Old Geezers???

[efex101]

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I am not in any way trying to dissuade anyone just stating some possibilites.

 

[jbone]

I am not in any way trying to dissuade anyone just stating some possibilites.

Fair enough. 👍

 

[Pharos]

I'm a 33 yr old premed and feel that I am more intellectual now than I was when I was younger. I'm far better at studying and learning, as I am much more focused than I was at say 18 or 20.....

 

[cfdavid]

I'm a 33 yr old premed and feel that I am more intellectual now than I was when I was younger. I'm far better at studying and learning, as I am much more focused than I was at say 18 or 20.....

I'm MUCH more prepared now than I was at 21. No question about it.

(actually, I really just wanted to chime in to call attention to my new avatar! lol)

 

[pingouin]

I'm MUCH more prepared now than I was at 21. No question about it.

(actually, I really just wanted to chime in to call attention to my new avatar! lol)

yeah- nice avatar

Apparently getting older has made me feel guilty when I even think about skipping class. Where was THAT feeling 10 years ago??????

 

[ShyRem]

No lie, jlw. I thought nothing of skipping class 20 years ago. Now I go unless I absolutely am deathly ill or actively puking. Fever? Go to class anyway. Mono? Go to class anyway. Definitely a plus.

 

[MeowMix]

As far as non-trads doing poorly on MCAT: my experience as an MCAT instructor has been that non-trads who do poorly make a few classic mistakes. Everyone else makes these too, but for non-trads it seems to be more demoralizing, and a one-year delay is a big deal.

Classic mistakes:
- trying to do too much e.g. work full time, take care of kid at night, have some kind of relationship with spouse, take courses, volunteer in ER, take MCAT prep course, study, get by on 2 hrs' sleep. This is the #1 problem for non-trads.
- thinking that even though you got 25 or less on multiple practice tests, you're going to pull through and get over 30 on the real thing (it happens, but very rarely)
- not doing a post-mortem exam on each practice test, to figure out your weaknesses and target those
- thinking you can pull off a 30+ with a couple of weeks of hard studying right before the MCAT, after months of not doing much (again, possible but rare)
- forgetting that you have crappy arithmetic skills and you need to be able to do math to score well on PS
- imagining that because you have a degree in English lit or something you are automatically going to do well on VR
- if you did poorly the first time, not bothering to take the time to figure out exactly what your problems were; thinking that throwing money at Kaplan or TPR or whoever is going to raise your score
- not listening to experienced people who try to give you helpful advice; thinking that you are plenty smart enough to know what works for you, and they don't really appreciate your abilities.

 

[jbone]

As far as non-trads doing poorly on MCAT: my experience as an MCAT instructor has been that non-trads who do poorly make a few classic mistakes. Everyone else makes these too, but for non-trads it seems to be more demoralizing, and a one-year delay is a big deal.

Classic mistakes:
- trying to do too much e.g. work full time, take care of kid at night, have some kind of relationship with spouse, take courses, volunteer in ER, take MCAT prep course, study, get by on 2 hrs' sleep. This is the #1 problem for non-trads.
- thinking that even though you got 25 or less on multiple practice tests, you're going to pull through and get over 30 on the real thing (it happens, but very rarely)
- not doing a post-mortem exam on each practice test, to figure out your weaknesses and target those
- thinking you can pull off a 30+ with a couple of weeks of hard studying right before the MCAT, after months of not doing much (again, possible but rare)
- forgetting that you have crappy arithmetic skills and you need to be able to do math to score well on PS
- imagining that because you have a degree in English lit or something you are automatically going to do well on VR
- if you did poorly the first time, not bothering to take the time to figure out exactly what your problems were; thinking that throwing money at Kaplan or TPR or whoever is going to raise your score
- not listening to experienced people who try to give you helpful advice; thinking that you are plenty smart enough to know what works for you, and they don't really appreciate your abilities.

Pretty much covered my problems, well most of them. My biggest problem was working full-time, married full-time, father full-time, research part-time, masters degree full-time, basketball/golf part-time and occasionally sleep (no time). So I tried to study as much as possible for the MCAT, but I'm pretty much taken FULL TIME. That is life. No regrets. Could I have done better, absolutely...no doubt. I just consider myself a diamond in the rough. I'm a sneaky bastard. I think most schools have considered my extra stuff and have given me the benefit of the doubt. Wouldn't do it any other way because that is who I am. 👍

 

[Dave_D]

No lie, jlw. I thought nothing of skipping class 20 years ago. Now I go unless I absolutely am deathly ill or actively puking. Fever? Go to class anyway. Mono? Go to class anyway. Definitely a plus.

