I can't think about anything else...help!

[momPT]

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hello-
I am wondering if you could all give me opinions/suggestions please. I am 36 years old, have always wanted to go to med school, but instead got my undergrad in Psych and then 6 years later got my masters in Physical Therapy. But somehow I still have not gotten the idea for med school out of my mind. I feel like it is now or never, and am just so torn. I don't really enjoy PT as a field, I do like my patients, but feel like I do very little for them much of the time.
So, do I take the plunge and go for med school?? Will I always regret it if I don't? Is it worth it to me/my family?
My UG GPA is probably 3.4 or 3.5 and my MPT GPA is 3.7. I have not taken the MCAT and worry since most of my classes were 8-9 years ago!
Any input would be great. Oh and I also have 3 children, ages 3,6, and 8.
HELP!

 

[just one]

Would you be the oldest medical student ever? Of course not. However it would be a financial risk, but what is more important, money or enjoying your career? Only you can make this decision, but to me it sounds like you already have and you just need some reassurance. If that's the case, I think you should go for it.

 

[urrugby]

I think you should go for it.

I second that. Before you do anything, however, you should talk to a premed advisor. You'll probably need to retake the prereqs, since yours are more than 5 years old.

I completed a premed postbac 2 years ago, and we had a handful of classmates who were in their late 30s/early 40s with families. It's (almost) never too late.

 

[2010houston]

Do talk to an advisor - because, unlike the previous poster, I was told I did NOT need to retake prereqs, even though some were 10 yrs old by the time I applied. I was told both by the advisor and by the med schools that prereqs never time out; only MCAT scores do. But make sure to verify this with the schools you'd be applying to.

You'll have to do some pretty serious MCAT content review but that's nothing you can't do if you've already made it this far! That was my biggest MCAT prep effort - reviewing all the material in great detail, which is something that someone who's taken the material more recently wouldn't have to do. But don't be too scared of it....

 

[Krisss17]

Actually, my answer is between the two above posters. While I agree with 2010houston about speaking with an advisor and depending on the school, prereqs don't really expire. I do think that you might want to consider taking some of the prereqs again, particularly biology.

My suggestion is that you take the free AMCAS MCAT (#3, I believe), and see how you do. If you find yourself struggling with the general concepts of the different areas, consider retaking the prereq. If you understand the concepts and just had difficulty with the passages, I would consider taking a MCAT class, and consider taking some advanced science classes. Most med schools, I believe would want to see more recent coursework.

Best of luck to you!

 

[2010houston]

Krisss17- that makes a ton of sense! I revise my suggestions ;-)

 

[45408]

So, do I take the plunge and go for med school??

I'd say no.

Will I always regret it if I don't?

Maybe. Maybe not.

Is it worth it to me/my family?

To you? That's up to you to decide, but it's probably not worth it for your family. Many/most residents work up to 80 hours a week. You're probably 9-10 years away from getting through this process.

Good old Panda Bear, MD has repeatedly said that if he were to do it all over again, he wouldn't. He walked away from a good career, and put his wife, children, and financial standing through the wringer.

 

[momPT]

Thanks all for your input. That is all good advice and will give me more to consider. I have just never felt this torn over something before. If it was just me to consider I would do it in a second, I do know that. But, I am also not willing to make my family suffer (too much 🙂 to get through this. But then what should I be when I grow up??!
Keep the opinions/suggestions coming, I do appreciate any of it pro or con.
Thanks!

 

[switcheroo]

What about a physician's assistant program? You'd get some autonomy and still get to practice medicine, but you wouldn't have to go to school for a million years, nor would the schooling be as grueling as med school.

 

[BennieBlanco]

Thanks all for your input. That is all good advice and will give me more to consider. I have just never felt this torn over something before. If it was just me to consider I would do it in a second, I do know that. But, I am also not willing to make my family suffer (too much 🙂 to get through this. But then what should I be when I grow up??!
Keep the opinions/suggestions coming, I do appreciate any of it pro or con.
Thanks!

A lot of non trads had to go through this. I did. Do I leave my good job that pays well for something I think I would be much more satisfied with although it may take a decade?

Here is all you need to know:

1. Only you can answer this question. Is it worth it? Should I do it?

2. Your family will suffer. There will be a lot of sacrifice and you will have a TON to do. People with no families struggle throughout this process, very smart people. You will be juggling a lot. (Note that I didn't say you CAN'T do it, just that there will be a lot going on).

It will require a lot of time and effort. Both limited resources.

3. Try doing it now. Try being busy and away from your family 3 or 4 nights a week to study for the MCAT or whatever. Research how much time and effort it will require on a weekly basis and try to simulate it right now studying other things.

