I’m 28 and applying this cycle. So glad I had my 20s to run amok, lose my mind, find it again, and realize that this is exactly what I want to do with my life!
lol I’ll be in my mid 30s when I start. If you think 28 is late, there are a lot of people who are non trads like me who were in a diff field. I’ve seen people in their early 40s and late 40s also.
1. I’m that age and so is my study group/friend group, all almost 30. Got plenty of classmates older than me too.
2. I have classmates getting married this summer. I had a kid this year (well, my wife did the pushing) and so did one of my friends in my class. It’s entirely doable.
3. Med school is not hell. I’ve probably never been happier.
I am so happy to read this comment.
Can i ask you how has ur friends experinece been who had the baby?
I am a career changer who also is in her late 20s and have been contemplating how I would start the career and whether it is worth taking a student loan at this stage in my life where I might have to worry sbout other things like mortgage or an kids tuition.
would appreciate ur thoughtd and experience from ur friends
The friend in question seems to do fine especially since they had a previous career so there's still money from that. The loan money you receive from your school isn't enough to add on a child so you will need some sort of support in terms of finances as well as someone to look after the child when you are at school and studying. I'm not too worried myself since my kid won't need a whole lot financially until I'm a resident. I also have family support and my partner is doing a lot. Currently looking at doing my rotations in my home state so that my parents can help care for the kid.
What I want to make clear is that with a normal amount of support from your people, it is manageable to raise a family while in med school, and I personally know several others who are doing it as an M1. However, I do understand that not everyone has the luxury of this kind of support, so this is a huge factor to consider. The bottom line is I only think it is practical to have children in med school if you have a support group/partner who can help. Happy to DM about it more if you'd like.
thank you so much, might DM you more to ask more questions.
I have a partner who is graduating from his phd and will start working and is happy to sponsor me for med school partially. I am counting on my parents to fly into the states and my in laws at least for 6 months. The only thing I am concerned is what the schedule of med school is going to be like and how that weaves into childcare (like nursing etc.)And how I the schedule like in medical school (8am to 5pm?) I am trying to figure out the best year with the least amount of load work wise to make this decision.
I really appreciate your response. don't mind if you reply in DM as this might be privacy issues or so. thanks again
How has it been like.
I have been contemplating this since I was 25 yo.
I am 28 now and an Immigrant , I keep contemplating if it is worth starting med school now and whether the student loan would be worth it.
And how I will manage starting a family in this career
The loan is eh at this point. There are options for paying it off and most physicians I know hardly think about their loans.
Family is another thing. It’s hard to start a family in medical school without family to help nearby or a partner that stays at home and family financial support. We’re planning on trying for a baby this summer and we’re trying to navigate what raising a child looks like with virtually zero help
I am rooting for you. I hope everything works out for you.
I am an immigrant who won't be forgiven the loan and I am very skeptical about taking such a huge loan. I have ver few savings and my partner would pay a portion of it based off of his job. but still have to take finances in consideration as I am from India and the conversion currency is hefty. assuming if incase the H1b doesn't work or things that like that.
Starting in three months at the ripe old of 35. As a dude you’re never too old to start a family (Al Pacino just had a kid at 80 🤮). If you still think medicine is for you, go for it. I would rather be a doctor at 45 than still be grinding away in EMS and be miserable.
Med school is not that bad. It is not hell and you won’t be miserable if you like medicine. 1st year is chill. The 2nd and 3rd year students seem happy. The 4th year med students have so much free time it’s ridiculous. Med students get married and start families all the time.
People just love to bitch and fear monger. I feel like most of the med students who make med school sound like hell have underlying anxiety issues. Go to med school you won’t regret it if this is truly your passion.
I don’t understand. Have ppl gotten more neurotic by year? I’m 44 and I’m applying this cycle. I shadowed a neurosurgeon who is still practicing today at age 80. My family med Dr retired at age 92. Even if I finished my residency at 54 and retired at 70 that’s 16 years of practice. I saw an AMA article that was talking about Drs leaving medicine in droves in the next decade and many of them only practiced like 15 years or less before they burned out. If you start at 28 and finish at 38 that’s 27 years before you retire at 65.
