Looking for encouragement

[UWTacoma3]

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I'm a 32 year old financial advisor (been in finance for 7 years) who came from a household that didn't preach higher education. Consequently, I had to find my own way growing up and it's something I've always regretted more than anything. I found my way into finance with a G.E.D. and was sponsored by my employer, JPMorgan at the time, to get my Series 7 (which I passed). I felt like something, who came up from absolutely nothing, but lately the industry (finance) has not been exciting to me as it once was. Trust is hard to come by, especially with all the negative publicity in the media, etc. Quite frankly, it isn't a profession I enjoy any longer. The demands of the institution are putting the priority of the client behind their self-interests. They're more interested in making money than doing what's right by the client, and I'm not okay with that.

I've made the decision to quit working altogether, and go back to school full-time in pursuit of a BA and eventually applying to medical school.

I have no degree, and have recently submitted my application to the University of Washington and am hoping for the best. I want more for myself, and I never applied what I was capable of back then. I can't tell you how much I regret this right now.

I guess I was hoping to get some encouragement and advice that it still isn't too late, even at 32, to give up my career and pursue a greater, more fulfilling goal in life? I'm absolutely willing to put in the work, to shed the blood, sweat and tears to accomplish this. I love children, so I've considered Pediatrics, but also family medicine as well. I certainly have a long time before I start narrowing it down though.

I have a home with no rent expenses, and I plan on taking out whatever I need in student loans to accomplish all of this. My car payment is virtually the only bill I have, save for a cell and gas. And maybe food occassionally.

What scares me is, if I'm successful, I'll be 36 when I get my BA, and if accepted into medical school, I'd be approximately 40 when I graduated. That's scary. Not scary enough to stop me, but it's intimidating to think about.

Could anyone please give me some advice? Hopefully encouraging, haha. Pro's and cons? Strengths and weaknesses? I'll be starting from scratch but have already established some great EC's with my role as an advisor. Member of a local Rotary already, lots of volunteer work, also members of several United Way groups. I also plan on volunteering at hospitals and in clinics, and anything else that will look great on a med school application. I literally have four years to plan for this, it should be scintillating.

Thanks in advance.

 

[MakesSense]

I'm a 32 year old financial advisor (been in finance for 7 years) who came from a household that didn't preach higher education. Consequently, I had to find my own way growing up and it's something I've always regretted more than anything. I found my way into finance with a G.E.D. and was sponsored by my employer, JPMorgan at the time, to get my Series 7 (which I passed). I felt like something, who came up from absolutely nothing, but lately the industry (finance) has not been exciting to me as it once was. Trust is hard to come by, especially with all the negative publicity in the media, etc. Quite frankly, it isn't a profession I enjoy any longer. The demands of the institution are putting the priority of the client behind their self-interests. They're more interested in making money than doing what's right by the client, and I'm not okay with that.

I've made the decision to quit working altogether, and go back to school full-time in pursuit of a BA and eventually applying to medical school.

I have no degree, and have recently submitted my application to the University of Washington and am hoping for the best. I want more for myself, and I never applied what I was capable of back then. I can't tell you how much I regret this right now.

I guess I was hoping to get some encouragement and advice that it still isn't too late, even at 32, to give up my career and pursue a greater, more fulfilling goal in life? I'm absolutely willing to put in the work, to shed the blood, sweat and tears to accomplish this. I love children, so I've considered Pediatrics, but also family medicine as well. I certainly have a long time before I start narrowing it down though.

I have a home with no rent expenses, and I plan on taking out whatever I need in student loans to accomplish all of this. My car payment is virtually the only bill I have, save for a cell and gas. And maybe food occassionally.

What scares me is, if I'm successful, I'll be 36 when I get my BA, and if accepted into medical school, I'd be approximately 40 when I graduated. That's scary. Not scary enough to stop me, but it's intimidating to think about.

Could anyone please give me some advice? Hopefully encouraging, haha. Pro's and cons? Strengths and weaknesses? I'll be starting from scratch but have already established some great EC's with my role as an advisor. Member of a local Rotary already, lots of volunteer work, also members of several United Way groups. I also plan on volunteering at hospitals and in clinics, and anything else that will look great on a med school application. I literally have four years to plan for this, it should be scintillating.

Thanks in advance.

Do not let the age thing scare you and definitely do not let it stop you. There are many on SDN who started medical school in their 40's. There are even a few in their early 50.s like myself. Once you have made up your mind then go for it, Treat school like your new job and you should be fine.

 

[ShoTyme]

You will be fine. I'm 35 and applying now, so I'm on the exact track you are on. I was in mortgages and real estate. I also had my group 1, 6, 63, but not 7. Got out of the banking world first. I started back with no credits. Worked my way to where I am hopefully somewhat competitive. I guess we'll find out soon. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other. It's a long process. The advantage we have is that we have worked hard to get where we were. We didn't have the formal education earlier, but were still able to carve out a nice niche. That can only be done through diligence and tremendous effort. Just transfer that work ethic to your new goal and you will rock. Good luck.

Sho

 

[realmeaning]

You're in the right place.

There are people much much older than you who post on this board and also OldPreMeds.org all the time.

The other day I watched a great PBS Nova Documentary that followed a Harvard med class for 20 years-- one guy was 35 at matriculation, I believe. It's cool to check out for its own sake as well, if you haven't seen it. It's on YT.

Also, I think the thing about non-trads and med school in general is, regardless of your age, if you didn't do the pre-reqs in college, it's a long road. I'm planning on getting in three years down the line-- to me, that sounds like a long way off. But that's how it is.

I once heard someone put it this way: in 10 years, you'll be X years old, any way you look at it. Either you'll have the MD you've been dreaming of, or you won't. You can do it. Good luck.

 

[Prncssbuttercup]

I'm going to be 36 a week after I officially start med school... I don't even have kids yet, and I want to have them... life is what it is, we all have a different path, if this is what you want do it! Do whatever major you want that you'll excel in, and do everything right!!! You have the chance!!

 

[CopToEM]

What scares me is, if I'm successful, I'll be 36 when I get my BA, and if accepted into medical school, I'd be approximately 40 when I graduated. That's scary. Not scary enough to stop me, but it's intimidating to think about.

So what? Traditionally, you would have began your work life at 22 years old after completing college. Assuming you work until retirement age of 65 it means you would have 43 years of 'working life' as an adult. At age 40, when you complete medical school, you will not even be halfway through those 43 years. Why would you think, then, that it may be too late to start over?

I know a fella in your situation. He told me going to medical school was the biggest mistake he ever made. "I'm too old for this," he said, "and my daughter will be a junior in college when I'm done with residency and ready for some normality in my daily life." Perhaps he's right. However, by the same token, perhaps his daughter will be a junior in college because of the example her dad has given her. If we're judging parenthood by raising successful children rather than being there for every achievement in life then one can say he may the most successful of all in the end.

Hang in there! 👍

 

[Helen Wheels]

As others have said, don't let the age thing worry you. I just finished my first year of medical school at age 40. I am not even the oldest in my class. My age is not an issue at school and I get along great with my classmates, including the millennials.

I probably won't be done with residency and fellowship until age 49. I always tell people I am going to be 49 someday, one way or the other, and I might as well be doing what I want to do.

 

[OldBat]

My son is willing be applying for the third time either this year or next. He will be 33 in June.
So I say go for it. I plan on taking some college classes and I much older then you.