I'm officially a college student...Again

[BombsAway]

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Almost forgot to update this thread. It has definitely been a journey but here we are! I didn't quite choke on the MCAT but didn't do as well as I wanted due to an unforeseen illness in the family. Still, that is part of the story; weathering the storms that you encounter as a nontrad. I've learned to expect the unexpected.

It is still early in the cycle but I am happy to note that I currently have 5 interview invitations and feel pretty confident that at some point before the end of the year, my next thread update will be regarding an acceptance. Fingers crossed, but if you are a nontrad just beginning the journey, know that the times flies. It's hard to believe I started this in 2015 with pretty much no idea what I was doing, lol. Perhaps I still don't know what I'm doing, but I'm getting better at pretending that I do 😉

you're golden, dog. The early DO interviews have suuuuuper high yields.

 

[KiddCo]

Best of luck to you. It's a very inspiring story. I'll keep following this thread, I'm interested to see how many acceptances you get.

 

[Animal1234]

Almost forgot to update this thread. It has definitely been a journey but here we are! I didn't quite choke on the MCAT but didn't do as well as I wanted due to an unforeseen illness in the family. Still, that is part of the story; weathering the storms that you encounter as a nontrad. I've learned to expect the unexpected.

It is still early in the cycle but I am happy to note that I currently have 5 interview invitations and feel pretty confident that at some point before the end of the year, my next thread update will be regarding an acceptance. Fingers crossed, but if you are a nontrad just beginning the journey, know that the times flies. It's hard to believe I started this in 2015 with pretty much no idea what I was doing, lol. Perhaps I still don't know what I'm doing, but I'm getting better at pretending that I do 😉

I’m glad to hear the good news and to see that AFS has been a success. Thanks to you I’m officially enrolled under AFS as well. Wishing you the best.

 

[esob]

I’m glad to hear the good news and to see that AFS has been a success. Thanks to you I’m officially enrolled under AFS as well. Wishing you the best.

Thanks, good luck to you as well!

 

[esob]

First acceptance today. Perhaps ironically, it was an OOS school (ARCOM) that didn't even consider my AFS, which is probably good news for many of you following the same path who are worried that schools won't reward reinvention. So I can only see this as a sign of encouragement for anyone who thinks they might be too old or doesn't have perfect grades in the past. If you are willing to put in the work, there is a school out there with a seat that has your name on it.

Now do me a favor, and all you 26 year-olds stop posting threads asking "am I too old to go to med school" 😀

 

[BC_89]

First acceptance today. Perhaps ironically, it was an OOS school (ARCOM) that didn't even consider my AFS, which is probably good news for many of you following the same path who are worried that schools won't reward reinvention. So I can only see this as a sign of encouragement for anyone who thinks they might be too old or doesn't have perfect grades in the past. If you are willing to put in the work, there is a school out there with a seat that has your name on it.

Now do me a favor, and all you 26 year-olds stop posting threads asking "am I too old to go to med school" 😀

You know this means you now have to make a “40-year-old MS1,2,3...intern/residency/attending ask-me-anything” thread right? Lol

I have enjoyed seeing your journey on here and others will greatly benefit. I’ll just tag this thread for all those 20 - 30 something’s that wonder how old is too old..congrats and enjoy the journey you made

 

[esob]

You know this means you now have to make a “40-year-old MS1,2,3...intern/residency/attending ask-me-anything” thread right? Lol

I have enjoyed seeing your journey on here and others will greatly benefit. I’ll just tag this thread for all those 20 - 30 something’s that wonder how old is too old..congrats and enjoy the journey you made

Thanks, it has definitely been interesting and yeah, I'll be a 44 year old MS1, so that might make an interesting thread 😀

 

[NGTY1991]

Lets just say I got into medical school in canada short of one course to receive a degree in undergrad. Now i am in my final year of medical school, finally taking that course and reading to be a BSc 🙂

 

[esob]

This will likely be update # 1 of the final two updates to this thread (the final being on match day in Feb.) Although I have been holding two non-TMDSAS acceptances up til now, today was the day I have been waiting on for close to 3 years. I ended up prematching to both Texas Tech HSC (Lubbock) and TCOM. Haven't made any hard decisions yet but Tech was basically my number 2 pick, so I can't be anything other than happy at this point. I feel pretty humbled to be in my 40's and holding an invite to a US MD school along with arguably the best DO school in the country.

