Is this realistic? Career change in my late 30s?

[polyx]

Hello SDN!

I've contemplated making a career change from accounting to medicine for years now, and I finally reached the point where I need to make a decision to either pursue this dream or give up on it forever. I've found a ton of success in my career and I'm potentially on CFO-track, but I've been so incredibly unhappy and unfulfilled with my work for over a decade now, and I don't foresee that changing since it hasn't as I've moved up the career ladder.

Age: 36
Undergrad education: 3.88 GPA, BS Accountancy and BSBA Finance. Zero relevant science or mathematics coursework.
Career: Financial leadership (Senior Director/Controller-level) roles at two major national non-profit organizations that are closely tied to the medical community
Family/pets: Short-term/NSA partner, no kids, one 6.5 year-old dog, no other major responsibilities

I know that I'll need to return to school for some time to complete prerequisites, but that doesn't bother me at all. I'm an innately curious person and I love learning. I was briefly a physiology/pre-med major my first go-around at undergrad, but I had to withdraw from classes because of struggles I was experiencing with untreated ADHD. I went on medication shortly after and found it much easier to succeed in school when I returned (and I've regretted not returning to pre-med ever since).

While I'm not quite as sharp as I used to be in my teens and early 20s, I still feel as if I have a decent shot at making this work. I used to excel at standardized tests, and, while I know the MCAT is an entirely different beast, I still have an excellent memory.

Financially I'll possibly have enough saved to get me the prereqs, then need to take out loans for med school.

So, please tell me...
1) Is this ultimately realistic?
2) What challenges will I face? Any significant admissions biases or difficulties finding clinical/shadowing opportunities due to age?
3) What's the best route for the prereqs? When I looked previously at a local uni (I've sinced moved), lab spots were nearly all limited to full time bachelors students.

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[Mr.Smile12]

Can I ask you why you'd want to switch? What do you see yourself doing with clinical knowledge and a bucket of debt? Maybe you can pay for it all, so why go through the awful work of med school? Do you really want to do a residency?

 

[polyx]

Can I ask you why you'd want to switch? What do you see yourself doing with clinical knowledge and a bucket of debt? Maybe you can pay for it all, so why go through the awful work of med school? Do you really want to do a residency?

Those are very valid questions. However, the same questions you're asking convinced me to stay on the same career path eight years ago, and I've regretted it ever since. Sorry, I don't mean to be flippant, but that's the first thing that came to mind.

I'm happiest when I can fully immerse myself and dedicate myself to something I find engaging, and I truly enjoy learning. I may be delusional but the idea of med school doesn't sound awful to me. Dedicate four years of my life to learning material that interests me (and certainly some that wouldn't) frankly sounds far better to me than most other ways I'd be spending my time. Plus I wouldn't be doing it alone. Everyone else would be in the same boat I would find myself in.

The main trepidation I have about a residency is that my dog would likely be in the last couple years of his life when I begin. While I wouldn't necessarily love the hours, my other concern would involve not being accepted into the program of my choice rather than what I would actually be doing as a resident.

 

[double_doc_in_progress]

Hello fellow prospective non-trad! I think your reasons are compelling. I'm just a few years younger than you, in a different kind of established career (tenure track faculty) and I am pursuing medicine after staying in a career trajectory I didn't really like because other people told me it was too late, medicine's "golden age" was over etc. If it's been this long and you still want to do it, do it.

I'm happy to DM if you want to talk more. I took the MCAT a few days ago and am waiting on secondaries. I was a BME major in undergrad so I had all my prereqs, but they are expired at a lot of places, so I only targetted schools where there is no time limit. It stood out to me that you mentioned your "sharpness." One thing that has helped me is giving up alcohol and being religious about my gym routine. I too was feeling like I was "not as sharp" as I used to be. Three months into my lifestyle changes, I am sharper than I was in my 20s and have been effortlessly entering hyperfocus states as I studied for the MCAT and now as I prewrite secondaries. Might be something to consider (not trying to shame anyone, I love wine and will have it again at some point but for right now this has been great for me).

Your dog would not want you to spend the last couple years of his life in a career that isn't fulfilling to you.

I would say go for it. There are lots of folks on here older than you that have left big, fancy careers and gone to medicine. Sometimes we know what we want even if it isn't logical. Do well on those prereqs, dont underestimate the MCAT, get a support network. Wishing you the best.

 

[skim3516]

It’s very realistic! I personally know an internal medicine doctor who started med school at 41 and is now in his 60s and thriving. I also follow a TikTok creator who switched from accounting to med school at 32. She’s incredibly inspiring. So, yeah it’s totally doable!

I wasn't an accounting major, but I worked in marketing for several years after college and decided I wanted to go to med school at 29. Now, at 30, I’m working part-time while doing a DIY post-bacc, taking courses at both a community college and a local university. Based on my experience, CC classes are just as solid as 4-year university courses. So don’t worry about med schools looking down on CC courses if you have to take any course at a CC. Just make sure you get A’s in all your courses and prepare to ace the MCAT. It’s a lot of work and hustling with zero social life or free time but I can confidently say I’m a lot happier now and thankful to be in this position!

Time will pass anyway so do it if it's something you want! 🙂

 

[Goro]

So, please tell me...
1) Is this ultimately realistic?

It's doable. Realistic will depend upon what your app looks like



2) What challenges will I face?
Academics will be challenging. Not for nothing are classes like Organic Chemistry known as "weeding courses"




Are there any significant admissions biases or difficulties finding clinical/shadowing opportunities due to age?
Nope. But finding those opportunities can be challenging. Shadowing, especially.



3) What's the best route for the prereqs?

I suggest a pocc-bac program for career switchers that includes MCAT prep.


When I looked previously at a local uni (I've sinced moved), lab spots were nearly all limited to full time bachelors students.


You nay have to expand your net for schools. CC courses are allowed, especially if you're still working.

BTW, there are lots of careers that will fulfill your "grass is greener" yearning without having to go to med school.