Yes, I can see both points of view. Sazerac I see your point. I can either be an attending at 48 or something else that will not be fulfilling my dreams! So let me make sure I understand the number of years I will be putting into this. I have a BS in geology and am currently finishing a masters in public health administration (which is what started drummed the physician desire back up). How many years am I looking at beyond the four years of medical school?
To answer your question: at least 3 years of residency on top of 4 years of medical school (depending on specialty).
As for the discussion in general... Look, I have BS in Chemistry and MS in Biochemistry/Molecular Biology from a foreign university and PhD in Microbiology from a US medical school. Before I even started thinking of applying to medical school I had a year and half of hardcore calculus-based physics including quantum physics, a year of inorganic chemistry with labs, a year of organic chemistry with labs plus a ton of upper level physical chemistry, and a ton of upper level biology courses. I had more than 10 years of biomedical research experience (publications, presentations, awards and all that jazz). I taught medical students at 2 US medical schools. Etc. Yet, since *the vast majority* (yeah, you can find exceptions, but that's what they are - exceptions) of US medical schools required certain courses to be taken at *US* *undergrad* colleges, I made sure to do just that - take the freaking 1 year of each biology, physics, general and organic chemistry at US undergrad colleges. Moreover, I actually ended up taking more than 100 US undergrad credits total in 2 years to satisfy TX state schools that require at least 90 US undergrad credits (I'm a TX resident and I wanted to be increase my chances of being accepted to a medical school, so I wanted to be able to apply to TX schools). In 2 years (all year round: summer semesters, winter semesters, you name it). All while working full time (actually, more than full time because research is not exactly a 9-to-5 job) and doing a bunch of other stuff. And I did get accepted to several good schools this year on my first attempt.
My point is: medical schools say "jump!", you jump. Getting into a US medical school hard as it is, you don't want to limit your application to a tiny minority of schools. So yes, there are exceptions: eg., Cornell will wave (at least some of) its lab requirements if you have a substantial lab research experience - but Cornell is certainly an exception, and there is no guarantee for *anyone* that he or she will get into Cornell, no matter how good his or her application is.
You don't want to waste a year on prereqs - how about applying to only a few schools, not getting in and having to reapply, thus wasting a year anyway?
Finally, if you *really* feel pressured for time, go for PA: 2 years of school and no residency required. PA schools do have requirements, too, but it'll take you less time to become a practicing PA than an MD/DO attending anyway.
