I am 31 years old and have just started on my BS (yeah I know) and are leaning towards either microbiology or regular bio as a major. I am not married yet but will be in 2 years. I guess what I wanna ask is is becoming a doctor out of my reach? Am I to old? Btw I plan on becoming a radiologist.
Well, I'm 33, so I don't personally think you are too old to start the process. As I've mentioned before, however, exactly how old is too old is a personal decision and one that only you can answer. I think desire is the most important factor though. It's unlikely that we here at SDN will know enough about you to make that judgment call. In general, however, if you have the will, drive and finances to do it, then I think you ought to give it a shot. In the US, we are afforded that option, fortunately.
I'm of the type that feels that very little is out of your reach if you are willing to do whatever it takes and you are willing to go foward, taking each step with heart (assuming you have the basic abilities). Again, only you will know this, and you will probably have to dig deep to find if this is the case for you. There are many hoops to jump on the way to becoming a doctor and if you approach each with dilligence, dedication, and wholehearted effort, I honestly believe you can succeed. It may not be an easy road, but if it's one that you love, you will be able to sustain yourself through it, especially when it gets very tough. One of my good friends tried three times before succeeding and he told me that it was when he finally made peace with the possibility that he might not be cut out to be doctor that he got accepted.
It doesn't matter what you major in for medical school application purposes. Simply choose to study what you like and what makes you happy. Make sure to research medical school admissions requirements and take those classes before you apply. Do as well as you can in school without losing sight of matters to you. Do some volunteering and expose yourself, as much as possible, to the healthcare world. Make sure you get some direct clinical exposure, if possible, since most medical schools love to see that you have had contact with patients and know what doctors do. When it comes time to study for the MCAT, study like mad and take as many practice tests as you can. Take it very seriously, but don't forget to have fun.
Don't focus in too much on what specialty you might like to practice in the future. It's pretty hard to be sure without actually trying it out; that's what your clinical rotations during MS3 and 4 are about. It's good that you have some idea, but leave yourself open and let yourself explore. You might surprise yourself.
Good luck to you.
