Oldest student in your class?

[Ischiowhat]

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What're they like? Do you think they have a disadvantage?

 

[just one]

What're they like? Do you think they have a disadvantage?

Actually I feel like I have an advantage. I'm not the oldest (within top 5 in my class I think) but within a couple of years of the oldest.

 

[secants]

Oldest one I know of is an early 30s mother - obviously she told me juggling child responsibilities with studying was the biggest challenge

 

[CATrtb]

I'm also in the top 3 in my class, (which is a large class). I am not at a disadvantage mentally despite my advanced age. My experience gives me wisdom. The disadvantage lies in the extra responsibilities I have outside of med school. A larger proportion of older students have spouses and/or kids. This takes away from study time and forces me to be more effecient. I do better than average, but not top 20%. If I had no kids, no wife, no job, no mortgage, etc, etc, etc., I, (and I suspect other older students) would be killing it. Then again, if I had no wife or kids I probably wouldn't be here today.

 

[Slevin]

While I'm not the oldest I'm within the top 5% in my class in regards to age

 

[eyeMD6299]

We had about 5-6 late 30's and up to start. One left after first set of exams. Rest graduated, all in top third of class, one was second in class of 180. All got good residencies. They all had more challenges (spouses, kids, single mom, etc.) but they were more wise and mature and knew they had to manage their time and balance school with other obligations. Plus, we had fun "ribbing" them when they turned 40, etc.

 

[mvenus929]

The three oldest people in my class are older than 30, but younger than 40. I don't think any of them is at a significant disadvantage academically. The oldest might be at a slight disadvantage socially, since the vast majority of my class is under 25, but not academically. Granted, I don't think any of them are in the highest ranks of the class, but we have a lot of really smart and really dedicated people in our class as well (a number coming in that want to go into derm, radonc, or ophthalmology).

 

[Slevin]

I have one in my class that is a grandmother and a friend of mine is in her mid thirties with a 15 yo daughter. It's doable, not the norm but doable

 

[LossForWords]

I think our oldest is 33 or so. He's single without kids, so I don't think he's in much of different social situation as most med students.

Next year there's going to be a 50-something as a 1st year. I can't imagine the mental fortitude you'd have to have to deal with the s#!t first year has.

 

[namnai]

Oldest in my class is 25 i think.

The average age is 19

 

[DrMidlife]

I'm 44 and I have a bunch of classmates in their 40's.

I think that in general, age doesn't determine whether a classmate is interesting or memorable or good/bad to study or hang out with. That's age-independent. There are rock stars and a**holes at every age.

I'm just as obsessed with exam scores and maintaining focus and optimizing study strategies as my classmates. I'm just as text-happy with gossip & news as my classmates.

I'm less likely to go out drinking or hook up or get involved in a student club than my younger classmates. The fun of those things are age-specific, imho. Labs and small groups are where I have fun with classmates.

I have to go outside school for my social life. Social interaction with my younger classmates is work. My classmates who are my age aren't my cup of tea (the only thing we have in common is age). Faculty & staff, who are my age, aren't looking to hang with students.

I think what the older students should bring is a helpful perspective. We can see how a medical issue fits in the context of politics, corporations, religion, families, etc. We've burned out, had our hearts broken, gone broke, gotten rich, failed exams, planned weddings/funerals, been hospitalized, etc. An older student, imho, should be a helpful source of perspective to a worried younger student. No, life is not over because you failed biochem. No, life is not over because he dumped you. Yes, life is over unless you pull your head out. For me the hard part is keeping my mouth shut & waiting to be asked my opinion. Which is true for med students of every age - our favorite thing is to be asked what we think, right?

Best of luck to you.

 

[Torr]

There are rock stars and a**holes at every age.

Great potential slogan for the "non-traditional" students forum.

Oldest in my class is 25 i think.

The average age is 19

A med school class where the average student is 19 years old seems really odd to me (really wrong too).

 

[Laryngophed]

A med school class where the average student is 19 years old seems really odd to me (really wrong too).

Maybe it's a six year BS/MD program?

 

[DrMidlife]

A med school class where the average student is 19 years old seems really odd to me (really wrong too).

Outside the US & Canada, med school starts after high school. We're the weirdos, empirically.

 

[UAAWolf]

What're they like? Do you think they have a disadvantage?

Its best to be fresh out of undergrad cause you're used to studying.

Good luck with peace corps helping you on step 1 😀

 

[tehdude]

We have a couple late 40's and about a dozen people in their 30's.

 

[DrYoda]

Do you think they have a disadvantage?

Dulled reflexes, poor eyesight, and less fast twitch fibers. They'll be a good distraction when the first wave of zombies comes.

 

[IamaBanana]

Dulled reflexes, poor eyesight, and less fast twitch fibers. They'll be a good distraction when the first wave of zombies comes.

My years off between undergrad and med school were spent doing two things: improving my application and turning myself into a zombie killing machine. When it happens, and it will happen, we'll see who gets left behind young man.

 

[shaggy alfresco]

Let the young hotheads think they're the **** at Zombie killing. It works out better that way for us smarter, wiser folk. More supplies for us.

 

[namnai]

A med school class where the average student is 19 years old seems really odd to me (really wrong too).

Oh... the youngest is 18. He was 17 when we started the year 😀

Maybe it's a six year BS/MD program?

A 5 year MBBS program actually. Nevertheless it was a decent try 😀