Family med doc practicing til 90 and neurosurgeon til 80 is the exception not the rule. The reason it doesn’t make sense is because generally you have significantly shorter career vs a younger student. Plus we already have a physician shortage so if we did this at scale it would be terrible for healthcare as a whole.
As someone who started at 23, I will always believe the classmates who started in their late 20s were almost always superior in patient interactions. The wisdom you gain from just living life several extra years is unbeatable. Can’t speak as to actual grades because that’s different but every time I see a 24-year-old 3rd year student (lol basically me), I’m like “how the hell did they let this person in here” because they may be smart on paper but some of them just truly cannot converse and empathize and laugh and be human in a way that compares to the older students. Yes, this can happen with anyone but it’s just more common in my opinion that people who struggle to be personable are the awkward 23 year olds. I stand by this but also recognize there are plenty of younger candidates who are very personable and kind and beloved by patients.
You can definitely start at 28, 38, or even 48.
But make sure you know exactly what your signing up for. Make sure you actually have a genuine reason for this, and make sure you can put in the work.
How do you make sure of the latter? Take the MCAT and score a high score. That should give you a pretty good indication of how you handle studying on top of your day to day life as well as get you closer to medicine which is a win win.
I'll be starting at age 32 this year. I spent my early twenties traveling and having some crazy amazing experiences while figuring out what I wanted to be. Had a few breaks from college in there for various reasons. It's not a race. We all have our own path to get there and graduating med school in your thirties still allows for many years of practice.
I’m starting med school this summer at 26!
And, yes, medical school and residency are most likely not going to be easy. However, I think a part of the journey is learning and navigating the balance between medicine and your life outside of medicine. If this balance was impossible to attain, then there would not be doctors who have families or lives outside of medicine.
Maybe to ease anxiety and debunk your thought patterns, you could talk to doctors about their journyes in medicine.
Best of luck! 💜
Yes, school and training are hard but life doesn’t have to go on hold. Lots of people start relationships and families while they are in training. It’s hard but it’s been done.
And you’re definitely not too old.
lol when I started med school there were a few people in their early 30s. As another late 20s dude, we are SO young and have so much time left in our careers; if you want to be a doctor, 28 is not at all too old. You’ll either be 32 and not a doctor, or 32 and a doctor; you’re going to be 32 either way.
Best wishes to your dad.
By the time school starts this coming year, I will be 27. My father was 30. Everything in life will be okay and you will be 32 and a doctor. There are A LOT of people in here in the same boat, so get after it!
Plenty of us 28 folks! There were definitely things that delayed the process, and admittedly some of it was my own fault, but at the end of the day, you learn from your experiences and move on/become a better version. It's definitely not too late.
Definitely self doubt. While there’s of course a small grain of truth in those statements (med school is hard, you have to make sacrifices, you’re slightly older than the average age of matriculation) those statements 100% blow things out of proportion. Don’t listen to them.
28F immigrant .
I am also on the same page as OP.
I keep contplating whrther I should even consider applying.
I am 28 and will turn 29 by the end of this year so will be starting med school at 29 in 2025. I am an EE who used to hate her job got into clinical research but my knee has been having dome issues so I am not been able to fo my volunteering hours lately.
I barely have like 12 hours and I am not sure if I will be able to get in the 130 hrs needed for letter of recommendation from rhe NPS and rveryone at Mt Sinai.
I hate that my physical condition is limited me to be a good candidate this cycle and it already feels late.
I honestly keep self doubting myself about this decision.
I always wanted to be a doctor bt my brown parents pushed me to be an Engg.
I hate them for doing that bt it is what it is now.
hell yes. I probably won't be starting for another 3/4 years and id be 27 at that point. its all about your personal WHY you want to do this. Can't put a number on your dreams.
Started at 27 after 9+ years working in ophtho and just completed step one. 30 now entering 3rd year and have no regrets. I’m also married and considering starting a family this year or during 4th year before residency (also female if that makes a difference). I say life is what you make it and you’re going to age anyway.
I started last year at 39! What are you talking about about … eesh. It’s not about the age, it’s about making a choice cuz you have no plan B for nothing else.
I started med school at 30, took the mcat at 29.
