Traditionals: Scared of Non-Traditionals?

[Machaon]

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This day in age, where going back to school- including medical school- seems to be a more viable option than finding a job in our recently lackluster economy (relative to other times), I'm a bit worried. I'd like to say to myself, "Hey, dude: you're the one coming straight out of college with the competitive numbers and such! You've got nothing to worry about!" However, I don't see it as being that simple...
A friend of mine was just recently relating to me her endeavors as a allo med applicant. She graduated from college a few years ago with a degree in BME and was making top-dollar in because she was totally awesome at her job and represented her oft-overlooked gender. She decided that BME wasn't enough, and started the med school application process. I assume she had all the numbers we traditional students have, but held something above us that we just can't touch: she could sit in on an interview and show the doctors a particular device that they use on a regular basis and explain to them how she was on the team that invented that device. Hmmmm...
Sure, this is only a single case, but I'm afraid that there are hundreds of these people in the application pool. Be they BME scientists or RNs, those that have practical experience in the field have that credential going for them that we don't.
Don't get me wrong: I'm not saying it's unfair or that said people shouldn't get into medical schools. I'm just a little worried that the competition among traditional students- if it already wasn't tight enough- is going to get even more rough as the non-traditionals step up and play a more prominent role in the application process.
What do you all think?
😕

 

[flighterdoc]

Bwahaaaaa!

Be afraid... Be Terribly afraid. WE WILL OWN YOU!

 

[btowngirl]

i was told that the admissions committees tend to let in a certain amount of trads and non-trads. this is because obviously non-trads will have a lot more experiences than trads, (assuming grades/mcats/LORs are the same). This gives non-trads an advantage so they would normally get in over trads. So basically, it seems like trads compete with other trads and non-trads with non-trads to make it fair. Otherwise, the average age matriculant would dramatically increase if it was almost impossible to get in from undergrad. But I am sure ppl will disagree with this.

 

[Machaon]

Ok, I can't tell whether or not you're being facetious, FlighterDoc, but I'm trying to be serious. I wasn't just trying to stir up trouble. I think it's a legitimate concern for us "little kids."

 

[Spitting Camel]

Ok, I can't tell whether or not you're being facetious, FlighterDoc, but I'm trying to be serious. I wasn't just trying to stir up trouble. I think it's a legitimate concern for us "little kids."

Try your best. If you don't get in, try harder next time. Plain and simple. If you don't get in, it'ds because the adcom didn't think you were right for their school.

 

[DrWuStar]

i think you "little kids" (your words, not mine 😉 ) would do well to take a year or two off and get some life experience. not just for the purpose of med school admissions, but because it's really fun, challenging, and enlightening to be outside the academic sphere. i think my real-world experiences made me a more competitive applicant, but more importantly, made me a more interesting, happy, and focused person. the years off have been invaluable.

 

[BaLeavaMD]

You have to face the facts, though! It's hard to compete with someone whos worked for a few years, has a masters,Ph.D., R.N...etc. But like a previous poster said...just do YOUR best!!

 

[Machaon]

Camel, that doesn't address my concern: I'm sure that it's not just as plain and simple as having the right numbers and demographics. I think you're right in that students are accepted when ADCOMs feel that the students "fit", but I keep hearing that the acceptance policies involve a lot of politics and BS. I'm just slightly disconcerted by the caprice and I was wondering how others felt about it.

 

[BaLeavaMD]

I agree with DrWuStar...Experiences outside of med school make you much more able to handle the stresses that come with medicine and dealing with other people's lives!! At 22, etc. you have to know that you know that you know that you're ready for this!! I wouldn't have been as good of a physician as I will be now with work experience, another degree, and more emotional stability!!

 

[Machaon]

DrWuStar- I'm jealous! I want to go to NU! I'm actually in Chicago as I post this: I work for the NMH Dept. of Neurological Surgery over on Erie. I'm hoping the experience and the connections I make here help me out in my application. You've got to be pumped about going here! Congrats 👍

 

[oldtimer]

I wouldn't worry so much about us old fogies during the application process. I actually think that it is harder for non-trads to get in, especially if we're coming from a non-medical field. However, you should be really concerned about trying to keep up with us once school starts. All those years of experience outside of the classroom helps to sharpen one's focus.

