I realize these postings can quickly devolve into one understandably projecting anxiety and doubts about this daunting and intimidating process that’s about to be undertaken, so I’ll try to keep my comments to a few salient points and queries.
Like: am I crazy to start now, on the cusp of 39, when I’m simply so far behind?
I’ve worked for the past 15 years in publishing as a writer and editor. I have no clinical, volunteer, or research experience. I also, and dare I confess this, never even took chemistry in high school.
That said, I did very well (18 years ago!!) at my Ivy League undergraduate institution, cum laude graduate, degree in English, then received an MFA from a top 20 American university in the medically related field of creative writing–poetry. Would you like me to ease the pain or write you an ode?
I was so humanities driven for so long, I sort of ignored or undervalued my scientific abilities and proficiency. So this is my main concern. I consider myself confident and intelligent and yet am filled with serious reservations when reading the constant caveats posted on this site: sure you can get there, IF you ace your science preerqs, IF you do really well in your science foundation courses. Will I be able to do so? Though I’ll put in the time and effort, how difficult is the material (I did well in high school math and science, AP bio/physics and calculus in particular, but how embarrassing to even say so; so what)?
I’m thinking of a postbac premed program in the NYC area and one of the pricier ones. Given my background and its present shortcomings, the odds of applying to med school as a 41 or 42 year old and being accepted, should I just take the time, money, and effort I’d put into this preprof training and focus it elsewhere? I do want to be a doctor, I don’t want to end up broke and unemployed with mediocre postbac grades, average MCATs and little to show for my misguided ambitions.
I know it shouldn’t be viewed as a consolation prize, but would it make better sense for someone like me, given my limited preparation and advancing age, to consider entering a PA program after the postbac program?
Also how nuts would it be to consider taking on freelance editorial projects while in the program to help offset its daunting cost? It doesn’t seem like the road to a 4.0, I know.
Thanks and sorry for rambling…
Regarding the investment of time and money in a post-bacc program…you’ve correctly identified that it is a good starting place for someone like yourself without a big science background.
It seems that your big concern regarding the program is being uncertain if you will do well enough to NOT have “mediocre postbac grades”. Taking, say, chemistry in a community college first might give you a good feel for how you will do in those courses.
I understand (believe me!) the sense of time ticking by that may make you unwilling to postpone applying to the postbac program. But you could apply now, and still have time to complete a chem class before the fall. That gives you a chance to make a final decision before actually starting a program. I expect that you will find that your academic aptitude (demonstrated in the past) will be applicable to science subjects as well, and will be reassured regarding your ability to be successful in the program.
Your chances of getting into med school at 41, 42 are NOT infinitesimal 
There are certainly schools that are looking for a more diverse student body. Case Western is one.
Re PA school vs med school. They are actually MORE competitive to get into, but do involve a somewhat smaller investment in time and money. That is something you will have to weigh out for yourself.
Hope these thoughts are somewhat helpful.
Kate
Welcome to OPM! I also have a writing/publishing background (degree in journalism, jobs as a reporter, writer, and most recently textbook editor). I just started a formal post-bac program last fall, and am happy to say I am doing quite well – so it CAN be done!
As far as doing freelance work while in school … I know the potential rigors of freelance work firsthand, and so if you are going to school full time, I would be very careful about dividing up your time by working. Good grades are extremely important, as are extracurriculars (including shadowing, volunteering, etc.). That said, you have to do what you have to do.
Best wishes!
"The purpose of this board has always been to dispel the ageism myth that older premedical applicants will have a less productive career because they won’t work as long as younger premedical applicants: This can’t be further from the truth when you consider cases like the late Michael Crichton who graduated from Harvard Medical School at 26 but never practice medicine and died at a fairly young age. I know personally five physicians who graduated from medical school at 26 who have left medicine entirely before reaching their late 30s. Like our Mary Renard says, this type of thinking is a groundless canard. When putting the canard to the test, it will probably show that younger medical school graduates are more likely to leave medicine sooner than their older counterparts because younger medical school graduates are less able from lack of life and work experiences to balance the stress, demands, and rigors of medicine than older medical school graduates. Also, I remember a study that showed the younger a medical school graduate was the more likely that physician would become a troubled physician who had succumbed to drugs, alcohol, and/or criminal activity in order to cope with the practice of medicine.
