Please fill me in

[desiree28]

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I'm a young enough woman (28) to enjoy a husband of 8 years and two children. I'm currently working on my adn. I am a doctor hopeful but fear it's too late for me. I would give anything to start over. The college is full of younger adults. Time is on there side. I knew I was barely young enough to do crna but my heart and soul lie with the dreams of completeing med school. My family feels I'm too old also but there is such a strong desire to do this that I can't bury it. My husband think I'm superwoman and can accomplish anything. There is so many doubts about my age that I'm almost too yellow to do anything but but hope and think of what could have been.Is it really too late for me?Please fill me in

 

[relentless11]

Age range for med students at UCSF 21-38 for 2005. Person starting med school at age 38, so think about that one. Getting into med school is as much of an internal motivation/desire as it is requiring academic/people skills.

I have often times found family (e.g.: relatives, siblings) and so on to not understand what it really takes to get into, and do med school. Significant others usually try to understand. Parents may understand over time.

In recent years relatives have come up with some interesting views on what this whole pre-med and medicine thing is all about...rivalling some (and in some cases surpassing) of the rumors we see on SDN..lol. I just blow them off now, and don't really care.

Do your own thing, if it makes you happy. Of course this will be a long road, you should decide relatively soon if you are willing to put in the time and resources. Clearly others have done it successfully.

 

[QofQuimica]

I'm a young enough woman (28) to enjoy a husband of 8 years and two children. I'm currently working on my adn. I am a doctor hopeful but fear it's too late for me. I would give anything to start over. The college is full of younger adults. Time is on there side. I knew I was barely young enough to do crna but my heart and soul lie with the dreams of completeing med school. My family feels I'm too old also but there is such a strong desire to do this that I can't bury it. My husband think I'm superwoman and can accomplish anything. There is so many doubts about my age that I'm almost too yellow to do anything but but hope and think of what could have been.Is it really too late for me?Please fill me in

There are several of us who are starting med school in our 30s, and even a few starting in their 40s. If you look at the Non-Trad Mentors thread, you will see that there are several of us listed. 28 is barely old enough to qualify you as a non-trad. It is definitely not too late for you. 🙂

Here is the most recent incarnation of the non-trad mentors thread; I need to go back and update it with the new volunteers, but this will give you an idea of how many of us there are.

 

[Beau Geste]

Also, why would there be a separate forum for non-trads if there wen't that many of us?

You'll be fine. You're going to be 30, 35, 40, 50, 60, etc. anyway, so why not celebrate your birthdays doing something of your heart's desire!?

 

[ShyRem]

28?? Heck, I'll be 39 when I start med school in August!!! 😀

 

[NonTradMed]

I'm a young enough woman (28) to enjoy a husband of 8 years and two children. I'm currently working on my adn. I am a doctor hopeful but fear it's too late for me. I would give anything to start over. The college is full of younger adults. Time is on there side. I knew I was barely young enough to do crna but my heart and soul lie with the dreams of completeing med school. My family feels I'm too old also but there is such a strong desire to do this that I can't bury it. My husband think I'm superwoman and can accomplish anything. There is so many doubts about my age that I'm almost too yellow to do anything but but hope and think of what could have been.Is it really too late for me?Please fill me in

Hello, I'm 27 and will start med school this fall. While you will be slightly older than me when starting med school (if you so choose), I want to let you know that people our age are not alone. Why do you think we have a nontrad forum here? Med school is no longer for the straight from college crowd anymore. You are relatively young and you have a supportive husband, yuo can do it if you work hard and manage your time well. It won't be as easy as the single college grad, but it's doable. Med school may seem like an eternity now, but it'll look very short when you're 45 and looking back regretting not applying to med school.

 

[wook]

I'm a young enough woman (28) to enjoy a husband of 8 years and two children. I'm currently working on my adn. I am a doctor hopeful but fear it's too late for me. I would give anything to start over. The college is full of younger adults. Time is on there side. I knew I was barely young enough to do crna but my heart and soul lie with the dreams of completeing med school. My family feels I'm too old also but there is such a strong desire to do this that I can't bury it. My husband think I'm superwoman and can accomplish anything. There is so many doubts about my age that I'm almost too yellow to do anything but but hope and think of what could have been.Is it really too late for me?Please fill me in

Dudette:

NEVER too late. My class age ranged from 21-50. I was 36 when I started with a young child. I survived. Remember, if you have the WILL you WILL succeed. OOOOOOOOOrahhhhhh!