 

[dynx]

The advantage is all yours. You have the option of becoming non-traditional if the traditional role doesnt work out for you...old fogies like flighterdoc can't go back and become trads.
I think that a few non-trads may have an advantage in the process but most are at a disadvantage due to time out of school and difficulty with the MCAT after so much time away from the subjects it tests. In addition, non-trads looking for a change of work may not exactly be the best and the brightest in their fields. I think that trads still have a HUGE advantage over non-trads.

 

[dsblaha]

I am somewhat nervous about having to study and take tests again. I have not taken a test in over 3 years (other than MCAT). I have no idea what my study skills will be like.

However, I am willing to bet that non-trads are more organized and more efficient with their time, and probably have a better work-ethic.

 

[Celestron2000]

I agree with DrWuStar...Experiences outside of med school make you much more able to handle the stresses that come with medicine and dealing with other people's lives!! At 22, etc. you have to know that you know that you know that you're ready for this!! I wouldn't have been as good of a physician as I will be now with work experience, another degree, and more emotional stability!!

Yes, the same is true for me. Trads always have the option of working for a few years, then they can be non-trads too. 😀
At any rate in terms of sheer numbers it's easier to get in now than it was in say 1994. Even with a good number of us oldtimers applying there just aren't as many people trying to get in. 👍

 

[Adapt]

Try your best. If you don't get in, try harder next time. Plain and simple. If you don't get in, it'ds because the adcom didn't think you were right for their school.

OH CRAP. SC SO YOU GOT INTO UCI?!!

That's awesome man. Did you withdraw from LLU yet? So sad for LLU. Now who's going to take your spot. 🙄

Well, you deserve it as I said, since you kept those grades up even while taking all those 20 units for the last quarters. 👍

 

[Termwean]

I think that non-trads might have a slight advantage once they hit the interview, but they still have to be competitive to get that interview. I have been a respiratory therapist for 10 years and a combat medic in three war zones, this I was told, will help my application and PS stand out, possibly getting me an interview. I hope it means that they will over look a slightly lower gpa and mcat than the average traditional student. In fact I am praying that they do b/c this is the strength of my application.

 

[Gleevec]

The advantage is all yours. You have the option of becoming non-traditional if the traditional role doesnt work out for you...old fogies like flighterdoc can't go back and become trads.

I think that is the best thing that has been said on this thread. If you want the "advantage" of being a nontrad, then take a couple years off and do something. If you want the "advantage" of being a trad, then go straight into med school. You can still make that decision.

I think there is a mirror image of this thread from the Non-trad perspective somewhere about trads being better prepared or something for med school (since they're still in "studying" mode). I guess the grass IS always greener on the other side.

 

[Swiper]

...non-trads looking for a change of work may not exactly be the best and the brightest in their fields...

I disagree with this broad generalization. In fact, it's quite the opposite for me.

...most are at a disadvantage due to time out of school and difficulty with the MCAT after so much time away from the subjects it tests...

I agree with this. Although, it depends on how well someone learned it the first time around. For me, if I actually learned the subjects better in ugrad, it wouldn't have been so difficult. But remember, many non-trads take the science courses after graduation, and don't necessarily have a break between learning the material and taking the MCAT.

 

[mikeyboy]

I think it balances out. Non-trads need to work really hard to do well on the MCAT unless they have a really good memory or did something with science. So, maybe it's more difficult for non-trads to get to the interview stage, depending on how schools weight numbers.

But, once you get to that point, non-trads seem to have an advantage. First, it is often more easily determined that medicine is what they really want to do; anyone willing to leave a good job to take the test and apply should be really driven. Second, their experiences give them something to talk about and, I'm sure, they are more mature, or at least it seems that way.

