I blame the people who don't give up(j/k)

[swifteagle43]

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Okay...why the heck is getting into med school getting harder and harder for us young guns....Even with a 3.5 and a 30 MCAT you are still throwing darts at a board...How are re-applicants affecting the pool?

I see 30-35 year olds still in the MCAT/GPA game and playing with us low 20's kids. And I see 25 year olds with three years of internship/research applying....Why are these people doing this?!

How do they find time to study? How can they remember what the debrolie equation is?! and most important....why is age not deterring them? They will be 40 when they become doctors! I think I am missing a part of the equation. Is it okay to slow down? Should I too take the long route?

 

[Ypo.]

My mom started medical school when she was forty. MSUCOM boasts the oldest medical student in the nation (he is in his late sixties, I believe).

Many of the people who you see applying to med school in their later years have not known all along they wanted to become doctors, or else the timing wasn't right in their earlier years.

Bottom line is, you should go to medical school when you feel it is right for you. If I'm not mistaken, you already have an acceptance, and are young w'out kids. I can't seem to see a good reason for you not to attend next year, unless there is something else pressing that you really want to do, and won't be able to do unless you do it NOW.

Me, I took one year off in undergrad, and also I will have been out of school for three years when I start med school in the fall. During that time I have lived a lot of adventures. This summer I plan to camp in a remote area in Costa Rica for a month.
Med school in itself will be something I enjoy. I don't feel rushed. I'm 26.

 

[MWillie]

It's okay, you can take it out on your 35 year old interns when you're a second or third year resident. Haha, that's gonna suck for them, getting bossed around by a "mightier than thou" 26 year old.

 

[swifteagle43]

It's okay, you can take it out on your 35 year old interns when you're a second or third year resident. Haha, that's gonna suck for them, getting bossed around by a "mightier than thou" 26 year old.

LOL HAHAHAHAHAHHAHA I wouldn't do that but that would suck....taking order from a 26 year old...oh man i would punch that kid who was bossing in the face...woops

But here is the million dollar question: Is it even worth becomming a doctor when you turn 40? Residency+ Tuition + Living expenses.....how are these people DOING THIS?!

 

[pakidoc]

Okay...why the heck is getting into med school getting harder and harder for us young guns....Even with a 3.5 and a 30 MCAT you are still throwing darts at a board...How are re-applicants affecting the pool?

I see 30-35 year olds still in the MCAT/GPA game and playing with us low 20's kids. And I see 25 year olds with three years of internship/research applying....Why are these people doing this?!

How do they find time to study? How can they remember what the debrolie equation is?! and most important....why is age not deterring them? They will be 40 when they become doctors! I think I am missing a part of the equation. Is it okay to slow down? Should I too take the long route?

hahaha... its Bernouli not debrolie... loooool

 

[MWillie]

hahaha... its Bernouli not debrolie... loooool

Maybe he's talking about the Debroglie wavelength equation, looooool!

 

[pakidoc]

hmm never heard of that one!

 

[MWillie]

hmm never heard of that one!

You're lucky, physical chemistry owns me.

 

[pakidoc]

ur in stl too!!!
which school??

 

[MWillie]

Slu!

 

[pakidoc]

SLU SOM class of 2009?? or doing undergrad from slu or both?

 

[MWillie]

SLU SOM class of 2009?? or doing undergrad from slu or both?

undergrad, applying to SLU and Wustl. Either of those would do me great, more so wustl.

You?

 

[SailCrazy]

But here is the million dollar question: Is it even worth becomming a doctor when you turn 40? Residency+ Tuition + Living expenses.....how are these people DOING THIS?!

I would guess that a very large percentage of older applicants are not doing it for the $$$.

Anyway, you're going to make enough to live comfortably, but maybe not as much as if you'd just worked and not gone to med school. The same thing can be said, however, for many younger pre-meds as well. (Especially if their major isn't pre-med!)

Residency+ Tuition + Living expenses.....how are these people DOING THIS?!