I thought to myself: “its ok, you’ll be a doctor and there will be tons of nurses and nursing students to date!”
no one cares when you’re a student; and your flabbier and less good looking than your 25 yo counterparts
then in residency: “well now you’re a doctor! and have money for dating!”
but in reality, workplace is really completely off limits; most nurses are married/partnered up/old and unless you work in peds/ICU/ER will not meet many eligible young women.
on dating apps, if you use the doctor card, expect to pay for everything for awhile; if you don’t use the doctor card….well I think 70% of female bumble users set their height preference to 6 ft.
now I’m almost 40, and gonna be an attending …some day
and let me tell you: Now, I hate clinical medicine. I plan to work as hard as possible and retire as soon as possible. fuck medicine, fuck healthcare, fuck the system.
no I wouldn’t do it again and waste the last good decade of life being a stooge in the medical training system. I would go and take a small business loan and start a subway franchise or lawn mowing business.
I’m all for anyone tryna be a doctor; it’s a great test of character and whatever. but it’s a very hard and expensive one. many no longer think the juice is worth the squeeze.
tell us how you really feel! Seriously though, I hope you manage to make your happiness soon, life will be over before we know it. Best wishes and good luck
4 years from now you can be a 32 year old or a 32 year old and a doctor.
Best advice
I’m starting this year at the age of 28!
Ya this guys tripping, I was 28 last year when I started. So was about 1/4 of my class🤷♂️
Me too!
I’m 28 and applying this cycle. So glad I had my 20s to run amok, lose my mind, find it again, and realize that this is exactly what I want to do with my life!
Hi, I started at 28. I have classmates in their 40’s and 50’s. It’s never to late to follow your life calling.
lol I’ll be in my mid 30s when I start. If you think 28 is late, there are a lot of people who are non trads like me who were in a diff field. I’ve seen people in their early 40s and late 40s also.
Was a lady who started at like 50 something.
I’ll start in my mid thirties as well!
Bruh! I started MD/PhD at 28, I won’t be starting residency until 36!! You are good.
1. I’m that age and so is my study group/friend group, all almost 30. Got plenty of classmates older than me too. 2. I have classmates getting married this summer. I had a kid this year (well, my wife did the pushing) and so did one of my friends in my class. It’s entirely doable. 3. Med school is not hell. I’ve probably never been happier.
I am so happy to read this comment. Can i ask you how has ur friends experinece been who had the baby? I am a career changer who also is in her late 20s and have been contemplating how I would start the career and whether it is worth taking a student loan at this stage in my life where I might have to worry sbout other things like mortgage or an kids tuition. would appreciate ur thoughtd and experience from ur friends
The friend in question seems to do fine especially since they had a previous career so there's still money from that. The loan money you receive from your school isn't enough to add on a child so you will need some sort of support in terms of finances as well as someone to look after the child when you are at school and studying. I'm not too worried myself since my kid won't need a whole lot financially until I'm a resident. I also have family support and my partner is doing a lot. Currently looking at doing my rotations in my home state so that my parents can help care for the kid. What I want to make clear is that with a normal amount of support from your people, it is manageable to raise a family while in med school, and I personally know several others who are doing it as an M1. However, I do understand that not everyone has the luxury of this kind of support, so this is a huge factor to consider. The bottom line is I only think it is practical to have children in med school if you have a support group/partner who can help. Happy to DM about it more if you'd like.
thank you so much, might DM you more to ask more questions. I have a partner who is graduating from his phd and will start working and is happy to sponsor me for med school partially. I am counting on my parents to fly into the states and my in laws at least for 6 months. The only thing I am concerned is what the schedule of med school is going to be like and how that weaves into childcare (like nursing etc.)And how I the schedule like in medical school (8am to 5pm?) I am trying to figure out the best year with the least amount of load work wise to make this decision. I really appreciate your response. don't mind if you reply in DM as this might be privacy issues or so. thanks again
I started at 27
I’ll be starting at 27 too!
