Oldest Person in Vet School??

[DVM882029]

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A friend of mine says UGA has a student in his/her 60s. I'm not sure about further details though.

 

[battie]

That is a terrible way to view older students. I know several 20-somethings who got their DVM then practiced for 5-10 years before deciding to do something else more compatible with raising a family. Others switch to part-time or go into teaching. Not to mention those that get into vet school and then decide its not for them. There are pros and cons to any age, but there are other criteria that better predict an applicant's ability to succeed and contribute to the profession.

This person is unlikely to respond. Their post was from 8 years ago.

I’ll be 54 in September and starting at LSU. I’ve worked in vet med, lab animal med or zoo keeping my entire life and been applying to vet school for over 8 years. I doubt if I’m the oldest, but I’m probably getting close to it!

You would have been the oldest person in my class by about 8 or 10 years if I remember correctly. Honestly, probably the oldest in the school through my time there, though I didn't know the classes of 23 or 24 well. So might have been someone who wasnt as social who could've been older.

 

[pp9]

I’ll be 54 in September and starting at LSU. I’ve worked in vet med, lab animal med or zoo keeping my entire life and been applying to vet school for over 8 years. I doubt if I’m the oldest, but I’m probably getting close to it!

You would have been the oldest person in my class by about 8 or 10 years if I remember correctly. Honestly, probably the oldest in the school through my time there, though I didn't know the classes of 23 or 24 well. So might have been someone who wasnt as social who could've been older.

When I was a first year, there was a 3rd year who I would guess was in her 50's at least. Beyond that, I think the next oldest around those classes was a guy in my class. He was on his third professional degree (I don't think he actually completed his MD, though, or at least didn't do a residency if he graduated) and was in his 40s. He went on to do a rotating and specialty internship, then a residency. So many years spent in school and training.

Certainly not unheard of to be in your 40s/50s, but not common. I think it gets harder and harder to justify the years of lost income and grind through studying and long hours as time passes, let alone working long hours. I did my rotating when I was 27/28 and I do not think I could pull 80 hour weeks every single week anymore, and that was only 5 years ago. Some of the older ER vets (we had 3 in their 40s/50s) mentioned that the hours were getting harder and harder, too. But some people also just have built in batteries no matter their age, so it depends on the person.

 

[battie]

I think it gets harder and harder to justify the years of lost income and grind through studying and long hours as time passes, let alone working long hours.

Lost years of retirement savings as well.

 

[zoogrl29]

Lost years of retirement savings as well.

This is true, however, my plan is to go clinpath or lab animal and go back to working for the state as I’m already vested. We shall see though, I have never given up my part time work at Banfield because for some reason SAM always has my heart.