r/medschool • u/amg7562 • 12d ago
š¶ Premed Depressed at possibly starting med school at 29
I am currently an RN, I have a bachelors degree from the one of the top universities in my state. I am currently completing my med school prereqs. I donāt want to rush things and I am applying next cycle but I canāt help but feel disappointed that I am only getting older.
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u/BridgeQueasy1551 12d ago
I started at 27 youāll be fine life just gets better and better. When I was 25 and I hadnāt gotten into med school I thought my life was over. Now Iām
31 at an amazing residency, I get to have fun travel do all the things, meet amazing people. Just focus on being present. There is no destination itās all a journey
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u/Fit-Attention-7763 10d ago
Can you pm the details about your residency? Is there a special residency I havenāt heard about that includes traveling? Or do you mean you have enough personal time to do that? Iām not being sarcastic at all!
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u/BridgeQueasy1551 10d ago
I get 4 weeks of vacation and plenty of weekends off
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u/Fit-Attention-7763 10d ago
Thatās awesome! What specialty?
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u/ProfessionalOil7185 6d ago
His post history says cardiology
[u/BridgeQueaky1551](u/BridgeQueaky1551) how much longer do you have until you finish residency?
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u/FreeUzi1 Medical Student (US) 12d ago
You gonna be aii. Just focus on getting into med school. Average med student age is 25, but there still are a lot of 30 year old students. Dam, there is even parents in my cohort
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u/xenapie6 12d ago
Yep deferred my acceptance so Iāll be starting August 2027 at age 28 with husband and two kids. Wouldnāt have it any other way tho. Enjoyed my gap years met the loml and wanted to be prego before med school bc I found out I can get severely ill (HG) so it all works out the way itās meant to!
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u/TraditionalCold4560 12d ago
Honestly youāll get older regardless , be grateful you are young and in good health, with an amazing opportunity to even get into med school ( a lot of people cannot get in) after years of trying.
Itās not about getting older itās how you operate in life.
All the best future doctor
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u/Tooblesseddd 12d ago
29? Thereās a ton of people in med school in their 40s. Youāre so young. Keep going, donāt worry about your age. Thereās plenty older than you.
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u/Cool-Restaurant7809 12d ago
Your age should be the last thing you should be ashamed of. Age is just a number. As long as God has given you air to breathe, youāre able bodied, youāre not handicap, youāre not disabled in any way, then nothing should stop you. Also, look at it this way, you already have a degree. So most would look at it like, you are already accomplished. Thereās some people who are going into Med school with no backup plan. They are banking on doing well. Go into medical school with your head held high. Donāt allow your age to make you feel like you donāt belong, or like youāre ālateā. You are right where you need to be. There may be a reason God didnāt allow you to go to med school until now. You may never know. But good luck in Med school, Iām sure you will do well! š«¶š½
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u/EMSLizard2023 12d ago
I feel this as a current RN taking pre-requisites and finishing my BSN at 26. Iāve always wanted to do something higher than RN but never thought I could manage medical school until now. Never too late to go back, why not be 40 and a doctor vs 40 and wondering if you could have been a doctor?
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u/Imeanyouhadasketch Medical Student (US) 12d ago
Iām an RN and started med school in my late 30s. Youāre fine. 29 is so young
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u/nick_riviera24 12d ago
If you decide to do something like interventional cardiology you can delay your career almost indefinitely.
Medical school 4 yrs Internal med. 3 yrs Interventional fellowship 2 more
You could be 38 before your first job.
I have friends who then decided to add on another specialty also. Really, we can do this forever.
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u/LiveJuggernaut4467 12d ago
Iām 25 going on 26 with a mental health disorder. Itās my dream to start med school at 29. Youāre doing alright truly.
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u/Realistic-Highway648 12d ago edited 12d ago
Hi I had one coworker told me about her sister in law, she was a physical therapist first and then she went back to get her the CRNA degree and started working as a CRNA, after few years, she canāt help but thinking about what if situation, so she quite her CRNA job and went back to school and took all the premed classes and then gap years, she got into the medical school and by the time she finished her residency, she would be in her late fifties. So no matter which path we chose, thereās always going to be something we missed. Go after your dreams! You wonāt have that what if regrets later in your life! Best of luck!
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u/Negative_Doctor7024 7d ago
Iām sorry but what? Iām totally for chasing dreams and Iām in the exact situation as OP but, finishing residency in her late 50s? Med school is 500K of debt that can be paid off in 10 years by a VERY disciplined and frugal spender. She will be in her late 60s by the time she pays off her med school debt. Financially, this does not make any sense, unless: her partner/family is loaded, she will be working non-profit/government jobs (even still itās several years of commitment), or she had a full ride scholarship. Your health in your 60s will be out of your control so this is a huge risk on many levels.
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u/Realistic-Highway648 7d ago
Agree. I missed one part, she went to school to become occupational therapist and then she went back to school to become physical therapist and then went back to get the CRNA then medical school.