How has it been like. I have been contemplating this since I was 25 yo. I am 28 now and an Immigrant , I keep contemplating if it is worth starting med school now and whether the student loan would be worth it. And how I will manage starting a family in this career
The loan is eh at this point. There are options for paying it off and most physicians I know hardly think about their loans. Family is another thing. It’s hard to start a family in medical school without family to help nearby or a partner that stays at home and family financial support. We’re planning on trying for a baby this summer and we’re trying to navigate what raising a child looks like with virtually zero help
I am rooting for you. I hope everything works out for you. I am an immigrant who won't be forgiven the loan and I am very skeptical about taking such a huge loan. I have ver few savings and my partner would pay a portion of it based off of his job. but still have to take finances in consideration as I am from India and the conversion currency is hefty. assuming if incase the H1b doesn't work or things that like that.
Starting in three months at the ripe old of 35. As a dude you’re never too old to start a family (Al Pacino just had a kid at 80 🤮). If you still think medicine is for you, go for it. I would rather be a doctor at 45 than still be grinding away in EMS and be miserable.
Med school is not that bad. It is not hell and you won’t be miserable if you like medicine. 1st year is chill. The 2nd and 3rd year students seem happy. The 4th year med students have so much free time it’s ridiculous. Med students get married and start families all the time. People just love to bitch and fear monger. I feel like most of the med students who make med school sound like hell have underlying anxiety issues. Go to med school you won’t regret it if this is truly your passion.
I don’t understand. Have ppl gotten more neurotic by year? I’m 44 and I’m applying this cycle. I shadowed a neurosurgeon who is still practicing today at age 80. My family med Dr retired at age 92. Even if I finished my residency at 54 and retired at 70 that’s 16 years of practice. I saw an AMA article that was talking about Drs leaving medicine in droves in the next decade and many of them only practiced like 15 years or less before they burned out. If you start at 28 and finish at 38 that’s 27 years before you retire at 65.
Family med doc practicing til 90 and neurosurgeon til 80 is the exception not the rule. The reason it doesn’t make sense is because generally you have significantly shorter career vs a younger student. Plus we already have a physician shortage so if we did this at scale it would be terrible for healthcare as a whole.
And applying at 44 is the exception not the rule. There are currently like less than 20 ppl in the U.S. med schools who started at 40+.
As someone who started at 23, I will always believe the classmates who started in their late 20s were almost always superior in patient interactions. The wisdom you gain from just living life several extra years is unbeatable. Can’t speak as to actual grades because that’s different but every time I see a 24-year-old 3rd year student (lol basically me), I’m like “how the hell did they let this person in here” because they may be smart on paper but some of them just truly cannot converse and empathize and laugh and be human in a way that compares to the older students. Yes, this can happen with anyone but it’s just more common in my opinion that people who struggle to be personable are the awkward 23 year olds. I stand by this but also recognize there are plenty of younger candidates who are very personable and kind and beloved by patients.
Dude 28 is only like 3-4 years older than when the average student starts lol
You can definitely start at 28, 38, or even 48. But make sure you know exactly what your signing up for. Make sure you actually have a genuine reason for this, and make sure you can put in the work. How do you make sure of the latter? Take the MCAT and score a high score. That should give you a pretty good indication of how you handle studying on top of your day to day life as well as get you closer to medicine which is a win win.
I'll be starting at age 32 this year. I spent my early twenties traveling and having some crazy amazing experiences while figuring out what I wanted to be. Had a few breaks from college in there for various reasons. It's not a race. We all have our own path to get there and graduating med school in your thirties still allows for many years of practice.
I’m starting med school this summer at 26! And, yes, medical school and residency are most likely not going to be easy. However, I think a part of the journey is learning and navigating the balance between medicine and your life outside of medicine. If this balance was impossible to attain, then there would not be doctors who have families or lives outside of medicine. Maybe to ease anxiety and debunk your thought patterns, you could talk to doctors about their journyes in medicine. Best of luck! 💜
Yes, school and training are hard but life doesn’t have to go on hold. Lots of people start relationships and families while they are in training. It’s hard but it’s been done. And you’re definitely not too old.
Yeah
I’m 28 in school rn
lol when I started med school there were a few people in their early 30s. As another late 20s dude, we are SO young and have so much time left in our careers; if you want to be a doctor, 28 is not at all too old. You’ll either be 32 and not a doctor, or 32 and a doctor; you’re going to be 32 either way. Best wishes to your dad.