Lots of debt - same as most everyone else! 🙄

 

[SailCrazy]

and most important....why is age not deterring them? They will be 40 when they become doctors! I think I am missing a part of the equation. Is it okay to slow down? Should I too take the long route?

I'd ask the same question of younger applicants! 😀

Why waste your youth in med school? Get out. Have fun. Travel the world. Work for a while. Drink a lot. Or don't drink at all. Basically... do whatever you want for a while and start to figure out who in the hell you actually are! (By the way, if you think you figured that out in college then you really need to take some time off!)

Med school isn't going anywhere. What's the rush? No matter how soon you finish med school and start making your millions, you'll never be able to buy back your 20s!

 

[swifteagle43]

I'd ask the same question of younger applicants! 😀

Why waste your youth in med school? Get out. Have fun. Travel the world. Work for a while. Drink a lot. Or don't drink at all. Basically... do whatever you want for a while and start to figure out who in the hell you actually are! (By the way, if you think you figured that out in college then you really need to take some time off!)

Med school isn't going anywhere. What's the rush? No matter how soon you finish med school and start making your millions, you'll never be able to buy back your 20s!

HOW ARE YOU ABLE TO PAY FOR MEDSCHOOL?! MY PARENTS ARE PAYING MY BILL!!!! HOW ARE YOU PAYING FOR THIS?!!!! Are you taking a 200 grad debt? Do you understad the consequences of this debt?

Your handle is SailCrazy...and you are giving advice on figuring out life?!!! j/k but seriously dude...what do you think a good age is to start med school?

 

[Scubadoc]

Why waste your youth in med school? Get out. Have fun. Travel the world. Work for a while. Drink a lot. Or don't drink at all. Basically... do whatever you want for a while and start to figure out who in the hell you actually are!

Great post 👍

HOW ARE YOU ABLE TO PAY FOR MEDSCHOOL?! MY PARENTS ARE PAYING MY BILL!!!! HOW ARE YOU PAYING FOR THIS?!!!! Are you taking a 200 grad debt? Do you understad the consequences of this debt?

wow, I can't imagine my parents paying 200 grand for my med school education. You are truly lucky. I also think you are a minority amongst many of your peers. The rest of us are taking out loans, using some saved money, and hoping for scholarships.

 

[MWillie]

I'd ask the same question of younger applicants! 😀

Why waste your youth in med school? Get out. Have fun. Travel the world. Work for a while. Drink a lot. Or don't drink at all. Basically... do whatever you want for a while and start to figure out who in the hell you actually are! (By the way, if you think you figured that out in college then you really need to take some time off!)

Med school isn't going anywhere. What's the rush? No matter how soon you finish med school and start making your millions, you'll never be able to buy back your 20s!

Just for enjoying his/her 20s while I did not, I'm going to chew out any 35 year old interns I come across if ever I get the chance. That'lll show em to enjoy his 20s.

 

[swifteagle43]

Just for enjoying his/her 20s while I did not, I'm going to chew out any 35 year old interns I come across if ever I get the chance. That'lll show em to enjoy his 20s.

YES! I TOO WILL BECOME A BITTER 26 YEAR OLD! j/k....you are funny as hell Mwillie

Here is the thing: I ain't planning on going to harvard. I want to go to a weak medical school with a HUGE undergrad so I can have a good time. 🙂

 

[SailCrazy]

HOW ARE YOU ABLE TO PAY FOR MEDSCHOOL?! MY PARENTS ARE PAYING MY BILL!!!! HOW ARE YOU PAYING FOR THIS?!!!! Are you taking a 200 grad debt? Do you understad the consequences of this debt?

I'd be willing to bet that I understand the consequences of taking on that debt far better than someone whose parents have paid and will continue to pay their way for everything! 😛

I'm going to assume that you're not trolling, and really don't understand the "consequences" of not having rich parents who pay for all of your education... (Not that it is a bad thing - are they looking to adopt?)

