28/29 too old to start Graduate Entry Medicine?

threeeyes

Hi there,

After a LOT of careful consideration, I've decided to apply to Graduate Entry Medicine. I've been preparing for GAMSAT for the last couple of months, and the closer it gets the more certain I feel about this is a career move.

That doesn't prevent the occasional freak-out thought popping into my head though - mainly, am I too old to start a career in medicine?

I'd be starting at at 29..
Graduating at 33..

As far as I can tell, I'd then need to spend at least 1 year as an intern before qualifying as a doctor.

So I'd be 'properly' starting my career in Medicine at the age of 34.

My questions are:

• Will I find that certain career paths / opportunities are not available to me at this age?
• Would it be difficult to get a place as an intern when compared to younger graduates?
• Are there any Graduate / Mature-student doctors out there with thoughts on this?
• Is this too old to 'realistically' start a career in Medicine?

I'd be grateful if I could get some of your thoughts, feedback or advice on any of this.

Thanks a mil.
Dee

eagle_&_bear

hi Dee,

I'm in the exact same boat as you. I asked this question last year and I got a resounding no that it wasn't a big deal at all.

In fact, when at the RCSI Open Day in Connolly Hospital - the age profile ranged from 25 upto 43 so age isnt a factor at all

I'd say what is more the factor is the financial commitment, the family commitment, the 'back to college' mentality and then a sheer interest in the topics.

but don't let the age stop you - if it's your dream then reach for it and grab it with both hands!

whadabouchasir

You're definately not too old.there's a Guy in my class (pre-med) who's 29 so He'll be 35 before he graduates. Also everyone in gradmed will be in their mid twenties at least.

Sitric

threeeyes, I was in a similar situation, was 28 when I went back to school and will graduate next year when i'm 34. I agonised about this for a long time, obviously the financial burden is a huge commitment and if you want to have a family it's a big deal.

What decided it for me was the realisation that I was going to be 34 anyway, I could either choose to be 34 with a medical degree and all that is involved in being an older intern or I could be 34 and still tipping along in a career that did not satisfy me wondering what if. If you really want to study medicine, nothing else is going to fill that space.

With regard to career paths, I don't really think any are shut to you however there are certain that may just not appeal due to the hours and years involved in specialisation. If I had studied a few years earlier, I would have loved to go down a surgical path but really I don't think i'm prepared to make the necessary sacrifices at this point. (That's just me though!)

Best of luck.

blipp

I know two 40year olds doing grad med. If you want to do it, do it. Don't let age hold you back.

kevcos

Here is another angle on your question.

I have just started a foundation course in NUIG, for entry in to it's under graduate degree courses next September. Its kind of a refresher course in maths and the sciences for mature students who may have be out of a class room for a few years and need to be brought up to speed in those subjects with regard to becoming an under graduate next year, which passing all the exams allows.

I am 31 years of age so I'll be in my mid to late thirties by the time I am looking for a job, so this is a subject that I've spent sometime pondering on!
Anyway, I am hoping to study Medical Physics or maybe Medical Science at degree level, then I,ll probably need to do a masters and then possibly another year or 18 months training in a clinic, but even at this rate I will still have 30 plus years in my chosen field.

The way I see it is if you are considering changing your career, that must mean that you are not happy in your current career or life situation, or you at least feel unfulfilled, and this, to me, would mean you are not living your life to its potential.

I am a carpenter, and have been since I left school. I have had good success in this line of work but I always wondered about study for a more professional career.
Naturally the most obvious career to present to me was the area of Civil Engineering, I initially thought that I would need stay within the construction industry, as that is the only industry I have worked in. I also imagined that the other more academically demanding areas of engineering and the sciences would be a step to far for me given my absence from full time education for over a decade. However following my attendance on the part time course I have developed or maybe reawakened my enjoyment of studying.
And as a result of this; each passing week. whilst I have been back studying, I have been increasing the goals that I have set for my academic achievement. I now feel confident that I would be able to study for whatever career I want regardless of my past experience. I am beginning to realize my potential!
If you never want to know the heights of success you can achieve then you should stay in your comfort zone and let your fears dictate your future.

Now that was a bit of a philosophical reply but I hope it helps you consider your decision.

Must Have Music

My class has about 25 mature students, ranging from 25 up to 38 years old - you're not on your own in deciding to go back! In fact, it often gives you a sligth advantage, as some consultants/senior hospital staff, in my own experience (and i'm an undergrad), tend to take the mature students a little more seriously - everyone has huge respect for the fact that you wanna do medicine enough to actually give up what you were originally doing and take a chance with something new, knowing it's a long-ish road ahead of you. It's worth every second of study and work you put in tho! best of luck!

threeeyes

Thanks a mill to all of you for the input. Very encouraging. Now I've just gotta get through this dreaded GAMSAT

curlie-wurliexx

I will (hopefully) be the same age starting as you threeeyes and I'm still gonna give it a try!!!
My mum and fiancé thinks it's great but my dad and most of my friends think i'm nuts
i still get mistaken for an undergrad college student most nights out so i'm hoping i will still look just like all the other nervous little interns by then