~NonTraditionals~: Ages

[brownshuga22]

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So I'm a slow starter, had to make some screw ups before getting myself in the right direction so I'm only a sophomore pre-med (lowly, I know). But I'm 22 now and as I see it should hopefully be 28 (maybe 29) depending on taking 1-2 years to do peace corps and study abroad to get my travel bug out before settling into the big grind. I look at everyone my age who are getting accepted into med school and wonder who would let such youngins in, but oh well. Am I backwards?😕

from my own experience.. med school and the experiences that i got from interacting with the patients and fellew students and just working in the hospital was an essentaial factor in my ((growing up))) i wouldnt say i was a mess before med school but i was yound and undetermined.. now i am a little older from the out side and ages older from the inside
p.s i am 22

 

[pharm B]

28 now, will be 29 when starting with a wife and 1 child. On a side note, there was a guy in his late 50s when I was in pharmd school. He decided to do it just cause!

I work with a few pharmacists who have mentioned classmates going on to med school after pharmacy school. My question: Why?

I'm asking because I'm on the fence right now between which kind of school to try to get into (I'm applying to both anyway).

As a pharmD, you don't get any shortcuts or credit transfers to med school, right? You have to go through the same 4 year grind with internship and residency afterward?

 

[ntb963]

31

 

[ali20685]

I am 24 and entering a post bac. My mother is a nurse that works with a lot of non-traditional students that are awesome doctors. It is great to have people that know exactly what you are going through for advice purposes. It is funny that when I was young, I never thought that I would end up in medicine. Now, I can't imagine doing anything else!🙂

 

[Birdeee]

A little update

My husband ("Archer" on SDN) is finishing up his first year of med school, he is 50. It was really the right decision for him and suits him well. He is doing great in his classes. He is a three hour plane ride away and I am working as a teacher in our hometown.

We have one daughter out of college and two more kids in college.

 

[Hadeel Elhakeem]

I`m 31 and thinking about starting studying medicine!!!

 

[chiz2kul]

This thread is awesome 👍

 

[Mister Murke]

26 here with only one more year of pre-reqs to go!

Time flies when you forgo a social life for a chance in medicine.

 

[Laurenb]

I am 51 and 11/12 years old. Right now I am an M1 at The University of Nebraska Medical Center and having the time of my life!

How inspiring!
I just turned 28. 3 kids, 1 husband & a cat 🙂
I'll be 31 when I apply and 32 when I start.
There is no going back- So excited to live my purpose!

 

[fromrntomd]

Hi! This is my first post here although I've been a longtime lurker. I am definitely non-traditional student. I feel old. 3 year RN; 27 years old, married, 4 kids (7 year old twins, 5 year old, 3 year old) mortgage and a dog. I'll be 30 when I matriculate, God willing. ;-) Husband is pseudo-supportive, doesn't really think I'm going to go through with it, but he saw me through nursing school and I know he'll see me through this.

 

[Kelleyfu]

42 and will be starting DO school (or PA? aaaaah I can't decide!!) this fall. 1 mighty fine husband, 3 dogs, 1 cat. I had a crrrrrrappy undergrad GPA (2.91), and after 60 hours of 3.94 post-bacc, pulled it up to a barely respectable 3.3 (or something like that). Took the MCAT just once, 10BS/10V/8PS and got in to ONE DO school (and PA school) first round. On the waitlists for the in-state MD and DO schools. I'm going for it! I always wanted to be a doctor, and could not take another day in a cubicle futzing around with Java code. Just a little bit of a late bloomer. I'd like to see the results of non-trads who have already taken the plunge to see how they view their decision in retrospect. Loved it? Hated it? Suicidal? Depressed? Let's hear it.

 

[medicsb]

I'm 27 I still have a year of undergrad. I feel kind of old to be in school with kids just 5 years younger than me. To all the 30, 40, 50+ folks, thanks not only for the inspiration, but reminding me I am actually pretty young. 😀

 

[Krisss17]

42 and will be starting DO school (or PA? aaaaah I can't decide!!) this fall. 1 mighty fine husband, 3 dogs, 1 cat. I had a crrrrrrappy undergrad GPA (2.91), and after 60 hours of 3.94 post-bacc, pulled it up to a barely respectable 3.3 (or something like that). Took the MCAT just once, 10BS/10V/8PS and got in to ONE DO school (and PA school) first round. On the waitlists for the in-state MD and DO schools. I'm going for it! I always wanted to be a doctor, and could not take another day in a cubicle futzing around with Java code. Just a little bit of a late bloomer. I'd like to see the results of non-trads who have already taken the plunge to see how they view their decision in retrospect. Loved it? Hated it? Suicidal? Depressed? Let's hear it.

Hi Kelley, congratulations on your acceptance...which DO school were you accepted into? and why if you got into a DO school would you consider a PA?

