Going to medical school at 33

If it's what you wanna do then I'd say go for it. With two physics degrees you might find the faster route is to get a degree that can tie in with them though like comp sci or something

It should be something you want to do, not something you can do.

I'm sure that the training is similar to here in the US. People are eventually going to put their lives in your hands.

I started on a grad-entry programme in the UK at 26.

About 60% of my cohort had just come out of life science degrees or had taken 1-2 years out after. So the majority people were 22-25. But the remaining 40% were older, the oldest being 32 (who had a physics PhD)

I think it's ok to start at 32/33. Any older, I'd say probably not. Being older does give you a big, big advantage over the younger people throughout the degree. I had done a Chemistry degree, and tbh at least the first 3 years of medicine are much easier than my chem degree was. You'll probably find the same regarding physics. I'm in 4th year now though and it is stepping up pretty fast though. It's not difficult, but the quantity of knowledge required is immense.

I will hopefully graduate next year (2022) at 30. I find it ok at my age, but it is a bit frustrating after a few years of studying, knowing that I have had a job before and regularly being treated like I'm much younger than I am (as I'm now being taught with the non-grad-entry students). The idea of being an F1 and F2 at age 31/32... it's not too bad but it's not ideal. I'm not looking forward to the night shifts and intensity. I think if you're a relaxed person, though it's not as bad as people say. Keep in mind that the majority of F1s are 23-25 year olds, more than 50% women, they tend to be anxious people and while they are damn smart, they don't *tend* to be naturally gifted intelligence-wise. So when people say F1 and F2 are super stressful and you don't have time to eat or pee, you have to keep that in mind. A wise junior doctor once told me the greatest skill he picked up was to walk slowly. If you rush about everywhere you give yourself more to do and you wont have as much of a plan when you get there.

And once foundation training is over I can become a GP within a few years and the money, the status, hours and commitments become much better.

I certainly wouldn't want to be doing foundation training or core training past 40.

Sorry, bit of a ramble... any specific questions just ask.

I am a 35-year-old third year med student, so I was pretty much in your exact position just a few years ago. For what it's worth, I don't regret my decision to go to med school at all. It's hard work, but it's also very rewarding and I feel like my career is headed in the right direction in a way that I never did before med school.

In general, I find that older students are less likely to regret going to med school because we have more clarity regarding our life/career goals. You've had a lot of time to think about this and explore alternative options. My advice would be to trust your gut if you really think medicine is what you want at this point. The 22-year-old who went into medicine because he is "good at science and wants to help people" has a way greater risk of ultimately deciding that med school was a mistake than the 33-year-old who decided on medicine after years of life experience.

A mistake people make is to view medical training as wasted years. I hear this all the time. "I'm giving up 7+ years of my life for med school and residency." I can confirm that I am still living (and very much enjoying) life. Life is a journey, not a destination, and med school/residency is just another part of the journey. Sure, it will be a while until you are an attending, but the time in the interim is only wasted if that's how you choose to view it.

I've got a list of questions that come up quite often at interview if you're interested. (I made a list in case I had to re-apply the following year)

everyday runner wrote:

I live in the UK. I have some medical school interviews coming up and I've been having doubts about whether entering the profession is a good idea, given the duration of training and the sacrifices. I will be 33 in September when the course begins. Thoughts?

Right now I am unemployed. I have two degrees in physics with strong grades. I'm not getting anywhere in the jobs market.

Be warned: According to some on this site, the medical profession is “overwhelmed” with this pandemic, even with the ample warning.

They are working hundreds and hundreds of hours eight days a week! Lol

Totally worth it. 4 years med school and then if you aren’t stuck on thing would 3yr EM residency. You can later do 1 yr critical care residency if you want to get into something more intense. That puts you starting working at 40. And as someone mentioned above I found medical school and residency/fellowship to be very fulfilling. Would have probably found it more so as a more mature adult. It’s an amazing time and you should take full advantage of the learning opportunities at your med school outside of the curriculum. Get involved in national organizations and interest groups early as well.

Sooooooo, what's the alternative? Twiddle your thumbs and get older? Time waits for no one.

I entered medical school in the US at age 35. It was the realization of a dream. I loved med school, residency and my career. I never felt that I was sacrificing anything. For me it was a calling. The loans for med school were large, but paid back over many years. From your post, it sounds as though you aren't sure you want to become a physician. If you are having doubts at age 33 and see this as basically a secure future job, it might not be the right choice for you or your future patients. Or, since you have two degrees in physics, perhaps you would be interested in radiology or radiation oncology as specialties. Good luck with whatever you do going forward.

Back in 2000 I managed in big pharma.

One of my sales reps had a medical degree.

She said it was more lucrative. I guess you need to decide on a government job as. prkmary care dr, or plan to join the commercial world.

I worked with people who went commercial, despits being Oxford Cardiology fellows.

Go commercial. Use the degree as an entry point. Also get a law degree. Double the fun, and opportunity.

Good luck.

Selling drugs is more lucrative than prescribing drugs. That says a lot.

+1

You’d crush the radiology boards with that background. As said previously, do it for the right reasons. You’re going to need to really want it at some point during your training.

As I always say when this comes up, 4 years will go by either way, ask where you want to be in 4 years! I have family that avoided college in late 20s because they fretted about how long it was. Well, the years went by anyway, and now they are still broke and wondering. Which is also to say make sure you really love seeing patients. Its always been true, but now more than ever with infinitely more admin tasks getting in the way and long hours. Shadow someone for a day at least. Of course you could be radiologist or path if you dont like people, but you still have t get through residency!

BTW, college is easier IMO when older, you just have less distractions from partying etc..In theory.

There's nothing wrong with you that you want to go to medical school at 33. After all, the problem that this age is pursuing is that many can no longer study at 30. They have to work and support themselves. However, if you can go to medical school and get an education there that will be useful to you and that you like, then go ahead. Nothing is more important than mental health, and age is just numbers. For example, I recently found out about such a job as a Patient Care Technician on this site -- https://www.exploremedicalcareers.com/patient-care-technician/. I am 55 years old, and I think this is what I want to do - to help people, and therefore I will soon be getting this profession.

Sounds great but did you think how long it would take to pay off all your loans at this age? 4 yrs med school then getting paid squat for another couple of years as a resident. And then worrying about a loan that’s ~$250k or more. By the time you actually start pocketing decent money you will be in your mid 50’s.

Not anymore. There are several med schools that will wipe out your student loans if you sign a 5 year contract to work for them. Yes, it's true and I know first hand. Truly, I'm shocked that this never comes up on these boards.

You did well if you decided to study at a medical school! This is a great opportunity to find a good job! Yes, your training will take a lot of time and will not be without sacrifice, but it's worth it! I know that now many people need a qualified pediatrician in Indiana. Almost every little child is sick, so this profession is in great demand. For example, my son regularly visits a pediatrician, only 5 years old. We have to take care of the health of our children.

I'm 21, first year Med Student. One more year and it's on to clinicals. I'll be 25 when I'm a Resident Doctor. I don't regret it in the least and yes, it's a lot of hard work and really tough block exams. It will be worth it in just over a year as I truly look forward to clinicals as I've been studying hard since junior high school and a STEM program in high school....I put my time in academically.