The Medical School Admissions Doctor has received questions about applying to medical school as an older applicant. For older prospective doctors with degrees in other fields or potential career-changers — and those who have dreamed of being a doctor since childhood — there are a few things to consider before taking the medical school plunge.
The mean age of students entering medical school is 24 years, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. The data also show that matriculants over the age of 31 comprise less than 4 percent of new students.
Despite daunting statistics, entering medical school at an older age is achievable. But there are a number of considerations. In addition to service and love of science, the cost, time and location of medical school must be considered.
First, weigh the cost of medical school. An AAMC fact card shows that the average medical school graduate owes more than $176,000, equaling a repayment of $328,000, assuming a three-year residency and standard 10-year payoff. Repayment, if extended, could cost upward of $400,000 or more, according to the AAMC example.
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There’s also the time commitment. All told, medical school and postgraduate residency is a minimum of seven years, or longer if you plan to pursue specialties or fellowship training. Older students may begin school with families and mortgages, thereby emphasizing the critical importance of planning and organization in order to tend to relationships outside of medical school.
If you’re older than 40 and contemplating medical school, a financial plan is vital. Be aware you will not start working as an attending physician until at least age 47.
If you incur medical school debt — more than 80 percent of graduates use student loans — you will be almost 60 years old before loans are satisfied. This is also a time when you are likely facing retirement in the near future.
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Unless you have a funding source other than student loans, such as a spouse with a career who will lighten the financial burden so you do not have to borrow living expenses, perhaps you should consider another career path.
The location of medical school also becomes important if you have family constraints, such as needing to be in close proximity to your parents for child care needs, near your spouse’s career or close by an elderly or sick family member.
Identifying the right school is important. Carefully examine the medical school’s prospectus for the average age of applicants. If it’s higher than the AAMC mean age, you can conclude that the school has some older students.
In your list, include schools which have a postbaccalaureate program, as these can ease the transition from work life to school life, sharpen science skills and facilitate the immersion into graduate school. Make sure the postbac program meets your needs and has a successful record of placing graduates into medical school.
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Nontraditional students such as older students, bring increased life experiences into a medical career. Tackling problems with people in a variety of circumstances and dealing with failure enhances their ability as physicians. You have most likely honed organization and efficiency under pressure have most likely been honed in the work environment, and these proficiencies easily transfer to medicine.
The adage “time waits for no one” applies to everyone. So if you want to be a doctor, the only path is through medical school, and the sooner you start the process, the sooner you will complete it.
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Weigh Medical School Carefully as an Older Applicant originally appeared on usnews.com
