Going for it at 30

[loochi]

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Hi everyone,

I thought I'd share my story as I embark on this new journey. A little background first... I graduated with a BA in Advertising from the University of Oregon back in Dec 2011. Prior to attending college in 2007 I had raced mountain bikes professionally for 9 years. It was a great experience and it showed me the world.

After graduating I went to work in sports marketing for one year and realized it wasn't for me. That's when medicine came into the picture. My passion for medicine has always been there but the thought of being a doctor never entered my head until a few months ago.

I've had a lot of exposure to medicine from a patients perspective. I'm a Type 1 diabetic since age 5 and I've had 6 major orthopedic surgeries on all four limbs over the years (all from bike racing). I'm interested in endo and ortho but leaning towards ortho.

I'll be starting at UCSD Extension for all my pre-reqs this winter and applying for the 1yr post bacc program there next Jan. Goal is to apply in June 2015. I'll try and update my progress as I move through this process. Feel free to throw any advice or tips my way and good luck to you all!

 

[DocVapor]

Good luck! You can certainly still do it.

And advice? At the risk of sounding asinine: study hard. 😉

 

[derpymd]

I concur with the above post! Study hard and make sure you manage your time and stress well and you'll do fine.

 

[rguil15]

You're in good company. I'll be taking the MCAT right around my 30th birthday, possibly on my 30th birthday.

My only advice, work your ass off. If you leave anything on the table, you cheated yourself. No reason to hold back at this point.

 

[deleted480308]

Early 30's here....good luck!

 

[deleted480308]

Also, did you ever do leadville? It's my dream race/run location right now. That and the escape from alcatraz triathlon

 

[loochi]

Thanks for the support everyone! @sb247 - Never did Leadville but I've heard great things about it. My career revolved around downhill and bmx but I have been enjoying the longer rides lately so maybe I'll do some endurance races for fun.

 

[Deadlifts]

Good luck to you!

 

[lunalight]

I will turn 30 two months after I start M1. I'll be rooting for you! Good luck!

 

[DrMattOglesby]

I'm 31 and am currently on a research year between MS3-MS4. I started at the age of 27 and will be 32 (& 1/2) at graduation. Tack on a 4yr residency + 1yr Fellowship to put me at 37 before I am an attending.

It's a long road and it can be easy to feel out of place sometimes, especially in a hierarchical field like medicine where I am older than my peers by an average of 4-5 years. BUT--I love what I'm doing and I don't have any regrets about the path I took that allowed me to arrive where I am today.

FWIW: I believe I read a while back (when I was applying in 2008) that the avg age of the first year medical student was 25.

PS: Did you ever hear of Mtn. Biking Championship at Skyline Park in Napa? It used to take place right behind my house 10+ years ago...

PPS: I think it's great you've been a professional athlete. I never achieved that level of excellence, but I did pull off a handful of Full and Half IronMan events that received considerable attention during my interviews.

 

[dsoz]

Average age for M1 this year at OHSU is more like 27. They are very non-traditional friendly. I know I will skew the average with my youthful 42 when I matriculate in August.

Are you still in Oregon? You may want to return to Oregon instead of UC so you can claim Oregon residency for the OHSU application. Then you would fit into one of the "mission based groups."

There are not a lot of people from Oregon on here. I am not sure why.

Anyway, good luck to you. Do well in your classes and get a good score on the MCAT. 🙂

dsoz

 

[Prncssbuttercup]

I'm 36... There is a guy in my class who is 41... Here's my take on life, if I'm going to have to work until I'm 70-75, I might as well enjoy what I'm doing... SB247, contact me if you want info about the Leadville 100, I live in CO, and my husband has done it... as have several friends...

 

[DevonL]

This thread is great to read. I'm 26 years old and going back to school to do my pre-med next fall (I'll be 27). I'm going to attempt to go to school year round to hopefully finish up in 3 years instead of 4. I've been extremely nervous about going back to school so "late" in life and it's definitely inspirational to see the lot of you around my age and older doing the same as I.

I'm coming from working in sales and simply cannot stand it. It presents no challenge and no joy. I had originally wanted to be an orthopedic surgeon, but gave up in the pursuit of making money sooner... Dumb decision that I'm now regretting. I can't wait to get back to school to finish up.

