Average age of students commencing graduate courses?

[jambo]

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Hello everyone,

This has no doubt come up before but I don't seem to be able to get the search thing working properly (maybe someone could point me to an old thread if there is one?).

Just wondering what the average age is of students entering a graduate course (ie. having to possess a previous undergraduate degree beforehand)?

Personally, I graduated from university in 98 with my undergraduate degree and have since been working full time and plan to see the world this year too. So I guess I technically could have finished med school by this stage if I just went straight through. But I think it has definitely been an advantage for me to have my first break from study, as well as work and travel. As a result I really appreciate what I learn now rather than see it as a chore. This is just me though, I'm sure everyone is slightly different. I'll be 26 in my first year if I get through.

Cheers,
Mark

 

[Neuronix]

I don't know the average, but I'm sure it is in the low twenties. Regardless, medical schools will appriciate your maturity and life experience, and your age will give you an advantage when you apply. I seriously doubt you will have problems fitting in, since a 4 - 5 year difference between your age and the age of most of your classmates is not a big deal. Some people enter medical school in their 30s or 40s!

 

[Adcadet]

Jambo,
I think the avg. age totally depends on the program. I know at some programs almost everybody is straight out of undergrad, whereas I know of others were almost everybody has had significant post-college life experiences. 26 for a first year med student? Probably not a problem. I'll be 24 and never thought I was too old. I'm not sure what the avg. age of matriculants is at US medical schools, but I know my school claims something like 24-25.

 

[charlatangirl]

i've heard that, nationwide, the average entering age hovers around 25. i think this figure is growing ever higher, as people go back to school, stay in school, and get other degrees before the MD.

hope that helps...keep the faith.

 

[jambo]

Thanks a lot for the replies everyone 🙂
I suspected that the average age must have been somewhere around 24-25. All I know is that I will make a much better med student now than I would have in my early 20s.... probably would have taken so many remedial classes that I'd be the same age when I graduated anyhow 😉

Cheers.

 

[mpp]

According to the AAMC the average matriculant age for all medical schools has been between 23.7 and 23.9 years of age for the last 10 years.