"With that said, remember that age discrimination is illegal:
http://www2.ed.gov/policy/rights/guid/oc r/ageoverv…
http://www.oldpremeds.org/fusionbb/showpost.php?po…
Too many potentially older premeds mistakenly extrapolate the Age Discrimination Act exemptions that the military and closely-related military-related government departments (like law enforcement and air traffic control) have as being in medical school admissions. Even with its exemption from the Age Discrimination Act, the military has recently shown a change in its ageist thinking and has been waiving its upper age limit for posters on this board.
"Poster Presse entered medical school at 52, poster Kate429 (and a CNM) is entering medical school at 53, poster Linda Wilson just finished medical school at 58. Poster sonata_op53 entered medical school at 53. Bill Conway entered medical school well into his 50s:
http://www.une.edu/spotlights/display.cfm?customel…
"Here are some postings that can help you overcome ageist thinking:
http://www.oldpremeds.org/fusionbb/showpost.php?po…
http://www.oldpremeds.org/fusionbb/showtopic.php?t…
http://www.oldpremeds.org/fusionbb/showtopic.php?t…
“I think too many older premeds sabotage themselves by being ashamed of their age. The corollary is also true in that I think many older premeds (especially nurses) sabotage themselves by being too arrogant about their age and experience. With the right attitude, great grades, great MCAT, great recommendations, et cetera, you should be a competitive candidate anywhere you want to apply.”
Additionally, with your background, you might qualify for the following post-baccalaureate premedical program:
http://www.duq.edu/premed/post-baccalaur eate/linka…
The advantage of this program is that you are guaranteed admission to Temple medical school right after completing the post-baccalaureate program contingent on you excelling during your program years.
You are not behind anyone else. We are all on our own paths and our own timelines. Forget the perceived societal rules about age. If medicine is what you want to do, then go for it.
I’m 41, and I am shooting for matriculation at 42. You are a kindred spirit here at OPM.
Welcome to the family!
Hi defoe112,
Many of us are in positions similar to yours. I graduated from an Ivy League 17 years ago with a degree in comp. lit, and I worked in publishing/software development since then. I started at Hunter in NYC in 2010.
I differ from you in that I did not achieve a good GPA undergrad, so you have a leg up and undoubtedly have good study skills. Here’s my advice, fwiw.
- Performance in post-bacc program and MCAT: I assure you that if you are interested in the subjects and give yourself the time to study you will be fine in your classes. Truly. Re: MCAT—I have not taken it yet—but I think the same applies. Having taken all the classes recently will be a bit of an advantage. Do not consider that you will end up with mediocre grades/MCAT at the end of your time. Thus is the path to negative thinking and alcoholism.
- When to start: I know how it feels to have your age bearing down on you, so I would recommend that you go straight into a program and skip the cc or trial stage. It is late this semester to register but you could if you did it today at one of the CUNYs, or take a class during the summer. This would give you an intro to science classes but more important would get a prereq out of the way asap.
- Where to go: I considered Columbia and Hunter. Columbia costs five times as much. Since I had been working (like you) I had no access to financial aid. I know that everyone’s experience differs, but anecdotes from friends who had gone through Columbia said that though it is easy to enter, the program (a) forces you to follow their 2-year schedule and (b) tries hard to rid itself of the poorer students. I liked Hunter’s flexibility better. That said, Columbia does have more structured programs for getting research and volunteer experience–but you can still find these on your own–there are PLENTY.
- Whether to work: I vote NAY. I know it’s possible. I know many people do it. But if, like me, you (a) want to finish as soon as possible and (b) have very little volunteer or research experience, you will find it much more profitable to focus on your studies and establishing (b). It is your new job. I cannot stress this enough. If you are making this enormous life change, go all in. What is a life worth?
- Doctor vs PA etc: I also vote NAY, but this depends on your personality—does it accept “assistant” after your name for the rest of your life? This may sound pigheaded, but we have to make decisions somehow. When I discussed going to med school with my many doctor friends, they all discouraged me because they themselves could not imagine going to med school at this time in their lives. I listened to them for two years, unfortunately. They also asked me to consider NP and PA—many like their NPs and PAs very much. But when I pushed them regarding what they knew of my personality, current career, and the respective daily lives of doctors, NPs, and PAs, they all said that I would probably not be satisfied as an NP or PA.