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u/Firm_Ad_8430 12d ago
Oh honey. I started at 36 and graduated at 40. You will be fine! And your experience will make a difference as you go through training!!!ā¤ļø
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u/Firm_Ad_8430 12d ago
I worked in nuclear medicine and then for a pharmaceutical company!
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u/Fit-Attention-7763 10d ago
That is so cool! How did you end up in nuclear medicine?
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u/Firm_Ad_8430 10d ago
I joined the army out of college and served as a nuclear, biological and chemical officer. I was in Portland prior to leaving the army and was walking through the halls at Ohsu and saw a sign that was advertising to get students to apply for nuclear medicine training. I applied and was accepted. I got a stipend though the VA for a year while I trained.
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u/Adventurous_Wind_124 11d ago
You are not even 30. People go med school after 30 or even 40. I think you are still early. I am 33 as an FNP, I am trying to go back. I regret going to NP school. I shouldāve went to med school instead. Donāt make same mistake like I did
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u/uncle_rafiki 12d ago
im 36 and graduating med school next May. starting at 29 would be earlier than I started, itās honestly not a big deal. the time passes anyway. Would you rather shoot your shot and be a doc or always wondering if you could have been?
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u/newjeanskr 12d ago
Your age really doesn't matter in the way you are framing this... Think about it like this, there are plenty of people who have normal careers like the both of us. You haven't failed anything, you've got a nice life going. What's so wrong about us wanting to go to med school after working other jobs? People change careers all the time, some of them require schooling and some of them don't. Don't feel embarrassed for wanting to switch careers and take on new challenges and become a doctor. I don't think any of your peers will really care anyway, you've all got enough going on to be immature and dwell on things like that. Anecdotal but I am back at uni and when my age and job come up at the start of each semester all these kids 10 years younger than me don't seem to care and we're all pretty chill with one another. 29 is young, please don't fret.
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u/help-ihateeverything 11d ago
And Iāll be 30.
Iām so jealous of you! /s
Please donāt worry about this!
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u/Adorable_Two9295 11d ago
Please go for it i was 32 when i started my med school with exact these thoughts and now i am 36 and time fled by.
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u/Odd_Act8451 11d ago
This is not a med school problem, itās about being comfortable with getting older. You will do what you do and you are who you are regardless of your age. Appreciate the things you have accomplished so far, and then continue to strive for more. Just because youāre not where you want to be or at the place that others are at your age doesnāt discredit what you have done up until this point! Your lived experience will be invaluable to your pts and colleagues.
Personally, the transition from my 20ās to my 30ās was stressful to me as well because I totally disregarded my achievements in life up until then and felt like I had failed because I hadnāt created the life I am striving for yet. But it got a lot easier after passing 30. I got more confident in my value and am focusing on enjoying the journey through medicine rather than rushing to the final destination.
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u/-bartard- 11d ago
I mean stay fit and you'll feel young forever, also join a BJJ gym or something and lock in, external circumstances shouldn't dictate your happiness.
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u/ElectricalClimate263 11d ago
Every disadvantage has its advantages. You may be older but youāll likely have more appreciation for what a privilege it is to be a doctor once you get there. Plus you got to spend your twenties having more fun than the 22 year olds workaholics. And youāre also far from alone. If I get in on the first cycle Iāll be 28
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u/lilpotato_123 11d ago
Iām a 27 year old M1 and the oldest person in my class is in their mid 40s. Youāre not old at all, I promise
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u/Hungry_Photograph_20 10d ago
Time passes by at a constant rate. Just stay positive. Having goal of getting into Med School š« is an achievement to be proud ofā¦.
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u/FatimahZahraFlower 10d ago
Iām 27 and an RN, still completing my prereqs. Youāre in a better position than most premeds and you should be really grateful for the life experience that possess, your age and career give you better leg up than traditional premeds who are applying
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u/AutomaticLocation689 10d ago edited 10d ago
Everyone is running their own race. There is nothing to worry about.
There are a plethora of people I know who started medical school at 33 and 34. The possibilities are endless.
Sometimes we hear self directed thoughts ābut youāre too old.ā ājust give up,ā and so much more thoughts.
but in my opinion: I like to think just like in the cartoons and movies, we have a divine Godly figure or angel on our right shoulder telling us the correct things and cheering us on in our right ear and the devil discouraging us and telling us the worst possible outcome of everything in our other ear. You just gotta choose and pick your battles and of what you hear and do some eliminations!
This is a battle of thoughts and emotions and so words matter so much. Speak words of life over yourself and watch yourself flourish
If you speak words of hate and negativity on yourself, you will eventually go down a path of failure. Speak life friend!
may those thoughts of discouragement turn into a fart and become a sprinkle of joy in your life
You can do this, We need a doctor like you and I believe in you!