It that much debt a burden? Sure, but it is certainly manageable.
Is it a reason not to go to med school? Absolutely not.
Would I like it if someone would pay for all of my med school? Definitely - consider yourself very lucky (and thank your parents often!) 👍
Would I trade the life I've had to go back in time, go straight from undergrad to med school with everything paid for by parents/scholarships/modeling contracts/genius grants/sugar momma/etc? Not a chance!!!!

Your handle is SailCrazy...and you are giving advice on figuring out life?!!! j/k

I would definitely recommend a trip (at least one overnight sail included) on a sailboat as a great way to stimulate some thought on what is really important in your life! 😀
Besides, you missed the point. The secret to life.... is more cowbell!!!

but seriously dude...what do you think a good age is to start med school?

(Insert emoticon for pulling numbers out of my...) How about 26-34?

 

[SailCrazy]

Just for enjoying his/her 20s while I did not, I'm going to chew out any 35 year old interns I come across if ever I get the chance. That'lll show em to enjoy his 20s.

That sounds like a resonable trade to me!

 

[swifteagle43]

Would I trade the life I've had to go back in time, go straight from undergrad to med school with everything paid for by parents/scholarships/modeling contracts/genius grants/sugar momma/etc? Not a chance!!!!

😱 YOU HAVE SUGAR MOMAS?! But seriously...you can balance work and play as a medical student. How crazy can it possibly be?

 

[SailCrazy]

😱 YOU HAVE SUGAR MOMAS?!

...I haven't spent all of my time sitting around pondering the nature of my existence! 😀

But seriously...you can balance work and play as a medical student. How crazy can it possibly be?

I know. I plan to.
Balance is great - having some time where you're not trying to balance is even better.

 

[swifteagle43]

...I haven't spent all of my time sitting around pondering the nature of my existence! 😀

I know. I plan to.
Balance is great - having some time where you're not trying to balance is even better.

Yeah but you are taking the Mcat in the april of 2005. How can you even remember any of the stuff taught to you in your chem/physics/bio class? There is no way you can recall all that info as well as a fresh mind of a 22 year old! What life experience made you want to become a doctor? Is this something you wanted to do since you were in college?

 

[dpill]

Yeah but you are taking the Mcat in the april of 2005. How can you even remember any of the stuff taught to you in your chem/physics/bio class? There is no way you can recall all that info as well as a fresh mind of a 22 year old! What life experience made you want to become a doctor? Is this something you wanted to do since you were in college?

I took the MCAT in April 2004- 10 PS, 10 Bio, 11VR. The last time I took a physics or gen chemistry class was 1988. You would be surprised how easy it comes back. I recently went back to school and got my MPH (just to get back in the swing of things). At the same time I took several "science" classes and found them much easier than I did as an undergraduate (including Organic Chemistry). I knew I wanted to go to medical school in college, but chose to go to pilot training in the Air Force first (a true once in a lifetime opportunity). I lived in Japan, England, Guam, and now Italy, and all-in-all I've had a great experience. But NOTHING has deterred my desire to become a physician. I have maintained my EMT credentials since 1992 and have volunteered throughout my years in the Air Force. You only live life once. My philosophy, I will be a doctor until the day I die- so what is the rush? And why only do one thing in life? Money is a small issue when compared to my previous experiences and the opportunity I have now to finally fulfill my lifelong desire to become a physician. I have absolutely NO regrets about possibly being the oldest student in my class (36 when I start).

 

[Law2Doc]

Speaking on behalf of the older med school applicants, I can tell you that the motivation is definitely not money. Thus the fact that we may be at or near 40 upon completion of school is not really relevant. Many of us had successful lucrative careers in other areas, but either always had a nagging latent desire to go into medicine that eventually surfaced, or later came to the realization that medicine was something we wanted to pursue. I would say that intellectual stimulation is a big motivating factor. (Quite frankly, given the level of pay interns and residents make, the number of years required, and the pushes toward managed care/HMOs, medicine is probably not a great career to pursue if money is your biggest motivating factor.)
I have personally found that added maturity and experience sometimes results in better and more efficient study habits, and fewer distractions -- I am a far better student now then I was at 20. However if you are 20 and sure you want to go to medical school, go for it. More power to you.
As for how an older candidate finances medical school, I remind you that most of us are no longer burdened with college debt, and have worked and saved for a substantial amount of time. Thus with the exception of the poster who is sponging off his parents 🙂 , many of us are in pretty good shape for this undertaking.