As a traditional applicant, I was able to get really good numbers, and I think it will help me in school. But at my interviews I was a little overwhelmed by the older applicants who had all these experiences that I simply did not have time for during school. I spoke with someone at WashU who told me that I could have used more clinical exposure, "But [they] know you can't do everything."

I've known for a long time that I want to do medicine, and don't want to waste my time simply looking forward med school. So, even though it means being at somewhat of a disadvantage late in the game, if you're certain it's what you want, and you're ready for it, make sure it shows and try to overcome it.

 

[bigdan]

OP-

Welcome to life. The non-trads are able to sit back, smile, and laugh because they have something that ONLY comes with age - life experience. They remember being just like you. You don't have that perspective yet. But you will.

There are, of course, two sides to every coin. You are fresh off of studying, and doing well in school has often been a major concern in your life. You have energy and vitality that an older person can only dream of. You guys statistically get better MCATs and get accepted with at a higher percentage.

If you do well, you'll get in - trad or non-trad. Don't be afraid. You'll learn from us, we'll learn from you...most of us don't bite.

Good luck.

dc

 

[Gleevec]

OP-

If you do well, you'll get in - trad or non-trad. Don't be afraid. You'll learn from us, we'll learn from you...most of us don't bite.

Good post. I think at least from a trad perspective that med school will at least be more interesting because of a more varied class. Coming from college where 99% of the people are within 1 year of us, there really wasnt that much diversity on that front. At the very least, mixing things up will make things interesting for both trads and nontrads alike, as we both have likely been dealing with people in our own "age group" for several years.

 

[Swiper]

Agree about mixing it up, that's very important. I could never have gone straight to med school, I just didn't have the necessary focus or desire at that time. But others do - and I envy them for that. As a non-trad, I'm slightly of the "get some life experiences" opinion, but I also highly respect the folks who are dedicated and passionate enough to start right out of ugrad. Each path to acceptance to and success in med school has it's fair share of associated advantages and disadvantages.

 

[Machaon]

Thanks for all of the insightful posts, everyone! I appreciate everyone's honesty. Your sincerity definitely helps and I feel better about the situation overall. We all have our strengths and weaknesses- lets all hope the former gets us all into medical schools! Thanks again 👍

 

[flighterdoc]

Ok, I can't tell whether or not you're being facetious, FlighterDoc, but I'm trying to be serious. I wasn't just trying to stir up trouble. I think it's a legitimate concern for us "little kids."

WE WILL DESTROY YOU.

Yes, I'm just kidding.

Or am I?



Old age and experience will triumph over youth and enthusiasm. And if it doesn't, we have more experience in being sneaky.

 

[rgporter]

Camel, that doesn't address my concern: I'm sure that it's not just as plain and simple as having the right numbers and demographics. I think you're right in that students are accepted when ADCOMs feel that the students "fit", but I keep hearing that the acceptance policies involve a lot of politics and BS. I'm just slightly disconcerted by the caprice and I was wondering how others felt about it.

Everything in life is a tradeoff. Multiple years of good experience make us better prepared applicants (4 years in a medical lab for myself). On the other hand If I had applied when I graduated I would be starting residency right now instead of being an M1, assuming that I would have been accepted which is not 100% sure. It's not as if the nontrad route is closed to you or anyone. Take the route that is most suited to you, if things don't work out the way you want them to, switch.
It has been forcefully reminded to me, on more than one occasion in the last year, that most of life is just learning to roll with the punches.

 

[exmike]

Personally as an semi-old fogie I'm a little bit intimidated by those rabid premeds straight outta college types. Its been YEARS since I experienced the fabled premed competition and savageness. I wonder if ill have that neurotic premed mentality to power me through med school that trads are chock full of!

