Is there anyone with symilar backround? I am 32, and hve a BA. I have lacked the confidence to try acheiving my dream until adulthood. I have started all of the prliminary things.. Clinical experience, science classes, books, timeline etc. . I am a little reluctant, because my previous grade have not been all that stellar. I am now focused and doing very well in school. I am looking for someone that has had a symilar history an has been successful. I guess I am just looking for some positive advice...
thanks
2007-12-01 14:36:33 · 4 answers · asked by adam n 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Higher Education (University +)
I returned to school at the age of 51. Fortunately, I had been a Physician Assistant since the early 70's and I've never had much difficulty with any classes, so I wasn't intimidated by the prospect of returning to school. About a third of the people in my medical class were over the age of 30--and we consistently performed better than the younger students. I really don't know if it was gaining the life experience or not having to contend with raging hormones, but we seemed to have far fewer problems.
You indicated you're back in school and doing well. Presumably, you're in a Post Bac program. You're going to have to impress an admission committee that you are capable of managing the med school courses, so I hope 'doing well' means you're in the 3.7 GPA range or above.
Your other priority is the MCAT. Good grades in the prereqs and a high MCAT might overcome poorer grades from years back. Take as many practice questions as you need to achieve a consistently high score on practice MCAT exams. Kaplan and Princeton are the two better courses.
And if you do well and still aren't accepted, strongly consider going to a Caribbean medical school. StudentDoctor.net and ValueMD.com can enlighten you about those options.
Best of luck!
2007-12-03 08:32:07 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think if you are smart enough and work hard enough your age shouldn't be an issue. The only issue would be that if you haven't been in school for awhile I suspect it might be difficult to go back to that lifestyle. Especially considering you probably don't have the science background with a BA.
For me, I'm 45 and went to school up to age 24 to get my MBA, and I don't think I could handle school again, especially something as difficult as what you want to do. I think the brain doesn't work as well at older ages, but I think this would be more of an issue if you were 60, not 32.
But I'm me and you're you, and since you've been able to go back to school and are doing well, there is no reason that you shouldn't go for your dream. Think of all the people you can help if you are successful (not to mention the money).
Even if it turns out that you don't do well enough to get into medical school, your additional education can probably help you do something else rewarding, such as being a chiropractor, dentist, researcher, chemist, nurse, etc.
2007-12-01 14:55:52 · answer #2 · answered by Alan S 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can do it if you want to. I've known people with similar histories as yours and your are not that unusual. Your grades will have to be on top in order to get in and to succeed. Medical school and residency should take 8 years (give / take) and you will still only be about 40 - just when life starts getting good.
2007-12-01 14:45:33 · answer #3 · answered by keith s 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well you didn't say what your BA was in. It needs to be in pre-med (biology and biochemistry) and you need good grades for most medical schools.
A lot of schools may not like your age.
2007-12-01 14:59:08 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