Wook

 

[LynnKat]

28? You're barely even a nontradtional given cureent trends. We're about the same age and I have no husband (just an ex fiancee) and I will be starting vet school in the Fall. Don't worry about the younger people in pre reqs. You're less than 10 years older than even the absolute youngest of them (figuring there are some freshmen in those classes)and you have used that time to build a family and another life, experiences that will make you a great well rounded doctor 🙂

 

[TypeA]

I'm 31...just re-entered to raise GPA/do pre-reqs. Never look back. The next 5, 10, or 20...or whatever # of years is going to come one way or another. Do you have better plans? Will they satisfy your desire for medicine?

Good luck! PM me if you like. A ton of people in here are in the same boat you are and have amazing stories. NEVER LOOK BACK...it will take more of your time

 

[psychRN]

First you have to convince yourself that you are not too old. It helps that others are here to encourage you, but what counts most is that you are convinced. I was in that same position months ago. In fact, I have an ADN, and was on my way back to school for a BSN, then practitioner. I started thinking how it still would put limits on what I wanted to do no matter if I got the highest degree that nursing offers. I remembered all the reasons that I ditched my plan some 7-8 yrs ago to be a doctor and went to nursing school (mainly because I became a single parent during college). Now that I am married and settled (with a grand total of 3 kids now). I am own my way to pursuing my dream. I am going to give it all that I have. This forum has enpowered me ever the more to go for it. Read the profiles. You can do it too. It doesn't hurt to read some books by people who have accomplished amazing things like: The Success Principles by Jack Canfield (author of Chicken Soup for the Soul), Gifted Hands by Ben Carson, etc. Get pumped!! Oh, not to mention, I am 31. Hope this helps 🙂

 

[rgerwin]

Mt aunt started med school at 35, after she was married and had her kids. She went to her state med school, to save on cash, and is now a practicing doctor. YOu sound like you have a good support system. I'll be 27 when I start, if I get in this next cycle, and I feel like I'm closer to the average. The days most med students being 21 are over.

 

[DaveinDallas]

I'm a young enough woman (28) to enjoy a husband of 8 years and two children. I'm currently working on my adn. I am a doctor hopeful but fear it's too late for me. I would give anything to start over. The college is full of younger adults. Time is on there side. I knew I was barely young enough to do crna but my heart and soul lie with the dreams of completeing med school. My family feels I'm too old also but there is such a strong desire to do this that I can't bury it. My husband think I'm superwoman and can accomplish anything. There is so many doubts about my age that I'm almost too yellow to do anything but but hope and think of what could have been.Is it really too late for me?Please fill me in

Oh, PLEASE!!!! 😀

I'm 43 and finishing up my first year of medical school. My commute time is an average of 1 to 1.5 hours each way, I've got two kids and this is a second career for me. I worked from 10pm to 7 am stocking shelves while studying for the MCAT and held 2 and sometimes 3 part time jobs while getting my prereqs done.

You are only 3 years above the average age of my class. If this is what you want to do, then go do it. At another med. school within the state, they had
a student who started at 64.

It is never too late. Be glad that you figured out what you want to do this
early in your life. I'm not trying to come down on you but I would love to
be doing this at 28.....

 

[robh]

I'm a young enough woman (28) to enjoy a husband of 8 years and two children. I'm currently working on my adn. I am a doctor hopeful but fear it's too late for me. I would give anything to start over. The college is full of younger adults. Time is on there side. I knew I was barely young enough to do crna but my heart and soul lie with the dreams of completeing med school. My family feels I'm too old also but there is such a strong desire to do this that I can't bury it. My husband think I'm superwoman and can accomplish anything. There is so many doubts about my age that I'm almost too yellow to do anything but but hope and think of what could have been.Is it really too late for me?Please fill me in

I guess I'd better hang it up then. I'm 42 and starting medical school this year with 2 kids and a wife! 🙄 28 years is perfect. Better than 22 and definitely better than 42. Your age is NOT a problem.

 

[drlatina]

I have to agree with fellow posters. YOU ARE NOT TOO OLD. I'm 28 as well and am still waiting to hear from my last school. If I don't get in, I'll be doing a one year masters and re-applying next year. So, I'm looking at the 30ish range to start. I undertsand what you're going through because I JUST did. You have to make the decision that medicine is what you really want to do. It's kinda like get married and you know what that's about. Their are good times and bad, but it's the journey that makes it worth while.... if you love it. You should thin about attending the old premeds conference or checking their website. It might give you some insight and is really helpful. You might also want to do some volunteer work or shadowing as that will also expose you to many things medicine, not to mention, it will help with your application if you do decide to pursue med school. If this is your dream then GO FOR IT! It's NEVER too late!

