I have a unique status I believe...I have been a pastor for the past 4 years and I am now in the process of pursuing my dream of combining health care with pastoral ministry. I am wondering if there is anyone on SDN who made this transition or is contemplating. Please share your path/plans/experiences so far... especially if you have already matriculated. If you even know someone who did, your comments will be greatly appreciated. I will be starting my pre-reqs this fall. Thanks in advance👍
Pastors/theology graduates Interested in or Matriculated into Medical school?
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A guy in my medical school class was a Methodist minister with his own church. He started with us in his 40s. He is now a psychiatrist in Hawaii.
Thanks for your comment!
age 40??
I really admire that kind of dedication and commitment, at age 40 the average individual would be getting ready to "slow down" where academic pursuits are concerned. But I guess medicine doesn't attract "average". Generally speaking, how do you believe older medical students do in comparison to the more traditional student?
Thanks Chiro, this is enlightening! I was reading the combined programs that some medical schools have to offer. Yale for example has a joint MD/M.Div degree, Thats awesome!
Will you be, or have you applied to medical school this year? are you a minister?
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I think it's more like this forum does not attract average. 😎
It is a little odd to pursue divinity first and then medicine. While both scholastic paths attract more nontrads than ever before, divinity is almost becoming exclusively a second career choice.
Anyway, it will make for some unique EC's, and you have a great topic for the "what diversity will you bring to our medical school" secondary essays!
You just enlightened me somewhat...I have been focusing mainly on pre-reqs and not on whats involved in the actual application process. So you are saying that there will be an essay that asks about diversity, specifically in the form you mentioned? Do you know of a thread that discusses everything that is involved in the application process? (havnt seen any-new to SDN, havnt mastered navigaton of the site as yet 🙁)
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Most fair well but, at my school, they had more perspective having worked, and so thrived better in the clinical year, and moaned less than the kids that had never worked. That often came as a trade off as the kids did better in tests in the first two years and, as such, more of them were AOA. All of the non-trads at my medical school got their top two choices for residency, and all matched in their chosen specialty. Not sure what you mean about "average". I consider myself pretty average, but I think I do as good a job as the next person. Good luck to you.
Hey thanks for your very helpful comments. The fact is, in my context, I meet a lot of people who see one's age as an indicator as to what they should or should not be involved in or pursuing at that particular stage of life. So that for me represents the "average" in terms of worldview I mentioned. Especially in this non trad. forum, I believe and I am really inspired by individuals who are in their late 30's, even 40's who ignore negative sentiments where their dreams are concerned, and decide to go for it and end up being very successful. I am 32 and this is the kind of inspiration I need.👍
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Hey Focused,
I went to school and graduated with a BA in pastoral ministry. I never got to serve as a pastor full time, because of financial reason, but I have been continuing doing part time ministry. I too am in the process of completing my Pre-reqs. As I'm sure you know, they don't emphasize sciences much in ministry school. I started last fall, doing about 9 credits a semester, while working full time, and supporting my wife and 2 kids. It has been tough but I can say that I feel like I am getting much more out of the classes than most of the non-trad students. I'll be taking the MCAT in March and beginning my application cycle this June to start in 2013.
Wow, we seem to have a lot in common. I have a wife and 2 kids too 🙂. You are right about the lack of sciences in the seminary. I am starting my pre-reqs this fall and I am so excited. I am a lot more focused than I was 10 years ago. I ask myself why I never found the motivation to do this before and I realize that nothing happens before its time, and sometimes God allows you to take the long path to your dreams...a path that only prepares you for what is to come.
I have a hectic schedule, I am finishing up a MA degree in Pastoral Studies, this I complete in Dec. plus the pre-reqs. I plan to take the MCAT in May 2012. I plan to apply in June 2012, and most of my pre-reqs will be completed by then except for Organic chemistry I and II, which I plan to take in summer school. I know some schools allows you to apply with 1 or 2 prereq courses "in progress" so I am praying that this will not affect me adversely. Any advice?
I'm a few years behind you; currently in seminary working on an Master of Arts in Religion. Working on pre-reqs while still in seminary. Although I did consider full-time pastoral ministry, seminary for me was something I decided I wanted to do regardless of my career field. I hope everything works out well for you!
Hey I wish you the very best as well. Which pre-reqs are you taking this fall? Im taking Gen chem I, Biology I and Gen Physics I. Plus shadowing a general surgeon. I am wondering if my countless hours working with physicians in the care of my sick and dying members will count as "healthcare experience", what do you think?
I am registered for Gen Chem 1 in the Fall, and will be applying for a formal post bacc for next year. The plan is full-time seminary this year, and then slowing way down in seminary so I can hopefully do the post bacc. At that point I will have completed the seminary degree, and hopefully will start med school (key word is "hopefully"). The programs I'm applying to say it's OK to have 1 or 2 classes done, but not more than that. Man, I would think that your situation should definitely count as quality clinical experience! I'm currently volunteering with a hospice, which I'm counting as clinical. Maybe someone who know better than me can confirm this, though?
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I know the feeling. For me my focus came from knowing that I am taking time away from my family to go to class at night. Because they are so important to me, I wasn't going to waste that time. My best advice to you is enjoy the time, but make sure you still have time for your family. Regardless of what job or dream you have, your commitment to them to them should be first.
I just finished my summer semester here, where I did Organic I & II, and Physics II. I work much better in short concentrated time sections.
I just finished my summer semester here, where I did Organic I & II, and Physics II. I work much better in short concentrated time sections.
Great advice-I read somewhere in this forum how a guy lost his wife and family just trying to get into med school. He admitted he didnt have enough time for them, until she started seeing someone else. Really sad though... This whole thing calls for balance and time management. You are making significant progress with your prereqs, Did you get any math courses in yet?