Same here. Guess a little maturity plus the fact I was paying for the class myself out of my savings was a big inducement to go and get the most out of my money.

 

[pingouin]

Same here. Guess a little maturity plus the fact I was paying for the class myself out of my savings was a big inducement to go and get the most out of my money.

ah, yes. according to my mother, my aunt snarked to her "Well, I guess she takes things more seriously when it comes out of her own pocket." Little does she know that my masters was out of my own pocket, and I still had no trouble skipping those classes occasionally.

I really do think it's age, maturity, and knowing there is no sliding by with minimal effort in this one.

 

[mtnclimber]

Just checked in on this thread for the first time - interesting discussion - i'm a certifiable non-trad here - 44 yo etc. - but one thing I know I had going for me on the the MCAt (got a 33 btw in august) was the long-time reading obsession plus a history of thinking that you just don't have at 20 yo. Still waiting to hear about schools and where I might get in, but feel certain it will happen..... hang in there! life experience is great (could do without the gray hairs 🙄 , but hey, that's what highlights are for....)

 

[bubbleyum]

hiya oldies, thought i would add my age to the fray for support.
30 going on 31 if i get accepted! (please, lord...)

 

[motherofalldrs]

Dear Old Folks,
I will be 36 when I start at Baylor next July. I am a re-applicant who was rejected by all 7 of the less heavenly than Baylor medical schools in Texas, even the osteopathic one. This time I applied out of state as well, got into University of Colorado and Baylor and do not care that Standford is ignoring me. I became an EMT-b to get my feet wet as a tech at the ER and while I loved my job, felt trapped in space while time marched onward for 3 years. I was looking like a lovable loser English major mother of two who needed some sense knocked into me. I am through with wandering in the desert. Hopefully, my compassion has been honed and my kids are half grown (9 and 12) which removes half of the accusation that I am a bad, selfish mother. It is my own mother and the mothers of my sons friends who slam me. My husband and sons are way supportive 👍 👍 👍

Anyways, what a great time to be beginning our study of medicine! Best of luck and love to everyone 😍

 

[crrchngr]

Dear Old Folks,
I will be 36 when I start at Baylor next July. I am a re-applicant who was rejected by all 7 of the less heavenly than Baylor medical schools in Texas, even the osteopathic one. This time I applied out of state as well, got into University of Colorado and Baylor and do not care that Standford is ignoring me. I became an EMT-b to get my feet wet as a tech at the ER and while I loved my job, felt trapped in space while time marched onward for 3 years. I was looking like a lovable loser English major mother of two who needed some sense knocked into me. I am through with wandering in the desert. Hopefully, my compassion has been honed and my kids are half grown (9 and 12) which removes half of the accusation that I am a bad, selfish mother. It is my own mother and the mothers of my sons friends who slam me. My husband and sons are way supportive 👍 👍 👍

Anyways, what a great time to be beginning our study of medicine! Best of luck and love to everyone 😍

I am trying to get the support from my family as well...and I am not near ready to apply. They think that my hairbrained idea to get ready for med school is "all talk". I totally see what you're facing when it comes to others understanding that you're following your dream. My step-mom wants me to go to PA school. While being a PA would be cool and offer a lot of experience...why go for two years and be half way there when you can just go ahead and do the 4+ and be the real thing??? She has been a stay at home mom since my "surprise" baby sister came along when I was a senior in high school. So, really everybody else isn't concerned...I guess they don't think I mean business. What area are you in now? I am in DFW and am not sure about applying at schools all over the state since my husband would have to relocate too. Any thoughts on that? I think you are an awesome mom to your kids... 😀 you're showing them that you can be what you want to be no matter your age or previous jobs...also that you are willing to sacrifice time and income to better yourself and your family. I will be 32 or more by the time I apply, once I finish all my post-baccs, so I hope my family starts to take me more seriously in the next 2 years!

