Current applicants: how old are you?

Discover Your Odds of Getting into Medical School
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Current applicants: how old are you?

  • 19 - 20

    Votes: 23 5.1%

  • 21 - 22

    Votes: 137 30.6%

  • 23 - 24

    Votes: 127 28.4%

  • 25 - 30

    Votes: 115 25.7%

  • 30+

    Votes: 39 8.7%

  • 18 or younger

    Votes: 6 1.3%
  • Total voters
    447
Lifeblood_20

Lifeblood_20

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The average age of American medical matriculants is ~24 years old, so the average applicant is ~23. I am curious if the SDN sample is representative. Please vote only if you are in the current cycle for MD/DO.
Edit: if you voted, feel free to leave a comment about your cycle/your top choice school/whatever is on your mind right now (to keep this at the top of the forum). I will love every single one. 🙂 Thanks for helping!
 
Last edited:
DNAJB6 said:
Wow. So far N=29 with 45% age 25 or older. I'm surprised there are so many non-trad students!
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Why? Didn't you believe the widely reported statistic that 2/3 of matriculants have at least one gap year? The number in the poll is entirely consistent with that. It would be surprising if around 45% weren't age 25 or older, since, nationally, 66% are age 23 or older.
 
Also I know a 17/18 year old applicant who is attending med school now, he wouldn't be able to answer the limited parameters in the survey 🙁
 
Cheezin said:
Also I know a 17/18 year old applicant who is attending med school now, he wouldn't be able to answer the limited parameters in the survey 🙁
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In the US???? How????
 
KnightDoc said:
In the US???? How????
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Not sure how many high schools are like this but there is (at least) one that has sophomores begin taking college courses for the duration of high school. There are a couple every year who graduate from university before receiving their high school diploma. This one guy was really special and did a lot of research and everything else necessary and was accepted out of hs/college.
 
Cheezin said:
Not sure how many high schools are like this but there is (at least) one that has sophomores begin taking college courses for the duration of high school. There are a couple every year who graduate from university before receiving their high school diploma. This one guy was really special and did a lot of research and everything else necessary and was accepted out of hs/college.
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I would be terrified and socially conflicted letting a 17-year-old palpate me lol. Help, I need an adult!
 
Hiphopscorpio31 said:
Maybe 2 grades max 😱 , something about my kid starting college at 13/14 with 17/18 y/o classmates doesn't sit right with my future self as a parent lol
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Agreed, around 2 should be fine

The reason I'm even thinking about this is that in reflection, some of those school years were too easy or class content wasn't useful in the long run. I wouldn't say wasted time but I'd like to challenge my kid a bit more
 
Damson said:
Agreed, around 2 should be fine

The reason I'm even thinking about this is that in reflection, some of those school years were too easy or class content wasn't useful in the long run. I wouldn't say wasted time but I'd like to challenge my kid a bit more
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I skipped a couple grades for this reason. Sure, I was challenged academically but I suffered in every other regard because I lacked the maturity and social skills of my peers. Even now, as a 32yo, I get anxious in social situations. How much of this is my personality and how much could be attributed to overly ambitious parents who think that the scholastic aspects of school are paramount? Who knows.
 
drbatsandwich said:
I skipped a couple grades for this reason. Sure, I was challenged academically but I suffered in every other regard because I lacked the maturity and social skills of my peers. Even now, as a 32yo, I get anxious in social situations. How much of this is my personality and how much could be attributed to overly ambitious parents who think that the scholastic aspects of school are paramount? Who knows.
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Yeah...this problem went through my mind as well "what if social issues arise for my kid if I do this?"
 
Damson said:
Yeah...this problem went through my mind as well "what if social issues arise for my kid if I do this?"
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You could also just challenge them through after school programs and STEM camps. Don’t underestimate the power of learning instruments, playing sports, and participating in non-academic hobbies for facilitating strong brain development in children.
 
