Old student?

[wendell]

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Currently i work in a hospital ER and have around 6000 hours of patient care exp. I have some college and am looking to attend medical school. I know that it is a long road. My wife's family has alot of physcians(they are not pushing me to do this it is by my own choice).I have been looking at schools in other countries because at 34 i am not a spring chicken. Has anyone else started this late in life at the bottom and made it to the top? I will be 37 when i apply to medical school. I am looking to attend school in the Phillipines.
Any words of advice would greatly be appreciated. 😕 😱

 

[Scottish Chap]

Currently i work in a hospital ER and have around 6000 hours of patient care exp. I have some college and am looking to attend medical school. I know that it is a long road. My wife's family has alot of physcians(they are not pushing me to do this it is by my own choice).I have been looking at schools in other countries because at 34 i am not a spring chicken. Has anyone else started this late in life at the bottom and made it to the top? I will be 37 when i apply to medical school. I am looking to attend school in the Phillipines.
Any words of advice would greatly be appreciated. 😕 😱

I was a wee bit younger than you when I applied to medical schools at 27 but, honestly, there are plenty of people in their late 30's and even 40's who apply successfully so you're fine as long as you keep you eye focused on the goal and you have a good support network. In addition, it sounds like you have a lot of wonderful, relevant experience to bring to the table and U.S. medical schools value that greatly. In fact, this can often be a great equalizer for the older applicant who has to work and study simultaneously as well as take care of a family; such experiences can make you stand out over younger applicants with excellent grades who have gone through their education in the traditional way – and there’s nothing wrong with that but there’s ‘more than one way to skin a cat’.

The only advice I would give (since you asked) is to say this: exhaust all options of attending a U.S. D.O. or M.D. program before going offshore. It's true that you can get the degree by going to the Phillipines and you can take step 1, step 2 and the ECFMG, but a very high percentage of U.S. citizens who start their medical education overseas never finish or never make it back to the U.S. In addition, the added stress of securing funding and moving some or all of your family overseas into another culture can be difficult.

Even if it takes 1-2 years more, it's much better if you try to obtain your medical education in the country where you intend to practice. Keep in mind that a high percentage of medical school matriculants are second-time applicants so, if you do not get in first time to a U.S. school, apply again, and again if necessary. I believe you can do it! Good luck! 👍

 

[efex101]

People are accepted to US medical schools at pretty much "any" age..I was 38 when accepted to Mayo. There is another post in some thread here in this forum a 51 year old accepted to Yale and another school...it *can* be done as long a YOU are a good candidate regardless of age.

 

[DrCara]

hiya wendell!

I'll be 33 when I start medical school, so don't worry too much about your age. I've also heard from a lot from medical studednts/fellows about there being older students in their classes (one doctor told me there was a gal who was 60 in his graduating class!) Many schools like nontrads because they have a different perspectives and experiences. As has been previously mentioned, just make sure you are competitive with your grades and MCAT scores.

Good luck! 🙂

 

[ntmed]

I was 40 when I started medical school (allopathic). I agree with the other posters. Exhaust your options for US allopathic and osteopathic medical schools before you look overseas. Only about 30% of IMGs get to practice medicine in the U.S.

 

[thirdunity]

I'll be 35 by the time I start med school. This is all a relief to me, to know that older people can and do start.

 

[Febrifuge]

Currently i work in a hospital ER and have around 6000 hours of patient care exp. I have some college and am looking to attend medical school. I know that it is a long road... Has anyone else started this late in life at the bottom and made it to the top? I will be 37 when i apply to medical school.

I'll be 37 when I start med school, assuming I get in on my first shot in the '07 app cycle. I have Post-Bac and glide year to do first.

And with 6000 hours of experience, you're not at the bottom, my friend. I also want to echo what others have said. Unless you live in the Phillipines now, and plan to practice there later, take the time to apply (and re-apply if necessary) to a US school.

 

[spc213]

I'll be entering dental school this summer at 38. I know it's not med school, but I'll be well into my 40's before I embark on my new career.

As long as you are ready and are the "right" candidate, efex101 is right on the money.

