Taking MCAT in mid-30s and starting a physician's career?

[Anonymous]

I have always wanted to be a doctor, yet was attracted early on to research, ended up with an MS in a related field then stayed home with my kids instead of getting the PhD I had planned.

Now my children are happily ensconced in school, I have a crazy hankering to take the MCAT and apply to med school.
They won't offer any shortcuts just because I already have a Master's in biology, will they? I wish!
I will be a harried resident when my oldest will apply for college!

My husband, who obtained his MD in another country, has always been very supportive and is ready to go part-time to help out, but still... it's crazy!

Any words of wisdom?

Any physicians out there who can chime in?

Thank you.

[Anonymous]

A friend faced a similar decision a few years back but her kids were younger than yours. She ended up becoming a physician assistant. Seems very happy - with her work and family life. Good luck deciding your path...

[Anonymous]

Go for it! And stay open to other opportunities - perhaps becoming a PA may be an interesting route for you, or getting a masters in which you can get into medical research. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A friend faced a similar decision a few years back but her kids were younger than yours. She ended up becoming a physician assistant. Seems very happy - with her work and family life. Good luck deciding your path...

This or nurse practicioner sound like a more realistic path given your age, but best of luck either way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A friend faced a similar decision a few years back but her kids were younger than yours. She ended up becoming a physician assistant. Seems very happy - with her work and family life. Good luck deciding your path...

This or nurse practicioner sound like a more realistic path given your age, but best of luck either way.

[Anonymous]

OP, why not do a PA like PPs are suggesting? Medicine is changing A LOT these days and an MD may not be all it's cracked up to be, given the cost and time of training.

[Anonymous]

Nurse anesthetist is another idea--not sure what the training requires but the one in our neighborhood seems to do quite well.

[Anonymous]

I have two close friends. One is a doctor, one always dreamed of being a doctor but started down a different career path and regretted it throughout her late twenties and early thirties. She considered going to med school when she was 30. The friend who was the doctor said this would be the worst decision she could make-- starting such a long journey so late. It is a huge and expensive process and you should consider how that would effect the other things you would like to do with your life-- marriage, kids, house, bills, etc.

[Anonymous]

My mother went to med school at age 36...did a sub-specialty fellowship at age 48 and didn't open her own practice until age 50. So, it's doable. But, medicine has changed a lot and the money isn't necessarily there. But, if you are doing it because you want to be a doctor to practice medicine - worth trying. See if you get in anywhere! My friends with the biggest regrets are the ones who didn't try to do the job they really wanted because of the time/money commitment.

[Anonymous]

I'm in medical education...I've known some of the non-traditional med school students.
Things to keep in mind:
Is your spouse/family willing to relocate wherever you get into school, or are you only applying to places you are close to?
Med school is really expensive.
Clinical years start third-year: there may be some rotations where the hours required mean you really don't see your family/kids that much. You need to have a support system in place in case your kids get sick if your husband's job is not very flexible.
Some residency specialities are becoming more and more "popular" (re:competitive) - most candidates end up going to at least 10-15 interviews (time + money to travel + money for applications).
If you're a rock star student, applying to a less competitive specialty, or are only interested in programs near you, that number can go down. If you don't match the first time, your chances of matching the following year go down significantly.
If you are applying all over for residency, is your family supportive in regard to potentially moving?
Length of time until you are independent is dependent on your specialty (intern year + x yrs of residency)

[Anonymous]

Until you actually get in, I wouldn't spend any time at all asking for advice.

Once you get in, you have a choice. Then you can ponder the decision all you want. As it is now you are asking as if you have a choice - you don't.

[Anonymous]

There were always a few non-traditional students in dh's med school, then residency, then fellowship.

Be ready to move for school and residency and fellowship if necessary. You will be essentially 'checked out' for the next 8+ years. During times when dh had to study for exams (Step 2,3, 1st boards) I left with my kids to my sister's house to give dh uninterrupted study time.

Your life will revolve around medicine during residency. You will be on call a lot. With your dh already being a doctor, it should be easier for him to adjust to the change because he's been through it so that's a great plus.

Only do this if you have a strong passion and desire to be a doctor. The baggage I see Dh go through with regards to work would make the daily job horrible for someone who doesn't love practicing medicine. He loves helping others, he loves seeing patients get better and has always wanted to be a doctor, this gets him through the really tough days.

GL!

[Anonymous]

Become a certified nurse anesthetist. It took my brother only a few years. He makes about $200k and works one week on, one week off. He also started with a biology degree.

[Anonymous]

Med school is REALLY expensive these days. The costs have risen astronomically over the past 15 years. Tuition alone at GW or Georgetown is now $55K/year. That's 220K before you factor in any cost-of-living or loss of salary.

Unless you have all sorts of extra cash, that's money that you could be using to pay your children's college educations. And unless you go into a high-earning speciality (unlikely as most of them take significantly longer in residency/fellowship) then you'll likely be making $150K or less as a pediatrician or internist.

It just doesn't make financial sense. Go to PA school. A fraction of the training and just about the same responsibilities and salary.

[Anonymous]

Another option is to do med school and then enlist in the military. My buddy did this and he said it's the best decision he ever made. He's a psychiatrist.

They paid for his med school, so he has zero student loans and I think he also got a monthly stipend while in med school (he went to UT Austin). You do 4 years residency and then 4 years of practicing medicine. After 8 years, your obligation to Uncle Sam is done you're free to go into private practice. He said his military residency was much easier and paid much more than a typical residency program at a private sector hospital. He usually worked 70 hours per week and made around $75K. He just finished residency and will start making low six figures next month. The raises in salary are fairly set standard as you accumulate years.

However, the best thing he said are the benefits. You get a housing allowance that's quite substantial. It's enough to cover his rent in a nice part of southern VA. Good free medical care at the VA for your family. A decent amount of paid leave and holidays. You're automatically in the officer class.

If you want to become a doctor without going ridiculously into debt, this is the way to go.