 

[Crake]

As a post-bacc I see a couple of older non-traditional students in the classes I take. All I can say is that I admire them for having the gumption to go through with the whole ordeal. I can only say that even as a young 23-year old post-bacc, I find it very hard to go back to school and take on a mountain of debt when everyone I went to college with is striking it rich in ibanking and living the life. I can only imagine how much harder it is for older non traditional students that are already well established in lucrative jobs and/or have family to support to go back to school and sit in a general chemistry course full of 19 year olds! If anybody has the guts and the drive to do all of this to become a physician, I think they'll make a hell of a better doctor than some 22 year old grad right off of frat row. That's just my opinion of course, there isn't necessarily a linear relationship between age and maturity or competence (many 22 year-olds are very competent) but in the end I think there may just be some truth to the notion that older=wiser. I think adcoms tend to subscribe to this notion as well.

 

[avinash]

Maybe he's talking about the Debroglie wavelength equation, looooool!

thats what i thought....

 

[SailCrazy]

Yeah but you are taking the Mcat in the april of 2005. How can you even remember any of the stuff taught to you in your chem/physics/bio class? There is no way you can recall all that info as well as a fresh mind of a 22 year old! What life experience made you want to become a doctor? Is this something you wanted to do since you were in college?

So I wrote a very long reply to your "Why become a Doctor" quesiton and then SDN crashed when I tried to post! 😡
See link: Why is SDN crashing?!?

Anyway - about the MCAT... Let's just say that I like my chances. As an "old gun" to a "young gun" I'd gladly accept a friendly MCAT wager if you'd like to make one! 😀

 

[firebody]

Okay...why the heck is getting into med school getting harder and harder for us young guns....Even with a 3.5 and a 30 MCAT you are still throwing darts at a board...How are re-applicants affecting the pool?

I see 30-35 year olds still in the MCAT/GPA game and playing with us low 20's kids. And I see 25 year olds with three years of internship/research applying....Why are these people doing this?!

How do they find time to study? How can they remember what the debrolie equation is?! and most important....why is age not deterring them? They will be 40 when they become doctors! I think I am missing a part of the equation. Is it okay to slow down? Should I too take the
long route?

stop asking ******ed questions you turd. and nice avatar by the way....

 

[swifteagle43]

stop asking ******ed questions you turd. and nice avatar by the way....

Are you copying my avitar....Thats NOT COOL!

 

[firebody]

Are you copying my avitar....Thats NOT COOL!

yes, i'm copying your avatar. 🙄

-later dude. and stop acting like an idiot.

 

[swifteagle43]

yes, i'm copying your avatar. 🙄

-later dude. and stop acting like an idiot.

TO Firebody:
Okay, dude where did you get your icon from? And stop calling people idiot.

To Dxw:
That is really touching

 

[seacatch]

HOW ARE YOU ABLE TO PAY FOR MEDSCHOOL?! MY PARENTS ARE PAYING MY BILL!!!! HOW ARE YOU PAYING FOR THIS?!!!! Are you taking a 200 grad debt? Do you understad the consequences of this debt?

Just thought I'd provide an answer to this one. I may be about as old as your parents..41yrs. If your parents can afford to pay for you perhaps a few of us old timers have saved and can pay for ourselves.... Thanks for the humor.

