~NonTraditionals~: Ages

Started by AdroitDarkHorse
This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
Get help with your application

Use all the free resources available to you from SDN: articles, guides, expert advising, forums discussions, and school research.

Browse articles Compare schools My application plan Read Interview Feedback
Practice for interviews Ask an Advisor
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
it'sabeautifullife said:
On the same page with you, DrMikeP! I feel absolutely fantastic in body, mind, and heart. Not one bit embarrassed or apologetic about my age.

Most of the things people want to do when they retire, I have already done. If I died today, I have had an absolutely incredible life; but at 55, it seems like I have decades of high caliber service left in me!

Retirement does not sound appealing to me either. I want to take my last breath, absolutely spent, with not one ounce of energy left to give to this world.

Best of luck on your journey! Four months in now, and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE MED SCHOOL!! Headed over to the hospital right now to dissect a brachial plexus!! No place I'd rather be!
Click to expand...

FWIW, you guys give me a lot of hope that I can do this no matter how long it takes to get there. I know I'm still young, but I've felt a ton of stress about just abandoning my interest in med school because I've already *chosen* a legal career and I should just suck it up and stick with it. Knowing that people are brave enough to switch/start new journeys, especially journeys as intense as med school, at 30, 40, 50+ years old gives me confidence too. So thanks! Cannot wait to hear updates once everyone is accepted and starts school and goes through intern and residency.
 
it'sabeautifullife said:
On the same page with you, DrMikeP! I feel absolutely fantastic in body, mind, and heart. Not one bit embarrassed or apologetic about my age.

Most of the things people want to do when they retire, I have already done. If I died today, I have had a truly incredible life; but at 55, it seems like I have decades of high caliber service left in me!
Retirement does not sound appealing to me either. I want to take my last breath, absolutely spent, with not one ounce of energy left to give to this world.

Best of luck on your journey! Four months in now, and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE MED SCHOOL!! Headed over to the hospital right now to dissect a brachial plexus!! No place I'd rather be!
Click to expand...

I work as a medical psychologist in the hospital now and there is no place I feel more at home at than when I'm seeing patients. There truly is just something about that feel that makes you know it was all worth it. All the best!
 
DrESQ said:
FWIW, you guys give me a lot of hope that I can do this no matter how long it takes to get there. I know I'm still young, but I've felt a ton of stress about just abandoning my interest in med school because I've already *chosen* a legal career and I should just suck it up and stick with it. Knowing that people are brave enough to switch/start new journeys, especially journeys as intense as med school, at 30, 40, 50+ years old gives me confidence too. So thanks! Cannot wait to hear updates once everyone is accepted and starts school and goes through intern and residency.
Click to expand...

I've learned that you can do absolutely almost anything you want bad enough. I used my career in med psych to support me through pre med courses and it was a huge plus during interviews. Even if you stick with a legal career for a while you can still go back, so enjoy the ride. 🙂
 
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
43, not quite there yet. I was hoping to make my undergrad application to Archaeology this year for 2016 entry but ****ty life stuff got in the way so that's been put on hold until I can apply for next intake. So I'll probably start my undergrad degree at 44, that will run for 3 years at which point I'll be 47 when I apply for post grad entry into Medicine, if I get in that'll be another 4 years study, 2 years as an RMO, plus 5 years for the fellowship I want to complete, making me 58 by the time I'm qualified in the area I want to work (Psychiatry, although my first choice was Emergency Medicine - unfortunately I simply don't have the physical capacity for it).
 
28, currently a therapist working with kids in an early childhood and elementary school. I'm single with no kids, but help care for a niece and nephew.
I started this summer on pre-reqs, so I'll likely be 30-31 before I start medical school (if I am accepted).
 
Last edited:
31 so after applying, I'll hopefully be attending at 33.

My favorite part about being this age is that no one asks, "what are you interested in? where do you want to apply?" but rather asserts, "OMG yur a a lady and BABIEZZ you'll never be able to raise KIDS in medical school!1!!1!" I don't want kids so I thank them for the advice and continue studying for the MCAT.
 
QuesoFresco said:
31 so after applying, I'll hopefully be attending at 33.

My favorite part about being this age is that no one asks, "what are you interested in? where do you want to apply?" but rather asserts, "OMG yur a a lady and BABIEZZ you'll never be able to raise KIDS in medical school!1!!1!" I don't want kids so I thank them for the advice and continue studying for the MCAT.
Click to expand...

