Some advice please.

[lyssa]

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I am posting for some advice. 🙂

I am 36 years old and have an excellent, well paid career in forensic science but I am no longer challenged. Many times throughout my career I have wanted to become a doctor but have stayed with my current career. Due to my age I had planned to have a child in the next few years as my current workplace has excellent maternity leave (up to one year at half pay). I have a very supportive husband who is a nurse who is willing to stay at home to care for our baby.

So I have some questions....

Firstly, am I too old to be starting a medical career?

Could I start first year of medicine on maternity leave with a six month old baby?

When is the best time to have a baby (studying, intern, resident)?

Am I too old? 😛

Thank you in advance.

 

[calimeds]

No, you're not too old. You're going to get older anyway, regardless of what you do.

To quote Tolkein - "All that is for us decide is what to do with the time that is given us."

What will you do with yours?

As with any long journey break it down into manageable pieces - one step at a time.

Welcome.

 

[theseeker4]

I am posting for some advice. 🙂

I am 36 years old and have an excellent, well paid career in forensic science but I am no longer challenged. Many times throughout my career I have wanted to become a doctor but have stayed with my current career. Due to my age I had planned to have a child in the next few years as my current workplace has excellent maternity leave (up to one year at half pay). I have a very supportive husband who is a nurse who is willing to stay at home to care for our baby.

So I have some questions....

Firstly, am I too old to be starting a medical career?

Could I start first year of medicine on maternity leave with a six month old baby?

When is the best time to have a baby (studying, intern, resident)?

Am I too old? 😛

Thank you in advance.

First, no you are not too old unless you think you are too old.

How soon would you be ready to apply to medical school? Have you been exposed to clinical environments through doctor shadowing, hospital volunteering, etc? If not, you should start immediately to A) be sure this is what you want to do and B) be able to tell a med school admission committee that you know what you are getting into.

Have you taken the MCAT, and if so how did you do? How about the medical school pre-reqs, and if you have completed them what grades did you get? What is your undergraduate GPA?

Average GPA for those starting medical school is in the neighborhood of 3.6 undergraduate, so if you are significantly below this you will have to ace any courses you take to fulfill the pre-reqs and get a great MCAT score to have a chance at getting in.

The best thing to do now is to investigate what classes you need to complete before applying. After these are all complete, study for the MCAT and take it only when you are confident you can get a high score. Beginning now, expose yourself to doctors and medicine by shadowing, volunteering, etc. as much as you can manage.

As far as having a child, I think your best bet would be to do it while still at your current job, and begin medical school after your son/daughter is no longer an infant. This last part is just my opinion, but I imagine medical school would be extremely difficult with a newborn at home, and if you wait until you are in before you have your child, you may be in trouble. Maybe not but if you have a choice I would have the child before starting medical school.

 

[lyssa]

Thanks for the advice.

My partner is a nurse and I love everything he studied and found it so interesting. I volunteer with him in a children's hospital (Radio Lollipop - you may have heard of it).

I have not sat my GAMSAT (I am in OZ). I have started studying for the test in February next year.

My BSc Hons GPA is equivalent to a distinction and my Masters of Science GPA is equivalent to a high distinction.

I am not worried about my grades just the idea of changing my profession at this age. 🙂

I have decided I am going to sit GAMSAT and see how I go. The ADF are offering scholarships to go through medical school and pay $50,000 plus a year to study which I am going to find about as well. 🙂 I have spent my career so far in a para military organisation so I have some idea what I would be in for.