Hi all, first of let me say I was real excited to find this website, I couldn’t believe there was a chance at the ripe “young” age of 32!
Well a little about myself… I am 32 y/o married with a beautiful daughter and very supportive wife. I went to community college right out of high school and it was a disaster, I really wasn’t involved in it. I scored real low on my entrance exam because I really didn’t want to be there…I ended up dropping out after some failed semesters and started working etc.
I got a job eventually in IT and have been doing that ever since, I did it mostly because I needed a paycheck and the computer stuff came easy to me. I soon realized I really didn’t like what I was doing, I mean it started to bore me to death. My real passion lied in healthcare, I love science, medicine, helping people. I basically said to myself I need to do what makes me happy, I had no idea becoming a physician would be feasible, I thought it was something you needed to do right out of highschool. After reading a couple of websites mentioning non-trads etc. I said, let me try it out.
I enrolled at my local Jr. college and studied for the entrance exams on my own which I Aced, I tested right into college level classes. The advisers told me I could apply for “Academic Amnesty” which allows a student that attended college 10 years ago to wipe the bad grades AND credits out and start from scratch GPA wise. Since I had nothing spectacular on there I decided to do it. So far I have received a B in English 1, B in another Gen Elective, A in Chem, A in Chem Lab and an A in College Algebra. I know it’s not the highest level courses but it’s a start. My GPA now sits at 3.53 cumulative, recently now in the Fall getting a 4.0 from the three classes CHM, CHM lab and College Algebra. The key thing is my work ethic this time around, I am much more focused in school, I also work full time, about 8 hours. I am looking to cutting that soon, getting something more part time so I can focus completely in school and increasing my class load.
Couple of questions/advice:
Taking some of my pre-req’s at the J.College level? I was thinking at least Math up to Pre-Calc or Calc II depending on the medical school, the one near me req. Calculus II, Maybe Physics as well?
Healthcare experience (working) opposed to just volunteering and holding another job?
I am pretty open to DO or MD, as long as I get to practice medicine I am all for it.
The main issues I have are my limited choice of schools, I have 2 MD schools and 1 DO school close by me, My wife holds a very good high paying job which wouldn’t be an option to relocate. (PM if you need the names of the schools.)
Please let me know any other questions or comments, advice etc.
Welcome, welcome! I myself am 32 as well(its not nearly as bad as you may think) started out in a community college too!
So we’re kinda of similar in that respect.
Now on to your questions:
“Taking some of my pre-req’s at the J.College level? I was thinking at least Math up to Pre-Calc or Calc II depending on the medical school, the one near me req. Calculus II, Maybe Physics as well?”
Take what you feel comfortable at your Jr. College. However, if your schedule allows it (and your finances) take your upper level science and math classes at your local University. I say this because many times it can be a little bit of a headache finding professors that are actively involved in current research projects to which you can be a part of too.
“Healthcare experience (working) opposed to just volunteering and holding another job?”
Both would work to your advantage, IMO. If you hold your IT job but yet volunteer a few hours a week at a clinic or hospital or even community outreach center that wouldn’t look bad at all. Remember though, going at this as a list to check off may not be the best approach. Find something out side of work and your school classes that you find a passion in and stick with it. I bet that this would look a lot better than a young man that has a few months of research, a few months of volunteering, and a few months of being a TA under their belt. Remember always think “quality instead of quantity”
Keep the crew abreast of your travels young sailor!
I echo the advice - try to do some upper level science courses at a 4 yr school - most importantly perhaps organic chemistry with lab.
Volunteering in some area that your are passionate about is more important than it being directly healthcare related. However, you will need to do some shadowing of physicians (including a DO physician if you want to apply DO, which would seem a good plan since you are limited geographically.
You should be aware that when it comes to residency, you will not be able to exactly choose where you do your residency - you apply and rank the programs but the “match” determines what residency program you get. You may have to look a bit more widely.
But that is NOT a reason to hesitate —far in the future! You have taken some excellent beginning steps!
Yes I do plan on taking Organic 1&2 w/lab at the 4yr university along with Bio 1&2 etc.
I was thinking of just going through the maths right now to keep the material fresh instead of taking a year or so break in between something like trigonometry/calculus. Thing is my college requires you to take 6 credits in Sciences, 3 life sciences and 3 in physical sciences. I have already met the physical science req. however I still need a life science and I didn’t want to take some “intro” type course either. I could take Anatomy 1 and maybe 2. That would leave the bulk of my pre-med requirements to be done at the University. I do plan on taking Biochem and Genetics as some supplemental science courses. I think it would be very beneficial to me in preparation for a medical school curriculum.
I think I want to expose myself to working in healthcare though, I feel like I am wasting time in IT (It really doesn’t interest me). I had an EMT license years ago, I can probably look into a refresher course to acquire a license again.
I am aware of the residency matches, but theres no way that would slow me down! I have quite the journey to get to that point, the biggest mistakes I’ve made are planning/stressing things that are still too far ahead, it clouds my thinking and usually burns me out. I am 98% sure my family will stand with me on such an accomplishment.
I will definitely keep you guys posted on how things go, I am starting the spring semester next week! Pre-Cal, Economics, Psychology… Wish me luck, gotta try to pull that 4.0 again!