You can do it, but you have to make sure you want it VERY badly as you will have more challenges to overcome than most.

 

[BennieBlanco]

What about a physician's assistant program? You'd get some autonomy and still get to practice medicine, but you wouldn't have to go to school for a million years, nor would the schooling be as grueling as med school.

You may enjoy this as well and it may be less of a time investment. Shadow some Docs and PAs.

Ask around, you will find some that will allow you to.

 

[momPT]

I have considered PA school, but it feels a little like second best to me, which I feel I already did once in going to PT school. And the funny thing is, it looks like it would be harder to get into PA school, because there are some prereqs I have not taken and then many of mine would have to be redone bc the school by me requires that they are not over 10 years old and some of mine would be by then.
I just love all things medical, it is truly my passion, but I have a lot of thinking before I go through with this.

 

[sindadel]

One main difference I see between your situation and Panda Bear's is that is my impression that his wife mostly did the SAH thing and they continued to have children throughout the process.

If your husband has a good job and you don't plan to have more kids, then the financial straits of starting down this path seem much lessened. Of course, you should be prepared to move, or to do long distance during school. How selective is your local state school?

First though, I think you should do some shadowing. See if you can volunteer night shifts in the ER for a week. That should give you exposure to the physician side of the healthcare equation as well as give your family practice in having mom gone for a weel.

 

[FltmedicTN]

So, do I take the plunge and go for med school?? Will I always regret it if I don't? Is it worth it to me/my family?

My reply is going to be a little biased. I am a little older...39, have three kids the same age as yours and also feel that medicine is my passion. I have spent 18 years in the fire service and 13 years as a paramedic (3 as a flight medic). Now, should you do it? If you have the absolute support of your spouse heck yes! I asked my self the same questions about regrets and such and realized that I have one life....and I would regret not trying. I do realize that we are adults and have children whom depend on and we cannot leap into this without rational discussion of the pros and cons. Your kids like mine are at good age. There will be sacrifices but the kids can overcome material sacrifices...it is the family time sacrifices that we have to address. My wife and I plan to dedicate on night a week to family night...and as the kids get older we will sit at the table and study together. (This may be a little naive but I plan on doing this)

As far as the time away as a student and resident, your family will suffer a little but you can make it through if the core of the family is strong! I work 24 hour shift- usually 3 in one week, so the time is not that much of a shock to my family.
In the end...you and your family will have to decided if it is right....but know there are some out there like you ....you will have a support network!
🙂

 

[DrJosephKim]

I think you'll have some better direction after you take the MCAT. If you do well on that, then I think you have a very solid chance and then you need to weigh all the pros/cons associated with such a commitment.

 

[mommy2three]

while i can not comment on med school specifically yet, i am in a masters program where i have taken classes with med students. my children are slightly older/same age as yours...they are 10, 6 and 3. i think it gets both easier and harder as they get older. easier in the sense of they are not as dependent on you to do things for them. harder in the sense that they want to be involved in things and then you have activities to oversee/schedule/shuttle to and from
in the end...you need to have a serious discussion with your husband. tell him what you want to do, have a plan on how it will work until you get in. take classes at a local university, they often have night classes, as an at large student, etc. i would make a definitive plan together.....you will need the support and help.
and when you do get in, be prepared to eliminate extra things from your life. i have eliminated extra family gatherings, i only go when absolutely needed and i DO NOT go anytime around exams. we whittled down our lives to the bare minimum...we have the kids only involved in the activities they absolutely want to be in and nothing more.

no you are not too old...the oldest student in the med school class that started last year with us was 51. i myself will be 35 in the fall and when i start (hopefully ) med school next fall.

 

[momPT]

You are all so helpful and encouraging. I do have a supportive husband who has a steady job with pretty good income, so the financial part is not as huge of a deal, I would only need the loans for the actual school costs. The classroom part of the first 2 years is not even too scary for me, as PT school was full time, hard core as well, and I had my first child during that. I usually do well in school. It is the clinical rotations 3rd year, and then residency that worries me the most. Can I handle that and the kids? What will the schedule really look like typically?

 

[gman33]

I wouldn't compare any previous academic experience to med school.
It will be much more intense, yes, even the first 2 years.

I have classmates who have multiple childern and I don't know how they do it. I am lucky to have an hour a day to spend with my wife. A little more on the weekend. I just finished M1, and that's probably the lightest year.

If you work hard and put your mind to it, you can probably get in. Maybe not to a local school, so that would involve moving your family.

Is it worth it? Really, no one can answer that for you.
Knowing how much work is involved and actually doing it are two different things. I hope when I'm all done, I'll be glad I did it. But, who really knows.

