Starting Pharmacy School in 50s? need insight

[ashleygets91]

😀 hello everyone,
I am 22 and my bf is 49. I will be starting pharmacy school soon and have been talking about it with my bf and now he is considering going back to school and attending pharmacy school. He is extremely intelligent and active and very healthy lol. he works at ucla and plans to work there nights and school during the day like me. He has to go back to school and finish his last two years of his BA first. Hes raised his children and they are out of the house so now he wants to follow his dream.

So my question is has anyone in or anyone who went to pharmacy school seen older people in the classes. i know it would be hard and expensive for us both to go to pharm school, but te benefits we would reap when we graduate would be amazing! any advice or insight?

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[Skrumpy]

😀 hello everyone,
I am 22 and my bf is 49. I will be starting pharmacy school soon and have been talking about it with my bf and now he is considering going back to school and attending pharmacy school. He is extremely intelligent and active and very healthy lol. he works at ucla and plans to work there nights and school during the day like me. He has to go back to school and finish his last two years of his BA first. Hes raised his children and they are out of the house so now he wants to follow his dream.

So my question is has anyone in or anyone who went to pharmacy school seen older people in the classes. i know it would be hard and expensive for us both to go to pharm school, but te benefits we would reap when we graduate would be amazing! any advice or insight?

Well my school has the following from last year:

Total Students (in all 4 years of the program): 679
Average Age: 27
Age Range: 18-58

So someone who was 58 was admitted last year. I don't know them personally but I could inquire if you want as I know quite a few of the students (I work at the attached hospital). I'm sure they are doing well and that isn't the first time I've heard of someone around that age going back to Pharmacy/Med school. I heard that there was someone who graduated in their late 60's just a few years ago as well. With the average age being 27, my school apparently prefers people being a bit older. There are a couple pharmacists working at my hospital that went back to school and got their PharmD when they were in their mid 40's. Age is just a number no?

 

[ashleygets91]

Thank you for responding!
and yea its just a number lol. But I would love it if you could ask if it isnt too much trouble

 

[smercer]

It is just a number, but you should consider being mid-50's with 150k+ debt. Even an aggresive payment plan can take up to 10 years to tackle that, and those bank on not needing to save much money for retirement at the time, which is what they will be needing to do.

I just think it is kind of a reckless thing to do at that age, as clearly working 10 more years is putting them pushing 65, which is already retirement age.

 

[Skrumpy]

It is just a number, but you should consider being mid-50's with 150k+ debt. Even an aggresive payment plan can take up to 10 years to tackle that, and those bank on not needing to save much money for retirement at the time, which is what they will be needing to do.

I just think it is kind of a reckless thing to do at that age, as clearly working 10 more years is putting them pushing 65, which is already retirement age.

The great thing about death is that you don't owe anyone anything after it happens.

 

[mustang sally]

The great thing about death is that you don't owe anyone anything after it happens.

True, but who wants to be making a student loan payment until the day they die?

Oh wait...that'll probably be me with my massive student loans. Nevermind.

 

[Rouelle]

It is just a number, but you should consider being mid-50's with 150k+ debt. Even an aggresive payment plan can take up to 10 years to tackle that, and those bank on not needing to save much money for retirement at the time, which is what they will be needing to do.

I just think it is kind of a reckless thing to do at that age, as clearly working 10 more years is putting them pushing 65, which is already retirement age.

On the other hand, he may have the capital to do pharmacy school without student loans. Also, I have worked with pharmacists who were in their mid-late 70s. That would mean a decent ~20 year career.

 

[Pharmdmba1978]

On the other hand, he may have the capital to do pharmacy school without student loans. Also, I have worked with pharmacists who were in their mid-late 70s. That would mean a decent ~20 year career.

Dont do it. Tell him to invest his money in an ETF or Index fund. This way he will still be able to retire. If he starts pharmacy school and then cant find a job and he finds out that he hates the profession he will be miserable and broke until the day he dies.

 

[Skrumpy]

People that go into a profession without investing the time and energy to ensure it is what they want to do for the rest of their lives deserve to be miserable.

 

[ashleygets91]

woah lol, but yeah. IDK if i mentioned it but he will have a retirement package from ucla. he doesnt plan on racking up loans because he has that. so yeah. thanks everyone

 

[confettiflyer]

The great thing about death is that you don't owe anyone anything after it happens.

You don't, but your estate does. Federal loans come with a death benefit that cancels the debt upon debt, but not all loans are like this. As in all things with life, read the fine print.

 

[confettiflyer]

True, but who wants to be making a student loan payment until the day they die?

Oh wait...that'll probably be me with my massive student loans. Nevermind.

