To go or not to go ??

[TLER]

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😕 I am 42 y/old married w/ kids. Little backgrnd: Undergrad = 1986 with computer science major (3.5 gpa) Sciences plus math (4.0) Graduated NYCC (NY Chiropractic College 1995 with 3.8 gpa) Strong anatomy, neuroanatomy, physiology, histology, pathophys. mictobio. biochem. clinical training, on and on. Practiced as sole practitioner sports medicine practice for 10 years. Have friends that are orthopedic surgeons that act as co-treaters. They have suggested that I have there knowledge but am limited due to scope of practice and think I should further my training. Have always not been able to offer the patient more when it is needed (due to limited scope) so have had to make the appropriate referral when necessary. Am thinking of entering medical training b/c I ABSOLUTELY LOVE ORTHOPEDICS!!! Would love to hear some opinions. Obviously MCAT needs to be repeated, but I have read a bit about the obstacles concerning would-be students of my age.

TLER

 

[njbmd]

😕 I am 42 y/old married w/ kids. Little backgrnd: Undergrad = 1986 with computer science major (3.5 gpa) Sciences plus math (4.0) Graduated NYCC (NY Chiropractic College 1995 with 3.8 gpa) Strong anatomy, neuroanatomy, physiology, histology, pathophys. mictobio. biochem. clinical training, on and on. Practiced as sole practitioner sports medicine practice for 10 years. Have friends that are orthopedic surgeons that act as co-treaters. They have suggested that I have there knowledge but am limited due to scope of practice and think I should further my training. Have always not been able to offer the patient more when it is needed (due to limited scope) so have had to make the appropriate referral when necessary. Am thinking of entering medical training b/c I ABSOLUTELY LOVE ORTHOPEDICS!!! Would love to hear some opinions. Obviously MCAT needs to be repeated, but I have read a bit about the obstacles concerning would-be students of my age.

TLER

Hi there,
You need the pre-med courses such as General Chemistry, General Biology, Organic Chemistry and General Physics (some medical schools want your coursework recent) and you do need to take the MCAT (if you do not already have this test in the last two years). If your pre-med coursework is good and your MCAT is competitive, I do not see where you age is going to make much difference in your getting accepted into medical school.

I was older than you with a very competitive GPA and very competitive MCAT. I was accepted at six out of the six schools that I applied to without much hoopla. Actually, my age wasn't mentioned in any of the interviews.

If you have the numbers, and the energy, I do not think age is going to be much of a barrier. It sure wasn't for me back in 1996.

njbmd 🙂

 

[Static Line]

A lady in my study group is 49 y/o with 2 kids < 10 y/o. She is doing fine, but she does have a house husband to help her.

 

[medworm]

This applies to me as well, but the older you get the more finances and family come into the decision. If you're not worried about your mortgage, kid's college costs, retirement, lost wages, and the huge debt you might incur, then you should look into the rest of the forums and get a feel for it. ....

 

[TLER]

It was quite encouraging to have your response. I have never really given the pre-med stuff any thought (having already completed them and achived a 4.0) however, I probably do need to repeat this STUFF since it was ages ago when I took these classes. MCAT alone will not be enough since they would probably want to see recent upper level classes. Oh well, I guess you've gotta do what you've gotta do. Unless, any of my clinical experience etc plays a role and they're willing to accept the ancient pre-med classes with a smokin MCAT, if I can pull that one off.

Indeed greatful for the response. God speed to you throughout your journey.
TLER

 

[TLER]

An honest thanks for the encouragement and I wish you and your friend the best on your journey !! Despite having an immense love for the field of orthopedics, one must realize that it is a 9 year ordeal and perhaps life is not just about me and my dreams but also my incredible wife and amazing kids. I am sure it needs to be discussed further.

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[TLER]

I would not say that any of these factors worry me, since I have done well in private practice and would probably continue to do so barring any HMO curve balls every discipline faces at one time or another. I think it is more along the lines of a previous reply I offered, which denotes life being about my family and not just my desire to study orthpedic surgery. It is indeed a great sacrifice one makes to take on 9 additional years of training and I have heard that life is too short one too many times. Thanks indeed for the different angle and I'll give it some thought. God bless and good luck to you.