 

[bjolly]

Nontraditionals are a diverse bunch, just like traditional applicants. Some have stellar gpas and mcats, many don't. I've seen a lot of us whose undergrad gpas were less than great, for a variety of reasons (immaturity at the time, lack of effort, weren't planning on ever applying to med school when they took their undergrad courses, etc). We're also a minority of applicants. So don't be scared---we're not some mass of superqualified candidates who are going to crowd out the traditional applicants. We just have a different set of life experiences. We have our strengths and weaknesses just like any other applicant. 🙂

 

[HawkeyeBFP]

Maybe most of us don't bite, but don't count on it.

😱 😱 😱

I'm as non-trad as it gets, but I did a post-bacc for my science pre-reqs so it wasn't a problem as far as freshness of the material for the MCAT. I did feel I had to excel at both the coursework and the MCAT to be competitive. However, having been in the real world for some time, I already knew what I had to do in order to excel. (That is, learn the material rather than complain to the professor that the tests aren't fair.)

😎

I think the person who said to watch out for us once we're in has the right idea. 😀 We will take no prisoners.

In all seriousness, the admissions game is screwed up for everyone. You'll drive yourself crazy if you worry too much about the numbers, the statistics, the odds...just forget about it. Do what you need to do as well as you can possibly do it, take care of your end of things, and don't sweat what everyone else has going for them. After all...they need to be interested in YOU to accept you. Make sure you're interested in you first.

 

[bearpaw]

don't feel threatened by non trads...having the focus, determination and drive to be prepared to enter med school at 22 or under is something to be proud of.

Taking "a year or two off to gain perspective" is good for medicine, but its bad for you. If you know this is what you want to do, no point in wasting time. By that token, a 35 year old starting med school would be best thing for medicine, except that its a terrible thing to wait till you're 45 to begin your career. Most people achieve their goals as soon as they can...non trads either didn't know they wanted to be a doc or couldn't get in right after undergrad. some people choose to take a year off, but most people do not take several years off voluntarily.

i've had older students in my classes before. they didn't fit in, they have to work so much harder to keep pace. while you can focus on school, they have all kinds of other stuff to deal with, making them less accessible as peers and as classmates. like i want to hang out with someone who is a decade or more older than me. its fun sometimes, but they are not your peers.

i hate it when non trads talk down to trads because in my opinion, if you aren't focused and smart enough to achieve your goals, you have no right to look down on me. besides, if experience is so important, us younger doctors will have have more years in practice anyway, so i should be a better physician when i am 45 then a non trad when he is 45.

i think the whole "let me get some real life experience before med school thing" is bs. I am sure i'd learn more if i entered college at 22 instead of 18, but is it worth putzing around for 4 years? not for me. maybe for the guy who eventually hires me, but not for me. people say players should not go straight from high school to the nba because they won't develop, but those 4 years in the nba often let those exceptional players become better then 4 years in college. its better for an nba team to sign a college senior than a high school senior, but its better for the indiviual to go to the nba as soon as possible (unless he's riding the bench...and there's no bench when you're in med school). koby is a superstar now...do you think he'd be that good right out of college? no. and he made a LOT of money in the meantime as well. Us younger doctors will be making more money sooner, getting our careers started sooner, and our lives will be moving on sooner. Its a positive thing.

chin up, shoulders out.

 

[MoosePilot]

i hate it when non trads talk down to trads because in my opinion, if you aren't focused and smart enough to achieve your goals, you have no right to look down on me. besides, if experience is so important, us younger doctors will have have more years in practice anyway, so i should be a better physician when i am 45 then a non trad when he is 45.

Hahahaha... that's a good one 🙂

Why would you think a non-traditional applicant wasn't focused and smart enough to acheive his goals? Mostly we were just focused and smart enough to achieve different goals earlier and now we're here to acheive this goal.

I don't look down on anyone. I think the U.S. should have more med schools. If we need so many more doctors in underserved areas, what's the best way to get them? Make more doctors. If some can't make it in urban areas because of a crowded job market, they might look to underserved areas to make a living.

I hope everyone gets in. I don't think non-trads are going to hurt your chances, there's not really enough of us that are competitive in the numbers game. Of course, when I wrote down my post secondary experiences and compared them to what I would have used "back in the day", I had to laugh. They're quite a bit stronger now.