It's okay, George W. Bush's student loan law is helping us out now! Haha.

 

[radio frequency]

Not to be too judgmental, but a 22 year old and a (nearly) 50 year old? Doesn't seem quite right.

To speak to the question though, I wouldn't go to school in my 50s unless it was my lifelong dream and I could pay for it all in cash, including living expenses. Honestly, I'm not sure I'd go again even if I was a lot younger than that. Pharmacy school is rough and while you might start school in good health, the stress really ages you quickly. You likely won't finish school in the same shape you went in, health wise, especially at age 50.

 

[Skrumpy]

Not to be too judgmental, but a 22 year old and a (nearly) 50 year old? Doesn't seem quite right.

To speak to the question though, I wouldn't go to school in my 50s unless it was my lifelong dream and I could pay for it all in cash, including living expenses. Honestly, I'm not sure I'd go again even if I was a lot younger than that. Pharmacy school is rough and while you might start school in good health, the stress really ages you quickly. You likely won't finish school in the same shape you went in, health wise, especially at age 50.

Who are you to say what is right for 2 other individuals? BTW I love school.. if I could make a decent living out of being a career student I would.. I enjoy learning. If school is aging you, then you need to reevaluate how you deal with stress. Do some yoga, or have some tantric sex or something.

 

[radio frequency]

Who are you to say what is right for 2 other individuals? BTW I love school.. if I could make a decent living out of being a career student I would.. I enjoy learning. If school is aging you, then you need to reevaluate how you deal with stress. Do some yoga, or have some tantric sex or something.

Let's just say I've never seen a couple with that age discrepancy last. I've also met a lot of 22 years olds and 50 year olds and can't picture a situation where it would be a good idea. Be honest, it's an eyebrow-raiser. But if it works for them...👍

The stress aging thing isn't based on myself -- it's based on watching my classmates go downhill throughout school. The class in general does not look as pretty and fresh as they did first year, by a long shot. They look haggard. You'll see.

 

[Skrumpy]

Let's just say I've never seen a couple with that age discrepancy last. I've also met a lot of 22 years olds and 50 year olds and can't picture a situation where it would be a good idea. Be honest, it's an eyebrow-raiser. But if it works for them...👍

The stress aging thing isn't based on myself -- it's based on watching my classmates go downhill throughout school. The class in general does not look as pretty and fresh as they did first year, by a long shot. They look haggard. You'll see.

Well how often do "regular" couples last? The divorce rate is at or around ~50% so I don't think your argument is too strong there. My dad is in his 60's and was dating an 18 year old so I guess I'm a little past the eyebrow raising phase.

 

[Lubeckd]

Who are you to say what is right for 2 other individuals? BTW I love school.. if I could make a decent living out of being a career student I would.. I enjoy learning. If school is aging you, then you need to reevaluate how you deal with stress. Do some yoga, or have some tantric sex or something.

What I think... dont do it unless you are 35-40. You need to think of it long term, how long you are working, how much loan you have to pay back .etc

As for aging, let me tell you about aging. I started out college looking 14, now within the last 2 years I aged 3 years from pharmacy school. And pharmacy school has not been kind to my friends in the age and weight department, including me. lol Yoga, you think you will have the time?

 

[Corpseman]

What I think... dont do it unless you are 35-40. You need to think of it long term, how long you are working, how much loan you have to pay back .etc

As for aging, let me tell you about aging. I started out college looking 14, now within the last 2 years I aged 3 years from pharmacy school. And pharmacy school has not been kind to my friends in the age and weight department, including me. lol Yoga, you think you will have the time?

Aged 3 years in last 2 years? Quite simply.....harrowing.

 

[Lubeckd]

Aged 3 years in last 2 years? Quite simply.....harrowing.

ahah I never aged until I entered pharmacy school.

Believe me, my friends are much worse, to me this is horrible.

Since other asians are not aging at all, except for me, oh did I mention Im going bald while other asians are still in their prime (And dont give me that thing about girls not caring about looks, because they do) Also, no baldness does not run in my family.

 

[radio frequency]

Well how often do "regular" couples last? The divorce rate is at or around ~50% so I don't think your argument is too strong there. My dad is in his 60's and was dating an 18 year old so I guess I'm a little past the eyebrow raising phase.

Naww, the reason this is bad has little to do with divorce or how long the arrangement lasts. Besides, divorce statistics are screwy based on the fact that many people are multiple-time divorcees (so each divorce counts, statistically). Why do people think these age gaps matter? Probably because they do. What does each party gives up for what they gain, and what does this mean long term for them (developmentally, especially)? A 22 year old gains security (financial and otherwise), but loses the chance to really be a 22 year old (which is a formative experience that is worthwhile for many). I won't go into the 50 year old side of things, but it's not called robbing the cradle for nothing.

