What defines an Non traditional student and are there varying degrees?

[bunnybop]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Just wondering because while I have already had a career and took a break from school. I am still younger than 30 and am working on my first bach. What would this be considered and how should I position myself accordingly?

Thanks for any input

 

[DrMom]

anyone who didn't go the direct high school -->college-->medical school route is a nontrad.

 

[bunnybop]

anyone who didn't go the direct high school -->college-->medical school route is a nontrad.

is it really that rigid... meaning, at anytime a break was taken you would be considered a NTS? The reason why I ask is because I don't feel the age thing pertains to me as much as per se an older candidate. However, I feel that the experience and the other aspects of being a NTS would be the same.

 

[DrMom]

there is no rigid category and no real formal grouping. I was just explaining that traditional applicants go straight through.

do well in your classes & on the MCAT and nobody'll make a big deal about you not starting med school at 22.

 

[bunnybop]

there is no rigid category and no real formal grouping. I was just explaining that traditional applicants go straight through.

do well in your classes & on the MCAT and nobody'll make a big deal about you not starting med school at 22.

oh I am not 22 either... LOL, I have had a career for a long time... just not 30 yet.

 

[Non-TradTulsa]

there is no rigid category and no real formal grouping. I was just explaining that traditional applicants go straight through.

do well in your classes & on the MCAT and nobody'll make a big deal about you not starting med school at 22.

Yup, I definitely agree with Dr. Mom that a non-trad is anybody who doesn't go the direct-from-undergrad-graduation route. However, as far as "informal" classifications, I would advocate that there are now so many non-traditional applicants that there probably should be 2 classifications: the "traditional" non-trads who are under 35, and the "non-trad non-trads" who are over 35. An increasing number of people like me decide to go to medical school as a second career during mid-life and, again in my opinion, while a person over 35 (particularly a person over 40) can be admitted to medical school, there tend to be some unique challenges.

 

[stbxTechie]

An increasing number of people like me decide to go to medical school as a second career during mid-life and, again in my opinion, while a person over 35 (particularly a person over 40) can be admitted to medical school, there tend to be some unique challenges.

Is 35 actually a hard division there, or is that only more of a hazy point of division between the two groups?

I ask in particular because I'm just at a point where I might or might not be able to apply before turning 35 depending on how quickly I go through the prereqs. I'm 31 (32 in a few months) and starting pretty much from scratch on the prereqs, and at least for the next year or two can't quit my job.

 

[budhak0n]

what if the person graduated from Undergrad and had a very rewarding career for say I dunno .. 15 years? LOL

why would it amazingly be different between 34 and 39? sorry don't see the reason for a difference...

The arbitrary 35 number doesn't make much sense to me .. they are both non traditionals ... There's no forced retirement for professionals.. many work well beyond 65 so if you're doing it in relation to retirement age.. even that doesn't really mesh.

 

[Non-TradTulsa]

Is 35 actually a hard division there, or is that only more of a hazy point of division between the two groups?

I ask in particular because I'm just at a point where I might or might not be able to apply before turning 35 depending on how quickly I go through the prereqs. I'm 31 (32 in a few months) and starting pretty much from scratch on the prereqs, and at least for the next year or two can't quit my job.

No, no, of course it's a "soft" division. My only point was, there are now quite a few people who are applying to medical school who are now considered "old" even by non-traditional standards. If you're in your early to mid-30's, I don't think you'll have a problem. However, *somewhere* in the range of 35 to 40, some adcom members become very uncomfortable with admitting a person to medical school. Is it legal? No. Is it right? No. Does it happen? You betcha. There are plenty of encouraging exceptions, and I was one - I was admitted to a good allopathic school at age 44 - but, let me tell you, it wasn't an easy ride.

 

[LifetimeDoc]

Yup, I definitely agree with Dr. Mom that a non-trad is anybody who doesn't go the direct-from-undergrad-graduation route. However, as far as "informal" classifications, I would advocate that there are now so many non-traditional applicants that there probably should be 2 classifications: the "traditional" non-trads who are under 35, and the "non-trad non-trads" who are over 35. An increasing number of people like me decide to go to medical school as a second career during mid-life and, again in my opinion, while a person over 35 (particularly a person over 40) can be admitted to medical school, there tend to be some unique challenges.

What happens if you are, like in my case, exactly 35?! A non-traditional traditional non-traditional? 😀

 

[RxnMan]

What happens if you are, like in my case, exactly 35?! A non-traditional traditional non-traditional? 😀

Traditionally yes, but only in a non-traditional sense.

OP - Don't worry about the definitions (though I rather think it's a Boolean yes or no situation) and use your experience outside of school - other careers, family, travel - to enhance your application.