 

[mikeyboy]

Man...if only I had skipped kindergarten when I had the chance I could have made that money a year earlier...

 

[Machaon]

I'm not sure I see the NBA analogy, but I'm with you on traditional student solidarity. I'm confident that I can make the transition from undergrad to medical school and be successful. I can't imagine what I'd do in terms of taking time off for life experience- I feel I get a good amount of perspective the way I'm living my life as it is. Here's to plowing through the system all at once and loving it 👍

 

[911Med]

I just love the fact that you are worried about us.

You should be.

Why?

ADCOMS LOVE non-trads - we've seen the world, done it, and KNOW that medicine is the right career for us.

We could care less about cultural / parental "pressure" - my parents think I'm a fool for walking away from a lucrative pharma career.

We are more focused, better prepared financially (insert ANY private school name here) - we have the cash to fly to EVERY interview, use ALL the essay/application services, and apply to 40+ schools. - not too mention Kaplan, Princeton Review, and the slim possibility that we just might pay someone to take the MCAT for us and get away with it. Ha!

We are the new minority - get used to it. "URM ? it now stands for "Urban Research Moms" - deal with it. No one cares that your not white anymore.

We are better rounded - we actually have people skills - we have NOT lived the last 12 years of our life in a library, cafeteria, or coffee shop.

We are a shiny, new concept - and EVERYONE LOVES new things. Including Deans of Admission.

The price we pay? Sure - I'll be the older guy sitting in the front - not because I'm a gunner, but because my eye sight is fading fast.

I'll be late 30's by the time I finish even a basic residency - take note - no nurse will ever call me "Doogie" and the grey flecks in my hair will lend credibility. I will also know that nurses truly run the department and you'll never hear me mutter a condescending or arrogant remark - ones that so easily float out of the orfices of 27 year old residents.

I could go on and on - the fact that you posted that thread reaffirms that this is a growing trend - one that I am sure will groom more personable doctors.

I've got a long way to go. I am only starting my MS post-bac but...
Be afraid.
Be VERY afraid.

I'll wink at you as the ADCOM hugs me and says she wants to get a picture together at the white coat ceremony.

 

[Celestron2000]

I just love the fact that you are worried about us.

You should be.

Why?

ADCOMS LOVE non-trads - we've seen the world, done it, and KNOW that medicine is the right career for us.

We could care less about cultural / parental "pressure" - my parents think I'm a fool for walking away from a lucrative pharma career.

We are more focused, better prepared financially (insert ANY private school name here) - we have the cash to fly to EVERY interview, use ALL the essay/application services, and apply to 40+ schools. - not too mention Kaplan, Princeton Review, and the slim possibility that we just might pay someone to take the MCAT for us and get away with it. Ha!

We are the new minority - get used to it. "URM ? it now stands for "Urban Research Moms" - deal with it. No one cares that your not white anymore.

We are better rounded - we actually have people skills - we have lived the last 12 years of our life in a library, cafeteria, or coffee shop.

We are a shiny, new concept - and EVERYONE LOVES new things. Including Deans of Admission.

The price we pay? Sure - I'll be the older guy sitting in the front - not because I'm a gunner, but because my eye sight is fading fast.

I'll be late 30's by the time I finish even a basic residency - take note - no nurse will ever call me "Doogie" and the grey flecks in my hair will lend credibility. I will also know that nurses truly run the department and you'll never hear me mutter a condescending or arrogant remark - ones that so easily float out of the orfices of 27 year old residents.

I could go on and on - the fact that you posted that thread reaffirms that this is a growing trend - one that I am sure will groom more personable doctors.

I've got a long way to go. I am only starting my MS post-bac but...
Be afraid.
Be VERY afraid.

I'll wink at you as the ADCOM hugs me and says to stop by and see them in August.

👍

 

[dankev]

i think the whole "let me get some real life experience before med school thing" is bs.

Perfectly spoken like a kid with no life experience.

