How old is too old?

[UKAmerican]

31 isn't old! lol.. I'm 33, two kids and in my first year. It it doable for anyone that REALLY wants it.

I have a 31-year-old classmate. He's doing great. "Mature" students here can do good too.

[Mamba]

32 and there a few of us in my year over 30 x

[Zedd]

I kind of think that as long as you have the time to reach consultancy level that you are not too old for medicine. If I get in this year coming then I'll be 32/33 years old going into FY1, which is plenty of time to carve myself a career in the NHS

[frazzo]

I'm 33 and starting the 5yr program next month. To be its a 10 year plan. I'll be a senior doctor in my early forties so that's good enough for me.

I'm not seeing it as a 5year mountain to climb. It's my new life. Like a job where instead of working for money I'm working for a lifelong career that I'll be more happier with.

I'm not going to count up all the loss of earnings because that's not life's about. I can earn pre-consultant salaries now of I wanted but the career satisfaction means much much more.

It's been eighteen months since I decided to apply and the wait is killing me!

Can't wait to get my 10% of a Topshop!

[General Practitioner]

Interesting thread.

I was 36 when I applied, 37 when I started at medical school, qualified at 41 and qualified as a GP aged 46.

That gives me 20 years as a GP which, believe me, will be long enough! If I was 26 and had 40 years of work ahead of me I think I may just go slightly mad

But the older applicant needs to consider that the medical school years are the easy bit. Indeed, I found it a nice break after having worked for so long beforehand. It's working long hours and shifts in the hospital, often with minimal supervision, that make it hard work for the older folk. There is no doubt that "recovery time" from a gruelling stint on nights, managing 200+ patients on 10 wards, takes longer in your forties.

But I have few regrets, if you really want it, go for it.