I'm 27 I still have a year of undergrad. I feel kind of old to be in school with kids just 5 years younger than me. To all the 30, 40, 50+ folks, thanks not only for the inspiration, but reminding me I am actually pretty young. 😀

Oh, my goodness...at 27 you are still a baby! I almost feel that anyone under 30 pursuing this is still more of a traditional student (I'm 44 and will be 45 when I apply and 46 when I hopefully matriculate.

 

[Kelleyfu]

Hi Kelley, congratulations on your acceptance...which DO school were you accepted into? and why if you got into a DO school would you consider a PA?

Thanks! LMU-DCOM, which seems like a great school, even though its new. I don't know about research opportunities there (but I need to find out).
1. Cost of DO school vs PA school. DO school will be 4X the cost of PA school, considering my age I don't even know if I'll get a return on my education investment. That is huge.
2. Having to move, potentially many times. After 15 years in the same place, there's a lot to have to give up (landscaping, gardening, got the house just the way I like it, etc.). The thought of living in an apartment and moving around evokes dread.
3. I may have to move alone at first; my husband has a great job here, and he hasn't been able to find a job in the city closest to DCOM.
4. My husband is 10 years older than me, so not only am I contemplating with trepidation how old I'll be when I finish residency, I have to consider him too. Although, it's not as if HE'S the one going thru med school, I am!

Thats really about it.

 

[Krisss17]

Thanks! LMU-DCOM, which seems like a great school, even though its new. I don't know about research opportunities there (but I need to find out).
1. Cost of DO school vs PA school. DO school will be 4X the cost of PA school, considering my age I don't even know if I'll get a return on my education investment. That is huge.
2. Having to move, potentially many times. After 15 years in the same place, there's a lot to have to give up (landscaping, gardening, got the house just the way I like it, etc.). The thought of living in an apartment and moving around evokes dread.
3. I may have to move alone at first; my husband has a great job here, and he hasn't been able to find a job in the city closest to DCOM.
4. My husband is 10 years older than me, so not only am I contemplating with trepidation how old I'll be when I finish residency, I have to consider him too. Although, it's not as if HE'S the one going thru med school, I am!

Thats really about it.

While I can totally understand your dilemma, I think if you put the two options side to side, you may find that the DO will ultimately win out.

If you are looking into going into primary medicine (internal medicine, family medicine, pediatrics and OB/GYN), you might be able to get some good financial incentives to working in an underserved neighborhood...I don't think you'd do as well with a PA.

Whatever you decide, I wish you the best of luck...I'll actually be 45 when I can apply (46 when I start), and I still plan on going for a fellowship. Even as a resident, I'd probably make more than I am now. Besides I can't imagine retiring...ever!

 

[arioso]

I'm 35. Started going back to school full-time (but only 12-13 credits per semester) 3 years ago to get my pre-reqs. My undergrad was in Music Ed, with a masters in voice performance, so my degrees were a little squishy on the math and sciences (though I loved them and did very well in HS--but that was almost a generation ago).

Retention was harder than in HS and college, and school was less convenient, since I was attending full time and also working full time, with a wife and 2-year-old at home. My biggest advantages over my whippersnapper days were: 1) discipline, and 2) discipline.

Of course, great love of the subject matter helped a lot, along with having no social life or teenagerly drama to deal with. There's a lot to be said for maturity... and I considered myself very mature back when I wasn't. 🙂

Just took the MCAT on 5/2 and got my scores back on Tuesday. My goal was to beat my age, so I had to hurry up before it became increasingly unrealistic. Time to start applying!

 

[arioso]

When I started back to school for med school prereqs, I told my wife that the Calculus professor had asked on a questionnaire "How long ago was your last mathematics course."

My lovely and supportive wife helpfully offered "When your classmates were in kindergarten!"

 

[futuredoctor99]

I'm 23 now - 24 next July. I've got two kids (both under 4 yrs) and a fiance. I thought I was too old to start into med school, but after reading some of your posts - I guess I'm the baby on here! Glad I stopped in here to check things out! Thanks for the boost guys!

24 too old to start med school? You'll graduate med school at 28. The median age matriculates to med school is 24.

 

[KingstonPre]

i'm 24, entering med school @ 26

I have a sibling who didn't even start going to college until age 24, and is now a board-certified MD.

 

[StarStup]

I'm 26...applied this past year and am currently waitlisted. I am re-applying right now. Went to college, then Americorps, then just finished my masters degree. I've always wanted to be a physician...always thought I would go right after college...but life had other plans for me and I don't regret any of it! I'm not married, don't have kids, just living life and trying to get into med school without losing my mind!

 

[StarStup]

Oh yeah...if any of you think you're too old to follow your dreams...my mom is 56 and just started pursuing her nursing degree...she is finishing up pre-reqs and will get her BSN in a few years...my brother just turned 29 and is finishing his pre-reqs for med school! We are a family of non-trads following our dreams!