Are you wanting current age or the age at matriculation (which would be more representative, since some people's birthdays will have already passed but others not)?
Regardless, I am 22 and will be 23 when I matriculate this summer to my top choice (A&M).
 
Damson said:
Agreed, around 2 should be fine

The reason I'm even thinking about this is that in reflection, some of those school years were too easy or class content wasn't useful in the long run. I wouldn't say wasted time but I'd like to challenge my kid a bit more
Click to expand...
School isn't just for academics and many kids who are challenged by their parents are stressed out! It's good to allow them to develop on their own, with a rich, fun and educational environment at home.
 
The average starting age of my medical school class was 25.5. This is much different than someone who is 30, imo, and the category shouldn't be that broad. Make one for 25/26 and then 27-30 and those numbers would plummet. a 25 y/o first year is not "non-trad" by any means.
 
Dr. Rafiki said:
The average starting age of my medical school class was 25.5. This is much different than someone who is 30, imo, and the category shouldn't be that broad. Make one for 25/26 and then 27-30 and those numbers would plummet. a 25 y/o first year is not "non-trad" by any means.
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Hmm I always thought a non-trad was anyone who didn't go to med school straight out of undergrad...?
 
BioPlum said:
Hmm I always thought a non-trad was anyone who didn't go to med school straight out of undergrad...?
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Just depends on your own personal definition. Would you say a 30yo veteran who immediately after discharging went to college, got a degree in biochemistry, and matriculated to medical school immediately after undergrad traditional? I wouldn't because they are coming in from another career.

Personally, I would no longer consider those that take a few gap years to be non-traditional because it is so common nowadays and continues to grow in popularity. I tend to consider traditional vs non-traditional primarily on the path taken (studying music instead biochemistry or coming in from another career, for example) and, honestly, what does it matter anyway?
 
Damson said:
Agreed, around 2 should be fine

The reason I'm even thinking about this is that in reflection, some of those school years were too easy or class content wasn't useful in the long run. I wouldn't say wasted time but I'd like to challenge my kid a bit more
Click to expand...
Maybe let your child graduate early and have some gap year experiences before college?
 
Deltasidearm said:
Just depends on your own personal definition. Would you say a 30yo veteran who immediately after discharging went to college, got a degree in biochemistry, and matriculated to medical school immediately after undergrad traditional? I wouldn't because they are coming in from another career.

Personally, I would no longer consider those that take a few gap years to be non-traditional because it is so common nowadays and continues to grow in popularity. I tend to consider traditional vs non-traditional primarily on the path taken (studying music instead biochemistry or coming in from another career, for example) and, honestly, what does it matter anyway?
Click to expand...

I agree, it shouldn't matter. Just trying to get a feel for what the general consensus is on the definition.
 
I will likely be 30 or 31 when I finally get to apply for medical school.

Currently 28 y/o applying to colleges in California (where I live) for the following Fall 2021. It isn’t so uncommon of an age for the average non-trad millennial trying to go back to school, right? Shout out to the non-trad people in this thread. I feel less alone . Thank you!
 
MissDustyBlue said:
I will likely be 30 or 31 when I finally get to apply for medical school.

Currently 28 y/o applying to colleges in California (where I live) for the following Fall 2021. It isn’t so uncommon of an age for the average non-trad millennial trying to go back to school, right? Shout out to the non-trad people in this thread. I feel less alone . Thank you!
Click to expand...
If I get in this cycle, I will be turning 30 at the beginning of M1. You're not alone!
 
Flying Penguin said:
The average age of American medical matriculants is ~24 years old, so the average applicant is ~23. I am curious if the SDN sample is representative. Please vote only if you are in the current cycle for MD/DO.
Edit: if you voted, feel free to leave a comment about your cycle/your top choice school/whatever is on your mind right now (to keep this at the top of the forum). I will love every single one. 🙂 Thanks for helping!
Click to expand...
39 / M / accepted early to NJMS. Second career🙂
 
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