I think your story is very inspirational.

crrchngr

 

[motherofalldrs]

I am trying to get the support from my family as well...and I am not near ready to apply. They think that my hairbrained idea to get ready for med school is "all talk". I totally see what you're facing when it comes to others understanding that you're following your dream. My step-mom wants me to go to PA school. While being a PA would be cool and offer a lot of experience...why go for two years and be half way there when you can just go ahead and do the 4+ and be the real thing??? She has been a stay at home mom since my "surprise" baby sister came along when I was a senior in high school. So, really everybody else isn't concerned...I guess they don't think I mean business. What area are you in now? I am in DFW and am not sure about applying at schools all over the state since my husband would have to relocate too. Any thoughts on that? I think you are an awesome mom to your kids... 😀 you're showing them that you can be what you want to be no matter your age or previous jobs...also that you are willing to sacrifice time and income to better yourself and your family. I will be 32 or more by the time I apply, once I finish all my post-baccs, so I hope my family starts to take me more seriously in the next 2 years!

I think your story is very inspirational.

crrchngr

I live in Austin. So we would have had to movewherever I got in. My husband was in a fairly mediocre job for a guy his age...he's 51, and seemed to resent that I was spending all the family's extra time and going deeper into debt to follow my dream while he had few prospects for himself. At one point, he wanted to write a contract that I would give him a portion of my future earnings for his supporting me in pre-med drawn out hell. Then he got an excellent job dropped into his lap which pays him what he is worth and since he could work from home, he can move with me to Houston.
I suggest you apply widely. It only costs like 30 bucks a school to apply to every texas school. And when you go to your interview, have many examples ready of how supportive your husband is and how effortless it will be for you to relocate. The 1st time I applied I said I would move there alone if I had to and that I could handle any doubts my husband might have. They did not buy it. Thanks for what you said about my being a good mom!!
As for PA, I did all the pre-reqs for that. But met some PA's at the ER who were very limitted in what they could do and were eventually fired wholesale because they needed so much documented supervison, that they did not increase income for the MDs. I also went out the lunch in Fortworth with a woman who just graduated from north texas with a PA and is getting her on the job training at an overbusy clinic with not enough support and teaching from the MD who supervises her. I would rather get high quality training in residency and fulfill my highest potential..How would you like to try to get a job as a PA as a 55 year old woman?

 

[karlin009]

i'll be 28 hopefully. Damn, not even close to having kids. Need to get me some of those in a few years..hehe

 

[Jaguar]

Hey, add me to the list. I am very very soon to be 40, am in Med 2, and have a husband and 3 kids. 😍 A bit stressed, but having the time of my life!

 

[Gatewayhoward]

Man, it's really inspiring hearing about all of you who're middle aged and going through med school. Age doesn't seem to matter so much anymore.

 

[Pharos]

For those of you with kids..... while it's easy for others to critize - remember, you are not living your life for them. Yes, I'm sure it's going to be difficult, and yes there will be sacrifices - but I think you can make up a lot with the quality of the time spent with your children, not the quantity . I know of many people who are always home with their kids, but don't spend time with them anyway. (The kids are off playing video games, etc). Being a good and loving parent isn't only about the amount of time you can spend with your children, it's about how you care for them and use the time that you are given.

 

[crrchngr]

For those of you with kids..... while it's easy for others to critize - remember, you are not living your life for them. Yes, I'm sure it's going to be difficult, and yes there will be sacrifices - but I think you can make up a lot with the quality of the time spent with your children, not the quantity . I know of many people who are always home with their kids, but don't spend time with them anyway. (The kids are off playing video games, etc). Being a good and loving parent isn't only about the amount of time you can spend with your children, it's about how you care for them and use the time that you are given.

Thanks Pharos...I think we are all trying to put it in perspective! Hey, by the way...northeast NY??? I graduated from SUNY Albany...small world.

😉 crrchngr

 

[HOLLYWOOD]

38.. I'll be 39 when I start school next year. I think non-trads also have a healthy respect for what patients go through and the difficulties patients may have taking care of their health when life gets in the way (i.e. children, aging parents, work issues, financial issues, etc).

HOW DO YOU DO IT ? WITH KIDS, WIFE OR HUSBAND AND BILLS I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIGURE THAT OUT YET.

 

[ShyRem]

Well, my husband works. Our kids are in school during the day, so that helps a bunch. We'll sell our house where we are currently - who knows if we'll be back (though we'd like to be eventually). Get used to the bills - we're going to get loans for my schooling. I figure I'll be a nice healthy $200K in debt when all is said and done. However, with my husband working I won't have to borrow too much to live on, and I can send my resident salary (ok, pittance) to pay back loans and we'll live off his salary in those years. Put us in not too bad financial shape when I'm ready to start a practice somewhere.