 

[docsurglace]

I must agree with all of the other people who have posted. I will be 29 years old when I start medical school this fall. In a perfect world, I had everything planned out in my mind that I would be completing med school and starting residency by this age! Oops! Things didn't work out as planned. But, my mother always told me this . . .you're going to be older anyway, so why not be older and be doing the thing you love to do the most--be a doctor. So, don't worry about how old you are going to be. In fact, I think older med students have an advantage over the young un's because we tend to be a lot more mature and have gone through enough "stuff" by our age that we can handle life's stressors with greater ease. Keep that in mind and go for your dream!!!!

 

[desiree28]

When I stumbled unto this website, I felt compelled to post my inner struggle.I was afraid no one could possibly understand where I was coming from and tell me how crazy I am. I have received a few messages that confirmed my old belief(I should have done this years ago, You should have waited on the family life until you were ready,etc). I politely wrote replies and realized my mind was already set.I lucked up and married my soulmate, and had two kids. Don't like to brag but my 7year old reads and do math on a 6.5 and 7 grade level 🙂 . She can't wait to become a doctor. Anyway, I told them how my life is great. Being a doctor is the icing on the cake. I truly will like to thank you guys for taking the time to impart some much needed advice and opinions. You helped me to realize that I have one time on this earth so do what makes my heart beat. 😍 I am getting older with every passing day, why not make everyday golden. This is to truly live.A million thanks. You could never know how you heped me. A billion thanks



To die never knowing what could have been is worse than death.

 

[JamieMac]

I'm a young enough woman (28) to enjoy a husband of 8 years and two children. I'm currently working on my adn. I am a doctor hopeful but fear it's too late for me. I would give anything to start over. The college is full of younger adults. Time is on there side. I knew I was barely young enough to do crna but my heart and soul lie with the dreams of completeing med school. My family feels I'm too old also but there is such a strong desire to do this that I can't bury it. My husband think I'm superwoman and can accomplish anything. There is so many doubts about my age that I'm almost too yellow to do anything but but hope and think of what could have been.Is it really too late for me?Please fill me in

Sorry if this post sounds like the others, but I couldn't agree with the previous posters any more. I'm a mid 30's non-trad pre-med student having acquired a bachelor in finance and accounting. This obviously puts me in a situation where I have to take all of the pre-reqs. I was VERY apprehensive about going back, and now I am one year in and have one year to go to finish up. The cool thing is that I am having so much fun studying the things that truly interest me. Although I do not have a family, I do currently have a great deal of responsibility which can make it tough at times. However, if this is something that you truly want to do, then you should take small steps toward your goal to "test the water". Once you get going, you may find that your family and friends will take your "dream" seriously and support you more. I believe that you will find an enormous amount of support in this forum. There are some really amazing and knowledgeable people that post here, and most are willing to offer their insight upon request. So, good luck and don't be afraid to take that first step. That is often the most difficult one. Once your feet begin moving, you may find that you don't want to stop. 😀

 

[Jaguar]

Just want to echo everyone else. I started medschool at 38 - am now 40 and having the time of my life. My past career (finance) and life experiences have all contributed to making me, well... me . This is a ride! Good luck.

 

[queenbee]

i had to reiterate everyone else's sentiment as well. this is not the right forum to come in and complain about how OLD you are! i am 26 and still in the midst of my postbac classes, i'll be lucky if i get to even apply to med school when i'm 28. once your heart and your mind agree on the decision, there's no stopping you.

 

[doctorjoy]

Just to be on the band wagon. I am 28 years old and will be starting medical school in the fall. ( I have a very large family 4 kids) Your dream is your dream. If medicine is the way you want to go then do it. I grappled with my decision to go to school for the last couple of years. I did feel like I would be too old, but I did not want to regret what I had dreamed about for so long. So hold your head up high, lean on our support and go for the gusto. 😀

 

[kelli]

Maybe after 8 years of marriage and 2 kids, you feel older than you actually are? 🙂 Because 28 is still YOUNG! I'm 26 and probably won't be applying to medical school until I'm 29 or 30. I'm taking some extra time to make sure my daughter is grown up enough to handle a mommy with a crazy med school schedule. If you enter med school at around 30, you'll be out by 34. After a year of internship, you'll be a practicing physician. Yes, you'll still be in residency, but you'll be a working doctor, remember that! Depending on what type of residency program you go into, you should be completely out by 40 or so and still have a good 35 years of practicing left... assuming that you'll work until 75 or so as I hear most doctors do.

