Becoming an MD at 51?

Started by Perserverance
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Perserverance

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Hey All, I am really looking for some encouragement. I am 51 and considering seriously going to school getting my MD in Pathology. I am very focused and dedicated and supported by my husband. He is much younger than I and can't retire for another 30 years. I want to start a career in medicine. Does anyone think I am taking on to much at the age of 51? My mother lived into her 80's, and aunts till 99. I love attending school and learning. After I get out of school at the age of 59 that gives me 20 more years to work! I am open to any advice, including advice on acquiring financial aid to become an MD. Thanks 🙂
 
Only you can say whether you'd be taking on too much.

The process is going to be much the same for a non-trad as a trad in many ways. GPA, Pre-reqs, MCAT, LORs, volunteering and clinical exposure. You're likely to get a lot of "why now?" questions so you'll need a good answer for that. Financial aid shouldn't be an issue unless you've maxed out your stafford and grad plus loans. If that's the case, then you'll need to take out private loans, which your husband will be liable for.

Just be sure you know what you're getting into. Many parts of medical training aren't just intellectually challenging but also physical and emotionally grueling. You'll have a lot of pain to go through before the cozy life of a pathology attending (if that is even what you end up wanting to do).
 
Nobody can say you shouldn't take the leap into medicine. By all means if you think you can and admissions take you, go for it. Just be prepared to see that it will be 20x harder for you than any other non-trad. Being one of the oldest applicants means tons of schools won't consider you and you might even have to go to the Caribbean or other countries if you're that committed to your goal.
 
I have heard of people starting their 2nd+ residencies around your age, but never of anyone starting from scratch. Also to consider is that it is not a sure thing you will be out of school at 59, due to unforeseen circumstances, e.g. takes longer to finish your prerequisites, you don't get into med school the first try, you need to retake your MCAT (life happens).
 
This guy started med school at 55.

I highly recommend reading the Iserson book on getting into med school. Get some context on how the process works, to balance what you see on SDN. Also get up to speed on what medical school is vs. what residency is; there is no such thing as an MD in Pathology.

In my opinion, nothing about being in your 50's is going to make you a compelling candidate. What will make you compelling will be how well you compete with 21 year olds at playing the game. GPA. MCAT score. Clinical experience. Letters of recommendation. After all that is evaluated, your age can make you more interesting (or less interesting, if you're not careful). You have to make admissions committees want you badly enough to vote a large number of well-qualified 21 year olds off the island for you.

Best of luck to you.
 
I'll be 48 if I get into medical school next year. I am not supported by my husband (my church would really look down on me having a husband 🙂

However, I should say that the people that I have talked to have certain expectations for me. Since I have had a quarter century of my life available to do interesting things, I need to have done some interesting things.
 
The osteopath who has been one of my best guides and mentors in assisting my decision to go back to school told me that the oldest person in his class was 52 when they started. So, no, 50 isn't too old to go and people do get in.

Like others have said, its not just intellectually grueling, its physically grueling as well. Make sure you are in the best health you can be, mentally and physically, before you start to give yourself some assistance to make it through. I am 33 and its on my agenda to be in the best shape and health I can be, starting while I am working through all my under-grad requirements and bachelors degree.
 
The above responses are very much on target. While I have known a few successful physicians starting even older than you, I can count them on one hand. It will be more difficult for you to pull this off than for the average 21 year old.
Assumming you do not have any premedical college work to do, the bare minimum is 8 years of training. This is 4 years of medical school and 4 years of pathology. Minimum. If you have premedical requirements, add that on. If you need to go to outside the US, medical school years may expand.

Consider the cost of this education. Consider the time. Medical school is rarely a 9 to 5 job where you can return to your family on time. Again, some with photographic memories can minimimze the study time, go to lectures, never study, and pass exams. But I can count that number of students I have known on one finger. Expect to put in 80 hour weeks for the next 6-8 years. This will diminish the time you and your husband can spend together.

We are not trying to discourage you, but rather show the reality of a truly difficult process for most students.

Perhaps you can share some additional background on your college work, medical experience, MCAT studies, etc.
 
one of my co-workers who is a NP went to postbac at BM, did really well.
in the end, didn't apply. she was about mid 50-s. she said it was just too much work.
 
A veterinarian I know went back to medical school at the age of 50. My dad is friends with a lady that went to dental school in her 50's as well. You can do it! You have so much experience, and have really lived life...this makes you a great applicant.
 
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do it if it's your calling but be very aware of the financial, time, physical, mental, and emotional sacrifice/commitment.
 
Perserverance said:
Hey All, I am really looking for some encouragement. I am 51 and considering seriously going to school getting my MD in Pathology. I am very focused and dedicated and supported by my husband. He is much younger than I and can't retire for another 30 years. I want to start a career in medicine. Does anyone think I am taking on to much at the age of 51? My mother lived into her 80's, and aunts till 99. I love attending school and learning. After I get out of school at the age of 59 that gives me 20 more years to work! I am open to any advice, including advice on acquiring financial aid to become an MD. Thanks 🙂
Click to expand...
>>

Who in the world has the ego to know what's best for you? In any event, you could do what I did- enroll in the sciences, see how it feels. You mention needing 8 years- so I'm guessing you have a bachelor's degree. Give it a go for a semester, pay cash. You won't have anything to lose except for a few dollars. Worse case, you'll decide it isn't for you and you can move on with something else. Best case, you meet a pre-req and you can go ahead and move forward with financial aid. Good luck to you!
 
If you're serious about this path, I would start working on the verbal now. There is no "r."

I think that it is never too late to do anything in life, but the older you are when you are making a major change, the stronger and more lucid your justification needs to be. In other words, a mistake can be made if the main motivating factor for choosing a particular career is the escape from another field in hopes of greener pastures. That is not a winning reasoning since any career that deals with people is going to be littered with imperfections.
 
Thank you for your words. I haven't received any financial aid ever so that should help me. And I have time on my hands to study. I am a person that if I was told my only way to cut the grass was to use sissors, then I would get several pair. I am basically saying that I understand the mental and physical part of this undertaking and I believe I am prepared to weather the storm, but certainly appreciate your reminding me!
 
What is your education background? cGPA and sGPA?

Are you done with the pre-reqs?

How about MCAT?

Clinical Experience/Volunteering?

Which career/s do you come from?
 
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