 

[benelswick]

Just thought I'd pipe in for those still at the poverty line in their 30's. I may not have had a "succesful, lucrative, carreer" or have saved any money but I've stood shoulder to shoulder with all kinds of people. So if a guy come into the E.D. with a debilitating skill saw wound I can truly feel what this means for him and his family or when it comes to getting the most out of my team mates who might not have any education I can relate to them in an unpretentious way.

In my opinion and my experience working with doctors this is an all-to-uncommon sensibility. But the doctors who "get it" are usually the true leaders in the clinical setting. Now I suppose anyone could have the right experience to relate well with others, but I think the frequency is lower for those traditional premeds who've never left the comfort of the nest that others have provided.--Ben.

 

[Wilbury]

There is more to the world than med-school. We may lose sight of that as pre-meds, but that fact does not change. I am 32 and have been accepted to two med schools so far (yea). I'm definitely not in this for the money because between lost income and incurred debt, I've calculated this to be about a $1 million decision (no exaggeration). That being said, I am actually contemplating deferring for a year to be a stay-at-home dad (if your going to go into debt....go big and enjoy). My point is that non-traditional students value experience more than a fast-track to the end. During my twenties I was a Peace Corps Volunteer and travelled a fair amount before returning to work in software for two years. As was mentioned, you will be a doctor for life. Take care of your own life and dreams and you will be able to take better care of others (including the bitter 26 year old bossing me around). This philosophy is an adapted version of "Please be sure to secure your own oxygen mask before attemting to help those around you." It sounds selfish, but it is not.

 

[Wilbury]

Some people are fortunate enough to have financially stable parents. Some undergrads have never had to deal with anything in their lives that throws the perfect straight to med school dreams out the window. I was set to go straight. Had good MCAT scores, great GPA, EC's, etc. Got into some good schools. But my father passed away my senior year leaving my family with a mountain of debt and my family in financial hell. But I barely had time to grieve. I was the youngest and had to work to support my family. Can you imagine what that is like? Nothing changes your life more than dealing with a death in your immediate family and having to become responsible for your family's welfare when you're barely able to drink. I am still in my twenties and will be going to med school next year, but I feel like I've lived several lifetimes already and maturity wise I feel like I'm in my 30's or 40's.
So to every threatened premed who wonders why older students are going to med school, just try to remember that not everyone's lives are perfect no matter how hard you try to do everything right.

A friend of mine who is also non-traditional grew up on the street (literally), raising his three siblings in and out of foster care and is still taking care of his schizophrenic mother who lives with him and his wife. He is 39 and a first year at a great medical school (he was accepted to three). Hang tough and props to your dedication.

 

[QofQuimica]

Yeah but you are taking the Mcat in the april of 2005. How can you even remember any of the stuff taught to you in your chem/physics/bio class? There is no way you can recall all that info as well as a fresh mind of a 22 year old! What life experience made you want to become a doctor? Is this something you wanted to do since you were in college?

Don't be so quick to write off the "fogies". I'll be 31 when I start med school; I took the MCAT this past August and scored 43. *I* teach the 20-year-olds! (For real: I teach MCAT classes for Kaplan and chemistry classes at my university.) We remember all of the stuff taught to us in our science classes the same way that younger people do, and that's by studying. My MCAT money is on SailCrazy. 🙂

I did want to be a doctor in college, and ended up not going because I was engaged and my fiance didn't get accepted to grad school where I got in. Now I'm finally in a position where I can apply and go to med school without worrying about anyone else, and I'm d*** well gonna go to med school!

P.S. If any 26-year-old embittered residents chew out my 35-year-old intern self, I am going to turn them over my arthritic knee and whup 'em.

 

[Lindyhopper]

Ultimately, it is a very individualized journey. To the OP, isn't best to just focus on developing your own skills & knowledge base while leaving the old fogies, & every else to their own trip.
Peace, Love , & Lindyhop

 

[Ypo.]

HOW ARE YOU ABLE TO PAY FOR MEDSCHOOL?! MY PARENTS ARE PAYING MY BILL!!!! HOW ARE YOU PAYING FOR THIS?!!!! Are you taking a 200 grad debt? Do you understad the consequences of this debt?

