What is the success rate of older medical students?

Question

I'm a divorced 30-year-old mother of a 7-year-old and am starting college as a freshman this fall (one week, actually). I'm giving serious consideration to a career in psychiatry. However, that means 4 years of pre med, 4 years of med school, and then 4 years of residency. I'm curious as to the success or failure rate of my demographic...older and/or single parent.

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Answer 1

Older medical students are generally referred to as "nontraditional" students. Overall, older students bring a maturity and life experience which can be a great asset as they pursue their education and career change goals.

One of the smaller obstacles which needs to be overcome is developing or brushing off old study habits and hopefully, maximizing their efficacy for your new course of study. It will be a short, uphill run to get back on track. Your motivation, maturity, goal orientation and perseverence will help you to excel.

This is the time to sharpen your time management skills, plus prioritization acumen. List making and calendars will become more important than ever!

I once heard a speaker talk about how she was bemoaning to her son, how old she would be when she graduated, if she pursued her dream of getting a college and post graduate degree, saying that she would be "Forty" something in 6 years when she graduated. He turned to her, studied her face for a moment, and then replied, "How old will you be in 6 years if you don't?"

I think it is wonderful that you want to pursue your dream. I know you can do it! Go for it! Much success! Just remember there will be days when you feel great and those when you wonder how on earth you thought you could ever do it. You can! You will make yourself and your son proud!

There are numerous websites which may be helpful to you to get started.

This website contains numerous links to resources for "nontraditional" (older) premed students. http://www.oldpremeds.org/update2005/links.htm

Texas Tech University has an interesting site with several links that may be helpful.
http://www.ttuhsc.edu/SOM/Success/default.htm

The American Medical Student Association has information including some benefits for pre-med members.
http://www.amsa.org/

There are student doctor network forums including areas for nontraditional students.
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/forumdisplay.php?f=110

There is a paperback book entitled, "Getting into Medical School: The Premedical Student's Guidebook (Paperback)," ISBN 0812096479, which one reviewer commented was the only book they could find with a chapter dedicated to the issues that a nontraditional (older) student would face in getting into med school. They said it also included success stories.

San Jose State University refers on their website to "Recent national news stories and information from medical schools indicate that medical schools are increasingly inclined towards older (up to 35), more experienced applicants. One prestigious school awards one point in the admission process for each year from age 20 to 30. "
http://www.sjsu.edu/depts/Biology/programs/postmed.html

There's also a site called Mom MD! The site is aimed at "connecting women in medicine."
http://www.mommd.com/premed.shtml

Always keep your kindness and your ability to relate to people on a very human, non-clinical manner and plane.

And, if you decide to go into a different specialty or related career, instead -- remember that you also have the right to change your mind (more than once!)

Just remember to be true to yourself. Listen to your gut, to your instinct, but do not let fear override your heart's true desire.

And... do not let others determine your dream for you or dissuade you from that path which feels right to you. Change in your path can often resound in fear of change by others, consciously or not, of how it will impact them directly or indirectly.

GO FOR IT! You will be a success!

Answer 2

Follow your dream. I have a lot of respect for you, not only as a single mom but also as an ambitious person who is willing to succeed .Hope you'll meet the real one while in college. My best wishes.One more thing, I'll feel more comfortable seeing a 42 year old psychiatrist than a 30 year old one.

Answer 3

There is no way to find out unless you try. You can look at statistics, but everyones situation is different. What do you have to lose if you don't complete your education? You might begin with a particular goal and as you learn more, find a different career in medicine that suits you

Answer 4

go for it! this is ur last chance! as long as u really want to do it, just try. won't u regret it if u didn't at least try? don't worry about the success rates...as long as u have the motivation, u will find a way.
...juggling all of that just means that u need to be very creative and organized.

Answer 5

Hmmm that's tough. But i congratulate you for considering med school. You'll be forty-two or more. i know someone who entered med school in her 30s. she's married and with 3 kids, and got so much domestic troubles on top of studying. She didn't make it beyond general practitioner. good luck to you.

Answer 6

If it is your dream, follow it!. ...dont think about the rate of failure/success, but of your own deep motivations and avaliability for doing it. ...On the other hand, the better psychiatrists, are the older ones, since their experience gives them a better perspective of human nature, ...anyway, when its about of studying, success is only the consequence of being perseverant, and having the right attitude. If you have it, you´ll get it. ...And finally, its better to regret for something you did, than for something you didnt do. ...i dont wish you luck, but happiness

Answer 7

I am in the same situation, but I am 32, single and two girls, 17 and 14. I do understand how you are feeling, is overwhelming!
But we’ll make it... keep in touch if you want to share experiences... Thanks for all the responses you guys as helped two instead of one! :)