Oldies

[georgiegirl]

The things that are worrying me now are:

• how to balance family and such an arduous course (I have an 18 month old son)? Would I be so wrapped up in the course that I'd miss out on spending time with him?
• How do you get back in the mindset of being a student after having worked for so long?
• The thought of having to revise and take exams suddenly feels so terrifying to me
• the time commitment
• the finances
  • what if we decide to have another child in the next few years?

Any advice/encouragement?
Any oldies who have already started the course? how do you find it?

Amelle, I agree with everything Vicky has said. At 35, you shouldn't hang around, but you are still young enough. I am 38. I have tried not to worry too much about my age; it's the one thing I can't do anything about.

RE family/study balance...I haven't started yet, but I just did 2 A levels and had 11 exams this summer. I think with a medicine course if you are organised you can keep it close to 9-5, it will only take up more time nearer to exams. Sure you won't have as much time with your son, but that won't necessarily be a bad thing. I have been at the coalface with my daughters for 9 years. I have a daughter aged 9 and one aged 7. I wish I had been able to go back to work and have more of a balanced life. Being stuck at home with them for so long has driven me to the edge of madness. Being a mum is great, but for a lot of us it is not fulfilling enough on its own. I don't find it so. I don't want to raise my daughters to make wonderful lives for themselves only to find I've completely neglected my own. Spending less time with your son because of doing your course won't per se, make you a worse mum. Having another focus, another source of fulfillment, managing your time etc might well make you a better one.

Getting back into study isn't difficult. At first it takes a bit of adjustment, but one's brain becomes much more efficient - it operates like a neglected muscle. To exercise it when unfit is more arduous but it becomes easier the more you do.

Revising and taking exams is actually much less scary as a proper adult, I have found. I needed an A grade in my chemistry A level this summer, but I felt calmer in my exams and less flummoxed than when I was younger. Those extra years do confer some advantages. The prospect is much scarier than the reality.

The time commitment and the finances may both be daunting but it all depends how much you want to do it. If you do think that you really want to be a doctor, you will be prepared to make sacrifices.

Re wanting another child, you can do this and still complete a medicine course. I was talking yesterday to a surgeon who operated on me over the summer and his thirty-something daughter is doing medicine and has just had her second baby while on her course. I don't know her, but Tangliss who is on these forums has either just had, or is about to have, a baby while studying medicine (3rd or 4th year I think). It is do-able. There is never a perfect time to have a baby anyway. Maybe look at 5 year courses if you are worried about balance.

I think one thing to remember is that the time will pass anyway. In five years' time you will be 40, whatever you do or don't do. Do you want to celebrate your 40th birthday on the way to becoming a doctor, or not?

I wish you luck, and anyone else in this position. A couple of years ago I felt like I'd never get to medical school, but on Monday I start the MBBS course at UCL and I can't wait. It's so easy to find obstacles. Try not to. Just get on with it, and you can deal with these issues one at a time, as they arise. :-)

If you need advice or support about specific issues or aspects of the application process you will find plenty on here.

[Verve]

I am sure there are more over 30's

the audiologist bit is a complicated one... I was starting an MSc but the first research proposal didn't meet the requirements of the degree i.e. it wasn't technology based enough as it was supposed to be in technology mgt!
So, after a look around, I found a PG Dip/MSc audiology which lasts a year and would be really good to take; filling in this year. If I don't get in to med, I either apply for a clinical scientist job in audiology or take advantage of a paid placement year after which I will be an audiologist.

medicine is all I want to do, as you can see by the 3rd time lucky bit, but as I'm sure you'll understand, I need a credible back up which can add to my experience too. There are a couple of overseas doctors on my course, and a real variety of people.

I left IT 2 years ago and know I could always go back, but that would be the safe easy option - and wouldn't get me to where I want to be.

Hi there,

I saw your message from a year or so ago. I currently work as an audiologist and have done so for about 6 years however I've always known its not something I wanted to do long term as there aren't any real prospects. I've recently accepted a place on GEP medicine at Leicester and will be 34 when I start. I just wondered what your experience of medicine as a "mature" student was as its a little apprehensive starting as an older student.

Cheers

[latestarter]

Hi... I haven't been on here for sooo long - been a little bit busy

anyway, I am the oldest on my course together with another just younger than me and then there's around a 10 year gap. I don't think there's any difference in age as such, mainly commitments and other life complications.
As for the work, well we're all so different there's no issue that only affects us 'oldies'.

I get the impression that Leicester is good for healthcare professionals, so will be good for a mature. Don't worry about your age, just remember that younger students can actually be just as anxious about being with someone with so much experience.

[dotvicky]

Hey latestarter,

Great to hear from you, I was just thinking about you the other day. Hope your course is going well. I'm officially sick of being in this holding pattern of life. Hopefully only a few more weeks until I know if I have a place at medical school for this year.

Cheers
Vicky

[latestarter]

hey Vicky!

yes, long time... sorry to see your rejections and I do hope Bristol come through for you but Barts looks as if you have a chance! How's your little one? - can't believe how time has passed so quickly.
It's so depressing when the uni on your doorstep can't be the ones with an offer...

[dotvicky]

Yes, I feel vaguely hopeful for Barts and feel that we could make a good life in London if it happens. If I get rejected, I'll be pretty gutted as I feel I gave them what they wanted and gave all I had. Bristol I've pretty much given up on but never say never, I guess.

My boys are great. The eldest (only 2 1/2 but still) will be starting a school in September in either Bristol or London methinks. Both places have a good option.

Would be great to hear about your experiences on the course. Is it easier or harder than you imagined? What sort of hours are you putting in? How is it being the oldie? Done much socialising?

Just being nosy!

Cheers
Vicky

[ASHNO]

Hey Guys!...I am 31, considering applying to medicine this year. My Background is 2:1 Pharmacology (hons) and recently did a MBA at aston. I have 6 years worth of pharmaceutical management experience? What do u think my of chances? Please help

[impatient]

Hi Ashno, go for it you've got a good chance. Do you know what route you want to take? Access (probably not with your background) 6 year (probably not again given you have a solid science degree) 5 year or 4 year (both of which should be open to you) what A levels did you do and what were your grades? one thing i would say is start to look at what entry tests your chosen unis want i.e GMAT GAMSAT UKCAT. start preparing early, some shools have cut off for those 3 tests so it may not matter what your backround is, if you get a low score on the tests you may not even get an interview. that said some med schools take the outcome of those tests less seriously than others.... others on this site will be able to tell you which med schools are mature/graduate friendly.
good luck

[Callaghan]

Hi all,

Just popping my head round the door. I'm 36, planning to sit the gmasat this year for Sept 2011 entry by which time I'll be 38 (gulp).

Good to see that I'm not the only one of this age trying to get into medical school. I have been worried that I'm too old, but as some other wise poster said earlier on this thread, that's the one thing I can't do anything about.

Any tips or advice on which medical schools look favourably on mature students would be gratefully received.

I've booked on to several open days and I was thinking about ringing some of the admissions officers but not sure if that would just be wasting their time. Anyone else done this?

Rosie

[fortysixandtwo]

Any tips or advice on which medical schools look favourably on mature students would be gratefully received.

It's quite hard to answer this one! I guess the official answer would be that schools will not (should not) discriminate on age but on academics, experience, etc...

And then, of course, it depends on whether you apply to a GEP route or a 5 year course.