 

[BeatArmy]

i was told that the admissions committees tend to let in a certain amount of trads and non-trads. this is because obviously non-trads will have a lot more experiences than trads, (assuming grades/mcats/LORs are the same). This gives non-trads an advantage so they would normally get in over trads. So basically, it seems like trads compete with other trads and non-trads with non-trads to make it fair. Otherwise, the average age matriculant would dramatically increase if it was almost impossible to get in from undergrad. But I am sure ppl will disagree with this.

I think there is a lot of truth to this post. Generally, the adcoms have a class makeup they are looking for and non-trads compete with each other for a certain percentage of the class. What percentage that is often depends on the school.

I agree with the OP that, due to economic factors, the number of non-trad applicants will be on the rise this year. In particular, I seem to notice a LOT of non-trads applying this year out of the IT sector. Of course, maybe that's just because computer professionals are more likely to find these message boards.

Anyway, assuming that non-trad applicant numbers are up, the minor result may be that some schools will convert a couple (at the most) seats to "non-trad seats." So it may increase the competition between the traditionals in that they'll have a few less spots available. However, the few "converted" spots will not keep pace with the percentage increase in non-trad apps, so the major effect may be noticeably increased competition for the non-trads.

So it is the non-trad applicants that need to beware.

 

[ice_23]

I just love the fact that you are worried about us.

You should be.

Why?

ADCOMS LOVE non-trads - we've seen the world, done it, and KNOW that medicine is the right career for us.

We could care less about cultural / parental "pressure" - my parents think I'm a fool for walking away from a lucrative pharma career.

We are more focused, better prepared financially (insert ANY private school name here) - we have the cash to fly to EVERY interview, use ALL the essay/application services, and apply to 40+ schools. - not too mention Kaplan, Princeton Review, and the slim possibility that we just might pay someone to take the MCAT for us and get away with it. Ha!

We are the new minority - get used to it. "URM ? it now stands for "Urban Research Moms" - deal with it. No one cares that your not white anymore.

We are better rounded - we actually have people skills - we have NOT lived the last 12 years of our life in a library, cafeteria, or coffee shop.

We are a shiny, new concept - and EVERYONE LOVES new things. Including Deans of Admission.

The price we pay? Sure - I'll be the older guy sitting in the front - not because I'm a gunner, but because my eye sight is fading fast.

I'll be late 30's by the time I finish even a basic residency - take note - no nurse will ever call me "Doogie" and the grey flecks in my hair will lend credibility. I will also know that nurses truly run the department and you'll never hear me mutter a condescending or arrogant remark - ones that so easily float out of the orfices of 27 year old residents.

I could go on and on - the fact that you posted that thread reaffirms that this is a growing trend - one that I am sure will groom more personable doctors.

I've got a long way to go. I am only starting my MS post-bac but...
Be afraid.
Be VERY afraid.

I'll wink at you as the ADCOM hugs me and says she wants to get a picture together at the white coat ceremony.

Oh lord. You non-trads are glad that you have more life experience, but let's be honest, you'd love to be young again. I know when I'm your age, I'll wish I was 22 again. And then I'd of course rationalize how my situation at 30 is so much better than when I was younger because of some intangible factor like "more knowledge and experience." But I'd still wish deep down that I was 22. Heck, sometimes I wish I was 18 again...

And when you, sir or ma'am, get into medical school, if you have this arrogant of an attitude, you'll be the one who will have trouble becoming a "personable doctor."...

