Only starting at Post Bacc at 27, med school by 30! Worth it?

[postbaccnontrad]

HI I wanted to get peoples thoughts. 27 by this fall to start post bacc programs or regular undergraduate science courses at a college nearby to earn the pre req while also still working (have flexibility in my work). this would put me on track to apply to med school earliest in 2022 Fall for entry in 2023. 2021 would be too soon as i'd only have bio and chem down and applying without any further science courses like orgo or behavioral sciences would not get me far in the application process. I have my bachelors in economics degree with no pre med courses.

I would be 30 by the time i entered me school. Is that too old? Done by 34 and i wont know the residency length until I am in it and pick a specialty. I heard about the PA and NP route which I do not want to do. Open to MD and DO and even Dentistry (less likely) but the timing ahead is what makes me think it sounds crazy.

has anyone been in a similar situation? Thoughts?

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[swimwreck]

I'm in a similar situation and haven't applied yet. 30 isn't too old to start med school, I think you can be mid to late 30s and still start, just depends on your expectations. I'm in my late 20s and about to start the second semester of my postbacc, but some questions I have for you:

What's your gpa? Your undergrad gpa can help or hurt you depending on how well you did. Why do you want to become a physician? Have you done any shadowing or do you have family members or friends who are physicians? Do you have a plan for how you're gonna pay for the postbacc courses?

Also, people start applying in May/June for med school. If you start your application in the fall, you'll put yourself at a huge disadvantage.

 

[Dave1980]

HI I wanted to get peoples thoughts. 27 by this fall to start post bacc programs or regular undergraduate science courses at a college nearby to earn the pre req while also still working (have flexibility in my work). this would put me on track to apply to med school earliest in 2022 Fall for entry in 2023. 2021 would be too soon as i'd only have bio and chem down and applying without any further science courses like orgo or behavioral sciences would not get me far in the application process. I have my bachelors in economics degree with no pre med courses.

I would be 30 by the time i entered me school. Is that too old? Done by 34 and i wont know the residency length until I am in it and pick a specialty. I heard about the PA and NP route which I do not want to do. Open to MD and DO and even Dentistry (less likely) but the timing ahead is what makes me think it sounds crazy.

has anyone been in a similar situation? Thoughts?

It's not too late but it's getting close IMO.

 

[MedicallyEnthused]

I'm starting my post bacc at 28, most likely wont start med school until 31-32 with an end goal of a surgical subspecicialty in mind (6-7 years as a resident).
By the time I am an attending I'll be somewhere between 41-43.

If you can't imagine doing anything other than being a doc, age doesn't really matter.
And being older isn't necessarily a bad thing. You will have more life experience, being a lot more mature, among other attributes that your class mates in their early to mid 20's won't have.

And although being around 30 as a 1st year medical student may seem old, I've read of people starting medical school in their late 30's to early 40's. And at 30, you most likely won't be the oldest student in your class.

On average, most medical schools have around 7-10% of their students over the age of 30.
Just as an example, the main medical school in my home state has 10% of its students over the age of 30.

So don't let age bother you! Good luck to you on your journey!

 

[Dochopeful13]

It's not too late but it's getting close IMO.

What are your honest thoughts about starting DO school at 38? I imagine primary care would be my future.

 

[Dave1980]

What are your honest thoughts about starting DO school at 38? I imagine primary care would be my future.

I probably wouldn't recommend it but obviously it all depends on your current job and financial situation. Are you leaving a high paying job or are you a barista? I think it would be exceedingly hard to be an intern at 42 and get your first Attending job at 47.

 

[rdyotz]

I'm a 36 y/o m1 and not even the oldest in my class (40s) . Age doesn't matter. Are you happy doing what you are now? 10 years from now are you going to be wondering what if? Would you rather be a 40 year old doctor or a 40 year old (insert current job)?

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

What are your honest thoughts about starting DO school at 38? I imagine primary care would be my future.

My dads cardiologist started med school at 40 and finished fellowship at 50. That’s still at least 15 years of practice as an attending. He’s like 60 now and going strong.

I started med school at 35, and a few of my classmates are pushing 40 as MS2s (I’m a 36 year old MS2). Not all of us are looking at primary care.

 

[CallSSB]

I am starting undergrad at 33, and this was always the goal (ideally I would have started at 30, but kids). I know several Doctors who started MS1 in late 30s so no, not too late.

 

[GreenDuck12]

I literally started M1 this week at 30. There’s a group of us that are 30 plus with 40s being our oldest. We only get one shot at life, may as well spend the time that we have pursuing and doing what we want.