Worried about starting medical school at 29

[The Last Reclaimer]

I graduated undergrad in 2019 intending to go to medical school. Since then, I have dealt with a lot of problems at home. Depression, problems with family being controlling, having to help them financially, my dad being sick and then dying after suffering from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

In the meantime, I worked as a care provider/ medication tech in assisted living and memory care and then switched to being an ophthalmologist's scribe. I even explored other career paths and returned to medicine without fail. ****, when I tried doing this I couldn't even leave healthcare, I looked at dentistry, anesthesia assisting, and podiatry.

The only thing left to do to apply is take the MCAT. I have quite a few thoughts in the back of my head that bother me.

I feel like I'm too old. It bothers me that I feel as though I won't be able even to entertain doing one of the longer residencies/fellowship-based specialties. If I wanted to have a family Id imagine that would be rough as well.

Maybe I am thinking too hard; maybe I'm not. What do you all think?

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[SunBakedTrash]

Sorry Grandpa, it’s a 28 and younger club.

 

[darkeon]

i'm in my 30s just starting M2. While like most MD schools, there crowd is younger, in my cohort, there are others in our 30s and I feel very much in harmony with the 20s folks.

You young dude/dudette, dont you worry on that

 

[Nontrad_FL_LGBT]

I just finished my first day of med school. Turning 31 in September. Get over it bud, you'll be 50 someday either a doctor or not.

 

[DoctorSparkles]

If you'll let something like age stop you from becoming a doctor, then it's not for you 🤷‍♂️

 

[Goro]

My oldest matriculant was in his early 50s.

 

[noah__ollie]

I graduated undergrad in 2019 intending to go to medical school. Since then, I have dealt with a lot of problems at home. Depression, problems with family being controlling, having to help them financially, my dad being sick and then dying after suffering from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

In the meantime, I worked as a care provider/ medication tech in assisted living and memory care and then switched to being an ophthalmologist's scribe. I even explored other career paths and returned to medicine without fail. ****, when I tried doing this I couldn't even leave healthcare, I looked at dentistry, anesthesia assisting, and podiatry.

The only thing left to do to apply is take the MCAT. I have quite a few thoughts in the back of my head that bother me.

I feel like I'm too old. It bothers me that I feel as though I won't be able even to entertain doing one of the longer residencies/fellowship-based specialties. If I wanted to have a family Id imagine that would be rough as well.

Maybe I am thinking too hard; maybe I'm not. What do you all think?

First of all, don't worry about your age at all. There have been and will be people older than you that attend medical school. Second, the best thing to do now is to really focus on taking the MCAT. While I don't necessarily agree with how highly the test is regarded in admissions, an MCAT over 500 usually a good thing to have in your application. Try to tune out the controlling family comments and focus on furthering the career that you are working so hard toward. As the first member of my family to pursue a college degree (let alone medical school), I know exactly what type of "controlling" you mean.

 

[lioneljohn]

I graduated undergrad in 2019 intending to go to medical school. Since then, I have dealt with a lot of problems at home. Depression, problems with family being controlling, having to help them financially, my dad being sick and then dying after suffering from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

In the meantime, I worked as a care provider/ medication tech in assisted living and memory care and then switched to being an ophthalmologist's scribe. I even explored other career paths and returned to medicine without fail. ****, when I tried doing this I couldn't even leave healthcare, I looked at dentistry, anesthesia assisting, and podiatry.

The only thing left to do to apply is take the MCAT. I have quite a few thoughts in the back of my head that bother me.

I feel like I'm too old. It bothers me that I feel as though I won't be able even to entertain doing one of the longer residencies/fellowship-based specialties. If I wanted to have a family Id imagine that would be rough as well.

Maybe I am thinking too hard; maybe I'm not. What do you all think?

You're not too old! Your experiences will actually make you a stronger applicant. You've got a unique perspective and skills. Just take the MCAT and go for it! You've got this!

 

[notEinstein]

My oldest matriculant was in his early 50s.

The question becomes - is an older applicant a negative, or a positive, for you as an admissions counselor?

I’ve heard some people pontificate that they favor older applicants due to experience and also less of them applying… but i’ve also heard the opposite - that it is a negative (less years left to contribute to medicine).

 

[Goro]

The question becomes - is an older applicant a negative, or a positive, for you as an admissions counselor?

I’ve heard some people pontificate that they favor older applicants due to experience and also less of them applying… but i’ve also heard the opposite - that it is a negative (less years left to contribute to medicine).

A positive. Older applicants have more life experiences, gravitas, and maturity.

Doctors tend to be long lived, anyway.

 

[notEinstein]

A positive. Older applicants have more life experiences, gravitas, and maturity.

Doctors tend to be long lived, anyway.

Thank you for responding. If I may ask one more question of you - do you know if there are any statistics that show applications & acceptances/matriculants by age?

 

[Goro]

Thank you for responding. If I may ask one more question of you - do you know if there are any statistics that show applications & acceptances/matriculants by age?

Nope. @Mr.Smile12 @gyngyn ???

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Thank you for responding. If I may ask one more question of you - do you know if there are any statistics that show applications & acceptances/matriculants by age?

Uh... not public data on their metrics.

709 allopathic medical school matriculants in 2023 were 30 or older.

New AAMC Data on Diversity in Medical School Enrollment in 2023

U.S. medical schools enrolled a more diverse first-year class in the 2023-24 academic year, with increases among some groups but declines in others.

www.aamc.org

Also for everyone:
"This year’s [2023] entering class demonstrated an even greater commitment to service. The entering class cumulatively performed nearly 17 million community service hours, an average of 736 hours per student, a 9% increase over last year." (PS. Yes, I know median and midrange would be more useful.)

