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[wilmar_623]

Hello Everyone,

My burning ambition since high school was to become a doctor. However, my waywardness and destiny had different plans for me. I did A-levels but played the fool and failed (Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics) I entered University based on my eight O Levels. In four years I completed a degree with a double major in Chemistry and Physics and not a spectacular one at that. Soon after graduating I got married had two sons and decided that my ambitions for Medicine should be put on the back burner so as to properly raise my sons. During that time I completed a Master in Business Administration.
Fast forward to today my sons are young men now one is studying medicine (must be in the genes) and the other Law.
My desire to study medicine has not waned over the years. At 44 years of age and male, is it too late? Honestly. If not, how do I go about getting into medical school. I have been reading these threads and would like some advice on the matter. How do I go about this?

Very late starter

[Gizmo says -]

sounds like you started early to me, macca.

all you'r doing now is starting the far easier option of getting into med skool now fings are equivalently comfortable to the majority of med skool applicants.

so best o luck!

[Chulalongkorn]

There is a member of this forum who is of a similar age who succeeded in getting a place at UCL called Gabby. If you track her down in the search facility I am sure she would be happy to give some appropriate advice.

It is certianly possible for a 44 year old to study medicine although it is not evident from your post if you have the requisite entry qualifications yet. Is your degree a 2.2 or higher?

You may need to factor in doing A-levels/ Gamsat etc on top of a 4/5 year course. Then there is a foundation course of 2 years and a speciality training of a minimum of 3 years (GP). Assuming you are 45 when you start, it would be 55/56 before you actually completed your training.

Questions to seriously consider are whether you and your family can cope with this? It is exhausting psychologically, emotionally and physically. And is it a good investment of public money as you will retire at 65 with just 9/10 years service returned for £250k+ of education and training?

Just being devils advocate. These are questions selectors will ask so you need to answer them. I am all for older applicants to medicine but there are additional challenges you will need to face.

But it's worth a shot if thats what you really want to do. Don't be sat there on retirement day asking "What if?". Good luck in whatever you decide.

[Andy S]

Hi,

A few years ago I was told by Kings Lynn (access to medicine) that they would only take a 40+ year old who had a written conditional offer from a med school (based on them passing the access course). This year, I have been told by a senior person in PMS that they will no longer accept anyone over the age of 40. A couple of years ago Syndey medical school (a major center for mature student medical teaching) introduced a limit of 40. This age limit is increasingly cropping up.

However, a few 40+ year olds are getting into med school; many of them have really strong applications (academic and experience). You need to approach admissions departments directly to get their advice. Be honest with them, target those that encourage you, give it your best shot.

All the best,

Andy

[latestarter]

it is actually against the law now to discriminate on age, hence the NHS bursary has had to remove the older student allowance...
check out this link...
http://www.geocities.com/alexism1974/maturefaq.htm

Good luck!

[Dick Cheney]

Medical schools cannot discriminate on the grounds of age alone, but they are allowed to take future length of service into account - the legislation allows this.

[Andy S]

This is a difficult issue. The GMC, BMA and government are looking closely at it. The law allows for age to be a factor if there is a strong case. Watch this space.

In terms of practicalities. Mature students can be interviewed and turned down for any old reason. The proportion of 40+ applicants to <40 is tiny. In reality it isn't difficult for a med school to avoid people they don't want. It doesn't make it right, but that is the reality.

I myself am 37, I really appreciate what mature people can bring to medicine. I don't like a fixed cutoff, rather it should be on a case by case basis. But I do recognise a law of diminishing returns based on increasing age. This really is a difficult issue - there are no easy answers here.

My advice remains the same. Talk to the different med schools, target the ones that encourage you.

Andy

[Everhopeful]

There are differing views depending on which med school, so it's good advice that you approach to get a feel for their views. Most will be honest within the realms of what they can say without falling foul of age discrim law. I found Barts very open to matures, Southampton too...I'm 39 and have an offer from Barts and Southampton interviewed me last week, and I'm really hopeful of an offer from there too. Your application will need to be really strong and you'll need to be convincing about why such a late change of career. i was grilled severely on that by southampton, but it's a fair question. Some of the successful applicants of the older variety have applied several years, showing commitment to the course, so don't give up if you don't get in first time around
Best of luck ....

[Dick Cheney]

Nottingham at Derby were very encouraging towards older candidates at their open day last year. St Georges less so, although they do have a number of oldsters on their GEP course.

[wilmar_623]

Hi Everyone
I would like to thank everybody for their response to my query as to practicality to me applying to medical school at this point in time in my life. It is a difficult decision. But I will start applying to see what comes of it all.Thanks again.

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