I could attend free at any University of California...Would I have a chance?

[truckinusa]

I'm right in the beginning investigation. Just wondering what it would take for a 50 year old non traditional student to get into one of the UC medical schools? I am a Native American from an unrecognized California tribe and could get a 100% scholarship. In the interview questions I've seen it mentioned if you come from a Federally Recognized tribe. I wonder if it makes any difference on school preference if you can prove you have ancestry, but aren't Federally Recognized? I know my ancestry will get me a 100% scholarship for any University of California tuition. I'd like to take advantage.

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[Goro]

It depends on your service to Native American populations, or other populations in need, your experience in clinical matters, you are academics. You have to be able to show that you can handle medical school

 

[truckinusa]

It depends on your service to Native American populations, or other populations in need, your experience in clinical matters, you are academics. You have to be able to show that you can handle medical school

I work with Native Americans all the time. I work in community mental health.

 

[Goro]

Have you been taking courses recently? Do you have the stamina to handle medical school and residency?

 

[truckinusa]

Have you been taking courses recently? Do you have the stamina to handle medical school and residency?

Any of that is possible I think. I'm lacking a few science classes(physics, chem2, maybe a math course?). I'm a nurse with my BSN. I'm currently in school for my graduate degree. I just really like school.

 

[Goro]

Grad degree in what?
What are your GPAs.
A postbac program for career switchers might be useful, especially if it has MCAT prep and a decent linkage to med school(s).

If you have a tribal card, that's a very good thing.

 

[truckinusa]

Grad degree in what?
What are your GPAs.
A postbac program for career switchers might be useful, especially if it has MCAT prep and a decent linkage to med school(s).

If you have a tribal card, that's a very good thing.

Does one of the UCs offer a postabacc program? No tribal card, but I have proof of ancestry that will get me a full scholarship.

 

[karaya]

Does one of the UCs offer a postabacc program?

Yes, Berkeley has a structured postbac program. You'll have to do research to see which PB is right for you. If you're missing chem 2, you're probably missing organic and biochem as well, since it's a sequence. Also, I know age is but a number, but I'm at a UC now and my oldest cohortmate is 30. I wouldn't say the UCs are known for being very nontraditional. I think your age will work against you unfortunately, so apply broadly.

wondering what it would take for a 50 year old non traditional student to get into one of the UC medical schools

4.0 postbac, good mcat, excellent writing and interviewing, and fair tradewinds.

 

[truckinusa]

Yes, Berkeley has a structured postbac program. You'll have to do research to see which PB is right for you. If you're missing chem 2, you're probably missing organic and biochem as well, since it's a sequence. Also, I know age is but a number, but I'm at a UC now and my oldest cohortmate is 30. I wouldn't say the UCs are known for being very nontraditional. I think your age will work against you unfortunately, so apply broadly.


4.0 postbac, good mcat, excellent writing and interviewing, and fair tradewinds.

I found some descriptions of the program. It says the average student takes 10 classes. Is there a normal 10 that are taken?

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Connect and attend virtual sessions:

California Postbaccalaureate Consortium

health.ucdavis.edu

 

[jvquarterback]

1) Native American tuition waivers for University of California do not cover all of the fees for graduate professional programs. It's still a great program and reduces tuition significantly. It only applies to federally recognized tribal members who are California residents.

2) a separate group provides similar funding for members of nonfederally recognized tribes. I am not familiar with this and you will have to look into it.

3) the post bacc program that you want is Cal poly Humboldt. It's part of the California postbaccalaureate consortium. They provide scholarships and stipends for Native American students. The program offers automatic entry into UC Davis if you meet certain benchmarks.

4) there are 2 tribal prime programs within the UC medical school system. I would look into the ones at UC Davis UC San Diego as they have specific programs for tribal members.

It's a long road. Not sure I would go for it at age 50. We definitely need more tribal members involved in patient care though.

 

[LizzyM]

You are facing at least 8 years of training, most of which will be unpaid. While you may get generous financial aid, you will have the opportunity cost of all those years of lost wages at what should be your prime earning years (in terms of saving for retirement). Why not NP? You are going to be asked this in interviews so you might as well start thinking about it now.

 

[HuskyMD Emeritus]

Another thing to consider as you plan this journey is the physical aspects of training. You will doing a few all nighters as a 3rd and 4th year medical student during clinical rotations. You will definitely be working long hours and many all nighters as a resident----in you mid to late 50's. This is very physically demanding. I was able to do this easily as a resident in my mid 20's but when I was an attending in my 40's and 50's it was difficult to work long hours. I can't imaging doing this now. I am exhausted after working 10-12 hour days for a week (that's without the overnights).