Is it too late?

[SNUpax]

I graduated from high school in 2004. My freshman year I was at OU. At the time I was playing football, and majoring in Journalism. I didnt really know what I wanted to do with my life at 18. But I didnt have to know, because football gave me a purpose, so I didnt feel a push.

I moved back home in 2005. My dad is a private business owner back in Northwest Arkansas. Initially I was planning to go to school part time and work for him. But I enjoyed making money. I enjoyed the independence. I intended to take a year off. One year turned into over two years.

Summer of '08 I was ready to go back. I chose Southern Nazarene University in Oklahoma City because they boast the #1 Pre-Med program in the state. The tuition is very high here, but I've got football and academic scholarship money that helps immensely.

My plan is to graduate from SNU in 2011 with a degree in Bio-Chemistry (BioChem is their "traditional" pre-med degree focus area). At which point, I have a handful of medical schools in mind that I look forward to applying to.

My question is, sincerely, is it too late? I'll be 25 years old before I ever begin Medical School. Does age play any factor? Have I waited too long to pursue a dream like this?

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[mdofn14]

I will be 34 when I start med school. I had the same concerns as you did. I did ask a Physician who teaches at the local medical school about the age Issues. He told me that he had a 38 yr old first year in 2006.

 

[wepio]

I'm hittin' 28 this spring. If it helps you at all, I believe there to be a couple 40+ SDN'ers who have been accepted this year. I think the average matriculating age is around 23-25 for most schools, with some even higher (i.e. OHSU in Oregon is notorious for selecting older non-tradiational candidates changing careers; ~27 I think?). Good luck to ya!

 

[CremasterFlash]

will be 38 when i start this fall.

 

[Narnian]

I will be about 32 when I even think about applying. I always knew that I wanted to help people and I have been interested in Medicine since I was young. I wish I had pursued my dream 4 years ago rather than joining the army to be a medic. I still have 3 years of science pre-reqs to catch up on before I can even consider to apply. So its never too late to follow your dream... unless of course you are a member of AARP ... then it kind of crosses into the "ify" category.

 

[menotyou7]

I'll be 29 when I start this fall. (Graduated from high school in 98! Ack!)

 

[NTF]

Check out this thread for nontrad ages.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=351126

Starting med school at 25 actually puts you very close to average age of 1st year medical students.

 

[SNUpax]

That's awesome. Thanks a lot for chiming in. I really appreciate it.

 

[rnnpmaybe]

It won't be too late at all. I've heard the average age for med school matriculants is 25-26. I'll be 26 (hopefully!). You're ahead of the game!

 

[Jennyw45013]

I feel the same, but instead I will be around 28 when I enter. I know I will be old, I feel it now. I am 26 and taking 100-200 level sciences for my prereqs. It will be alright though. I'm sure it won't be a big deal.

 

[davidsf2]

Ooh, this thread has cheered me up a bit

 

[deleted245139]

I am brand new to the site (as in this is my first post), but I I can at the very least be one more example of an older student. I'll be 27 when I walk through the doors of the school... But i'll tell you something- I don't think I have ever felt more prepared for something as massive an undertaking as medical school. Take every opportunity you can while in school to strengthen your skills. Get involved with your pre-health committee, become an EMT, work (yes I said work not volunteer) at a hospital. Get your clinical experience up. By the time you reach your point you will not only know if its really your life's love, but also that you're mentally prepared, more than most.

 

[dragonfly99]

snupax,
you are definitely not going to be too old, or even one of the older/oldest students in your class.
It is common for people to be 24 or 25 when they enter, and there are quite a few students in late 20's or even in their 30's. My school had I think some of the youngest students on average - I stated @ age 25 and there were at least 3 or 4 people in my class older than me...one was 32 I think.

Just keep your grades up, get some volunteer experience in clinic/hospitals to make sure this is what you want to do. You'll be fine.