Is this possible

[atcpt1]

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I'm a non-traditional "pre-med" student entertaining the idea of returning to med school should I be so fortunate to be accepted.

I'm married with one 7 year old child, own a house, and live a pretty happy life. My wife has her own career, which she is just beginning. The med school I would like to go to is 150 miles away. As crazy as this sounds, I'm set on going to this school. The med school is where I grew up and where my family lives.

My question is this: Is it feasable for my wife to keep her career, keep our house, keep my child in the same school and I simply leave for med school during the week (leaving my family behind) and coming home on weekends?

150 miles is 3 hours away for me (all back roads - no highway)

Has anybody heard of this working or not working. I know we can make the legistics work (but with much sacrafice), but just wondering how this would impact studies, weekend events/programs/clubs at med school as well as other issues I'm simply unaware.

To tell you the truth, the main reason that is holding us up from moving is we have three dogs (saint bernards). Finding a suitable living situation would be tuff....i suspect....and the wife is early in her career.....

Would others get rid of their dogs for med school?

I don't think I could do it....

Not sure what i'm looking for as far as comments.....just wonder if this is realistic or if others are in similar situations.....wondering how this will effect the family.

Unedited, atcpt1

 

[Narnian]

I am not sure how dead set you are on getting into the medical school that is in your area. I have heard that it is already hard enough for non-trads to get spots in general. Let alone in the area of your choosing. You may have to move across the country. Med school is a lot of sacrifice also. You not wanting to give up your dogs for med-school is noble, but people have made far greater sacrifices than that to get into med-school and to succeed. If you care about your dogs that much, Im sure it is possible with the right attitude and with the right support from your family. If you are from the area and went to school there, and you have a 3.8 - 4.0 cGPA and BCMP GPA and you have a 35 - 40 MCATS. With gleaming local LOR's and EC's and volunteering, then I say that you have a good chance of getting in to the Med school of your choice. Otherwise, its a long shot... but many people have taken them before, and if you do not get in this year, you already have a happy life and a career wife. Hope this helps a little.

 

[sindadel]

That's what our plan is for the next year. We have three small children and a house. My husband's work is actually portable, but the stress on the children of moving, and the stress on my husband of being away from support networks and family seem greater than the stress imposed by mom being away 5 days a week. YMMV. The commute is also 3 hours for me.

I'll let you know how it goes - we start in 5 days. I'm sure it will be strange, but lots of people travel a lot for work and are away for days at a time. I'll sacrifice social time on the weekends with my classmates, but I'd probably do that if I was local anyway. I'll make a point of hosting/joining mid week events in order to make connections with people. I'll work very hard during the week and remain focused in order to have family time on the weekends.

If it doesn't work out for our family, then we still have option A which is move the family or option B which is I quit med school.

 

[atcpt1]

That's what our plan is for the next year. We have three small children and a house. My husband's work is actually portable, but the stress on the children of moving, and the stress on my husband of being away from support networks and family seem greater than the stress imposed by mom being away 5 days a week. YMMV. The commute is also 3 hours for me.

I'll let you know how it goes - we start in 5 days. I'm sure it will be strange, but lots of people travel a lot for work and are away for days at a time. I'll sacrifice social time on the weekends with my classmates, but I'd probably do that if I was local anyway. I'll make a point of hosting/joining mid week events in order to make connections with people. I'll work very hard during the week and remain focused in order to have family time on the weekends.

If it doesn't work out for our family, then we still have option A which is move the family or option B which is I quit med school.

Fantastic responses. Sounds like my situation may not be terribly unusual for non-traditional students. Obviously no garrentee's on being accepted to my desired school....Thanks for the advice!

 

[NTF]

If you've got good credentials (GPA, MCAT, LORs, ECs, etc) then you'll definitely want to see if your desired school allows EDP (Early Decision Program). It'll maximize your chances of getting into said school.

 

[atcpt1]

If you've got good credentials (GPA, MCAT, LORs, ECs, etc) then you'll definitely want to see if your desired school allows EDP (Early Decision Program). It'll maximize your chances of getting into said school.

Great advice!

The school I'm interested is UNECOM. I'm originally from So. Maine

I don't know their specific stats and I don't know if i'll be competitive as I haven't taken the MCAT. I'm a decent student and far more focused and dedicated to academics now after working for 10 years than when I was a student.

I definately want to be a DO
I definately (if you can be definate b/f going to med school) want to practice family medicine/primary care
I definately want to practice in rural new england.

I've been out of school for 10+ years now and work in healthcare. My background is in physical therapy

I love the advice. I love this forum.

Thanks, atcpt1