 

[Prncssbuttercup]

Like I said, if you are going to work until your 70, you might as well do it now and have a happy life you can be proud of... and as Warren Miller says "If you don't do it this year, you'll be one year older when you do."

 

[DevonL]

Like I said, if you are going to work until your 70, you might as well do it now and have a happy life you can be proud of... and as Warren Miller says "If you don't do it this year, you'll be one year older when you do."

I really couldn't agree with that any more. I wish I hadn't put things on hold quite as much as I did .. but live and learn. I'm 26 - still young.

 

[Law2Doc]

...
I'm coming from working in sales and simply cannot stand it...

Being in your 30s or older on the wards is no longer very unusual in medicine. It won't be age that poses the hurdles on this path. My only caution is that I and others cringe when people post that they are going into medicine because they hate/can't stand their initially chosen path. You need to fix this back story. Med schools don't want other fields washouts. They don't want the guy running from a bad situation. They want the guy who did well at his prior job, and learned a lot of transferable skills, but yet was somehow articulately drawn to medicine. They want the guy who was successful in one setting, and even content, but somehow still drawn to the medical field. So I'd be real careful how you spin your story -- it makes a difference to adcoms.

 

[flyhi]

To the OP, congrats on taking the first step! I'm sure you will get a ton of great advice, but I wanted to throw in my .02 on something to think about while you are completing your pre-reqs. I am a bit biased, but I would encourage you to also investigate podiatry, based on your background and interests. A lot of people are uneducated about the field, so in a nutshell it is picking your specialty first as a podiatric surgeon. You do not have to worry about matching into ortho. It is a 4 yr podiatric medical education (first 2 yrs pre-clinical and final 2 clinical) followed by a 3 year surgical residency. There are many subspecialties you can find your niche in, such as: sports medicine (one of our profs is the team podiatrist for Miami Heat), diabetic wound care, derm, trauma surgery, reconstructive surgery, limb salvage, etc.

The schools are non-trad friendly as well. Just wanted to give you something to consider as you make your way. It may not interest you at all, but it can never hurt to have options. Best of luck on your endeavors!

 

[loochi]

Average age for M1 this year at OHSU is more like 27. They are very non-traditional friendly. I know I will skew the average with my youthful 42 when I matriculate in August.

Are you still in Oregon? You may want to return to Oregon instead of UC so you can claim Oregon residency for the OHSU application. Then you would fit into one of the "mission based groups."

There are not a lot of people from Oregon on here. I am not sure why.

Anyway, good luck to you. Do well in your classes and get a good score on the MCAT. 🙂

dsoz

I heavily weighed my options and considered getting back to Oregon as a resident not only because I've heard great things about OHSU but I absolutely love Oregon. I decided to stay in SD because my folks offered to let me stay with them for the next couple years until I get into med school to save $$$.

Congrats on your acceptance to OHSU!

 

[loochi]

To the OP, congrats on taking the first step! I'm sure you will get a ton of great advice, but I wanted to throw in my .02 on something to think about while you are completing your pre-reqs. I am a bit biased, but I would encourage you to also investigate podiatry, based on your background and interests. A lot of people are uneducated about the field, so in a nutshell it is picking your specialty first as a podiatric surgeon. You do not have to worry about matching into ortho. It is a 4 yr podiatric medical education (first 2 yrs pre-clinical and final 2 clinical) followed by a 3 year surgical residency. There are many subspecialties you can find your niche in, such as: sports medicine (one of our profs is the team podiatrist for Miami Heat), diabetic wound care, derm, trauma surgery, reconstructive surgery, limb salvage, etc.

The schools are non-trad friendly as well. Just wanted to give you something to consider as you make your way. It may not interest you at all, but it can never hurt to have options. Best of luck on your endeavors!

Thanks very much for your advice! I will definitely look into the podiatry option as well. When I was racing I had worked with a podiatrist for custom soles for my racing shoes because of a flat foot condition that hindered my balance a bit. He was the only guy that was ever able to enhance that part of my program (and I saw a couple ortho's as well).