It can be done, but you will have to work for it. TBH, on the interview trail, I encountered quite a bit of resistance about my age (with one remark from an interviewer bordering on unprofessional). Unsurprisingly, the two schools that didn't mention my age (or that lauded age as an asset) also happened to prematch me, so maybe a coincidence....maybe not. Anyway, just be prepared for some pushback along the way and remain steadfast in your resolve. I hope this thread provides some insight for others in the future when they question whether or not it can be done.

 

[BC_89]

This will likely be update # 1 of the final two updates to this thread (the final being on match day in Feb.) Although I have been holding two non-TMDSAS acceptances up til now, today was the day I have been waiting on for close to 3 years. I ended up prematching to both Texas Tech HSC (Lubbock) and TCOM. Haven't made any hard decisions yet but Tech was basically my number 2 pick, so I can't be anything other than happy at this point. I feel pretty humbled to be in my 40's and holding an invite to a US MD school along with arguably the best DO school in the country.

It can be done, but you will have to work for it. TBH, on the interview trail, I encountered quite a bit of resistance about my age (with one remark from an interviewer bordering on unprofessional). Unsurprisingly, the two schools that didn't mention my age (or that lauded age as an asset) also happened to prematch me, so maybe a coincidence....maybe not. Anyway, just be prepared for some pushback along the way and remain steadfast in your resolve. I hope this thread provides some insight for others in the future when they question whether or not it can be done.

When you mention border-line unprofessional, what specifically did they say or was it the tone of a question?

 

[esob]

When you mention border-line unprofessional, what specifically did they say or was it the tone of a question?

Very dismissive and pretty blatant about telling me I was too old to be applying to medical school. I tried to remain neutral but I really wanted to tell them that if the rest of the admissions committee had found it prudent to invite me that perhaps they should give me a fair shake at an interview.

 

[KiddCo]

Very dismissive and pretty blatant about telling me I was too old to be applying to medical school. I tried to remain neutral but I really wanted to tell them that if the rest of the admissions committee had found it prudent to invite me that perhaps they should give me a fair shake at an interview.

Do you think that maybe it was a test to see how you handle being put into that kind of situation? Maybe he was trying to rile you up to see what your reaction was to that kind of acusation.

Just a thought.

Sent from my SM-G930V using SDN mobile

 

[BC_89]

This will likely be update # 1 of the final two updates to this thread (the final being on match day in Feb.) Although I have been holding two non-TMDSAS acceptances up til now, today was the day I have been waiting on for close to 3 years. I ended up prematching to both Texas Tech HSC (Lubbock) and TCOM. Haven't made any hard decisions yet but Tech was basically my number 2 pick, so I can't be anything other than happy at this point. I feel pretty humbled to be in my 40's and holding an invite to a US MD school along with arguably the best DO school in the country.

It can be done, but you will have to work for it. TBH, on the interview trail, I encountered quite a bit of resistance about my age (with one remark from an interviewer bordering on unprofessional). Unsurprisingly, the two schools that didn't mention my age (or that lauded age as an asset) also happened to prematch me, so maybe a coincidence....maybe not. Anyway, just be prepared for some pushback along the way and remain steadfast in your resolve. I hope this thread provides some insight for others in the future when they question whether or not it can be done.

This is definitely one of those rare-long-term threads that should / will be stickied for future nontrads that feel distressed with age and applying to med school. I enjoyed reading about your journey thus far: Congrats once again!

 

[esob]

Do you think that maybe it was a test to see how you handle being put into that kind of situation? Maybe he was trying to rile you up to see what your reaction was to that kind of acusation.

Just a thought.

Sent from my SM-G930V using SDN mobile

Anything is possible, but I've been in one form or another of sales for 2+ decades and I have a pretty good sense of when someone is just jerking me around or if they actually don't give a crap and are just being sardonic and dismissive. Another interviewer insinuated that since the state of TX subsidized medical education that I would somehow be a burden on the taxpayers to train (which, if this were true, it means we should not accept any OOS applicants unless they commit to practicing in TX, not to mention my company has likely generated more tax revenue for the state than the entirety of the school's student body). Just some really shady comments by interviewers along the way, which was OK, I understand there is a bias, but that doesn't make it any less insulting.