 

[COMedic2Doc]

Oh yeah...if any of you think you're too old to follow your dreams...my mom is 56 and just started pursuing her nursing degree...she is finishing up pre-reqs and will get her BSN in a few years...my brother just turned 29 and is finishing his pre-reqs for med school! We are a family of non-trads following our dreams!

Heck ya, people follow your dreams!!! After choosing to take an opportunity to practice Medicine abroad before going to Medical School (if you want more details PM me), I will definitely be in my early to mid 40s when I finally finish my Residency. However, when you know what you want and you're not afraid to follow your dreams, you stop caring how old you are! 😀

 

[Studebug]

I just turned 38 and start in August. 1 Husband, 4 kids (12, 10, 8,and 6), 2 dogs.

Thanks for the thread. I was really thinking I was the only one this old.🙂

 

[j-med]

Good replies.

Age is but a number....

But it implies experience and I wish I have more of that. at least now I'm saying as a 24 yo.

working through MCAT now and trying to decide between class of 2014 or 2015.

 

[Jubilee]

Wow, I feel old. I will start medical school at 35 and finish my residency by 42 or so. Well, I am going to be 42 regradless, so might as well be 42 and enjoy what I'm doing or 42 and still teaching H.S. It could always be worse!

🙂Very Well Said 👍 just the way I think Btw I'll be 32 whe I get to start my medical degree

 

[medic22md]

29

 

[Lil Mick]

I'm 24, starting medical school this fall. I started college 10 years ago, though, and dealt with addiction during that time, working as a janitor and juvenile detention center's teacher's aide before starting college again...

 

[Hoody]

26 now...applying in 2011, hopefully matriculating in 2012 at age 29.


most days I think I am far too old to be starting this (really, what the hell was I doing, or not doing rather, 15 years ago! 😛) however I work in the medical field now and I *know* that in 10 years, I'm going to look back on this and be extremely satisfied with my decision, and glad that I acted on it now and not any later.

 

[ChimpanzeeMinky]

26 now...applying in 2011, hopefully matriculating in 2012 at age 29.


most days I think I am far too old to be starting this (really, what the hell was I doing, or not doing rather, 15 years ago! 😛) however I work in the medical field now and I *know* that in 10 years, I'm going to look back on this and be extremely satisfied with my decision, and glad that I acted on it now and not any later.

What did you think you were supposed to be doing when you were 11 years old?

 

[CDO]

Hello fello non-trads. I'm new to the SDN and wanted to post so I wasn't merely lurking, as I have been the past few weeks...

27yo's currently in the Navy, stationed in Japan. I'm getting out with my BS in psychology (finally after 10 long years as a part time student) in June and will be applying to post bac programs for Fall 2010. There isn't yet a thread devoted to this and I'm too chicken to start one, but if anyone else is in the same boat, PM me. I'm sure there are things I should be doing by now... It's tough trying to prepare for it here in Japan.

Anyway, now I'm not longer a lurker...

Cheers

 

[thes_hunter]

Good Luck CDO!

And thank you for serving our country.

 

[DoctorDancer]

I am 24 years old, entering grad school for basic medical sciences this fall (JUST got my acceptance yesterday!) Most of my undergrad years I was a dance major, so when I switched to natural sciences it took me some extra years. I thought about going straight into med school, but I know that two years of science is just not a strong enough base for me-- I want to rock med school. After my undergrad took so long Ive realized there is no need for me to rush things--take my time, enjoy my fiance, our new house and life! I will be 26 when I enter med school, and 30ish when I am a doctor (we want kids, still deciding when!). I can't wait to be a doctor, but getting there seems to be just as exciting 🙂

 

[n3xa]

Just turned 27, finished my MS in organic chemistry. Possibly looking to take a few upper division bio classes + MCAT prep this year.

 

[L743]

I guess I will finally add to this thread; I am 34 and start med school in about two weeks. I knew that my career would not get started until late but, I would have been working anyway. I might as well be doing what I want. The experiences that took me away from the med school path are all what eventually got me into school. All of my interviews ended with acceptances at both DO and MD without waitlist, even with a GPA barely above 3.0 and a mediocre MCAT. In my case, it turned out that I was the one picking med schools not the other way around. I don't think you need to apply broadly in every case of low scores, you just need to know what fits you and go for it without any hesitation. Now the only things that make me nervous about school are wondering if anyone else will enjoy listening to Jimmy Buffet and James Taylor while disecting our cadaver and how bad the spanking will be for this old man in the intermurals. Good Luck to everyone waiting to get in and to all of us who have been fortunate enough to already be accepted into med school.

 

[thes_hunter]

I will turn 36 the day of our first exams for Gross and Histology. Happy Birthday to me.

 

[Jennet]

.