On the other hand when I was 19 I crushed my left calcaneus and fractured my right tibia length wise from the knee to ankle. My ortho did an amazing job on both (did both surgeries simultaneously even though he advised against it cause of the diabetes and potential infection). Long story short I was back racing after only 4 months. The impact that ortho had on me was huge so I think that's where my soft spot is.

With that said I've heard wonderful things about podiatric surgeons so I will add that to my options and look into it a bit more. Thanks again!

 

[Prncssbuttercup]

L2D, I hated my job in biotech, but I never WANTED to be there, I always wanted to be in medicine. Additionally, biotech comes with many transferable skills and knowledge... Either way, OP if you're in my situation where you never wanted to be in the job you're in, and had always wanted to be in medicine, that's one thing, if you hate your job and are now deciding it's not right, do what L2D suggests and be careful how you phrase it!

 

[loochi]

I absolutely agree. I'd be lying if I said I enjoyed my 1yr stint in sports marketing but I didn't hate it... it just wasn't for me. Being an athlete for so long and working with all the marketing guys from my sponsors I felt like it was a natural transition post-race career / college. I was really good at it but it just wasn't for me. I'm still friends with my boss and coworkers and they are all supportive of my direction.

I respect what sports marketing managers do and without them I'd never have accomplished what I did in racing but for me it's medicine all the way. L2D- I'll definitely keep your advice in mind when completing my app for med school. Thanks!

 

[flyhi]

Loochi, I get it... I also had a soft spot for ortho after 2 bone grafts to the wrist as a youngster. I fought MMA semi-professionally and ruptured my plantar fascia and then gastrocnemius twice. I was equally impressed by both my ortho doc and podiatrist. I can't believe you were back in 4 months, that really is amazing! It's the unpredictability of the match that would be so nerve-wracking, but you will figure it out. You'll be a star in whatever you decide, i'm sure. Keep us posted on your progress!

 

[DevonL]

Being in your 30s or older on the wards is no longer very unusual in medicine. It won't be age that poses the hurdles on this path. My only caution is that I and others cringe when people post that they are going into medicine because they hate/can't stand their initially chosen path. You need to fix this back story. Med schools don't want other fields washouts. They don't want the guy running from a bad situation. They want the guy who did well at his prior job, and learned a lot of transferable skills, but yet was somehow articulately drawn to medicine. They want the guy who was successful in one setting, and even content, but somehow still drawn to the medical field. So I'd be real careful how you spin your story -- it makes a difference to adcoms.

There is a deeper reason of transitioning back into medicine - I cannot say I hate my job due to my inability to perform - it's quite the opposite - I find no challenge and no degree of reward to what I do. I've always had an interest in science and medicine; specifically in orthopedics.

 

[DrBradley]

This thread is great to read. I'm 26 years old and going back to school to do my pre-med next fall (I'll be 27). I'm going to attempt to go to school year round to hopefully finish up in 3 years instead of 4. I've been extremely nervous about going back to school so "late" in life and it's definitely inspirational to see the lot of you around my age and older doing the same as I.

I'm coming from working in sales and simply cannot stand it. It presents no challenge and no joy. I had originally wanted to be an orthopedic surgeon, but gave up in the pursuit of making money sooner... Dumb decision that I'm now regretting. I can't wait to get back to school to finish up.

Wow!!! You sound just like me. Im now 27 and finished my 1st semester of college this past fall. I had a baby March 2011 and decided to go after my goals. Also, im coming from a sales background. I will be in my current sales position 6 years Aug 2013. I perform very well in the sales field and love the interaction with the public. In my heart, I always wanted to become a doctor and help anywhere I could. However, with a busy work schedule and being super mom, im only able to take two classes per semester. Which is ok. My 1st semester I got all A's and that what I want for the remainder of getting my Bachelor's degree. Im excited; however, I am about to be laid off and I decided to go ahead and finish this year off with a very part time job in order to keep bills paid. This means Ill be able to pick up more classes in the fall 2013 semester. I also planned going year round to be completed faster but honestly as long as I keep at it I know eventually ill get to where I want to be. I will love to hear your updates and progress. Congrats on taking the steps to get started!!!!