This is definitely one of those rare-long-term threads that should / will be stickied for future nontrads that feel distressed with age and applying to med school. I enjoyed reading about your journey thus far: Congrats once again!

Thanks, it has been a real trip to look back on it myself!

 

[LibBum]

Congrats.

Hold on to the acceptances until you know if anyone will throw you a scholarship. If not, go where ever puts a smile on your face.

 

[esob]

Congrats.

Hold on to the acceptances until you know if anyone will throw you a scholarship. If not, go where ever puts a smile on your face.

I'm actually approved for medical school by the dept of veterans affairs, so I've got a full ride to wherever I go. Luckily, TX schools are all pretty awesome so I'll have a smile wherever I go. We are lucky to be in TX, and even though I wasn't born here, I got here as fast as I could 😀

 

[precisiongraphic]

I'm actually approved for medical school by the dept of veterans affairs, so I've got a full ride to wherever I go. Luckily, TX schools are all pretty awesome so I'll have a smile wherever I go. We are lucky to be in TX, and even though I wasn't born here, I got here as fast as I could 😀

Congratulations! You'll be a credit to whatever school is lucky enough to be your first choice.

 

[BombsAway]

Pick the MD dude

 

[esob]

Well, I'm officially no longer a college student anymore...I'm a medical student, so the time has come to bring this thread to a conclusion. I couldn't close this chapter without a massive shoutout to @QofQuimica , who has been an absolutely amazing mentor throughout the process.

I've enjoyed most parts of the journey but am also definitely looking forward to no longer being a premed 😀

SDN has been a great resource and I probably would not have been successful in this process if this community didn't exist. FWIW, I graduated in my 40's with a 4.0 and had 5 acceptances--and am ultimately matriculating to a well-respected MD school. I am by no means advocating that every 40-something throw away their careers to pursue medicine, but it is possible for those who have completely gone off the rails 😀

Stay on the lookout for my sequel thread: "I'm officially an MS-1" 😉

 

[Prestige_Vision]

I am so happy I found this post. Very inspiring. Congratulations!!!

 

[M&L]

Well, I'm officially no longer a college student anymore...I'm a medical student, so the time has come to bring this thread to a conclusion. I couldn't close this chapter without a massive shoutout to @QofQuimica , who has been an absolutely amazing mentor throughout the process.

I've enjoyed most parts of the journey but am also definitely looking forward to no longer being a premed 😀

SDN has been a great resource and I probably would not have been successful in this process if this community didn't exist. FWIW, I graduated in my 40's with a 4.0 and had 5 acceptances--and am ultimately matriculating to a well-respected MD school. I am by no means advocating that every 40-something throw away their careers to pursue medicine, but it is possible for those who have completely gone off the rails 😀

Stay on the lookout for my sequel thread: "I'm officially an MS-1" 😉

Threads like this make me feel like my age doesn't matter (I am 33). Thank you so much. I have had doubts about my age for a while, since everyone I personally know going through it are much much younger than me. everyone told me that I was too old to go to medical school. But seeing you and other amazing ppl here going through similar experiences makes me feel better.

 

[Myopicvisions]

Well, the first actual step in this journey, which was getting accepted back into an undergraduate program is now over. I wasn't entirely worried, as the school I applied to accepts ~ 60% of applicants and my transfer GPA was pretty good, but it's still a bit of relief to know that process is over. So, I'm a 40 year old undergrad... with 174 hours and no degree yet, lol. Thanks to the academic fresh start initiative in Texas though, I actually have a shot at med school since I'll be able to throw out 84 of those hours, leaving me with a 3.93 GPA. The downside is 3 years of classes, but I guess you have to start somewhere. The next step is to CLEP college algebra so I don't have to delay the start of my chemistry classes, so wish me luck!

I started just a little younger than you and it felt daunting.
Im applying this cycle and what can I say? Its worth the pain and hours studying. All the best!