 

[Quantum Mecha]

This probably doesn't count, but I'll be around 25~26

(22 right now, 23 in a few months; by the time I get prereqs, shadowing, volunteering, research, decent MCAT, etc, I estimate around 25~26)

 

[packerfan]

46 now an MSIV will graduate with honors have 4 children 23,21,17,15. It has been a great experience BUT plenty of doubts about my sanity for choosing to do this. Now as we rotate to secure residency and take board exams it is not a lot of fun. Medicine is a challenging mistress.

 

[Dotsin]

Im currently 26 and entering my sophmore year of college
Seeing others are on the same path as me gives me hope 👍

 

[SLPtoENT]

26...still a youngin, I suppose. Though I am just embarking on this whole thing so Ive got a ways to go 🙂

 

[SachSe]

Hi everyone,

I am 41-to-be in Oct. Married , 4sons starting at 12, 10, 9, and 5. Undergraduated is Chemical Engineering with a focus on electronic material option with a ugly 2.92 and went on with MS in elctrical engineering of 3.65. Am i having any chance? Pls anyone let me know. Thanks

 

[PhDtoMD2010]

I am 29 years old, two kids and finishing my PhD in Biochemistry from Yale next month. I know that this is what I am supposed to do and I am so excited to begin the journey.

 

[anon3]

Started college at 26. Going to start working on my MD next week at 31.

I take the view that learning never stops in life, especially for doctors. My age just means I didn't waste my time learning anything that became outdated or useless in the past decade.

 

[CZDreaMD]

25. I have one year of Post-Bacc out of the way and I'm trying to decide whether to apply in 2010 or 2011. I have a 3.5 UG GPA and so far a 3.86 Post Bacc GPA. So much to do so little time!!🙄

 

[MedicalMomma]

I am 24 now, will be 26 beginning medical school in 2011 if all goes well. I did the standard 4 year college thing right after high school and graduated with a biology degree at 22. I got married and had a baby and tried different things which led me to confirm that I am 100% ready to commit to medical school. I was unattached, unmotivated, and took my education for granted my senior year (2.7 GPA senior year, yikes! for a 3.32 cGPA and 3.28 sGPA overall). I think after I met my husband-to-be I just had wedding bells and babies dancing around my head and didn't think too seriously about what I wanted to do as a career. Now, I've matured and have a new perspective, and also a GPA to repair! I plan on doing some informal post-bacc full-time this fall and spring, to get my GPA up to around a 3.45. Still low, but I figure if I do a full year of upper-level science classes with a 4.0, then I will prove that I can handle med school. I am meticulously studying for the MCAT because I know it will make or break me. I'm not setting a date, just going to take it when I'm ready before I begin the application cycle next June. Ahhhh, even if no one reads this it feels good to type it up and look at it... a good confirmation that I'm really going for it! Best of luck to everyone. 🙂

 

[medtech36]

I need to know if Im too old for pursuing a medical degree, I have 36 years old and recently finish my Masters in Molecular Microbiology with a GPA of 3.25. But my grades in my BS are to good my GPA was of 2.6. and also I need some advice in what books or reviews I need to buy to pass the MCAT.

Thanks

 

[DrBello]

I am going to be 29 in a couple of weeks, and applying for 2010 cycle; so with a little of luck I will be 30 by the time I start! Thx for this thread!!😀

 

[DrBello]

I need to know if Im too old for pursuing a medical degree, I have 36 years old and recently finish my Masters in Molecular Microbiology with a GPA of 3.25. But my grades in my BS are to good my GPA was of 2.6. and also I need some advice in what books or reviews I need to buy to pass the MCAT.

Thanks

I had similar stats as you. I took the Kaplan course, and I thought it over prepared me, which is a good thing. If you can't afford the class, they also have online courses and particularly online courses just for the sciences (which is all I really needed). I also retook some undergrad classes because AACOMAS replaces the old grade with the new grade to increase my undergrad GPA (that is if your thinking D.O.). Best of luck to you and I hope this helps out!!

 

[SLPtoENT]

26..almost 27. Hoping to enter at 30 🙂

 

[mzblue]

lol, went back to taking classes this summer. 23 years old when i started and i look at all those 18yr old kids and feel too old. Just turned 24 and i don't even wanna think about it. When i first took bio 5 years ago, i had older people in my class and i didn't think i'll still be taking undergrad classes 5years later. taking a year off from school after graduation to work has made me feel like i'm a lot older. Perhaps, it's because i'm part of the work force now and though i take classes full time, i no longer put student as my occupation on my tax forms.
Like you, the older students here make me realize i'm not too old for med school.

I'm 27 I still have a year of undergrad. I feel kind of old to be in school with kids just 5 years younger than me. To all the 30, 40, 50+ folks, thanks not only for the inspiration, but reminding me I am actually pretty young. 😀