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[robh]

😕 I am 42 y/old married w/ kids. Little backgrnd: Undergrad = 1986 with computer science major (3.5 gpa) Sciences plus math (4.0) Graduated NYCC (NY Chiropractic College 1995 with 3.8 gpa) Strong anatomy, neuroanatomy, physiology, histology, pathophys. mictobio. biochem. clinical training, on and on. Practiced as sole practitioner sports medicine practice for 10 years. Have friends that are orthopedic surgeons that act as co-treaters. They have suggested that I have there knowledge but am limited due to scope of practice and think I should further my training. Have always not been able to offer the patient more when it is needed (due to limited scope) so have had to make the appropriate referral when necessary. Am thinking of entering medical training b/c I ABSOLUTELY LOVE ORTHOPEDICS!!! Would love to hear some opinions. Obviously MCAT needs to be repeated, but I have read a bit about the obstacles concerning would-be students of my age.

TLER

If you really want it, go for it. I'll be 42 this year and will be starting med school this fall. You may want to take a few of the core science courses again to show you've still got the academic chops. You might want to check with the schools you're interested in to see if they care about recent academic experience. If not, just concentrate on the MCAT. Good luck!

 

[Scottish Chap]

😕 I am 42 y/old married w/ kids. Little backgrnd: Undergrad = 1986 with computer science major (3.5 gpa) Sciences plus math (4.0) Graduated NYCC (NY Chiropractic College 1995 with 3.8 gpa) Strong anatomy, neuroanatomy, physiology, histology, pathophys. mictobio. biochem. clinical training, on and on. Practiced as sole practitioner sports medicine practice for 10 years. Have friends that are orthopedic surgeons that act as co-treaters. They have suggested that I have there knowledge but am limited due to scope of practice and think I should further my training. Have always not been able to offer the patient more when it is needed (due to limited scope) so have had to make the appropriate referral when necessary. Am thinking of entering medical training b/c I ABSOLUTELY LOVE ORTHOPEDICS!!! Would love to hear some opinions. Obviously MCAT needs to be repeated, but I have read a bit about the obstacles concerning would-be students of my age.

TLER

You'll find that most schools welcome older applicants. Your age will not go against you. That would be illegal. If you present competitive GPA and MCAT (>28, taken within 3 years) scores there's no reaason why you would not be a competitive applicant overall.

I've never heard of a medical school insisiting on your prerequisite courses being 'recent'; mine were 10 years old and from a foreign country while a gentleman in my class completed his prereq's 30 years ago. Repeating classes you already have for grades alone seems dedundant. If your concern is remembering basics for the MCAT, auditing a course or two and taking a professional MCAT prep. course will solve that. Most schools do expect recent academic activity - be that in the form of graduate classes, a professional exam, or sustained research in a very academic environment. Depending on the schools you apply to, you might get around this.

Your main hurdle (IMHO) with respect to admission, however, will probably be convincing the admissions committee that you really need an M.D. Make sure the logic in your career change is absolutely airtight in your application package. Too many people take this lightly and end up disappointed when they don't get accepted. Good luck!

 

[TLER]

First of all I would like to thank njbmd, static line, medworm, robh and scot chap for your encouraging responses. I guess it would be wise to get w/ the admis dir and check out what they would expect from me. It would not hurt to prep for MCAT w/ the many ways that exist. Upper level classes in genetics, cell bio and biochem can't hurt and would be interesting and telling.
I perhaps have it in me to achive this goal but have to think outside the box as well. You guys have been great !!! Scot chap if you're really a Scot....I used to live in England for 7 years and when Scotland came down to play @ Wimbledon, London became a war zone. Inevitably the goal post would be removed. Anyway, glad to know u've all dug your heels in and best of luck to all.

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[Beau Geste]

First of all I would like to thank njbmd, static line, medworm, robh and scot chap for your encouraging responses. I guess it would be wise to get w/ the admis dir and check out what they would expect from me. It would not hurt to prep for MCAT w/ the many ways that exist. Upper level classes in genetics, cell bio and biochem can't hurt and would be interesting and telling.
I perhaps have it in me to achive this goal but have to think outside the box as well. You guys have been great !!! Scot chap if you're really a Scot....I used to live in England for 7 years and when Scotland came down to play @ Wimbledon, London became a war zone. Inevitably the goal post would be removed. Anyway, glad to know u've all dug your heels in and best of luck to all.

TLER

Go, go, go! You can do it!