 

[skeezixdoc]

I was 40 when I started medical school (allopathic). I agree with the other posters. Exhaust your options for US allopathic and osteopathic medical schools before you look overseas. Only about 30% of IMGs get to practice medicine in the U.S.

I was 43 when I started medical school. I had a successful business, a 3.5 gpa in my post bac (while running my business full time), a 31 MCAT, and years of volunteer service. I applied to 20 US med schools and didn't get in. I went to SGU in Grenada, West Indies.

The 30% of IMGs getting to practice in the US is misinformative. Those numbers include many, many foreign students who can't come into the US after graduating an international school, or after practicing as a doctor in a foreign country then trying to come to the US. 99% of the US elligible students at my school get a residency and go on to practice in the US. If you are a citizen of the US you are automatically US elligible. It's the foreign students who have trouble, especially now, getting visas for a residency in the US.

I agree with exhausting all efforts for a US school, but if you're a US citizen SGU offers a great alternative. I just graduated and am starting a residency in emergency medicine. But beware, even with all the talk about liking older students with interesting life experience the US schools still only take about 1-2% of the class from applicants over 37 years old. With more older students than ever before applying it's probably more accurately the most competitive age group, making your chances a lot less than those in the younger age brackets.

 

[Arien's Dad]

Wendall, Chap is right. I am starting med school next month and I'll be 46. I applied to a mix of U.S. MD and DO schools and was interviewed at almost all of them, and accepted to 3 of my top 5 (including Case Western). During the interview process I met quite a few older students and they, too, seemed to be doing fine. I'm sure many of them got accepted.
My advice - do well on the MCAT. Though I don't agree, colleges feel that it shows you can do the course work, which is one big doubt hanging over most non-traditional older students. I didn't take a study course but did spend considerable time in review. Most importantly - be honest about your goals. My interviewers told me that I completely convinced them of my commitment and focus and that made the choice easy for them. Be sure you are clear about why you are thinking of med school, and be sure your application demonstrates your reasoning. Obviously the odds aren't great for older candidates, but I won't be the oldest this year by far, so mid-30's should be fine.
Good luck!

I was a wee bit younger than you when I applied to medical schools at 27 but, honestly, there are plenty of people in their late 30's and even 40's who apply successfully so you're fine as long as you keep you eye focused on the goal and you have a good support network. In addition, it sounds like you have a lot of wonderful, relevant experience to bring to the table and U.S. medical schools value that greatly. In fact, this can often be a great equalizer for the older applicant who has to work and study simultaneously as well as take care of a family; such experiences can make you stand out over younger applicants with excellent grades who have gone through their education in the traditional way – and there’s nothing wrong with that but there’s ‘more than one way to skin a cat’.

The only advice I would give (since you asked) is to say this: exhaust all options of attending a U.S. D.O. or M.D. program before going offshore. It's true that you can get the degree by going to the Phillipines and you can take step 1, step 2 and the ECFMG, but a very high percentage of U.S. citizens who start their medical education overseas never finish or never make it back to the U.S. In addition, the added stress of securing funding and moving some or all of your family overseas into another culture can be difficult.

Even if it takes 1-2 years more, it's much better if you try to obtain your medical education in the country where you intend to practice. Keep in mind that a high percentage of medical school matriculants are second-time applicants so, if you do not get in first time to a U.S. school, apply again, and again if necessary. I believe you can do it! Good luck! 👍

 

[cindy4443]

I'm 36 with 2 kids and starting this fall. By the time I'm out of residency my kids will be in college. I think older students bring a maturity and perspective that schools are beginning to appreciate more and more. Try and stay in the U.S. and good luck to you

 

[ekydrd]

Turned 38 during my M-1 year. I am now a 41 (almost 42) year old intern. Nobody blinks an eye about it. I am expected to know as much (or as little) as any other intern, but I have an advantage in that I have worked full time jobs before. This is a brand new experience for many of my fellow interns, and some of them are having a hard time adjusting.

 

[Mike MacKinnon]

Hey

Yer not alone. I am finishing pre reqs and then ill be apply at the age of 33. My suggestion is to apply to US schools first. DO schools are historically more open to non trads like us. They even say so on their website. While caribbean schools are an option, i would suggest they are not the optimal way to go. There are various threads on this website where caribbean students impart their frustration getting placement in 3rd and 4th years as well as residencies.

good luck!