Anyhow, I wish you the best of luck. If you do consider Hunter, feel free to contact me privately here (however that works).
Good luck!
Defoe112 welcome to old premed. You have every right to believe that you will be successful in completing a post bacc premed program and get accepted in medical school. As you have states some of your achievements thus far.
(1) You did very well (18 years ago!!) at an Ivy League undergraduate institution, cum laude graduate, degree in English, then received an MFA from a top 20 American university .
(2) You consider yourself confident and intelligent.
(3)You have already developed a pattern of putting in the time and effort, no matter how difficult the material (you did well in high school math and science, AP bio/physics and calculus in particular.
You do want to be a doctor; you don’t want to end up broke and unemployed with mediocre postbac grades, average MCATs and little to show for my misguided ambitions.
I say go for it; you cannot change your age, but you can change the thought of becoming a doctor into the reality of being a doctor. Your background is great; most medical schools like having a diverse student body. Think of your background as a plus rather than a shortcoming. Your speed reading skills will benefit you on the MCAT. Furthermore, in medical school your background will be an asset, as you will need to assimilate much information in a short time period, something that you might be accustomed with because of your prior experience.
I just have to say thank you to everyone, truly, such gracious folks and congrats on all you’ve accomplished so far. It’s funny that I’m worried about age, when my thinking is, in reality, pretty immature. Do it or don’t do it. Right now I’m working on my personal statement for admission. I’m really glad I posted. This is a great site.
- defoe112 Said:
I just posted this on SDN in response to a question. In 2010, the oldest newly matriculated osteopathic student was 56 years old. My analysis of the AAMC data indicated about 180 matriculated student 38 years and over
Personally I feel, that we are never to old to start a new endeavor. However, I do know it can be scary. I am a nurse and I headed just about one year ago back to school and I am working currently toward my bachelor/master program to become a nurse practitioner (NP). Oh, and I forgot to mention that I am 53 years young.
Regarding your question medical doctor vs Physician’s Assistant…I want to just throw out there that you might want to check into the profession of the nurse practitioner
A NP can work more independently then a PA and be totally self sufficient in some states. Currently there are 12 states where a NP can work without a collaboration agreement and hopefully more will be added in the near future.
In NY state currently you do not need MD supervision but you still need a collaboration agreement. A website to check out www.acnpweb.org
Good luck on your endeavor.
~Andrea Adams
56 years old! Woohoo! It’s not me
Kate
- Kate429 Said:
Kate
BTW the oldest applicant to was 73 years old..... now that is optimism!
- Mandie0917 Said:
Regarding your question medical doctor vs Physician's Assistant..I want to just throw out there that you might want to check into the profession of the nurse practitioner
A NP can work more independently then a PA and be totally self sufficient in some states. Currently there are 12 states where a NP can work without a collaboration agreement and hopefully more will be added in the near future.
In NY state currently you do not need MD supervision but you still need a collaboration agreement. A website to check out www.acnpweb.org
Good luck on your endeavor.
~Andrea Adams
Congratulations on NP program. Many people on OPM often ask about NP, PA, CRNA, etc, but we have few people involved in such programs. I hope that you will continue post on your experience in NP school.
Thank you, I will do my best to contribute.
Regards,
~Andrea Adams
I am so happy I found this!! I have been trying to complete my pre-med classes since 1997 but being a single mom with young boys at the time did not allow me to finish. They are older now and I am almost done. Finishing my Bachelor’s in Health Care Management AND finishing my pre-med classes. I hope to take the MCAT next year and apply I will be almost 48. I have wanted to be a doctor my whole entire life and no matter where life took me I always came back to it. I was so scared I was making a mistake at this age, the debt, the hours, etc but I am a YOUNG 46 right now and plan on staying that way! Thank YOU!!!
I am a musician turned pre-med major. I just took the MCAT the other day. I think I can do it, and you probably can too, though I’ve got a loooong way to go. I am a smidge younger than you, but in the ball park. I’ll be 40+ before I am in residency.
Come from fine arts to science, the first term nailed me - I got a B+ on much of everything(but it was accelerated!). But once I sorted out the prerequisite vocab needed for science, I’ve been getting by a bit better. Good luck.
I would take the “smidge” right now LOL! Thank you for the encouragement. How did you do on the MCAT? You got the hardest part done with so good for you!!! Good luck.