-Ice

 

[bearpaw]

Perfectly spoken by a kid with no life experience.

no, its better to study for one career, do that for a couple years, quit, and then do something else. that way, you can be mediocre at two things.

non trads are SOOO committed to medicine. us stupid trads were naiive in thinking that focus was a virtue. Being "well rounded" is easy: you just need to dabble in this or that. Being exceptional takes dedication and commitment. it takes a special person to say "maybe if i miss this party tonight, i'll get to be a doctor sooner" when they're 18. That mentality is something to be commended.

sure, i could have done engineering, law, medicine, and business, but what is the point if i just want to be an exceptional doctor? what's so smart about studying one thing in undergrad, accomplishing little in that career (which you inevitably do if you are in a "career" for only a few years), then switching over to another career?

medicine is a long road...why is not an advantage and start sooner? honestly, i am certain the vast majority of non trads would rather enter medicine at an earlier age, if they could do it again. i mean, everyone in a medically related masters program is only doing so because they were trying to pump up that old gpa, right? who are we kidding?

i respect non trads, but i don't admire them. they have not done anything exceptional in my book. i haven't done anything exceptional in my book either, but at least i am getting there as fast as possible.

btw, when i have grey flecks in my hair, the respect i have will be warranted...of course, you can feel free to posture as an MSI.

 

[Gleevec]

I just love the fact that you are worried about us.

You should be.

Why?

ADCOMS LOVE non-trads - we've seen the world, done it, and KNOW that medicine is the right career for us.

We could care less about cultural / parental "pressure" - my parents think I'm a fool for walking away from a lucrative pharma career.

We are more focused, better prepared financially (insert ANY private school name here) - we have the cash to fly to EVERY interview, use ALL the essay/application services, and apply to 40+ schools. - not too mention Kaplan, Princeton Review, and the slim possibility that we just might pay someone to take the MCAT for us and get away with it. Ha!

We are the new minority - get used to it. "URM ? it now stands for "Urban Research Moms" - deal with it. No one cares that your not white anymore.

We are better rounded - we actually have people skills - we have NOT lived the last 12 years of our life in a library, cafeteria, or coffee shop.

We are a shiny, new concept - and EVERYONE LOVES new things. Including Deans of Admission.

Ugh, not another nontrad bashing trad thread... and look how easily the supposed "maturity" of a nontrad vanishes.

Does anyone else find that post funny in light of his own comment farther down "you'll never hear me mutter a condescending or arrogant remark" 🙄 🙄 🙄

Lets face it, with comments like that, the false stereotype that nontrads are less gunnerish will evaporate in oh, a few months maybe?

 

[911Med]

Oh lord. You non-trads are glad that you have more life experience, but let's be honest, you'd love to be young again. I know when I'm your age, I'll wish I was 22 again. And then I'd of course rationalize how my situation at 30 is so much better than when I was younger because of some intangible factor like "more knowledge and experience." But I'd still wish deep down that I was 22. Heck, sometimes I wish I was 18 again...

-Ice

NOPE

I'm actually quite happy being a fairly wealthy 28 year old and dating the hot 22 year olds in your class.

 

[Gleevec]

NOPE

I'm actually quite happy being a fairly wealthy 28 year old and dating the hot 22 year olds in your class.

Good to know that the real world still has cocky arrogant mofos that rely on being "unique" as opposed to having achieved anything in order to get into med school 🙄

Im sure that medical schools are really looking to increase their quota on the number of rich, arrogant, spoiled, and sexually predatory males in their class.

 

[bearpaw]

We are more focused, better prepared financially (insert ANY private school name here) - we have the cash to fly to EVERY interview, use ALL the essay/application services, and apply to 40+ schools. - not too mention Kaplan, Princeton Review, and the slim possibility that we just might pay someone to take the MCAT for us and get away with it. Ha!

uhhh, i can't speak for everyone, but i am sure my father's lifetime of accumulated resources outmatch whatever money you've acquired in a few years of 100k or so earning.

all my friends are the same way too. sorry, i don't want to have a finances based pissing match here, but you're so arrogant i just want to shut you up. my parents paid 160k just for college, and that doesn't include all the money i spend screwing around. that doesnt include cars and stuff. They are footing another i don't know how much for med school in boston too. and they don't even care about it. i have a friend that took kaplan TWICE because over mid thirties wasn't good enough. can you compete with that? its ok, most people can't and thats fine, but don't think you're hot **** because you have 10k to spend on applying.

last time i checked, long money is written with decimals, not k's.