 

[Non-TradTulsa]

Couldn't wait to come to the non-trad thread to share the news. I was accepted to The University of Oklahoma College of Medicine Class of 2010 today. I really think it's important to share - I'm 44 years old, and was 43 when I applied. I remember how much *I* was inspired by stories of older students when I first thought about applying. Folks, if you're in your early-30's - mid-'30's - late-30's - or even in your '40's or more - IT CAN BE DONE. The non-trad road is not for the faint of heart - working a full-time job, staying in lab classes until 10:00pm nearly every night, preparing for the MCAT in "spare" time - it's very tough, just like I'm sure med school will be tough. But it can be done, I promise!!!

 

[QofQuimica]

Couldn't wait to come to the non-trad thread to share the news. I was accepted to The University of Oklahoma College of Medicine Class of 2010 today. I really think it's important to share - I'm 44 years old, and was 43 when I applied. I remember how much *I* was inspired by stories of older students when I first thought about applying. Folks, if you're in your early-30's - mid-'30's - late-30's - or even in your '40's or more - IT CAN BE DONE. The non-trad road is not for the faint of heart - working a full-time job, staying in lab classes until 10:00pm nearly every night, preparing for the MCAT in "spare" time - it's very tough, just like I'm sure med school will be tough. But it can be done, I promise!!!

AWESOME! Congrats!

 

[Pharos]

Thanks Pharos...I think we are all trying to put it in perspective! Hey, by the way...northeast NY??? I graduated from SUNY Albany...small world.

😉 crrchngr

You're welcome... I'm from the Plattsburgh area by the way - just a couple hrs north of Albany. (Can you believe that something actually exists two hrs north of Albany?) Heck - the folks from NYC think that Albany is the northeast! 🙄

 

[Pharos]

Couldn't wait to come to the non-trad thread to share the news. I was accepted to The University of Oklahoma College of Medicine Class of 2010 today. I really think it's important to share - I'm 44 years old, and was 43 when I applied. I remember how much *I* was inspired by stories of older students when I first thought about applying. Folks, if you're in your early-30's - mid-'30's - late-30's - or even in your '40's or more - IT CAN BE DONE. The non-trad road is not for the faint of heart - working a full-time job, staying in lab classes until 10:00pm nearly every night, preparing for the MCAT in "spare" time - it's very tough, just like I'm sure med school will be tough. But it can be done, I promise!!!

Congratulations - very well deserved. Enjoy it!!! 👍

 

[crrchngr]

You're welcome... I'm from the Plattsburgh area by the way - just a couple hrs north of Albany. (Can you believe that something actually exists two hrs north of Albany?) Heck - the folks from NYC think that Albany is the northeast! 🙄

Almost a Canadian, then???

 

[pingouin]

Almost a Canadian, then???

When I lived in NYC, it used to crack me up that people referred to Westchester County as "upstate". You can go a lot further "up" than Ossining.. 😉

Then again, these were the same people who believed that since I'm from the Midwest, my parents had a cow in the backyard. (They don't.)

 

[Beau Geste]

When I lived in NYC, it used to crack me up that people referred to Westchester County as "upstate". You can go a lot further "up" than Ossining.. 😉

Then again, these were the same people who believed that since I'm from the Midwest, my parents had a cow in the backyard. (They don't.)

LOL Chicagoans think anything south of I-80 is "southern" Illinois, but they're about 150 miles off!!! (More like south of I-70).

 

[pingouin]

LOL Chicagoans think anything south of I-80 is "southern" Illinois, but they're about 150 miles off!!! (More like south of I-70).

😀 I have to take 70 all the way across IL to get from my house to my Mom's. When I was in college, all the Chicago folks would ask "Well what towns do you drive through?" and the answer was always "uhhhhhhh... Terre Haute, Indiana?" And then they'd try to argue that NO- we had to drive through someplace in IL. Decatur? Nope. Springfield? Nope. Carbondale? Nope. Champaign/Urbana? Nope. Bloomington/Normal? Nope. Finally, we'd say "OK, well there are 3 exits for Effingham. Does that count?"

 

[gary5]

.

 

[Pharos]

Almost a Canadian, then???

Pretty close - aye.