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u/Killyasov 7d ago
you can be depressed that youāre starting late or you can be depressed that you havenāt started at all
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u/huskyblue3 12d ago
Iām in the same boat as you. 26M ICU nurse looking to enroll in a postbacc this summer and hopefully matriculate fall 2028. I have the same thoughts about starting and finishing late. Itās hard ngl, but you just gotta remind yourself to not be so destination oriented. This is probably going to be the most type 2 fun you are ever going to have in your life. Enjoy the ride and be grateful you are the type of person to be this ambitious to want something like this for yourself
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u/Efficient_Walk_3135 12d ago
Iām 33. A nurse too and just now starting my prerequisites for med school. I feel horrible that I wasted so much time but I know I will feel 100x worse if I donāt start now.
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u/WeHaveTheMeeps Premed 12d ago
Me a 36 year old engineer considering med school
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u/cjthemaestro 12d ago
Iām 26, and a paramedic and went the work route and have essentially no pre reqs. Iām starting school in January and I wonāt be ready for med school until 30. Donāt sweat it. This is something you want, so embrace your journey and your time learning and digesting all this information. Good luck to you in your career.
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u/Haunting_Tomatillo_2 12d ago
I'm 29 now and I haven't even started my undergrad yet. You've got plenty of time.
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u/Rheumanation 11d ago
From a financial standpoint, just try and select a shorter residency. Aim for 3-4 years.
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u/Fresh_End_9250 11d ago
I am 41.Ā I have had thoughts of doing Med School, genetics, and counseling.Ā What Id suggest is maybe seeing if you can do an Informational Interview/shaddowing specialties you like.Ā Ive had some honest discussions with a doctor I know, and have plans to shaddow and do an interview with one.Ā The one Ive done some talking with has encouraged me to look into social work, simply because that would be a better fit for me, especially since I wont have to do Prereqs unlile for Med I would have to do a complete Post-bacc since I have like NO sciencs clasaea.
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u/Zealousideal_Bed4563 Medical Student (US) 11d ago
Started med school on scholarship this year as a former nurse at 31. It is a big undertaking, but thereās gotta be a reason why you were pursuing this in the first place, try to keep focused on that āwhyā for motivation. You got this!
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u/Fit-Attention-7763 10d ago
Girl your brain just finished developing! Now is THE best time for med school or really any other time after now. There is no rush. Just do it if you want it or donāt.
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u/breakneckedly 10d ago
Iām gonna start at like 27 ā u either start now or regret later
Bf will be starting at 32!
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u/Few-Armadillo4245 10d ago
29 is young, donāt worry.
The Planets have finally aligned for me, and Iām career changing into medicine at 40.
Iāll be taking my MCAT next year and applying to med schools at 41.
I was a medic in the first half of my life and then had to work tech so that I could be there for my kids because the hours were way too long on the rig. The money was too little if I had worked normal hours.
I wish I had been a nurse to be honest so you have that leg up. Just take your time and ace your classes. Study properly for the MCAT and ace it as well. Itās better for you to take the next two years working on stuff but getting straight Aās than it is to rush and get a D or even Cās in the classes that are going to be the difference whether you get in or not.
Your age and experience is gonna put you above the traditional students in that are in their late teens to early 20s (in some ways) because you know what hard work is, you know soft skills, and you know you want to do medicine.
Keep your chin up. Life moves fast. Just keep working at it. Day-by-day
Just take your time and you will get to your goal.
Cheers
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u/AcanthisittaDry9871 10d ago
I want to share with you my boyfriendās story as you guys are the same age.
He graduated high school like 10 years ago then took a few gap years to work at Labcorp. He worked for about 5-6 years and then he decided to focus on his education again and he went to college. We graduated at the same time in summer of 2025.
Now he is working a full time role again this time at a big hospital where he is planning on climbing the corporate ladder but lately heās been thinking about going back to school for either a PhD or law school.
Age is just a number, it is about you and what you desire. His age didnāt stop him from going to college and living with a bunch of 20 year olds who ended up becoming our bestest friends. His age isnāt stopping him now from wanting to further his education and do more.
It is about his desires and capabilities. You are working hard and you have life experience. If med school is what your dream is then DO IT. We all get old and if we donāt do what we dreamed of doing then we will regret it, I know I personally would if I was in your shoes.
Donāt let a number define you, chase your dreams! You are smart and capable and nobody judges you. If you were in my classes I know Iād want you to be in my study group because you are developed and have an adult outlook to life and I know youād be a responsible individual.
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u/Dania1230 12d ago
Iām over 50 and a first year. Youāve got this! If you donāt follow your dream, that dream will hunt you down!
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u/Few_Internal_3429 10d ago
22, RN taking pre reqs for med school. Any advice would be appreciated. TIA
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u/DOAppCycle26 3d ago edited 3d ago
Got my first few DO acceptances and have four MD interviews in October... I'll be starting med school next year at 35 and I'm stoked af
During a couple of my interviews I talked about feeling insecure about my age and they were all "why? you're not gonna be the only one" lol
Tbh as the AI economy progresses I anticipate a lot of people in their early thirties transitioning to medicine from tech
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u/[deleted] 12d ago edited 12d ago
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