Is it too late to pursue my dreams of going into medicine?

<p>I have a 3.68 gpa from a community college in california, yet I don't have the right classes to go to a uc so I'll have to go to a csu, I would have to load up on chemistry/other sciences classes next term. I'm almost 23 and my biological clock is ticking, I can transfer after next spring. Is it too late for me to try and graduate and go for medical school or even just occupational therapy or just go for being an accountant which I have no interest in but I'm assuming is safer? I don't like debt but I feel so depressed about potentially giving up on a much more rewarding career direction. What should I do?</p>

<p>First of all, do NOT go into accounting just because it is “safer.” You are going to be working the next 40 years of your life, and I cannot imagine doing something your whole life that you don’t like. The point of getting an education is to find something you want to do the rest of your life. YOLO, after all. Second, no, you are not too old to go to medical school! Do not give up on the idea simply because you are 23! Is it easier when you are younger? Yes, but you would be in your late 20s in medical school - that is hardly “old.” Many people change their career course in their 30s, 40s, or even later. And while it’s not ideal, there are many who med students/residents who start families. That being said, med school is a significant time and financial commitment. Have you taken any sciences yet to give you an idea if you would do well? GPA is most important for med school admissions, so you have to be able to get very good grades in all of your bio and chem classes. Also note that some med schools prefer that certain medical school prerequisites, like organic chem, be taken at four-year schools. Third, occupational therapy would most likely be a less time-consuming and cheaper option, but again, make sure it is something you are really interested in. Shadow an OT to find out what it is that they do (you might want to do the same for a physician). Talk to the career center at your community college. They can often give you a lot of information about various career options. But do not let age be your determining factor at this point! Good luck!</p>

<p>I got an A in human biology, I was slightly put off by the paper and I started slacking (I was young and dumb) but I still finished pretty strong. I liked it at the time but the counselor discouraged me. I hated stoichiometry as an HS student but I feel I have more focus now so I might be able to overcome that</p>

<p>I actually had a better gpa in bio than accounting</p>

<p>1> 23 is not too old at all for med school. You will find people in their 30’s, 40’s and 50’s applying as well.
2> GPA is important for medschool applications. Loading up on science may not be the best strategy. If your goal is med school then going at a slower pace may be the way to go.
3> Med schools do not always accept/want to accept Pre-req classes taken at CCs. They want to make sure you can make it through med school and prefer 4 yr college courses. When you transfer to the CSU, talk to someone on the medical career advising committee about a good strategy.
4>Start volunteering in a medical setting now. Make sure you truly understand what you are getting into. This is good for you (finding out if you like it) and for the med school (shows committment). Also try to find doctor shadowing opportunities.</p>

<p>sunk costs are sunk costs. Maybe others make decisions earlier than you have, but there are so many more years ahead of you that I think you will seriously regret rushing a decision. That said, it doesn’t sound like you are ready to make a decision here. It’s almost like you are throwing out a few ideas and then hoping it all works out. A good idea is to spend time working or volunteering in a medical setting (an unofficial requirement for med school admission anyway) to see if an M.D. or other career in medicine is really right for you. Do that for 6 months and you’ll have a better idea if it is really right for you, and what area(s) you find of interest. </p>