 

[Beautifulchild]

I am so happy to have found this forum! I am 37 and just applying to do a post bacc. The way I feel is that I am the age I am and that's what I am. I can either try and do something that makes me happy and give it my all or I can worry about other people. My choice is obviously the first one. The only time you fail is when you don't try. Good luck!

 

[markt]

Hey

Yer not alone. I am finishing pre reqs and then ill be apply at the age of 33. My suggestion is to apply to US schools first. DO schools are historically more open to non trads like us. They even say so on their website. While caribbean schools are an option, i would suggest they are not the optimal way to go. There are various threads on this website where caribbean students impart their frustration getting placement in 3rd and 4th years as well as residencies.

good luck!

I have to disagree in regard to Caribbean schools. I think it really depends on the school. For a while, I thought of the Caribbean route as a fall back or last choice option. However after going to an open house for SGU, and talking to an SGU student, and seeing their match statistics, and considering the beauty of the campus and Grenada itself, I've made SGU one of my primary options. I'm not sure about any of the other Caribbean schools though. I'll be going to an open house for Ross in October, and hopefully I'll learn more about it at that time.

 

[Mike MacKinnon]

I have to disagree in regard to Caribbean schools. I think it really depends on the school. For a while, I thought of the Caribbean route as a fall back or last choice option. However after going to an open house for SGU, and talking to an SGU student, and seeing their match statistics, and considering the beauty of the campus and Grenada itself, I've made SGU one of my primary options. I'm not sure about any of the other Caribbean schools though. I'll be going to an open house for Ross in October, and hopefully I'll learn more about it at that time.

Mark

With all due respect, any IMG student will always be at a disadvantage. While i agree there are some schools such as those you mentioned which have a good reputation for education, often US citizens who attend these schools still have difficulty getting 3rd and 4th year slots which arent always moving as well as residencies of their choice. US students, both DO and MD, will always be given preference over IMG's both in DO and MD residencies.

Regardless of adequacy of training at these schools, IMG's are initially looked at with skeptism in hospital both by the staff (nurses) and the physicians (MD/DO). As with everything, once proven everyone is treated the same. The issue here is that out of the gate your at a disadvantage applying as a IMG even to jobs post residency. Will it stop you from getting a job? No. However why add to the negatives? The reality is that most employers and most of the people making the decision to accept you for a residency position dont know the difference between one IMG or another, they just know you trained in a place where questionable training occurs (other schools). It may not be fair but its the truth. The ignorance DO's had to contend with in the 60-70's is what IMG's will constantly contend with since their education is not guarenteed by the US regulatory boards.

I would always make my 1st choice US schools and i think the majority would agree with that especially if you plan to practice in the states.

 

[markt]

Mark

With all due respect, any IMG student will always be at a disadvantage. While i agree there are some schools such as those you mentioned which have a good reputation for education, often US citizens who attend these schools still have difficulty getting 3rd and 4th year slots which arent always moving as well as residencies of their choice. US students, both DO and MD, will always be given preference over IMG's both in DO and MD residencies.

Regardless of adequacy of training at these schools, IMG's are initially looked at with skeptism in hospital both by the staff (nurses) and the physicians (MD/DO). As with everything, once proven everyone is treated the same. The issue here is that out of the gate your at a disadvantage applying as a IMG even to jobs post residency. Will it stop you from getting a job? No. However why add to the negatives? The reality is that most employers and most of the people making the decision to accept you for a residency position dont know the difference between one IMG or another, they just know you trained in a place where questionable training occurs (other schools). It may not be fair but its the truth. The ignorance DO's had to contend with in the 60-70's is what IMG's will constantly contend with since their education is not guarenteed by the US regulatory boards.

I would always make my 1st choice US schools and i think the majority would agree with that especially if you plan to practice in the states.

