Hello all, my name is Jonathan. I am 32 years old, I am married and have a 9 year old and a 7 year old. I am continuing my journey through my undergraduate studies at Old Dominion University in Virginia. I plan to graduate within 2 years because I do work full time also, but my degree will be bachelor of science in psychology with a minor in chemistry. I was so happy to find this page and realize that I am not the only person that is older and wanting to pursue a career in medicine. I just am nervous because I feel like I am to old to be switching careers I know its crazy right but I guess maybe its because I have two children been married almost 10 years and have been at the same job for almost 15 years. Anyways I just wanted to inteoduce myself and any feedback would be great. I plan to take mcat at the end of the 2 year mark and apply to evms vcu and probably a few other in state schools but i know i have time to figure that part out later.
Welcome! You’re definitely not the only crazy one around here. I matriculated at 35 with two kids, so if it’s something you want to do, you can do it. Let us know if we can help.
Welcome. You are among kindred spirits here. The only limitation to your age is what you put on it. I went through medical school and residency with 4 kids. Its is very hard but do-able.
Totally agree with above. Presently 41, two kids 9 and 6, and currently 1 rotation away for starting my last year. Insane how time flies. As Gabe said, it won’t be easy, but it is extremely doable. Welcome and good luck.
Thank you for the kind welcomes, I know the journey is long and will be hard but I also know it is what I want to do. Its all I think about, my family supports me and I know along with this group I will be in good company along my journey.
Also how far beyond the minimum prerequisites for admission to med school did you all go. Meaning did you take only the standard classes or take more sciences?
I was an engineer for undergrad, so I had a ton of physics type courses but nothing directly medically related. I topped off the general prereqs with a Medical Biochem course, but some schools I applied to actually wanted an “advanced science” course. This was pre-new MCAT.
My undergrad did include some social science-type and ethics courses, but I didn’t take them for the purpose of getting into med school.
Really though, study what interests you and do well. Check the prereq boxes because they’ll help you for the MCAT. In reality, if Med school wants you to know something, they’ll teach it to you. It may or may not help having seen it before…
@jon32 wrote:
Also how far beyond the minimum prerequisites for admission to med school did you all go. Meaning did you take only the standard classes or take more sciences?
I had a BS and MS in engineering before I applied, so I had already covered the physics and mathematics prereqs there, and also I took some sociology courses in undergrad. When I went back to take my prereqs, I took Gen Chem, Intro Biology, Microbiology, A&P, Organic Chemistry and Genetics. So, I had kind of the bare minimum as far as science classes go.