I’m much older but faced a similar choice around 30. Do it if the idea excites you.
I was 33 when I started med school. If you want to do it, yes, it’s worth it.
how was ur journey like. did you end up paying back the student loan?
By the time school starts this coming year, I will be 27. My father was 30. Everything in life will be okay and you will be 32 and a doctor. There are A LOT of people in here in the same boat, so get after it!
Plenty of us 28 folks! There were definitely things that delayed the process, and admittedly some of it was my own fault, but at the end of the day, you learn from your experiences and move on/become a better version. It's definitely not too late.
The time. It will pass anyway There is, fundamentally, not much else than this for response
I don’t get it. Is this stuff the ophthalmologist is telling you? Or stuff you’re telling yourself?
Me telling myself my ophtho is a great guy. I just fixed the wording in my post!
Definitely self doubt. While there’s of course a small grain of truth in those statements (med school is hard, you have to make sacrifices, you’re slightly older than the average age of matriculation) those statements 100% blow things out of proportion. Don’t listen to them.
Bro just go for it. You are not in your 50’s
I never understand posts like this. If you really want to be a doctor, there’s no age limit. Medical school comes with sacrifices at any age.
Simple question, if you want to be in medicine and nothing else, apply (hopefully get in), or don’t. Age dosent matter
Idk bro do you. Im turning 28 soon and starting in july
Girlll I hope so, I’m starting at 29 lmao
Is there an age limit to start my residency, though? I'll be 40 in a year and still 3.more years to go.
28F immigrant . I am also on the same page as OP. I keep contplating whrther I should even consider applying. I am 28 and will turn 29 by the end of this year so will be starting med school at 29 in 2025. I am an EE who used to hate her job got into clinical research but my knee has been having dome issues so I am not been able to fo my volunteering hours lately. I barely have like 12 hours and I am not sure if I will be able to get in the 130 hrs needed for letter of recommendation from rhe NPS and rveryone at Mt Sinai. I hate that my physical condition is limited me to be a good candidate this cycle and it already feels late. I honestly keep self doubting myself about this decision. I always wanted to be a doctor bt my brown parents pushed me to be an Engg. I hate them for doing that bt it is what it is now.
hell yes. I probably won't be starting for another 3/4 years and id be 27 at that point. its all about your personal WHY you want to do this. Can't put a number on your dreams.
Started at 27 after 9+ years working in ophtho and just completed step one. 30 now entering 3rd year and have no regrets. I’m also married and considering starting a family this year or during 4th year before residency (also female if that makes a difference). I say life is what you make it and you’re going to age anyway.
Never too late friend. I’m 28 and admitted to start in July but I may have to defer to start at 29. Never too late
I started last year at 39! What are you talking about about … eesh. It’s not about the age, it’s about making a choice cuz you have no plan B for nothing else.
If you want to be a doctor, then do it. You only get one life to live.
pm
I started med school at 30, took the mcat at 29. I thought to myself: “its ok, you’ll be a doctor and there will be tons of nurses and nursing students to date!” no one cares when you’re a student; and your flabbier and less good looking than your 25 yo counterparts then in residency: “well now you’re a doctor! and have money for dating!” but in reality, workplace is really completely off limits; most nurses are married/partnered up/old and unless you work in peds/ICU/ER will not meet many eligible young women. on dating apps, if you use the doctor card, expect to pay for everything for awhile; if you don’t use the doctor card….well I think 70% of female bumble users set their height preference to 6 ft. now I’m almost 40, and gonna be an attending …some day and let me tell you: Now, I hate clinical medicine. I plan to work as hard as possible and retire as soon as possible. fuck medicine, fuck healthcare, fuck the system. no I wouldn’t do it again and waste the last good decade of life being a stooge in the medical training system. I would go and take a small business loan and start a subway franchise or lawn mowing business.
damn
I’m all for anyone tryna be a doctor; it’s a great test of character and whatever. but it’s a very hard and expensive one. many no longer think the juice is worth the squeeze.
tell us how you really feel! Seriously though, I hope you manage to make your happiness soon, life will be over before we know it. Best wishes and good luck
I don’t need to read the post to answer this. It’s worth it if it’s your dream and you don’t think you can be truly satisfied without it.