<p>First off, let me just start by saying it was never my intentions to let 6 years go by after graduating. And not go back to school. I've always been blessed to find really well paying jobs in the administrative side of healthcare field. And just always put going back to school on the back burner. I've always been really smart. Just didnt have the best of times growing up. And even after Highschool, I had a hard time. I made some of the worst mistakes of my life. Lost everything. So finally after a really bad break up. I'm thinking about doing things different. Going back to school. I'd have to start at a community college, and transfer over to a UC. I've already picked a major. Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology. UC Santa Cruz is definitely my goal school. I've looked up all the required courses needed to transfer to UCSC. I've looked into their TAG program with the CC's out here. Even figured out all the classes I need to take to get to where I want to be. I've wanted to be a surgeon since I was 11. Sitting here looking at all the classes required just to transfer into a UC scares me. I did well in Highschool with minimal effort. I mean like straight A's with no studying. I've grown up alot since Highschool. I've learned a lot. So I know what it would take. To get to where I need to be. I'm just not sure if I'd be able to accomplish everything Ive got in my head. It's all such a scary thought. Anyone have any advice?</p>
<p>Put on your big boy pants and enroll. Good luck!</p>
<p>Yes, it’s scary. You may not accomplish everything you’ve got in your head. Not because you’re 24 but because life could interfere. But if you don’t start, you won’t accomplish anything you’ve got in your head.</p>
<p>At 24, you already regret not having gone to school. Do you really want to be 54 and still regretting it?</p>
<p>I remember a letter to Ann Landers where the person said, “I’ve applied to medical school, but I’ll be 58 when I graduate in 4 years. Should I go?” Ann answered, “And how old will you be in 4 years if you don’t go to medical school?”</p>
<p>No time to start like the present. And you will kick yourself for the rest of your life if you don’t try. So GET GOING!!!</p>
<p>Think of it this way, In 4 years, if you DON’T enroll, how old will you be? 28 with no higher education. If you DO enroll? 28 with a college degree. </p>
<p>Where do you want to be in 4 years?</p>
<p>I couldn’t agree more. This morning while driving to my decently paid (before the economic downfall anyway) administrative job, I was just thinking how my life may have been different and better if I had gone to college. 51 years old and still regretting not going - go already!</p>
<p>Yes. Your all completely right. Time will march on whether I go back to school or not. I guess it’s just overwhelming. I’ll be atleast 35 by the time I finish school, med school, internships and maybe even older depending on my surgical residency lengths and what I chose to specialize in. I’ve worked in the Emergency Room registering and admitting patients for 5 years. Trauma interests me greatly. And even more so, pediatric traumas. I know I would find the work interesting. I struggled in math a little bit in Highschool. But only because it got to the point where I needed to study a little more and would rather have went out with friends. The funny thing about those friends is none of them stayed for my struggles. Thanks for the advice everyone. Now a days only my mom is around for me to call and talk to. And she doesn’t have the slightest clue what it takes to become a doctor. I feel a little better about this journey I’m about to embark on.</p>
<p>It’s especially important to go now, if you don’t have children of your own, competing for your time and attention. Most people don’t want to put off significant personal obligations forever, and those obligations do make school harder.</p>
<p>I was a traditional-age undergraduate, and I remember people like you doing really well at school. They weren’t there to party, and they weren’t getting by on other people’s money. They knew what it meant to put in an honest week’s work, and understood what kind of an opportunity the degree could mean for them. It showed.</p>
<p>brittney, I know a lot of people who went to law school late, went to medical school late, switched careers in middle age, etc. As a matter of fact, medical schools now prefer applicants who have a few years of experience outside of school. The more mature students tend to make better doctors. And 28 is not that unusually old to start medical school.</p>
<p>Best of luck to you.</p>
<p>Thank you all so much for your positive feedback. I feel much better. You guys got me kind of looking forward to all those calculus and chemistry classes.! :). You guys are amazing.</p>
<p>Go ahead and do it! As a community college prof I’ve seen many people in your age group doing well in school, better than the 18 or 19 year olds who don’t realize the value of education. You’re motivated to study, which is a big advantage.</p>
<p>One more vote for “do it now!” :)</p>
<p>Don’t let your “advanced” age be a hindrance in your thinking about college. You are much more mature than when you were 18, and it will show in how you approach your college work now. If your experience is like mine, you’ll find all ages at community college and you won’t feel out of place at all.</p>
<p>My family doctor started medical school in her mid 30’s. She didn’t start practicing medicine until she was in her mid 40’s. If she can do it at that age then you can do it at yours…</p>
<p>A good friend of mine just completed her medical residency. At 53.</p>
<p>Go for it! You’ll never regret it. </p>
<p>Remember to balance out your classes to maintain your GPA and sanity. Take some easier classes along with the tough ones. </p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>Enroll. First, for the “trite because it’s true” advice, in four years, you will be 28 years old. You can be twenty-eight with a college degree, or without one. Your choice.</p>
<p>Second, there are doctors who start medical school at age 40. There are lawyers who get their JDs at age 50. You’re not too old for any of that - an extra six years is not much at all.</p>
<p>You are younger than the average entering American college student, which is 24.8 years of age.</p>
<p>I think you’re at the exact perfect age to start an education. I would say this to you if you were 54, as well.</p>
<p>I would suggest not getting ahead of yourself and thinking about “everything” you have to do, and just think about next quarter, or semester. Just do it a term at a time. If you get burnt out, you can become a PA, or a Family Doc. So, there are lots of really nice rest areas along the route.</p>
<p>Good luck to you.</p>
<p>^ Yes exactly so. “A journey of 1000 miles begins with one step.”</p>
<p>I agree with taking it one step at a time, but definitely do it!</p>
<p>It’s great to have a goal, like being a doctor, but look at the medical field as a whole and get your undergraduate degree with an open mind. I know a young woman who went to school to be a nurse, but once there found a real interest in speech therapy, and is now pursuing that path. There are also many medical specialties, and it may take you a few years to find the one that suits you. Enjoy the journey!</p>