 

[Carboxide]

What I think... dont do it unless you are 35-40. You need to think of it long term, how long you are working, how much loan you have to pay back .etc

As for aging, let me tell you about aging. I started out college looking 14, now within the last 2 years I aged 3 years from pharmacy school. And pharmacy school has not been kind to my friends in the age and weight department, including me. lol Yoga, you think you will have the time?

This is correct. Pharmacy school is miserable and non-stop. You will be putting 80+ hours a week in regularly for (at my school) at least 3 semesters, not counting P4 year, which is still an unknown for me - just about to start it. My health - like that of most of my classmates - has significantly declined. Do yoga? Yeah right. You'll be lucky to eat 2 meals a day.

 

[confettiflyer]

This is correct. Pharmacy school is miserable and non-stop. You will be putting 80+ hours a week in regularly for (at my school) at least 3 semesters, not counting P4 year, which is still an unknown for me - just about to start it. My health - like that of most of my classmates - has significantly declined. Do yoga? Yeah right. You'll be lucky to eat 2 meals a day.

da fuq, pharm school was a breeze for me, i spent most of my time at work making intern $$. i guess i was just efficient, cuz my closeted friends who holed up in the library got the same grades and matched at the same rate as me. ::

 

[smercer]

Here are a few of things to think about from a relationship stand point:

1: I assume both will want to go to good schools, but what if the schools you get into are not near each other? That could be 4 years of seperation + extra expenses (ie not being able to live together and such)

2: Pharmacy saturation in Cali could make finding 2 pharmacy jobs that you WANT to work at in the same area diffcult, as both will need a job. Also if you were to get hired at the same place and it come out that you are in a relationship, then that could cause issues. I know at my hospital married couples cannot work in the same department.

3: Residencies could pose the same problem as pharm. school if both or one of you wants to do one.

 

[Hello2000]

te benefits we would reap when we graduate would be amazing! any advice or insight?

Ha ha ha ha, maybe you should go to stage school and become a comedienne instead. Assuming you are female and the oldie is male lol.

 

[Carboxide]

da fuq, pharm school was a breeze for me, i spent most of my time at work making intern $$. i guess i was just efficient, cuz my closeted friends who holed up in the library got the same grades and matched at the same rate as me. ::

This is not just me. At the end of P2 year, they took a formal survey of our class and the results said that the majority of us were spending that amount of time. However, it's likely school-dependent as well.

 

[Skrumpy]

This is not just me. At the end of P2 year, they took a formal survey of our class and the results said that the majority of us were spending that amount of time. However, it's likely school-dependent as well.

Really? 80+ hours a week? So you are spending a minimum of 11.5 hours each and every day studying? That isn't even feasible. Wake up at 9 and get done studying at 9, Monday through Sunday? Do you have someone come make your meals for you and change your chamberpot? Is this how you study?

 

[Hello2000]

Really? 80+ hours a week? So you are spending a minimum of 11.5 hours each and every day studying? That isn't even feasible. Wake up at 9 and get done studying at 9, Monday through Sunday? Do you have someone come make your meals for you and change your chamberpot? Is this how you study?

👍

Rofl

 

[owlegrad]

Hahahahahaha.

Oh that's good.

 

[radio frequency]

There is clearly a problem here. There's no way that insulin is good for 6 months unrefrigerated.

 

[AlPacino]

Really? 80+ hours a week? So you are spending a minimum of 11.5 hours each and every day studying? That isn't even feasible. Wake up at 9 and get done studying at 9, Monday through Sunday? Do you have someone come make your meals for you and change your chamberpot? Is this how you study?

I loled

 

[smercer]

This pic makes me think of the South Park episode where they become addicted to computer games. I keep seeing that guy dressed as Cartman...

 

[88888888]

Omg lol that pic

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Carboxide]

Really? 80+ hours a week? So you are spending a minimum of 11.5 hours each and every day studying? That isn't even feasible. Wake up at 9 and get done studying at 9, Monday through Sunday? Do you have someone come make your meals for you and change your chamberpot? Is this how you study?

Lollll. Funny.

But sadly, yes. Honestly, I literally did nothing but eat, sleep and study. Class 8 to 5 for 5 days per week, get home, have 70 pages of reading to do for tomorrow that there's a quiz on (every day, new reading, new quiz). At one point we also had SEVEN separate group projects going on at the same time. Sometimes weekends were a little more free, but our medicinal chemistry and pharmacotherapeutics exams were always the same week (one Mon, one Fri) so on those weeks it was more than 12 hours a day the weekends before studying..if you wanted to pass.

