Dealing with starting med school later than expected?

[StretchDoe]

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I know the average age of MS1 is around 24.

I know it's not a big deal, but it does somewhat bother me that I am so behind compared to where I assumed I would be at this point. I plan on taking the MCAT in January and applying during the Summer as a 25 year old. Therefore, when I start med school I would be 26 and would end at 30 years old.

I know this isn't that old, but how did people deal with your peers already being done by the time you started. The chatter of people around you asking why you didn't start earlier (parents, family, etc). Did it bother you initially? I'm even at this point having outside pressure from my parents telling me to hurry up (which I understand) or go to the Carribean, pursue a SMP/ Masters, or pursue something else altogether. The fact that I basically have two more years till I start medical school is pretty rough for people to understand/myself to come to grips with.

Background about myself

Initially my plan was to start med school right after graduating. However, I took the old MCAT and only got a 30 after studying for 2 months, so decided not to apply that cycle. I need a higher MCAT score since my GPA isn't the best 3.5 at that time around 3.55 now. Also at that point in the cycle it was too late to apply.

I was planning on taking a gap year and applying after taking the MCAT during my senior year, but I didn't have time to study for the MCAT properly during the school year.

I then wanted to take the old MCAT in January before it changed, but personal matters got in the way and it turned into a cycle of not being confident in doing well on the exam anymore causing me to keep pushing it back further and further. I got distracted with a lot of other things in my life. Looking back I'm upset I let it get that.

I'm finally set on taking it in January and have been preparing really well, on top of having a stable job.

 

[WhittyPsyche]

I am 24, will matriculate at 25. I don't lose a second of peace of mind over this, and neither should you. This is trivial, and years from now you will probably laugh about the undue stress you are perpetuating by letting some (most probably benign) comments about when you are starting medical school.


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[I'm No Superman]

The M1 I stayed with when I interviewed at one of my schools was 30. He has the same mentality as @WhittyPsyche when it comes to age.

 

[StretchDoe]

I am 24, will matriculate at 25. I don't lose a second of peace of mind over this, and neither should you. This is trivial, and years from now you will probably laugh about the undue stress you are perpetuating by letting some (most probably benign) comments about when you are starting medical school.


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Yea makes sense. Thanks. It's just tough to explain to people around me, mainly my parents, that in my case patience is needed and it was best for me to hold off from applying unlike others. Also the lack of understanding regarding the process can be rough. They can't quite understand that there's only a small window of time to apply (June-July), but the MCAT is administered throughout the year. It comes from a good place though, so I can't even complain much.

Also I will admit it does make me get down knowing a lot of my peers are in med school and will almost be done or be done by the time I enter, but I'm not really caught up in that.

 

[WhittyPsyche]

Yea makes sense. Thanks. It's just tough to explain to people around me, mainly my parents, that in my case patience is needed and it was best for me to hold off from applying unlike others. Also the lack of understanding regarding the process can be rough. They can't quite understand that there's only a small window of time to apply (June-July), but the MCAT is administered throughout the year. It comes from a good place though, so I can't even complain much.

Also I will admit it does make me get down knowing a lot of my peers are in med school and will almost be done or be done by the time I enter, but I'm not really caught up in that.

After I finished high school I was still an illegal immigrant and though I had the stats and the ECs I couldn't go to college for two years. I watched all of my friends head off while I couldn't even get a job "over the table". I did what I had to do to get residency and did two bachelor's in 4 years. I just graduated. Trust me, I know all about the questions. Why aren't you in college yet, why didn't you graduate yet.

I learned a long time ago to stay in my own lane and not compare myself to others, it does no good, and changes absolutely nothing about your situation. Everyone has their own path. Live yours, not anyone else's. Even when it comes to your parents. Explain it once, and then if people still bitch and moan, let them, but don't let it bother you.


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[Dr Tony T. Chopper]

Honestly just do your own thing and don't worry about what other people are saying. You are the master of your own path so you should do what is best for yourself.

 

[DokterMom]

You had the wisdom to wait until your first application was strong enough to get you admitted.

You could be a third-time applicant instead if it makes you feel better.

 

[trini818]

I am starting med school next month. I turn 32 the second day of classes. You will be ok.

 

[eteshoe]

Started at 26 a won't even get to residency til ~34-36. Chill out and enjoy the journey.

 

[Titus Andromedon]

I'm older than you and just now applying this cycle. I had to learn to stop comparing myself to others and focus on what I can actually change.