 

[DO2015CA]

My oldest classmate was born the same year as my mother

 

[Lab2Doc]

You're going to age no matter what, would you rather be a doctor at 40 or not?

I'll be matriculating next year at 34 almost 35

 

[LEET87]

I graduated undergrad in 2019 intending to go to medical school. Since then, I have dealt with a lot of problems at home. Depression, problems with family being controlling, having to help them financially, my dad being sick and then dying after suffering from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

In the meantime, I worked as a care provider/ medication tech in assisted living and memory care and then switched to being an ophthalmologist's scribe. I even explored other career paths and returned to medicine without fail. ****, when I tried doing this I couldn't even leave healthcare, I looked at dentistry, anesthesia assisting, and podiatry.

The only thing left to do to apply is take the MCAT. I have quite a few thoughts in the back of my head that bother me.

I feel like I'm too old. It bothers me that I feel as though I won't be able even to entertain doing one of the longer residencies/fellowship-based specialties. If I wanted to have a family Id imagine that would be rough as well.

Maybe I am thinking too hard; maybe I'm not. What do you all think?

I’m a 37yo with 4 kids!! Applying this cycle.
You’re young imo!

 

[amygdalahijack]

I'll be turning 30 during my first term if I'm accepted this cycle, don't trip! & best of luck to you, one step at a time friend!

 

[PB2464]

If I wanted to have a family Id imagine that would be rough as well.

Since no one addressed this:

If female, yes will be extremely rough and your years of healthy fertility will be steadily declining. If male, it is a very good possibility you will be an older father. Unless you find time to establish a solid relationship during medical school. It's possible to do both, and if you're dead set on having a family don't minimize it's importance. A medical career comes second to importance in this world.

 

[Nontrad_FL_LGBT]

Another option is to freeze your eggs. Planning on doing it early M2.

 

[PB2464]

Another option is to freeze your eggs. Planning on doing it early M2.

Sounds like a good, solid financial plan for new students.

 

[Nontrad_FL_LGBT]

Sounds like a good, solid financial plan for new students.

I mean, it's an option that exists to explore. Sorry if it's not accessible to you? My husband has insurance with fertility benefits. 🙄

 

[PB2464]

I mean, it's an option that exists to explore. Sorry if it's not accessible to you? My husband has insurance with fertility benefits. 🙄

I would love to see the facts that your insurance company covers full fertility treatments. Nor does everyone agree with pushing off natural family planning for the alternative, lower probability of fertility measures, especially when it is assumed fertility is still intact.🙄

 

[DO2015CA]

No point in bickering. Like everything in life, we all have our preferences and responsibilities. Pick what’s best for you.

 

[PB2464]

No point in bickering. Like everything in life, we all have our preferences and responsibilities. Pick what’s best for you.

Oh boy. It's not bickering. It's plusses and minuses and part of a general conversation and debate.
Additionally there are statements worthy of a good ol fact check.

How is someone just supposed to "know what's best?" They original poster wanted answers and asked the specific question.

 

[Nontrad_FL_LGBT]

I would love to see the facts that your insurance company covers full fertility treatments. Nor does everyone agree with pushing off natural family planning for the alternative, lower probability of fertility measures, especially when it is assumed fertility is still intact.🙄

I don't really understand why you're being so aggressive toward me? I presented an option that I'm doing, as a new student myself. Clearly it is available for some people, so why shouldn't I share it?

And just to respond to your snappy comment about "natural family planning," not everyone has that option. We are both trans men and would require egg retrieval anyway. But thanks for your flawed assumptions and the reminder that it will be much harder for me to have a kid regardless of medical training. 👌

 

[PB2464]

I don't really understand why you're being so aggressive toward me? I presented an option that I'm doing, as a new student myself. Clearly it is available for some people, so why shouldn't I share it?

And just to respond to your snappy comment about "natural family planning," not everyone has that option. We are both trans men and would require egg retrieval anyway. But thanks for your flawed assumptions and the reminder that it will be much harder for me to have a kid regardless of medical training. 👌

Snappy comment? Give me a break.

Just because you now mention the word trans doesn't mean I suddenly have to conform to your views on the matter.

 

[chilly_md]

Please remain on topic. Specific financial and other aspects of the OP’s decision making can be discussed, but do not derail this thread. The OP can respond individually if they have further questions or have checked any of these replies.

 

[Hollow Knight]

There is no right or wrong answer here. You have to decide what's important to you. Yes, it is difficult to stay married when you're in the hospital for 36+ hours in a row as a medical student or resident. Is it impossible? No, people do it. Yes, it's harder if you have kids for the same reason. No, you can't be super mom/dad at every PTA meeting with cookies as a medical student or resident, there just aren't enough hours in the day. Doesn't mean you can't be a parent or a spouse at all though, your partner will just have to be supportive.

I think putting off family life during training is a mistake as well. Most people don't find fulfillment purely from career. I'm currently getting divorced, so even thinking of dating isn't happening in the near future, but I'm not going to run away from a great person in residency just because I'm in residency either.

The question you have to answer is: is the end goal (being a physician) worth the cost (less time with friends and family for the next 7+ years and an absurd amount of hard work and physical/mental stress)? None of us can answer that for you. But your situation certainly isn't unusual. Most med students are around your age these days.

With all the downsides, I'd still do all of this again. I'll be pretty young when I get out, but I don't think being older would change that calculus.