Nontraditional(25) and need advice

[NonTrad727813]

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I will start by saying I am non-traditional, but this has always been what I wanted to do with my life. I started going to college at 17 and withdrew from all of my classes (so yes I have 6 "W"' blemishes on my transcripts). I returned at 23. It has been a slow burn, I work part-time and go to college part time. My job pays my tuitions and is the only reason I can afford classes, I don't get grants because the classes I withdrew from have wrecked my completion ratio (not sure how, but every time admins have done the math they say I am below), I digress, hoping this next semester will resolve that. I am not quite done with my AA at 25 as I can only afford to take 2-3 classes at a time and survive. I have 4 more classes, however, I do have a 3.9 GPA (the only B I have ever received was in Humanities when I started at 23). I am strongest in the subjects of Chemistry and Biology. I know I have at least another 4 years on top of the next semester. I am constantly haunted by the thought that I am just getting to old to do this. That I screwed up and waited too long. I have never wanted kids so I am not worried about being unable to start a family. However, I am already tired of being broke and living an unstable life. I already have some student debt because I am a server and work isn't always consistent. I live well below the poverty line making 15k-18k a year. I am afraid if I work more my GPA will suffer and really, that is all I have now considering my W's make my transcripts look like ****. I will be 26 in a couple months... and I'm not sure any more if this is the right path. I am afraid I will end up unable to care for my parents who are in their mid-sixties. But there's never been anything in this world that I wanted more. There's never been anything else that I could see myself doing. Is anyone in a similar situation now or have come from a similar situation, what did you do? What advice would you offer? Thank you.

 

[GreenDuck12]

Take a look at the forums and you will find many posters who are in their 30s and 40s starting to take post-bac classes. You will also find plenty of posters who did not immediately start college after high school / took time off for a variety of reasons. Other posters are struggling with supporting family members. It is possible to find a way to navigate all of these challenges. As for age, depending on your state, the average age of a medical school student in their first year is between 25-27 (I believe). You can be sure you won't be the youngest or the oldest.

Your GPA is solid. Keep it up as high as you can when you transfer to a 4 year college. If you pick a state school my guess is you can find your way to some grants/need based aid/merit based aid. If medicine is what you want to do, keep after it. Best of luck to you.

 

[familyaerospace]

I am 34 and just started medical school. I come from VERY humble beginnings and most years of my adult life never even make 15K a year. Granted I didn't have any Ws on my record, but my GPA was lower than yours, had to work, go to school, and raise a family. Didn't get much in the way of grants so was running on pure loans or out of pocket

Trust me, if there is a will there is a way. Just keep trying.

 

[drea561]

I will start by saying I am non-traditional, but this has always been what I wanted to do with my life. I started going to college at 17 and withdrew from all of my classes (so yes I have 6 "W"' blemishes on my transcripts). I returned at 23. It has been a slow burn, I work part-time and go to college part time. My job pays my tuitions and is the only reason I can afford classes, I don't get grants because the classes I withdrew from have wrecked my completion ratio (not sure how, but every time admins have done the math they say I am below), I digress, hoping this next semester will resolve that. I am not quite done with my AA at 25 as I can only afford to take 2-3 classes at a time and survive. I have 4 more classes, however, I do have a 3.9 GPA (the only B I have ever received was in Humanities when I started at 23). I am strongest in the subjects of Chemistry and Biology. I know I have at least another 4 years on top of the next semester. I am constantly haunted by the thought that I am just getting to old to do this. That I screwed up and waited too long. I have never wanted kids so I am not worried about being unable to start a family. However, I am already tired of being broke and living an unstable life. I already have some student debt because I am a server and work isn't always consistent. I live well below the poverty line making 15k-18k a year. I am afraid if I work more my GPA will suffer and really, that is all I have now considering my W's make my transcripts look like ****. I will be 26 in a couple months... and I'm not sure any more if this is the right path. I am afraid I will end up unable to care for my parents who are in their mid-sixties. But there's never been anything in this world that I wanted more. There's never been anything else that I could see myself doing. Is anyone in a similar situation now or have come from a similar situation, what did you do? What advice would you offer? Thank you.

Can I say that I feel like you have described me to the T, I have even thought of going to nursing school first so that I can later afford med school. Believe me when I say I get the feeling old at 25 maybe because I am 25 going on 26 the great part of your story is that you are showing improvement with your gpa for when you start applying. I have been reading almost every thread that has to do with a non trad who had a low to non existing gpa because I feel that's where I am at today.

There is one post on here that you can read even though he/she is not a non trad their story is awesome and when I feel like it cannot be done I read their thread. I think their name is dr.lacrosse I might have the name wrong but I'm sure someone else can correct it

 

[futuremdforme]

I will start by saying I am non-traditional, but this has always been what I wanted to do with my life. I started going to college at 17 and withdrew from all of my classes (so yes I have 6 "W"' blemishes on my transcripts). I returned at 23. It has been a slow burn, I work part-time and go to college part time. My job pays my tuitions and is the only reason I can afford classes, I don't get grants because the classes I withdrew from have wrecked my completion ratio (not sure how, but every time admins have done the math they say I am below), I digress, hoping this next semester will resolve that. I am not quite done with my AA at 25 as I can only afford to take 2-3 classes at a time and survive. I have 4 more classes, however, I do have a 3.9 GPA (the only B I have ever received was in Humanities when I started at 23). I am strongest in the subjects of Chemistry and Biology. I know I have at least another 4 years on top of the next semester. I am constantly haunted by the thought that I am just getting to old to do this. That I screwed up and waited too long. I have never wanted kids so I am not worried about being unable to start a family. However, I am already tired of being broke and living an unstable life. I already have some student debt because I am a server and work isn't always consistent. I live well below the poverty line making 15k-18k a year. I am afraid if I work more my GPA will suffer and really, that is all I have now considering my W's make my transcripts look like ****. I will be 26 in a couple months... and I'm not sure any more if this is the right path. I am afraid I will end up unable to care for my parents who are in their mid-sixties. But there's never been anything in this world that I wanted more. There's never been anything else that I could see myself doing. Is anyone in a similar situation now or have come from a similar situation, what did you do? What advice would you offer? Thank you.

W's from when you were a kid are not a big deal and are easily explained.

I don't know about your parents' health but most people in their mid-60s are generally okay and independent. You will be in a much better position to help them later on, when their health fails, if you have a stable, portable career where you can also help them financially.

Medicine is your call, but don't drop it for whatever jobs you've been doing for under 20k a year. It's worth sucking it up and putting in the time for the career you want.

 

[Ad2b]

I'm 51. Yes, call me the crone but I am 51... will turn 52 after I submit my AMCAS applications for 2016 cycle.

My ugrad years are inexplicably horrid. Story is buried on this forum. Here's the deal:

1) get the degree with as best grades as you can (A's obviously FAR > than B's but B's are not terrible, you just don't want a string of them)
2) shadow docs - meaning, follow them around; follow different TYPES of docs; see what they do; take notes on your experiences with them
3) volunteer for whatever fits your passion
4) take the MCAT and do well
5) prepare for the marathon
6) don't get discouraged, drop out and then come back at 44 ... and be me. Seriously, don't. Be. Me.

While I'm doing very, very well in my pre-req courses, it is not for the faint of heart... Just go. And don't look back.