You thought you had it all planned out. You’d go to school to become a teacher, and enjoy the rest of your life educating ill behaved children. But, one day you woke up, and thought, “This isn’t the life I want. I can do more.”
Or, perhaps, you had dreamed of becoming a neurologist. But, your bubble burst when you became a mom at 17, putting your life plans on hold. Or, possibly, you’ve been working for the past 16 years as a medical social worker, and believe you have the talent to become a doctor. But, of course, you might be wondering, “Am I Too Old to Go to Medical School?”
If you’ve been pondering if age might prohibit you from being accepted into medical school, you’re not alone. Some common searches on Yahoo are “am I too old to go to medical school”, “age limit medical school”, and “how old is too old to go to medical school.”
A quick, simple answer to the question is. “Legally, no, you are not to old to apply and go to medical school.” In fact, there are laws that prohibit discrimination based on age. Check out the answer to “Do you have an age limit for applicants?” on the Harvard Medical School FAQs website here. There have been medical school students in their fifties, even older. While 55 is probably the recommended age limit, you are not too old to go to medical school at any age.
However, although you can apply to medical school at any age, it’s important to think about this thoroughly. One thing to consider is the financial aspect. Unless you’ve been very successful and have several hundred thousand dollars laying around, or have a secret benefactor, you will need to take out student loans. Most medical school students will graduate with at least $100,000 in student loan debt. (See this link here for more details.) It is advised against working during medical school. Some universities even forbid it.
Another factor to consider is your family and social life. Keep in mind, that resident doctors usually work 80 hours a week. (Read more here.) That doesn’t leave much time for a social life. Many residents are still single or do not have children, and can tolerate that schedule. However, if you have a family and children, you will not have much time to see them.
A third factor to consider is your general health. Are you able to work 16 hour shifts many times a week during a residency? Students at 28 definitely have an advantage over someone in their 40’s. Sleep deprivation can be much harder to deal with for someone in their fifties, as opposed to a new resident at the ripe age of 26.
Another aspect to remember, is that there are similar careers you could pursue. For example, many older students wanting to pursue a career in medicine choose to become Physician Assistants instead. Since most physician assistant programs are completed in about 2 years, this might be a wiser choice. As a physician assistant, you will still treat and counsel patients, diagnose illnesses, and can assist in surgery. In most states, physician assistants prescribe medication as well. They do many of the same tasks that physicians do, but are supervised under a doctor. Read “Should I Become a Physician Assistant?” for more insight. You might also consider applying to pharmacy school instead. Read “Pharmacist vs. Physician Assistant: Which Career Should I Choose?” and “Why Should I Become a Pharmacist?” for advice. And, of course, you could consider becoming an nurse.
However, this is not to say that older individuals are not fit to be doctors. There are many reputable and talented doctors who began their educational journey later in life. Yes, if you are truly motivated, you are not too old to go to medical school.
An excellent resource for older students is the National Society for Nontraditional Premedical and Medical Students. It is also referred to as “Old PreMeds.” Visit their website here Be sure to check out the forums, especially the diaries section, where you’ll here some very encouraging stories. They even host an annual conference. This might be something to strongly consider attending. You’ll hear presentations on subjects such as applying to medical school. This is also a chance to socialize with other aspiring doctors in your shoes.
You might also visit the website www.nontraditionalmedicalstudent.com here for some more insight. Another place to check out is the forums on the Student Doctor website here.
The world definitely needs more talented and dedicated physicians. If you have a strong desire to become a doctor, do not let your age prevent you from succeeding. Good luck with your future endeavors!
Sources:
http://www.studentdoc.com/medical-school-loans.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_resident_work_hours
http://www.nontraditionalmedicalstudent.com/
Personal Experience
