Long time reader, first time poster

[CHT]

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Hello all,

I would like to hear from some of you folks who have taken the long road. I’m 32 and torn between shooting for the big goal of MD, or continuing the path of PA. Currently I work 50+ hours a week as a wound specialist for our local hospital. I attend the CC in the evenings, but my schedule only allows for half time classes. I have about 1 more year before I finish my AS. GPA stands at 3.5, but A&P is killing me and it is impacting both of my classes. I will most likely take A&P again next semester.

My wife and I have very little debt and no children. My IQ was last tested at 132. While this was nothing spectacular it was high enough to give me some confidence. Obviously I am a very late bloomer. After the service I became a medic and realized how much I loved the profession. Unfortunately I became distracted for several years while chasing the dotcom cash. After the bubble busted I decided to go back to school. I just never thought it would take so bloody long to finish my AS.

I am very fortunate to work with several physicians who have nudged me to shoot for medical school. We also have a new DO program locally and we get the students here on rotation. One recent student and I became fast friends and our backgrounds are disturbingly similar. He is now 36 raising twins and is in his third year. Obviously it can be done.

Thoughts.

 

[relentless11]

There's a saying.... do what YOU want to do, not what others want you to do, or what you think you are expected to do. You do it because you like to do it. If you are happier as a PA then thats awesome. If you are happy as an MD, thats great too.

I don't know if IQ has anything to do with getting in or succeeding in med school, as far as I know IQ tests aren't done anymore. If you can hold a good GPA, and get a respectable MCAT score, that is probably good indication that you will survive the first 2 years of med school in terms of classwork.

Time should be considered. Although I have seen med students starting their first year at age 40, it is required by some schools to have upper division biological sciences. Therefore you will need to transfer to a 4-year university for these courses. Of course other applicants will have completed 4-year degrees, therefore will have additional upper division classes to show the adcoms to prove their worth (among other things). Therefore its probably better if you focused on completing a 4-year degree. Yea some schools don't require a bachelor's but they do encourage it. After the 1-3 years of that, and taking the MCAT, if you are still motivated to apply then go for it.

 

[TacoStand]

Good advice - do what You want to do.

Follow what drives you and take it one step at a time. While it is good at times to look at the big picture (age after med school, etc), it can be overwhelming. Set a plan to give yourself the best shot at getting accepted and go for it. If it is MD or DO - great, or if it is PA, great. You are still young at 32. You're going to working a long time - make sure you are going to be happy with the decision.