Edit: Let me be clear here in that I am NOT a straight A student, nor do I have the desire to be. Too much work. Looking back at P2 year realistically, about 30% of my weeks were 12 hour days every day for school, 50% were probably averaging closer to 60 hour weeks, and the other 20% were more like 45-50 hours - easy street.

 

[ashleygets91]

Not to be too judgmental, but a 22 year old and a (nearly) 50 year old? Doesn't seem quite right.

To speak to the question though, I wouldn't go to school in my 50s unless it was my lifelong dream and I could pay for it all in cash, including living expenses. Honestly, I'm not sure I'd go again even if I was a lot younger than that. Pharmacy school is rough and while you might start school in good health, the stress really ages you quickly. You likely won't finish school in the same shape you went in, health wise, especially at age 50.

neither does your thinking if you felt the need to say that.but anyway, thanks

 

[ashleygets91]

ahah I never aged until I entered pharmacy school.

Believe me, my friends are much worse, to me this is horrible.

Since other asians are not aging at all, except for me, oh did I mention Im going bald while other asians are still in their prime (And dont give me that thing about girls not caring about looks, because they do) Also, no baldness does not run in my family.

im scared to goto school a little now lol

 

[ashleygets91]

Naww, the reason this is bad has little to do with divorce or how long the arrangement lasts. Besides, divorce statistics are screwy based on the fact that many people are multiple-time divorcees (so each divorce counts, statistically). Why do people think these age gaps matter? Probably because they do. What does each party gives up for what they gain, and what does this mean long term for them (developmentally, especially)? A 22 year old gains security (financial and otherwise), but loses the chance to really be a 22 year old (which is a formative experience that is worthwhile for many). I won't go into the 50 year old side of things, but it's not called robbing the cradle for nothing.

well ive been dating my bf for 3 years now and i am getting the chance to be a 22 year old lol. i feel bad for you if you feel like 50 is old. people are still living breathing human beings who still have sex (yes not all of their balls are hanging to the floor) and want a partner. i think unless you have been in or seen a relaitionship first hand you cant know.

 

[ashleygets91]

Here are a few of things to think about from a relationship stand point:

1: I assume both will want to go to good schools, but what if the schools you get into are not near each other? That could be 4 years of seperation + extra expenses (ie not being able to live together and such)

2: Pharmacy saturation in Cali could make finding 2 pharmacy jobs that you WANT to work at in the same area diffcult, as both will need a job. Also if you were to get hired at the same place and it come out that you are in a relationship, then that could cause issues. I know at my hospital married couples cannot work in the same department.

3: Residencies could pose the same problem as pharm. school if both or one of you wants to do one.

thanks for that. yeah we have been talking about the possibility of us going to seperate schools. i think there is such a saturation of school is so cal where i live

 

[ashleygets91]

Ha ha ha ha, maybe you should go to stage school and become a comedienne instead. Assuming you are female and the oldie is male lol.

wow. people get on sdn to talk **** too. crazy lol

 

[radio frequency]

well ive been dating my bf for 3 years now and i am getting the chance to be a 22 year old lol. i feel bad for you if you feel like 50 is old. people are still living breathing human beings who still have sex (yes not all of their balls are hanging to the floor) and want a partner.

Interestingly enough, you proved exactly what I was thinking (but hesitated to bring up) with this statement.

 

[ashleygets91]

Lollll. Funny.

But sadly, yes. Honestly, I literally did nothing but eat, sleep and study. Class 8 to 5 for 5 days per week, get home, have 70 pages of reading to do for tomorrow that there's a quiz on (every day, new reading, new quiz). At one point we also had SEVEN separate group projects going on at the same time. Sometimes weekends were a little more free, but our medicinal chemistry and pharmacotherapeutics exams were always the same week (one Mon, one Fri) so on those weeks it was more than 12 hours a day the weekends before studying..if you wanted to pass.

Edit: Let me be clear here in that I am NOT a straight A student, nor do I have the desire to be. Too much work. Looking back at P2 year realistically, about 30% of my weeks were 12 hour days every day for school, 50% were probably averaging closer to 60 hour weeks, and the other 20% were more like 45-50 hours - easy street.

geez lol

 

[ashleygets91]

Interestingly enough, you proved exactly what I was thinking (but hesitated to bring up) with this statement.

what the sex thing?