 

[Back 5]

Turning 32 this month. I'm scheduled to sit for the MCAT APril 26 and will be applying this cycle.

Based on my current student loan debt (200k) plus future debt, I will have to attempt a ROADs specialty, to feel comfortable in having nearly half a million dollars in school debt. This would place me at 45 walking out of residency (if all goes well).

It has been done many times before me and I hope to join that prestigious group of folks.

 

[HurricaneMan]

i CANNOT tell you how amazing it is to read this thread. im 27 and my advisor just told me that my degree concentration was going to take 4 - 4 1/2 years to finish, making what i thought a 4 year degree turn into almost 8. completely deflated, i thought of doing the PA thing because i was just so tired of being a broke student and didnt feel like id ever make it to medical school.

after reading this, ive decided to restructure my degree, finish in a year or so and do a post bacc and hopefully apply by the time im 30-31. thank you. thank you. thank you for your words of encouragement. i feel so much better knowing that im not the only "old guy" in a room full of 19 year olds living at home with their parents. you all have saved me from making a terrible decision.

 

[EmergDoc2B]

Ill be 39 when I start Med School this August.

🙂

 

[lacey17]

I think your story is unique and you have a good chance !

 

[Juan Solo]

Don't let the age thing get to you. Follow your dreams and I am sure that you will look back and be happy. Good Luck! You can do it!

 

[Cluless]

This thread is great to read. I'm 26 years old and going back to school to do my pre-med next fall (I'll be 27). I'm going to attempt to go to school year round to hopefully finish up in 3 years instead of 4. I've been extremely nervous about going back to school so "late" in life and it's definitely inspirational to see the lot of you around my age and older doing the same as I.

I'm coming from working in sales and simply cannot stand it. It presents no challenge and no joy. I had originally wanted to be an orthopedic surgeon, but gave up in the pursuit of making money sooner... Dumb decision that I'm now regretting. I can't wait to get back to school to finish up.

Hey DIDO! 🙂 My advice: try not to rush it too much! If you can maintain a minimum B/B+ science and cumulative GPA maybe attempting to complete it all in 3 yrs will be okay. But in order to be competitive that means in those three years you will have had taken one year of: bio w/lab; physics w/lab; general chem w/lab; organic chem w/lab; and at least 2 - 4 upper level science courses; and at least a semester of calculus. That's academically. Then you should be volunteering, preferably in a clinical/hospital setting consistently for at least a year or so. It's also a good idea to get involved on campus: mentoring, clubs... etc. It can be done, I know someone who is doing that. So if you've got it mapped out, GO FOR IT!

I started at 27. The avg freshman at the time were 22/23 so it wasn't too uncomfortable. I'm a junior now, and I just turned 29. Because I had no pre-health advisor for my first 2 years I didn't know much about the MCAT and which courses I should be taking to be prepared for it, so I will be taking my MCAT next year and applying 2014 for incoming class of 2015. I'll be 32. These past weeks I've been interacting with med students and they've been telling me 1. Not to get so hung up on my age, lol 2. There are many "non-traditional" students in their classes. (I put quotation marks bc apparently the traditional route is now becoming non-trad.)

My best advice with the whole starting college in late 20s? Surround yourself with people who are just as focused as you're going to be, regardless of their age. I have college friends as young as 20. My friends' avg is about 25 <-- other nontrad students pursuing medicine or PhD in the natural sciences. Enjoy it! These last 2 years I've done everything I wanted to do back when I traditionally went to college the first time. From hanging out to extracurriculars, to dorming in summer programs and to pulling 24-hour cram sessions in the library. I've realized that not everyone gets a second chance all the time and I did. So I'm living it up! Much success to you!

 

[loochi]

So I'm 3 weeks into my first quarter at UCSD and so far so good. There was a couple things bogging me down off the start (had to brush up on trig and get caught up with gen chem basics having never taken a chem class before) but now that I'm caught up things are a lot better. I'm enjoying chem quite a bit thus far and calculus... well... is just calculus. haha

The road is long so I'm just walking in stride, one foot in front of the other and trying to enjoy everyday. Everyone on campus is very nice and I've already met a couple study pals.

Thanks for all the encouraging words and good luck to all of you as well!