Can you go to medical school in your 20’s and 30’s? How about 40’s and 50’s? While the average age of a medical school entrant comes about to 22 years old, right after completing an undergraduate degree, a lot of students choose to take a gap year to strengthen their medical school application or to gain some shadowing experience, while few others make a midlife career change to medicine from another field, realizing that medical profession is their true calling only after they have finished college and begun working. These “non-traditional” medical students –basically those who do not enter medical school within a year of undergraduate graduation, often wonder if becoming a doctor later in life is a realistic option. However, the fact is that student demographics have altered significantly over the years and it’s not uncommon to see more seasoned students entering Caribbean medical schools.
If you are harboring a passion to pursue a career in medicine, it is essential to join a medical school that will be accommodating to your needs. At Windsor University school of medicine, we are fully committed to making medical education accessible to all, including those non-traditional aspirants who are entering medicine later in life. Remember that while becoming a physician as an older candidate may seem daunting at first but the life-experiences and maturity you have gained along the way, not only fortifies your academic credentials, but also do wonders for your academic performance, and your new career goals.
Am I Too Old for Medical School?
The bravery and courage displayed by healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in numerous instances before, may have inspired many of us to practice medicine, but not everyone realizes their passion for medicine at a young age. We often hear of physicians who followed different career paths but some event or crisis coerced them to seriously consider a career change. Whatever your reason for switching to a career in medicine, know that becoming a doctor later in life is almost the same as joining a school of medicine right after an undergraduate degree, with a few age-specific considerations. While it is against the law to discriminate against a potential student based on their age, it does help to consider some important factors before you embark on this exciting new chapter in your professional life:
Medical education is Lengthy – While you already know that medical school typically lasts four years, but have you factored in the three to eight years of residency, depending on your specialty? Once you decide to take a leap and gain admission into a Caribbean medical school, it will be at least seven years (or more) before you can start practicing independently. If you already hold a stable job in your current field, are you prepared to fall back at least 7 years in your career and start from scratch?
Medical education is a significant Financial Undertaking – Medical school can put a huge dent in your pocket. Those who enter a medical school later in life may have saved up enough to pay for school, but remember that it could take anywhere from 7-12 years before you can practice as a physician and get a return on your investment. Furthermore, it can take several years of medical practice to recoup the cost of schooling. Do you have enough resources to rely on during this time, especially if you have a family to support?
Consider your health and well-being – The notoriously rigorous and incessant demands of medical school and the ensuing 3-8 years of residency, can take a toll of your mental and physical health. Do you think you are up for day-to-day long hours of intensive study and spending hours on your feet? If you are willing to choose this career path, ask yourself if you are indeed ready to do whatever it takes to shoulder the impact of a potential career change.
Be prepared to be the older student in the group: Entering medicine later in life means that you will inevitably be in a class full of students much younger than you. Depending on your age and level of maturity, it can be difficult to relate to your peers and socialize. However, the silver lining on the cloud is that younger people may benefit from the life experiences and wisdom you bring to the table. Not to mention, you must have built some resilience and are way better than younger students at dealing with setbacks. Older adults who have families or have worked in the professional arena know how to handle difficult and stressful situations and remain levelheaded in the face of setbacks. In fact this is one of the unique traits that Caribbean medical schools value in applicants, beyond just academic prowess.
Steps to Pursuing a Career in Medicine
Find a Suitable School
If you are ready to join the ranks of the many successful physicians who started practicing medicine a bit later in their lives, one of the most important steps is to find a high-quality, fully accredited, supportive institution, that accommodates your needs. At Windsor University school of medicine, we are committed to helping a diverse array of students take a nontraditional medical school approach. We understand that our students have had to face several obstacles and adversities in their path, so we strive to ease their journey with helpful programs and knowledgeable admission representatives who are always ready to lend a helping hand and guide you every step of the way. If you are wondering what criteria you should be looking for when selecting a medical school, read our article on the top factors to consider when choosing a Caribbean medical school.
Study the Admission Requirements
Before you apply to any medical school, you need to check the admissions requirements for entry into that school, as well as the path to becoming a doctor. At Windsor University school of medicine, our extremely supportive and helpful admissions councilors help you understand the requirements you need to fulfill before applying to our Caribbean medical school. They can advise you on the GPA and MCAT score requirements you must meet, what transcripts you must submit, as well as any prerequisite coursework that needs to be completed before submitting your application. At WUSOM, all matriculants must complete courses in general biology, chemistry, organic chemistry or biochemistry, physics, English or Humanities equivalent, and Mathematics.
However, since different medical schools may have different requirements, be sure you understand what prerequisites you need for each school. Keep in mind that medical schools also judge an applicant on the basis of their personal essay, recommendation letters and interview responses. If you haven’t completed all the prerequisite courses for your target medical schools or if you are coming from a career that isn’t already medicine- or science-related, consider enrolling in a postbaccalaureate program to be considered eligible for admission. In addition to helping you make up for those missed prerequisite classes, these programs offer tailored application advising, MCAT prep support, and career path guidance you may find it hard to locate on your own.
Take the MCAT
Plenty of Caribbean medical schools take a candidate’s MCAT (Medical College Admissions Test) score in to consideration when determining eligibility and suitability for medical school. While there is no passing or non-passing score, a solid MCAT score (generally a 507 or above) demonstrates your academic prowess, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, as well as understanding of basic scientific principles, and is your sure-fire ticket to a reputable medical school. If you are entering into medical school later in life, there’s a good chance that you haven’t seen the inside of a classroom for years, and may have forgotten subjects learned earlier. There are many MCAT preparation and review courses that may be especially beneficial to nontraditional medical school applicants. However, while your MCAT score is a significant player when applying to credible medical schools, WUSOM considers more than just your undergrad academic performance when viewing you as a candidate holistically.
Get Medical Experience
While some of our older applicants come from healthcare related backgrounds that give them a working knowledge of the field, including working as a nurse or a paramedic, others, such as teachers, athletes, marketing professionals or accountants, do not have any background in the medical field. If you never had a brush of medicine in your life, you want to gain some kind of medical experience to appeal to the admissions committees, as well as to gain some insight into your new prospective profession and get a feel for the job. Most medical schools will want to see some kind of healthcare experience, so consider volunteering at a hospital, shadowing a doctor, or getting a clinical job in a hospital or medical facility before applying to a medical school.
Apply to Medical Schools
Gaining admission to medical school isn’t a piece of cake, given the rising competition and the low acceptance rates of many medical schools, so consider applying to more than more one medical school. Afterall, there is no limit on the number of schools you can apply to. In fact, according to AAMC, the average applicant applies to 18 U.S. medical schools!
Ready to take the Leap?
Becoming a doctor later in life is a noble undertaking. At the Windsor University school of medicine, we deeply value the experience, enthusiasm and emotional intelligence that older applicants bring to the table. In fact, our students, as well as our well-credentialed faculty, vary in age and background; which means that you’ll have the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life. If you are ready to learn more about how you can start your medical school journey at WUAOM, contact the admissions team at WUSOM today.