 

[wagonwheel23]

My best friend is an attending at UCSF. I a will be an M1 soon. It doesn't matter. We each had our own paths, and I view medical school and residency as great adventures rather than a means to an end.

 

[moisne]

I didn't read the whole rant Bc it was ridiculous. First - almost no one asks of your age. Second - if your age came out , you probably did some cool stuff and it's interesting to share.

Really - no one gives a **** about your age unless you are far off. Groups of people I see hanging out range 21-30. The only people I see not in groups are those who are 35+ y/o (even some of those still hang with the younger ones) - but that's because they have other responsibilities (wife, kids, etc)

Worry more about doing well, less about your age


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[wowzerr]

I've had those same reservations. Currently 22, but planning on HOPEFULLY getting in for summer 2019, by which time I'll be 25. Large gap due to my horrendously absent extracurricular activities during my undergrad.

Frankly I'm envious that your weak spot is the mcat. You don't even need to improve by all that much to stand a good chance of getting in somewhere. You'll do fine, just be realistic with your choices.

My friends, who are all way more qualified than me, will likely matriculate into great schools this summer. If my plan holds I'll be two years behind them (in a lower tier school though, such is the price of a lazy undergrad).

I don't personally mind. Hell, for me getting in at 25 is OPTIMISTIC. It'd suck to have to go in later (especially since I wouldn't be racking up any particular "unique" experiences...making up an extracurricular deficiency is not great), but wouldn't mind too much if it meant getting into med school.

2 consecutive rejection years would have me rethinking stuff though...hopefully it doesn't come to that. I'd be 27 with no viable work experience other than scribing then...i'd probably move to become one of those mute monks in Asia.

 

[jqueb29]

I know the average age of MS1 is around 24.

I know it's not a big deal, but it does somewhat bother me that I am so behind compared to where I assumed I would be at this point. I plan on taking the MCAT in January and applying during the Summer as a 25 year old. Therefore, when I start med school I would be 26 and would end at 30 years old.

I know this isn't that old, but how did people deal with your peers already being done by the time you started. The chatter of people around you asking why you didn't start earlier (parents, family, etc). Did it bother you initially? I'm even at this point having outside pressure from my parents telling me to hurry up (which I understand) or go to the Carribean, pursue a SMP/ Masters, or pursue something else altogether. The fact that I basically have two more years till I start medical school is pretty rough for people to understand/myself to come to grips with.

Background about myself

Initially my plan was to start med school right after graduating. However, I took the old MCAT and only got a 30 after studying for 2 months, so decided not to apply that cycle. I need a higher MCAT score since my GPA isn't the best 3.5 at that time around 3.55 now. Also at that point in the cycle it was too late to apply.

I was planning on taking a gap year and applying after taking the MCAT during my senior year, but I didn't have time to study for the MCAT properly during the school year.

I then wanted to take the old MCAT in January before it changed, but personal matters got in the way and it turned into a cycle of not being confident in doing well on the exam anymore causing me to keep pushing it back further and further. I got distracted with a lot of other things in my life. Looking back I'm upset I let it get that.

I'm finally set on taking it in January and have been preparing really well, on top of having a stable job.

The average age being 24 does not mean that everybody is between 23-25. I would say at least a solid quarter of my class (and most other classes I know of) began med school at 26 or older.

 

[StretchDoe]

I didn't read the whole rant Bc it was ridiculous. First - almost no one asks of your age. Second - if your age came out , you probably did some cool stuff and it's interesting to share.

Really - no one gives a **** about your age unless you are far off. Groups of people I see hanging out range 21-30. The only people I see not in groups are those who are 35+ y/o (even some of those still hang with the younger ones) - but that's because they have other responsibilities (wife, kids, etc)

Worry more about doing well, less about your age


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Didn't mean for it to come off as a rant and I get that people start medical school at varying ages. It's just something that slightly bothered me, but it's not the biggest deal to me.

What makes it tough is explaining this to my parents who basically expected me to be half way done with med school by now. I don't fault them for not really getting it since they're not in this field at all. But it can get tough when they're like you should just go to the Caribbean or do something else or why didn't you just apply DO etc. No biggie, but tough to constantly hear these things and have them give up hope lol.

Also, I'll be 100% honest it slightly gets to me that my peers are deep into school while I'm not even starting yet. But this honestly isn't a bug deal to me. It's more so my parents.

 

[CyrilFiggis]

Once you're a physician, everyone you work with is your peer. I'm 30 and matriculating in 3 weeks. I was volunteering in an ER learning from residents 5 years younger than I was. So check your ego and get over it. If your parents want to rush you into a decision that will have an impact on the next 40 years of your professional life, that's their problem.

