 

[equus77]

Thanks for the responses. I have thought about the cheaper career options, but honestly, I feel like pursuing an MD is what I'd ultimately like to do.

I also appreciate the info about post-bacc courses not always transferring. I wasn't aware of that.

 

[LPpostbacc]

Thanks for the responses. I have thought about the cheaper career options, but honestly, I feel like pursuing an MD is what I'd ultimately like to do.

I also appreciate the info about post-bacc courses not always transferring. I wasn't aware of that.

It's something that you can absolutely do, if you're committed. 100%. What were your grades like in undergrad?

 

[Snakes]

I often to suggest to students who do not have a strong science and/or clinical background to try informal/Do-It-Yourself (DIY) postbaccs. From a practical standpoint it allows you to start while continuing your job. Additionally, it gives you a chance to become a student again (if you have been out of school for a while) and see if your desire is accompanied by the commitment and motivation to do the hard work necessary to become a successful applicant. Postbacc isnt just to prove to the med schools you ate capable. It is also to prove to yourself that you really want this journey.

I have a law degree and went the do-it-yourself route. There are post bacc programs out there with linkages, but there aren't many and many of their programs are expensive. None of my local schools had a post bacc program together (with linkages or otherwise). I had the option of taking my post bacc classes at a top 20 private school or at the local state school. I opted for the state school on the basis of cost alone. I've already got law school loans and will be taking on a lot more med school loans if all of this works out, so there was no way I was going into debt for a post bacc. I paid for my classes out of my own pocket and it cost thousands and thousands (and thousands) less than taking the same classes at the prestigious private school. That's just my advice.

 

[Wanderlove]

I'm curious what you all would recommend for someone coming right out of undergrad with a solid GPA wanting to complete a post bacc. The university I'm looking at offers both a DIY postbacc and a post bacc/MD program where students take the post bacc classes at the university until med school matriculation. Both programs would cost as much as tuition for undergrad students. I've weighed the pros and cons of both and am still having trouble deciding.

 

[LPpostbacc]

I'm curious what you all would recommend for someone coming right out of undergrad with a solid GPA wanting to complete a post bacc. The university I'm looking at offers both a DIY postbacc and a post bacc/MD program where students take the post bacc classes at the university until med school matriculation. Both programs would cost as much as tuition for undergrad students. I've weighed the pros and cons of both and am still having trouble deciding.

I assume you haven't taken any of the prereqs?

Can you transfer the credits to different med schools, if you're in a linked post-bacc program?

DIY postbaccs, or even some others should NOT cost as much as regular tuition at a university (assuming you're not going to take a full load of science courses each semester--which would be a mouthful).

 

[Wanderlove]

I assume you haven't taken any of the prereqs?

Can you transfer the credits to different med schools, if you're in a linked post-bacc program?

DIY postbaccs, or even some others should NOT cost as much as regular tuition at a university (assuming you're not going to take a full load of science courses each semester--which would be a mouthful).

No, I haven't taken any yet.

I'm pretty sure not. The website for this program makes it clear that whoever applies must be committed to going to their med school. In addition to the typical pre-med prereqs, urban health seminars are required.

Are you saying DIY postbaccs shouldn't cost as much because of taking less credit hours, or because the nature of the program is different from undergrad?

 

[silleme]

Are you saying DIY postbaccs shouldn't cost as much because of taking less credit hours, or because the nature of the program is different from undergrad?

I think it's because some schools charge for taking a full tuition load in a formal post-bacc, but in DIY mode, most would charge by the credit hour, saving you some cash. My school charges by the credit hour until you hit 12 credit hours, then you're just full-time and pay one fee for the semester whether 12 or 20 credit hours. Other schools may do it differently.

 

[equus77]

It's something that you can absolutely do, if you're committed. 100%. What were your grades like in undergrad?

I graduated with a 3.83. Between a double major, being involved in numerous extracurriculars like band and a fraternity, and working 20-30 hours per week all 4 years, I was pretty pleased with myself. I'm certainly not afraid of hard work or spending long hours studying.

 

[LPpostbacc]

I think it's because some schools charge for taking a full tuition load in a formal post-bacc, but in DIY mode, most would charge by the credit hour, saving you some cash. My school charges by the credit hour until you hit 12 credit hours, then you're just full-time and pay one fee for the semester whether 12 or 20 credit hours. Other schools may do it differently.

This is how my school worked as well. Whether you were part of the official Postbacc program, or DIY, you were charged by the credit hour until 12 credits were reached, per semester. Anything beyond 12 hrs was considered full time, and charged full tuition.

 

[yossarian444]

ID is a MINIMUM of of 9, sometimes 10 years of training - 4 for medical school, 3 for IM residency, and 2-3 more for ID fellowship depending on the program. Factoring in post-bac work, you'll be pushing 50 by the time you're done, assuming you don't hit any hurdles along the way.

One thing to consider if you have interest in ID patient care rather than ID research: At my hospital, we have a couple PA's on the ID inpatient consult service. They see patients on their own. They do have to staff their consults with the attendings, like all residents and fellows do, but overall the PA's are well-respected, are quite knowledgable, and seem to enjoy their jobs.

PA school is 2 years, with a 1 year fellowship. As long as you don't want to do ID research, the PA's job description overlaps quite a bit to that of a hospital-based ID doc.

There's nothing wrong with finishing training at 50, it is just a very long road.