old applicants(late 20's)...successful?

[applicant]

I just want to know chances of getting into medical schools for old applicants such as late 20's.
Are they considerably slimmer than the traditional applicants(early 20's)?
And are old applicants successful in gaining admission to good medical schools such as Ivy League?

Let's just say, for example, that someone graduated with engineering degree that had little with premed/predental science courses and worked for company for a few years. Then, he decides to become a doctor and heads to post-bach program for two years to take required science courses.
Is this person going to have a good chance in getting into good medical schools? How does his chance compare to the traditional chance(someone else takes science classes in college and applies between his junior and senior year)?

Any personal experiences or any inputs would be appreciated.

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[Mary Jane Watson]

I'm 28 and was a journalism major and worked in the newspaper business for several years before making the switch. I have been accepted to UAB, South Alabama and waiting to hear post-interview from Tulane.

I took about 3 years to get my prereqs - I worked too so it took longer.

Good luck, they like us, they really like us!

 

[Mystique]

This is from MSAR (Medical School Admission Requirements)...the applicant data is for 2000

Age-----#applied----#accepted
<20----581----411
21-23----20,273----11,037
24-27----10,967----4,377
28-31----3,128----1,123
32-34----920----284
35-37----532----144
38+----691----162

Hope this helps

 

[quaileggs]

First of all, don't say OLD!! Old is like 70 or something. I am 32...I'm healthier, happier, smarter and sexier than I was when I was 20. Oh and I have been accepted to 3 US allopathic medical schools. If you have an open-minded youthful attitude enhanced by the maturity and wisdom that only comes with a few years and confidence in yourself..there is no stopping you!! If however you are convinced that you are old and that the fun and adventure of life is over, then I don't know what else to say to you. You'll never be as young again as you are today.
My lord!We are NOT senior citizens! (And even when I am a senior citizen I want to keep learning and living and challenging myself provided my health and brain hold out).
------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

[mdhopeful]

My opinion is that older applicants with previous careers and have done post-baccs are highly desirable in the eyes of the admissions committees. For myself, I will be matriculating somewhere in the fall and it will have been 4 years since college. Having done interesting stuff definitely sets you apart from younger applicants who haven't had that much time since undergrad. Also, because you have tried other things, it really shows that you have given medicine a lot of thought. Particularly if you are giving up an existing career for medicine. If you are an engineer you will do great because you probably have a strong aptitude for basic science. There are many older, non-traditional applicants that roam SDN and have done very well in this year's process. Good luck.

 

[Jamier2]

While I don't consider it old at all, I'll be 27 when I start this fall, and had 2 state school acceptances.

 

[doppl]

I'm 27, graduated from college in 96 (not a stellar GPA by far). Worked for a publishing company and went back for post-bacc. So far. 2 acceptances (einstein and downstate), 3 waitlists (Columbia, NYU and UMich). Go for it. As long as you're determined, you shouldn't have a problem.

 

[souljah1]

I'll be 28 when I matriculate. See, as you age you have the keen ability to start your posts with rhymes.

In addition to that fine ability, I have also had good fortune in the application process. First of all, some schools dig the older students a little more than others. For instance, UCSF is notorious for taking a large number of "nontraditional" applicants, while other schools tend to like em fresh out of the college dorm. I do think that both groups (trads and nontrads) have there own advantages and disadvantages. I do think the older student may have a better advantage at the interview (in general) b/c they often do bring a bit more to the table. If you are applying to medical school when you are 27, 29, 32, etc..you have done some other things outside of academia (most of the time) and these activities/experiences can be excellent conversation topics that allow you to display your maturity and experiences gained in life outside the classroom. But, older students often have "red flags" that they might need to explain, while the younger applicants who have their **** together are flossing the stellar marks that definitely help to get them in the door.

 

[kutastha]

I'm definitely an old fart. Applied when I was 22 and 23, then went to grad school, am now 28 and accepted to UVM.

 

[Zack90]

I'll be the oldest on this thread so far.... I'm 35 and have been accepted to 3 med schools, placed on hold at one, turned down an interview invite and have one more interview scheduled. It can certainly be done...

 

[lamyers1]

Oh thank you Zack! I'm 34 and was starting to hyperventilate!

 

[trout]

older and sexier than I ever was when I was 21: : .....honestly shocked at my success...9 acceptances (no post-interview rejections)...all my state schools, bu, rochester, columbia, others..horrible undergrad grades but made up for it in grad school...mcats not the best (but also not the worst) lots and I mean lots of extracurricular (and long term commitment to these) and excellent letters of rec...I kinda feel as an older applicant you have had time to spend more than just a semester with people so they really get to know you and your personality and it will reflect positively....I was also told during 3 interviews they wished they had more mature applicants like me who still had my energy and enthusiasm...so on that note I have to admit I think being older gave me much better perspective...I had seen alot of my friends go through this in undergrad with there top choice was their only place they wanted to be....I went in with the attitude I want to be a dr.....If you would like my scores I will pm them to you but I honestly think it was the rest of my application that got me in places <img border="0" alt="[Wowie]" title="" src="graemlins/wowie.gif" />

 

[RainaNoelle]

I'm 33 and accepted at one of my state schools. I withdrew my apps from the other schools I applied to when I got my acceptance. I think these days older students are more desireable. Having a bit of world experience under your belt is definately a plus. I believe I could have gotten into the more selective schools if I had wanted to, but one of the things about being a bit older is different priorities...my family is high-priority to me so I'd rather attend a school where I can juggle school/family more easily.

