age and cost another barrier to your dream career??

**thom5455** · 02-01-2006, 03:26 AM

Hi Leo2004,

Are you a BMS? I worked as a BMS in biochemistry until september this year. Bloody U&Es and Haemolysed samples! And doctors insisting they know best; telling me my job; ordering me to give out the potassium result of a grossly haemolysed sample. Working in the main automation section of my department became very frustrating.

I got into medical school on my third attempt at a young 25 years of age. I will be 30 when i qualify. There are lots of mature students on my course, from many walks of life. Plenty are in their 30's; a few are in their 40's and thats just at the Hull campus! There are several oldies at the York campus Have yet to meet.

**Leo2004** · 02-01-2006, 03:38 AM

Hey Thom,

I am not a BMS but a graduate studying Biomed as my 2nd undergrad degree to get in med (I got a 2.2 first time round due to lack of motivatrion) and Im working as an HCA in a london AnE to get med experience... ;-) Thats how I know abot the haemolysed samples - bloody irritating.

Good luck to you! hopefully between now and 30 Ill be a first year medic with a good degree in biomed ;-)

Leo

**hellybelly1** · 03-01-2006, 01:10 AM

What worries me more than my age (I'll be 33 when I start) or the cost of medical school, is what happens if I fail. I'm giving up a successful career that I've worked incredibly hard for in order to do this, and it's not something I could easily get back into after a break, nor would I want to.

Obviously, I'll be working very hard not to fail, but there's a little doubting voice that occasionally surfaces making me think about what I'd do if I did.

**Leo2004** · 03-01-2006, 02:16 AM

Hey Hellybelly,

I know what you mean and this thought has crossed my mind. But you know what, I shove it right to the back cos the main thing is actually getting an offer from someone at some time........

Thats enough to think about for now.......

When I get in I will study like never before and my life will simply revolve around medicine with the other freetime acivities and music-making and gym and going out ot get drunk etc taking up doc style 'protected time' and this way I hope to get through cos at the end of the day the interest will sustain through the agony of the mass of material etc etc ...... And if that doesnt work, the will to come out at the end as a doc will sustain....

You'll do it .... ;-)

Leo

**hunni** · 03-01-2006, 02:53 AM

Originally Posted by batool

is age and cost another barrier to your dream career??

I felt like age & cost might have been a barrier but that was when I was applying and as soon as I got a place, it didn't matter anymore. I'll be 29 when i finish my MBChB (I already have a BSc & a MMedSci)..

I think if it is what you really want then nothing else matters - even the financial issues. I guess it's going to be different now because tuition fees are going up but all the same - I think it will be worth it in the end

The bigger question to ask is - would you be happy without going into Medicine (no matter the cost or your age when you finish)?

**Leo2004** · 03-01-2006, 04:37 AM

In answer to Hunni's question: No, medicine is really where its at and wht I want to do...... thats why the effort is worth it to try and get there... ;-)

**hunni** · 04-01-2006, 12:38 AM

Originally Posted by Leo2004

In answer to Hunni's question: No, medicine is really where its at and wht I want to do...... thats why the effort is worth it to try and get there... ;-)

Good Luck Leo - It's good to have such a positive attitude & I hope it really helps you get the place you want

**thom5455** · 04-01-2006, 03:21 PM

Originally Posted by hellybelly1

What worries me more than my age (I'll be 33 when I start) or the cost of medical school, is what happens if I fail.

I think statistically there is a very low probability of failing. Medschools in general, have very low drop out rates. The people in my year who have left the course have done so very early on. No mature students have left the course yet.

Also, in medical school, you either pass or fail. In degree standards, I think a pass is about 50% in most exams. In other words; a pass at medschool is relatively achievable by most people, providing you do the work!

There are plenty of people on my course who have given up well paid, good careers and are in their 30's.

Good luck

**hellybelly1** · 04-01-2006, 03:43 PM

Thanks for that, Tom, reassuring to know. And also good to hear of others in their 30s. I met a few graduate applicants when I went for interview at Aberdeen, but they were straight from other degrees. I felt terribly old!

Good luck to everyone in getting a place!

**thom5455** · 06-01-2006, 03:39 AM

When i was at my interview I was the only mature student, so when it came to starting this year I thought i was going to be the grandfather of the group.

Come the first day of term I was pleasently supprised to see plenty of mature students. Some were straight form their first degree, some had done a degree and worked for a few years, some had a family and an impressive career behind them. A few were in their 40s. I may come from a very mature friendly med school, but you can't really go by the age of people you are interviewed with - much too small a group.

Mature students in their 30s are a common sight at most medical schools nowdays; the head of the BMAs medical students comitee is 32!