While I appreciate your thoughtfulness, I think we premeds need to open our minds and stop grouping all International Medical Schools together, and start evaluating them in terms of education, training and residency matches. Nontraditional students especially should look at all options available to them and to not automatically dismiss valid options. I think dismissing all International Medical Schools outright is like throwing the baby out with the bath water, since at least the two I mentioned educate and train students every bit as well as US schools. This is testified to by the USMLE pass rates and residency matches.

I think your view of how hospitals look at IMGs is based on anecdotal evidence in that that is how your hospital views them. I do not think there is skepticism at the hospitals where they rotate, intern, and do residency. My anecdotal evidence is that when I talked to an SGU fourth year, she said she was very happy with her clinical experience, and did not find that she had any problems at all. She actually enjoyed going to the different sites with a group of close-knit friends from SGU. I don't think that students from SGU or Ross have any disadvantage at all in their affiliated hospitals and clinical centers.

While it may seem limiting to only rotate through affiliated hospitals and clinical centers, I don't see a problem with it. It seems that whatever your school: US allopathic, osteopathic, or carribean; you will do your clinicals in hospitals/clinical centers affiliated with your school.

 

[Mike MacKinnon]

Mark

Nice post and well said. I have to agree noone should rule out any options. For me, i just think adding any potential difficulties to the pile cant be good! I decided to apply to US schools only. Having said that, if i could only be a Doc by going caribbean, id be there tommorrow 🙂

While I appreciate your thoughtfulness, I think we premeds need to open our minds and stop grouping all International Medical Schools together, and start evaluating them in terms of education, training and residency matches. Nontraditional students especially should look at all options available to them and to not automatically dismiss valid options. I think dismissing all International Medical Schools outright is like throwing the baby out with the bath water, since at least the two I mentioned educate and train students every bit as well as US schools. This is testified to by the USMLE pass rates and residency matches.

I think your view of how hospitals look at IMGs is based on anecdotal evidence in that that is how your hospital views them. I do not think there is skepticism at the hospitals where they rotate, intern, and do residency. My anecdotal evidence is that when I talked to an SGU fourth year, she said she was very happy with her clinical experience, and did not find that she had any problems at all. She actually enjoyed going to the different sites with a group of close-knit friends from SGU. I don't think that students from SGU or Ross have any disadvantage at all in their affiliated hospitals and clinical centers.

While it may seem limiting to only rotate through affiliated hospitals and clinical centers, I don't see a problem with it. It seems that whatever your school: US allopathic, osteopathic, or carribean; you will do your clinicals in hospitals/clinical centers affiliated with your school.

 

[mshheaddoc]

I think your view of how hospitals look at IMGs is based on anecdotal evidence in that that is how your hospital views them. I do not think there is skepticism at the hospitals where they rotate, intern, and do residency. My anecdotal evidence is that when I talked to an SGU fourth year, she said she was very happy with her clinical experience, and did not find that she had any problems at all. She actually enjoyed going to the different sites with a group of close-knit friends from SGU. I don't think that students from SGU or Ross have any disadvantage at all in their affiliated hospitals and clinical centers.

While it may seem limiting to only rotate through affiliated hospitals and clinical centers, I don't see a problem with it. It seems that whatever your school: US allopathic, osteopathic, or carribean; you will do your clinicals in hospitals/clinical centers affiliated with your school.

As long as you aren't moving your family around every month. I know a few students whose rotations varied at different hospitals. I don't know if I would want to move my family around. Some lucked out and got all hospitals in the same area, but it depends on where you want to live. I know people who got sick of living out of a suitcase and trying to find housing on a monthly basis. After being post-call, its the LAST thing you want to worry about.

Its all a personal preference and certainly an option. But its well known the rank of physicians overall is MD>DO>IMG>FMG only due to the match and what those people want to match at. Also environments are completely different that here in the US (and all information was given to me by Carib. students). Some love (and excel) b/c they are able to do it on their own and are extremely flexible. Others hate (I would say about 5/8 of the people I have talked to) because now they realize how hard it is to come back to the US sometimes.

It truly depends on what school you attend and what type of personality you have. Easy-going = better situation.

 

[KLD]

I am 39 and just had my first interview of the year on Tuesday.

I also interviewed last year...and the year before...no luck yet. Just keep trying. 😀