 

[WhittyPsyche]

Once you're a physician, everyone you work with is your peer. I'm 30 and matriculating in 3 weeks. I was volunteering in an ER learning from residents 5 years younger than I was. So check your ego and get over it. If your parents want to rush you into a decision that will have an impact on the next 40 years of your professional life, that's their problem.

Love the avatar


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[StretchDoe]

Once you're a physician, everyone you work with is your peer. I'm 30 and matriculating in 3 weeks. I was volunteering in an ER learning from residents 5 years younger than I was. So check your ego and get over it. If your parents want to rush you into a decision that will have an impact on the next 40 years of your professional life, that's their problem.

Definitely got it. Appreciate everyone's words/perspectives to see the bigger picture.

 

[JustaDO]

I didn't read the whole rant Bc

Instantly irrelevant after this part.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

Didn't mean for it to come off as a rant and I get that people start medical school at varying ages. It's just something that slightly bothered me, but it's not the biggest deal to me.

What makes it tough is explaining this to my parents who basically expected me to be half way done with med school by now. I don't fault them for not really getting it since they're not in this field at all. But it can get tough when they're like you should just go to the Caribbean or do something else or why didn't you just apply DO etc. No biggie, but tough to constantly hear these things and have them give up hope lol.

Also, I'll be 100% honest it slightly gets to me that my peers are deep into school while I'm not even starting yet. But this honestly isn't a bug deal to me. It's more so my parents.

Explain that it's a marathon, not a sprint. Finishing med school is just the beginning of residency. There's a long road ahead, and their concern is probably so they can proudly call their child a doctor. Just tell them to chill out.

I will be 39 when I finish med school (assuming I get in). Not at all concerned. Anyone who tries to publicly make me feel bad about it is in for a rude awakening.

 

[alpha-GTP]

I'll be 32 by the time I hopefully matriculate, so I find it ridiculous that anyone will feel old at 24. It's always best to wait until you have the most competitive app before applying rather than end up as a reapplicant. Applying once is stressful enough, so I can't imagine having to go through that emotional (and financial) rollercoaster more than once.

 

[deleted647690]

I've had those same reservations. Currently 22, but planning on HOPEFULLY getting in for summer 2019, by which time I'll be 25. Large gap due to my horrendously absent extracurricular activities during my undergrad.

Frankly I'm envious that your weak spot is the mcat. You don't even need to improve by all that much to stand a good chance of getting in somewhere. You'll do fine, just be realistic with your choices.

My friends, who are all way more qualified than me, will likely matriculate into great schools this summer. If my plan holds I'll be two years behind them (in a lower tier school though, such is the price of a lazy undergrad).

I don't personally mind. Hell, for me getting in at 25 is OPTIMISTIC. It'd suck to have to go in later (especially since I wouldn't be racking up any particular "unique" experiences...making up an extracurricular deficiency is not great), but wouldn't mind too much if it meant getting into med school.

2 consecutive rejection years would have me rethinking stuff though...hopefully it doesn't come to that. I'd be 27 with no viable work experience other than scribing then...i'd probably move to become one of those mute monks in Asia.

Lol I think just like you do. I've been thinking that if med school doesn't work out, I'm going to join the military and improve my survival skills, then move to the Alaskan wilderness and live on my own, completely self sufficient

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

Lol I think just like you do. I've been thinking that if med school doesn't work out, I'm going to join the military and improve my survival skills, then move to the Alaskan wilderness and live on my own, completely self sufficient

The type of survival training you need for that will not be found in the military. The type of survival skills taught even to NSW and other special forces are minimalist. How to survive for a week in the desert or a jungle, etc, with minimal food and water while tracking a target. You aren't going to learn how to be an Alaskan bushman.

 

[deleted647690]

The type of survival training you need for that will not be found in the military. The type of survival skills taught even to NSW and other special forces are minimalist. How to survive for a week in the desert or a jungle, etc, with minimal food and water while tracking a target. You aren't going to learn how to be an Alaskan bushman.

oh. where would you go if you wanted to learn to be an Alaskan bushman?

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

oh. where would you go if you wanted to learn to be an Alaskan bushman?

Alaska, probably. Maybe join the Russian military. Our forces generally don't spend more than a couple weeks in those types of survival situations, and they are generally spent eating once a day and rolling your body slightly so you aren't lying directly in your own piss.

ETA: Although, pissing on myself in training was never a problem, because I was usually too cold to care.