I can't even tell you how many of my female PGY-1's have babies. And I think, "ARE YOU CRAZY!?!!" Probably cuz being a resident is so exhausting I barely take care of myself 😛

Good luck w/ the process
 
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
I'll be 25 a month from today! If all goes as planned, I'll be 28/29 when I start medical school. I still feel like such a youngin' (probably because I am!).
Best of luck to everyone 😀
 
Stated med school in early 40's, wasn't even sure if I was going to finish med school then. Now, only 4.5 months left until I graduate. Time does fly. With reasonable expectation of myself, med school has been totally doable.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
 
LUCPM said:
Stated med school in early 40's, wasn't even sure if I was going to finish med school then. Now, only 4.5 months left until I graduate. Time does fly. With reasonable expectation of myself, med school has been totally doable.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
What an inspiration! I'll be starting at 44 in August. Can I ask what specialty you are pursuing and how you made your decision?
 
An update for the SDN'ers who have messaged and asked me to keep you posted on the 55-year-old MS1 journey: Today, one semester down, seven to go! I am officially 1/8 of the way to MD! I love medical school and there's no place I'd rather be. It is AWESOME. Super hard work, but not as hard as parenting teenagers or a toddler and a newborn, or building a rock solid 27-year marriage, or a host of other past chapters.

The academic aspect is fascinating. Seeing the inner workings of a real human body is an extraordinarily exciting privilege. Even learning the new "language" is cool. I have had no problem whatsoever keeping up, and for the parts of the training for which I get personal feedback, they said I am functioning far beyond what would be expected of a first-year medical student.

Unexpectedly, my favorite part of med school is my new peer group. They are everything I look for in relationships--wicked smart and quick- witted, funny, fun, genuinely good and giving people. Relentless work ethic. We work hard and play equally hard. I honestly feel lucky to know them, and I would not have if it weren't for being in med school!

They have accepted and made me feel completely welcome and comfortable. I know this is a concern for many older returning students. As an example, the other night after a massive exam, we went to do karaoke. When I stepped into the place, they cheered and spontaneously made a human tunnel for me to walk through lol. Hopefully, this paints an encouraging picture for you that it is completely possible to not only fit in, but actually enjoy the much younger classmates.

So in a nutshell...so far, so good 🙂
 
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
Just logged back in after being away from SDN for 3 years! I made a post when I was 24 how I would be in med school by like 27. Im 28 and now revisiting the idea of becoming a physician after letting life hit me again! Almost done with my bachelors in management though, and after i knockout the prereqs to med school should be able to apply at 30 or 31.....man been a pre med student so long I would be doing a residency in pre med by now!
 
IAmDrP said:
34 just resuming premed and MCAT studies with my eyes set on the 2018 app cycle. I've been chasing this dream for 7 years on and off. I work full-time, just got divorced and I'm a single mom. Not stopping till I get there.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile
Click to expand...

Keep on Truckin!...I started med school age 30, 13 years later-(which included 7 years of residency/fellowship), I am content with my decision...
 
I'm 25 starting college in Fall, first generation college student. I posted about my GPA in the below 3.0 thread.

Probably gonna graduate in 2022 (might be taking a break after getting my associates to wait for texas fresh start) and if I can get all pre-req and stuff done before 2021 I might apply and go straight through with out a gap year or not who knows.

Dream school is Baylor or McGovern in Houston. Maybe UTMB or A&M. Those are all within' driving distance for my husbands job but I would apply to all Tx schools.
 
31, will have just turned 32 the week prior to starting school this summer!

Honestly wouldn't want it any other way.
 
FNPBC2MD said:
I'm 39 and changing courses. My children are older 20, 16, 14, and 14. Husband is a pharmacist. I have 5 pre-requisites that I need to take. I'm going to be older either way.
Click to expand...

Exactly! You are going to age no matter what you do, so you might as well do what you want to do in life and enjoy it.

Never let anyone tell you what you can do.

Gopher it girl!
 
Last edited:
ShyRem said:
Y'all are young'uns. I'm an MSI at the ripe old age of 39. Currently looking for a graveplot with a nice view of the river under a large elm tree,
Click to expand...


I'm 37 and I hope to be applying by 39.

@ShyRem , what advice can you give fore my journey. I have an MS (3.4) dual BS (gpa 2.89) and my sciences are over 10 years old. Looking at starting over prereqs this summer. How did you get your letters of rec, did you volunteer, shadow, etc?

Thanks
 
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
25-27 while doing a formal post bacc

29 during 1st application cycle

31 currently, reapplicant in 2nd cycle--and on 2 waitlists!:hello:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

stayathomemom
Nontraditionals with school-aged kids, what's this school year going to look like?
Replies
4
Views
1K
stayathomemom
stayathomemom
DrBelle
Nontraditionals School Hack: How Do We Get Straight As (And Other Pro Tips)
Replies
18
Views
3K
esob
esob
1
How did you nontraditionals know?
Replies
7
Views
2K
1727
1
D
EC/Volunteering for Nontraditionals
Replies
10
Views
2K
turkeybean
T
vc7777
Fiction for Nontraditionals
Replies
4
Views
2K
dotdash
D