Your handle is SailCrazy...and you are giving advice on figuring out life?!!! j/k but seriously dude...what do you think a good age is to start med school?

OMG, I can't believe your parents are paying your bill. Lucky you. Go post in the new thread on allo.

The answer to your question is that usually they have to delay retirement for awhile.

Are you trying to discourage 'older' applicants from applying in the hopes that it will make things less competetive for you? 🙄

 

[Ypo.]

P.S. If any 26-year-old embittered residents chew out my 35-year-old intern self, I am going to turn them over my arthritic knee and whup 'em.

👍

I'm 26 but I find that freakin' hilarious!

 

[SailCrazy]

My MCAT money is on SailCrazy. 🙂

Thanks! 😀

Hey, I'll give you a cut of my prize money in exchange for some high-octane coaching!

 

[acl3623]

i agree with the folks that say live life first...im lucky ive been able to do a lot of stuff when i was younger...travel, work, etc...and i think that it makes you realize that theres a whole world outside of the classroom...and trust me swifteagle, its not just the older applicants that are taking out the gigantic loans...most of us are. 🙂

 

[skypilot]

Just thought I'd provide an answer to this one. I may be about as old as your parents..41yrs. If your parents can afford to pay for you perhaps a few of us old timers have saved and can pay for ourselves.... Thanks for the humor.

Yeah, its not like we were sitting around doing nothing and making no money for all these years. Many people leave lucrative careers in law and business to pursue medicine and money is not really an issue.

 

[Supernova]

Yeah, its not like we were sitting around doing nothing and making no money for all these years. Many people leave lucrative careers in law and business to pursue medicine and money is not really an issue.

It's true older applicants has to go thru more with financial situations and time to study. If they can pull it through these extra difficulties, more power to them. Older applicants, I salute to you.

 

[swifteagle43]

It's true older applicants has to go thru more with financial situations and time to study. If they can pull it through these extra difficulties, more power to them. Older applicants, I salute to you.

Chill out man. There is no need to give them an award. Your med school seat is probably good enough 😱

 

[shivalrous]

Chill out man. There is no need to give them an award. Your med school seat is probably good enough 😱

! wrongness!

 

[Em&M]

I am really confused, I just read this ENTIRE thread from start to finish and I still can't figure out if Swifteagle43 was serious when he (she?) made his original statements about older applicants applying to med school.

Why would it matter to him what somebody else wants to do with his/her life? Most people who pursue medicine as non-traditional applicants probably have a much better idea of what they are getting themselves into and how it will affect the lives that they have made for themselves, this will be a marketable advantage when realistically planning for a medical career, spouse, family, travel, hobbies, volunteering, etc...

They (the non-traditional applicant) are also likelier to be more mature, something that is a requirement for any type of medical program and something that adcoms/interviewers can sniff out in a heartbeat.

and debt? Last time I checked, you couldn't take $ with you when you go so why not sign up for a couple of extra loans, be truly dedicated to your work and spend the remainder of your life setting an example rather than watching from the sidelines.

But, if all of this thread has been one huge joke, then I admit I am dumb... but this is still my 2-cents.

Em.

 

[QofQuimica]

Thanks! 😀

Hey, I'll give you a cut of my prize money in exchange for some high-octane coaching!

You got a deal. 😀 Go get 'em!

 

[Supernova]

Chill out man. There is no need to give them an award. Your med school seat is probably good enough 😱

you should chill yourself, It's fair game. Everyone got a same shot. What you gotta be afraid of. competition???

 

[RaistlinMajere]

The OP should try not to discriminate people because of their age. I can understand that it is frustrating to have more competition, especially when you want something so badly. However, we are all in the same boat and to blame it solely on a particular segment of applicants is not logical. Medical schools will accept the people they believe are best qualified to become doctors. That could be the 22 year old who has excellent stats or the 30+ year old with awesome life experience. Either way, you should focus on the things that you can control, such as making your application better.