 

[bearpaw]

NOPE

I'm actually quite happy being a fairly wealthy 28 year old and dating the hot 22 year olds in your class.

well, what were doing when you were 22? i would hope the very same thing, or you've already lost.

 

[MoosePilot]

I'm not mediocre in my current career. I've excelled in my current career and if I don't get into med school I'll continue to excel. Sucking in your current job is not the only reason someone might want to pursue something else 🙄

Where in the world do you get this stuff? Sure, focus is a virtue. That doesn't mean that changing professions is a fault.

There have been some pretty darn immature posts by both sides here, but don't get into the tit for tat thing. Concentrate on doing what you want to do and don't underestimate your classmates. Hopefully you'll work together better in person than you do on the forums...

no, its better to study for one career, do that for a couple years, quit, and then do something else. that way, you can be mediocre at two things.

non trads are SOOO committed to medicine. us stupid trads were naiive in thinking that focus was a virtue. Being "well rounded" is easy: you just need to dabble in this or that. Being exceptional takes dedication and commitment. it takes a special person to say "maybe if i miss this party tonight, i'll get to be a doctor sooner" when they're 18. That mentality is something to be commended.

sure, i could have done engineering, law, medicine, and business, but what is the point if i just want to be an exceptional doctor? what's so smart about studying one thing in undergrad, accomplishing little in that career (which you inevitably do if you are in a "career" for only a few years), then switching over to another career?

medicine is a long road...why is not an advantage and start sooner? honestly, i am certain the vast majority of non trads would rather enter medicine at an earlier age, if they could do it again. i mean, everyone in a medically related masters program is only doing so because they were trying to pump up that old gpa, right? who are we kidding?

i respect non trads, but i don't admire them. they have not done anything exceptional in my book. i haven't done anything exceptional in my book either, but at least i am getting there as fast as possible.

btw, when i have grey flecks in my hair, the respect i have will be warranted...of course, you can feel free to posture as an MSI.

 

[911Med]

uhhh, i can't speak for everyone, but i am sure my father's lifetime of accumulated resources outmatch whatever money you've acquired in a few years of 100k or so earning.




and I'm sure your dad could beat up my dad as well.

 

[dsblaha]

while you can focus on school, they have all kinds of other stuff to deal with, making them less accessible as peers and as classmates. .

Us non-trads actually have less stuff to deal with. We are already married and have children. We don't have to worry about trying to find a spouse (this is obviously a concern for many of you, as evidenced by the number of threads regarding being single in med-school, dating, etc.) and we have someone to support us while the going is tough.

 

[BigRedPingpong]

I am only starting my MS post-bac but...
.

You guys are arguing with someone who hasn't even been accepted yet--who hasn't even been through the application process yet. Can someone say MCATs? This guy is in for a ride if he believes all that BS he just posted. He may as well be a high school sophmore screaming, "I'm gonna be a better doctor than you!"

 

[EvoDevo]

WE WILL DESTROY YOU.

Yes, I'm just kidding.

Or am I?



Old age and experience will triumph over youth and enthusiasm. And if it doesn't, we have more experience in being sneaky.

Love your posts, my man.

 

[BeatArmy]

NOPE

I'm actually quite happy being a fairly wealthy 28 year old and dating the hot 22 year olds in your class.

Traditional Students fear not. This fool does not speak for all of us non-trads.

 

[bearpaw]

Us non-trads actually have less stuff to deal with. We are already married and have children. We don't have to worry about trying to find a spouse (this is obviously a concern for many of you, as evidenced by the number of threads regarding being single in med-school, dating, etc.) and we have someone to support us while the going is tough.

find a spouse = dating = fun.

i am sure taking care of your children is a bigger responsibility than me trying to remember to close my tab before i go home (ever accidently tip on top of the 20% mandatory overnight bar tab gratuity?!!! what a hit).

do you anticipate hanging out with 22 year olds? just wondering. i would think it would be weird for both parties. i know i don't enjoy hanging out with high schoolers.