If I had three kids, there's no way I would have went down this road.
I'm not saying you shouldn't, but just be prepared to not see very much of your family for 7-10 years.

 

[unsung]

One bit of advice. I would not take a practice MCAT (free or not) before being ready. A lot of people like to take one "for fun" or just to test themselves to see "where they're at" prior to any review.

Imo, that will just needlessly discourage and depress you. Even tho' I was a bio major, I did not score so hot the first time I took the MCAT (before any studying). This goes for all sections of the test except the verbal, of course. If you really have some time to kill and want to try that section, go for it.

Also, while advisors can be useful, don't let any given advisor dissuade you from applying. Advisors are full of 😉 much of the time. Not all of them, but some. They often give out advice in this exceedingly confident tone, which belies the fact that what they're handing out to you may or may not be true. I've had one advisor push me to do a formal Master's post-bacc and basically grilled me, saying I'll never get in if I don't. I was so angry after that conversation actually, and from my research here, I knew that was not the only path open to me like she had made it seem.

I find much of the info I learned here on SDN to be much more reliable and valuable. But even the stuff on here sometimes is needlessly hysterical. (I.e. "your GPA is below 3.7 ??? You'll never get in!")

So... be your own best advocate. Be honest in how you appraise yourself, but as long as you're honest with yourself, I think things will work out. For me, when I decided to go for it, I did retake several of the pre-reqs, both as review for the MCAT and to ameliorate my undergrad GPA. It worked out. I did it at my local uni, and did not spend 30k on a formal Master's program. I also volunteered for a year and a half, as well as gained work experience in a clinical setting. None of those things I did were things an advisor or anyone told me to do. I researched on SDN what I probably needed to apply, then sought out relevant opportunities I was interested in in the community, myself.

The point is not to get too down on advisors or the advising process... But ime, a lot of times, they really don't necessarily give the best advice that fits a particular individual's situation. And even when they did give decent advice, it was nothing I did not already know off of SDN.

This entire process of preparing to apply and applying takes so much proactive effort. If there's one thing I've taken away from this process, it's the importance of being proactive. Take people's suggestions and advice, but ultimately, make your own judgments and seek out your own opportunities.

 

[Signaq]

Try taking just one class this fall and see how it feels. If you find yourself resenting the time studying takes away from family, if you have to work up the motivation to crack open a book, if you resent the money spent on the class...then you'll probably know going to med school is not for you right now.

 

[Shinken]

I'd say no.


Maybe. Maybe not.


To you? That's up to you to decide, but it's probably not worth it for your family. Many/most residents work up to 80 hours a week. You're probably 9-10 years away from getting through this process.

Good old Panda Bear, MD has repeatedly said that if he were to do it all over again, he wouldn't. He walked away from a good career, and put his wife, children, and financial standing through the wringer.

To the OP, for every person that's unhappy with their decision, you'll find another who would do it again in a sinus heart beat.

Yes, some people are unhappy with their decision. Panda Bear is an example (then again, if I went into emergency medicine I too would want to stick hot pokers in my eyes).

I walked away from a good career that paid very well (a career which I hated) and put my wife and two children through a financial strain to pursue medical school.

Would I do it again? (would WE do it again?)

HECK YEAH!

I am now a second year resident in my first choice residency at my first choice program and happy as a clam (I'm 40 years old, started med school at age 35). My wife is happy, my children are happy, I'm happy, and life is good.

Life is too short to play it safe. Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead. If I were you, I'd rather try and possibly fail, than not try at all and spend the rest of my life wondering "what if..." until the day I die.

 

[momPT]

Thanks to all of you who keep providing me with new viewpoints to consider. I truly feel so torn. I wonder if someone could give me specifics on what my schedule might look like, especially the 3rd and 4th years, and then internship year? That is the part that worries me the most. I look at my 3 children, and I don't want to get through school and feel like I lost them in the process. I don't know what specialty I would be looking at but perhaps a pediatric specialty, (what I always wanted to do was neonatology), or dermatology or physiatrist (being as I am already in this field as a PT). Thanks again to all who are helping me!!! Also- does anyone know how graduate school grades are looked at by allopathic med schools?

 

[45408]

To the OP, for every person that's unhappy with their decision, you'll find another who would do it again in a sinus heart beat.

Yes, some people are unhappy with their decision. Panda Bear is an example (then again, if I went into emergency medicine I too would want to stick hot pokers in my eyes).

I walked away from a good career that paid very well (a career which I hated) and put my wife and two children through a financial strain to pursue medical school.

That's kind of relevant though, don't you think? Panda didn't hate his job.