So stop beating yourself up about your age. Lots of people in your age bracket and older and going out there and doing what they've always dreamed of doing... going to med school and becoming a physician. 🙂 Good luck to you! I'm just starting out on the same road as well, but I know you can do it. Just have some faith in yourself and I think people around you will begin to realize how doable it is and how happy it will make you. And that's all that matters.

 

[Khenon]

When I stumbled unto this website, I felt compelled to post my inner struggle.I was afraid no one could possibly understand where I was coming from and tell me how crazy I am. I have received a few messages that confirmed my old belief(I should have done this years ago, You should have waited on the family life until you were ready,etc). I politely wrote replies and realized my mind was already set.I lucked up and married my soulmate, and had two kids. Don't like to brag but my 7year old reads and do math on a 6.5 and 7 grade level 🙂 . She can't wait to become a doctor. Anyway, I told them how my life is great. Being a doctor is the icing on the cake. I truly will like to thank you guys for taking the time to impart some much needed advice and opinions. You helped me to realize that I have one time on this earth so do what makes my heart beat. 😍 I am getting older with every passing day, why not make everyday golden. This is to truly live.A million thanks. You could never know how you heped me. A billion thanks



To die never knowing what could have been is worse than death.

It sounds to me like you might be a great example to your children by showing them how one can achieve anything they set their minds to. 😉

Just to jump on the bandwagon too . . . I'm going to be 32 when I start school, and I have an 11 year old son that I've raised almost entirely as a single mother (just remarried last June). The last thing I wanted to show my son is that we were limited because of our circumstance. And what better way to show him he can live his dreams, then to make sure I'm living mine. 🙂

 

[QuikClot]

It's too late for you. Just gather your friends and family in Alaska, have a wild party, make a speech, and have them gently push your ice floe out to sea.

28 is so past it. Aren't your bones half dust by this time? And just think, in two years you'll be thirty. And we trust no one over thirty! You'll be mistrusted by all the cool young people!

Besides, it's a well-known fact that abandoning your dreams stops the normal flow of time. If your go to medical school, you will be a doctor -- four years from now! You'll be 32 (if you don't die of a stroke or something -- my Gawd)! Whereas if you don't go to medical school, four years from now you will be . . . I'm too busy to do the math, but I'm sure, much younger!

 

[OctoDoc]

You are still a young-un!

I will be 36 when I matriculate this fall.

A couple of years ago I was about to settle for being a Physicians Assistant (Please, I mean no offense to PAs - those that I have known are fantastic.). I thought I was too old to go to med school. I knew that if I went to med school, I would start at age 36, graduate at 40, finish my residency at 43. If I specialize, finish the fellowship at 46.

The best advice I have ever gotten was from a colleague, who said, "Fifteen years from now you can be a doctor, or fifteen years from now you can not be a doctor - what do you want to be?"

The second best advice I have ever gotten was, "Don't look back." Meaning, no regrets, and look forward to the opportunites and wonders that lay ahead.


So here I am, two years later and after MUCH hard work (school, independent study, volunteer work, and full time job) and encouragement of my family and friends, I matriculate in the fall at UC Irvine, my top choice!

If I can do it, you can do it!

Oh, and ever since I made the decision to go to medical school and become a doctor, I have felt younger and more energized than ever!

Best of luck! Do it!

 

[relentless11]

Its almost unbelievable that there are people that say things discouraging things like being too old to get into medical school, or you can't be a physician because...[fill in the blank].

You have to wonder how many people who would've made perfectly fine physicians were turned away because of such rumors. The sad part is, I know some of the rumors come from some college advisors, relatives, friends, and so forth. Maybe its lack of understanding of the profession, I don't know, but its lame.

I guess thats why we have SDN, at least here we can eventually get to a more reasonable answer. However I do feel the most important thing is to believe in yourself, and be willing to acknowledge our own flaws so we can better ourselves in whatever our goal is. I remember people telling me that I wouldn't get here or there, or do this or that as an undergrad. This came from our advisors. Load of BS..lol. But I have to say there are also a lot of advisors who are also really helpful, so it ultimately cancels out I guess, aslong as you get information from more than one source😉.