Older applicants

[blueperson]

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I'm currently 31 and just beginning my pre-med courses (already have BS and MS). I will probably be about 35 when I apply (after courses while working, then MCAT, doing applications). I've heard some schools prefer older students or are more open about considering them while other schools focus only on the 21-22 year old crowd. I was told by one school that you can discern this from AAMC and various websites, but I must be dense because I'm not seeing it. Does anyone know which schools are more friendly toward older students? Since the average age in my pre-med course now is in the 30s, I know people are going somewhere...

 

[CanIMakeIt]

Case
MCW

 

[runner1979]

Take a look at the average age of matriculants in each school's statistics--this should be a good starting point. Off the top of my head, I know Drexel admits a lot of non-traditional students. I also believe Northwestern does as well.

DO, as a whole, tends to have older students than MD.

 

[jp24]

Drexel
Vermont

 

[DrYo12]

BU
Rosalind Franklin

 

[MsEvolution]

I'm 34 and I've already been invited to 7 interviews. I haven't yet been rejected from a single one of the 21 schools I applied to. I have one firm acceptance and I'm on two waitlists.

I almost didn't apply because I had your same doubts. I'm glad I did!

Just do it! Good luck!

 

[Khenon]

I'm currently 31 and just beginning my pre-med courses (already have BS and MS). I will probably be about 35 when I apply (after courses while working, then MCAT, doing applications). I've heard some schools prefer older students or are more open about considering them while other schools focus only on the 21-22 year old crowd. I was told by one school that you can discern this from AAMC and various websites, but I must be dense because I'm not seeing it. Does anyone know which schools are more friendly toward older students? Since the average age in my pre-med course now is in the 30s, I know people are going somewhere...

I think it has less to do with age, and more to do with adcoms looking for "unique" qualities in their students, and typically an older student would likely have some life/work experience that sets them apart from the younger crowd. I don't think any school would eliminate a student based on age, but I guess I have heard some schools do tend to take older students. Off hand, I believe Mayo, UCSF, and UC Davis have a larger matriculation of non traditional students. Again, I don't think this is an age thing. It's a diversity thing.

 

[efex101]

Exactly, it really does not have much to do with age but more to do with *what* you can bring to the table. As long as your number/LOR/EC/leadership/etc is competitive you will be fine.

 

[vtucci]

Case Western and Creighton have reputations for accepting a high proportion of older students. UCol. has an average age of 26, which is on the high end for a state school. There is also U of Vermont and BU. The osteopathic schools have an older range too.

However, all the schools have average ages, meaning that there will be a range. When I visited Columbia for a post-bac conference, they said that they had students ranging in age from 19-32. They seemed proud to have someone who was 32 (although from my perspective, that is not that old).

Like the others have said, it will depend on your background and what you can bring to the table. I would recommend having a killer essay though (explaining the great question- so you want to be a doctor now because.... and how you can integrate your life experiences to be an excellent doctor) and solid stats if you can do it.

 

[jp24]

I forgot to add University of Pittsburgh to my earlier post. I got a color brochure in the mail from them that focused specifically on their interest in non-traditional applicants.

Age can definately be an asset. It sets you apart from the rest of the applicant pool. Good luck with everything!

 

[lmnop]

I've heard EVMS mentioned as well

 

[Emergency!]

Cinci (two different people mentioned it when I was there) and MCO are also non-trad friendly.

Another point to consider, there are more and more non-traditionals applying to medical school. Being non-trad is less of a novelty than it used to be, and I think it will become less and less of one. Yes, some schools like life experience, but life experience is only going to get you so far if you have a lower than average GPA and/or MCAT score.

 

[Xandie]

While our average age was 23 when classes started, I know our range was 19-39 when classes started. There are a fair number of people above the age of 30, mostly married with children.