Just believe the old saying: You can do anything you want to!

Good luck!
Raina

 

[tBw]

trout: so which 3 schools specifically said they wanted more mature applicants with energy and enthusiasm......?

 

[trout]

msu (he actually said it like 4 times...that I had so much more maturity than most of the students directly out of undergrad...started to make me nervous), MCP-han, and downstate and actually AMC they guy made comments to how much I have already accomplished...I should probably also mention that I don't look anywhere near my age (I look like I could be 20)...actually a semi funny story on that would be during one interview (a woping 8 minutes) the first question the guy asked was how i plan to pay for medical school, the second question and he point blank said "as an older applicant if I planned on having children during medical school" so I said something (asking if there was a little prejudice against older applicants) to the current students who were in the room and one actually went and told the director...so the director came to talk to me because I was getting the feeling they don't like older applicants at the school and he said "we only consider applicants over the age of X as older" I am still in disbelief that he said that (or even implied that) considering I was 3 years older than that age.....I am still waiting that schools decision, but very certain that I will not be going there

 

[otter]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by applicant:
•Let's just say, for example, that someone graduated with engineering degree that had little with premed/predental science courses and worked for company for a few years.•••••This is EXACTLY the scenario that I have gone through. Honestly, though, having all this nontraditional experience hasn't really helped me much. An undergraduate girl who works in my lab has had a boatload of interviews and two acceptances, even though I've done far more clinical stuff than she. On the other hand, I'm sitting right now with just 4 interview invites and 0 acceptance. And, in the three interviews I've had in the past two cycles, not once has my engineering and high-tech experience been brought up during the interview.

 

[EpiII]

I will be 30 in a few days (Feb 29th: actually, I am only 7 years old ) and I have been very fortunate so far.

I only applied to the CA schools and I have not been rejected yet. I have gotten 6 interviews (nada from Stanford or USC) and 2 acceptances (UCSF and UCSD).

1. Have a reason for why you want to do what you are setting out to do, 2, have a good plan for what you are going to do and 3. explain why you have done what you have been doing.

 

[DocBob2B]

You haven't got a snowball's chance in hell if you are an OLD, late 20's applicant! Hell, you might as well be dead! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" />

Now, say you are a YOUNG 41 like me, we can carpool to orientation! What time should I pick you up? :wink:

Don't sweat the age. Don't sweat the numbers either (MCAT or GPA). The schools don't accept your numbers, they accept YOU. The whole YOU and nothing but YOU. If you are motivated, you will put together the best possible you and the rest will take care of itself.

One last thing, with all due respect to US News, the number one med school in the country is the one YOU accept!

Good Luck, and giv'em hell!

 

[Ranger Bob]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by trout:
•...the first question the guy asked was how i plan to pay for medical school, the second question and he point blank said "as an older applicant if I planned on having children during medical school" •••••I find it interesting how this interviewer skillfully combined two illegal topics (family planning and age) into one discriminatory question! :wink:

But seriously, I've done some reading on the topic, and questions like the one above are illegal for job interviews, and probably for medical schools too. Someone needs to stop this interviewer before he gets the school sued.

 

[oneironaut]

For what it's worth, I'm 27, and I've gotten a double handfull of interviews. (Acceptances- *sigh*) I really don't think it's any detriment. My gpa certainly isn't gilded. I've certainly more confidence and communication skill, being SLIGHTLY ;-) older now.

 

[ewells]

I am 32, but look like a fat 25.I am married and have a one year-old (he is in my lap right now). With a mediocre GPA and a good MCAT, I was rejected from 3 top twenty schools (according to US News and World Whatnot) and received interviews from a bunch of schools in the upper 20's/low 30's. I did not go on most of them because I have already decided to go to a school that accepted me relatively early.

Make sure that you do well on the MCAT. Older students get in at a lower percentage than younger students, but I noticed that older students also generally score lower on the MCAT. Correlation does not mean causation, but it is suggestive.

 

[EpiII]

I think the main thing about being older, is you need to show that you are also bringing something extra to school with that age. In other words, you are not just like the young ones, you are more mature (whatever that means ) or have better/more extensive experiences, etc.

One interviewer told me, "You have life experiences that make it look like other applicants have yet to live". I think that is what they want in return for your age.

 

[Sarena]

I'm 39. Applied to 4 schools and had an interview at three (Penn State, Pittsburgh, and Yale. I was accepted at Penn State. Waiting hear from Pittsburgh and Yale in March. I'll let you know how this old girl finally makes out.

Never let anything is unimportant as age deter you from your dreams.