 

[ashleygets91]

Well how often do "regular" couples last? The divorce rate is at or around ~50% so I don't think your argument is too strong there. My dad is in his 60's and was dating an 18 year old so I guess I'm a little past the eyebrow raising phase.

wow. how was that? was it upsetting seeing your dad date a woman muhc younger? i ask because my bf has kids. i have not met them and dont plan to anytime soon but im just curious lol

 

[Corpseman]

wow. how was that? was it upsetting seeing your dad date a woman muhc younger? i ask because my bf has kids. i have not met them and dont plan to anytime soon but im just curious lol

You really sound like a winner. Good luck in school!

 

[Skrumpy]

wow. how was that? was it upsetting seeing your dad date a woman muhc younger? i ask because my bf has kids. i have not met them and dont plan to anytime soon but im just curious lol

No it wasn't upsetting. TBH I don't get emotional about other people's relationships. As long as no laws are being broken (talking about true cradle robbers here) I'm fine with whatever people want to do. I only tend to pause for concern when I see the rare dichotomous relationship of people that are not matched for one another. By that I mean an obvious 4 or lower with someone who is a 7 or above. I have a friend who matched up with a chick who is much better looking than him. We were going through some online dating service to find him a woman and I told him not to even bother with her because she was simply out of his league. I then told him he should engage in some ritualistic self flagellation to cleanse himself of the unworthy thoughts of being with her. Well needless to say they are now living together and he has impregnated her. I can't even be happy for him (not because I'm envious as I'm sure many of you reading this are already gravitating to), it's simply because it doesn't look "right." This is proof that God doesn't exist.. because surely Heaven has rules that would prevent such an unnatural thing from occurring. BTW despite how this sounds, I am an amazing friend.

 

[Sugoi Travis]

No it wasn't upsetting. TBH I don't get emotional about other people's relationships. As long as no laws are being broken (talking about true cradle robbers here) I'm fine with whatever people want to do. I only tend to pause for concern when I see the rare dichotomous relationship of people that are not matched for one another. By that I mean an obvious 4 or lower with someone who is a 7 or above. I have a friend who matched up with a chick who is much better looking than him. We were going through some online dating service to find him a woman and I told him not to even bother with her because she was simply out of his league. I then told him he should engage in some ritualistic self flagellation to cleanse himself of the unworthy thoughts of being with her. Well needless to say they are now living together and he has impregnated her. I can't even be happy for him (not because I'm envious as I'm sure many of you reading this are already gravitating to), it's simply because it doesn't look "right." This is proof that God doesn't exist.. because surely Heaven has rules that would prevent such an unnatural thing from occurring. BTW despite how this sounds, I am an amazing friend.

I don't understand how the possibility of a hot girl and a mediocre-looking guy being in a relationship relates to God not existing LOL. 😕

BTW you made my day with the bolded sentence. 🤣

 

[f892859]

How does it feel to be taken advantage of by an older man who is experienced enough to know how to manipulate you into thinking you're in a real relationship, when in fact you're being used for sex and to stroke his own ego? Just curious.

And before you go off thinking you're some sort of lovely exception; you're not. This sort of thing happens all the time. You're unique. Just like everyone else.

 

[smercer]

Well now, we got people telling friends they are too ugly to date certain people and not wanting to see kids they could become related to through marriage....it was so much better back when we were making fun of the fictional picture.

 

[confettiflyer]

wtf happened to this thread

 

[AlPacino]

Because by the time he was 32, she was just learning how to use crayons. It's something to get used to and I'm sure they have experienced this by now. The criticism that will be received from the eye of the Public will not change when dating somebody of that age difference. But yes, good luck in Pharmacy school.

 

[Hello2000]

I agree about people dating that are "unmatched", it is just icky.

I think too many people fall in "love" with a relationship, and I mean ANY old relationship, than fall in "love" with the person they are actually dating. They need validation from their friends that, they too, are date able and not being left on the shelf.

I have seen many of my friends split up with "the love of their lives'", suffer a nervous breakdown, then move in with someone new the after they caught each others eye crossing the road all in the space of two weeks. This cycle is repeated every six months or so.

I really feel sorry for the poor bastards putting themselves through all that every few months lol.

The big problem is society's pressure to ensure that if you are not in a relationship there is something wrong with you. This is what leads to the mis-matching as described above.

Incidentally an old bloke and a young chick relationship is just nature taking it's course to ensure the species survives, just like a tribe of lions the old male is surrounded by a harem of young lionesses.

Our inner brain subconsciously tells the female that the older male has been strong enough to make it to that stage in life and therefore should produce strong offspring while the male brain believes a young, fit female is more likely to produce fit and healthy babies. So Ashley, your relationship is a match made in evolutionary heaven 🙂