Average Age Of Medical Students

According to Rankin, there is nothing wrong with trying different careers before going to med school, and older students bring a unique perspective to the table that can even help them excel in their studies.

How Old Is Too Old for Medical School?

Plenty of students every year consider becoming a doctor over 40. With that said, how old is “too old” for medical school? It’s never too late to go to school. Here’s everything you need to know about attending med school at a non-traditional age.

If you know anything about medical school, you know that the process is lengthy. Becoming a doctor is no walk in the park; it can take seven to 13 years to complete all your schooling.

First, medical schools do not have a cut-off age. There is technically no age limit for applying to medical school, and your age should not impact your application. As long as you meet the requirements, you can apply to the medical schools of your choice.

Even though there is technically no age limit on applying to medical school, your age can impact your medical school journey.

Below, we will cover considerations, impacts, and frequently asked questions about beginning your medical school journey at a non-traditional age.

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Does Age Matter in Med School?

The short answer here is no. Age does not matter in medical school. In terms of your classes, if you are attending an MD program at 30, you will likely be the oldest in the class. However, there are some advantages to having a few years on your classmates.

For starters, older students bring more life experience to the table. Relating to people in their 20s may prove to be a bit challenging, but it can give you a leg up in terms of patience and experience.

Beginning at a later age may also mean you’ve had more time to explore other options. When students go directly into medical school at a younger age, they may later change their minds. Older students are not immune to this, but beginning later gives you more time to check out other fields of interest first.

Ultimately, your age may alter your medical school experience but will not make it more difficult from a social or academic perspective.

Average Age of Medical Students

Most med students are around 24 years old when heading into their first year. The average graduating age is 28, but it’s never too late to go to med school.

Non-traditional applicants often fear it may be too late to attend medical school. It’s important to know there is no age limit to attending medical school. You can become a doctor at any age.

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How Age Impacts Medical School Acceptance

Your age will not impact your chances of being accepted into medical school. As mentioned above, medical schools do not have age cut-offs. Plenty of people decide to go into medical school in their 30s,40s,50s, and even 60s.

To be accepted into medical school, do plenty of up-to-date research on what medical schools are expecting. If you’re someone who was interested in applying ten years ago, for example, you’ll have to keep in mind that application requirements change over time.

Make sure to check your school’s current expectations for GPA, MCAT, and prerequisite courses.

Considerations for Older Medical School Applicants

Although medical schools don’t have an age cut-off, there may be other challenges you’ll face as a medical school applicant over 30. Here are some differences to consider:

Financial implications

At an older age, it might be more difficult to fund your time in medical school. It is unlikely you’ll have time to work while doing your studies, and receiving a grant or loan can sometimes be more challenging at an older age.

Once you’ve entered into residency after medical school, you will be paid, but the salary starts on the low end. This could be alright if you don’t have any dependents but may be difficult if you are supporting a family.

If you’re hoping to attend medical school at a non-traditional age, be sure to save up in advance. You should have enough to get you through your studies and part of the residency, just to be safe.

Time away from family

If you’re over thirty, you may have begun raising a family or have a long-term partner. Medical school is very demanding; you’ll be working long hours and studying after classes — not to mention the long residency shifts.

If you are close with your family, remember that medical school will mean spending less time with them. We recommend taking time to have a conversation with your family before applying about how demanding medical school is and how long it will take.

It may serve you well to make sure everyone is on board and will support you through your journey!

Retirement

Depending on your age, you may want to consider how long you’ll be able to practice medicine before retiring. Depending on your specialty, it can take over ten years to complete your training.

To ensure you’ll be able to have the desired amount of years practicing medicine after your schooling, calculate how old you’ll be when you finish medical school.

Keep in mind that doctors tend to retire later than other professions. Studies have shown that 30% of doctors in the entire country are over 60. That being said, most doctors in the U.S. retire around 65 years old.

The Best Medical Schools for Older Students

Medical schools don’t have an age cut-off. However, some schools make a point of encouraging non-traditional applicants to apply. Here are the best med schools for non-traditional students.

1. Ohio State University College of Medicine

Dr. Demicha Rankin, an associate dean for admissions at Ohio State University College of Medicine, makes a point of debunking the age cut-off stigma for older medical students.

According to Rankin, there is nothing wrong with trying different careers before going to med school, and older students bring a unique perspective to the table that can even help them excel in their studies.

Additionally, OSU offers childcare services for students to ensure the school is inclusive and allows all students a chance to succeed while balancing life needs.

2. Johns Hopkins School Of Medicine

Johns Hopkins is one of the top medical schools in the US. Although getting accepted to JH can be a challenge, 17% of its current class are non-traditional students. Top schools often seek diversity in applicants to create a balanced and unique student atmosphere.

3. Miller School Of Medicine – University Of Miami

The Miller School of Medicine at the University of Miami also accepts non-traditional graduates. According to a non-traditional student testimonial, a 34-year-old was accepted into the program only to find plenty of other students in their 30s at the school.

U of Miami also mentions that “qualified non-traditional students, women, socio-economically disadvantaged students, and minorities underrepresented in medicine, are especially encouraged to apply.”

The Best Specialties for Older Medical School Applicants

Choosing the right specialty for your age demographic can get you in the workforce faster. Medical school in the U.S. takes four years to complete, but your residency program can range from three to seven years. Here, we’ll list specialties with the shortest residencies.

Family Practice, 3 Years

Family practice is also referred to as family medicine, general medicine, and general practice. As one of the most popular specialties with a large number of positions available each year, family medicine is an excellent specialty choice for older medical school applicants.

These programs are typically no more than three years long and are not as competitive as other specialties. A family doctor’s median clinical salary in the U.S. is $290,624.

Pediatrics, 3 to 4 Years

Pediatricians deal with the health of infants and children up to 18 years old. This specialty covers a range of illnesses, from genetic disorders to chronic and acute diseases. Many students demonstrate an interest in working with children, hence the specialty’s popularity.

Pediatrics is a short program and is generally more competitive than others. While these residency positions may be competitive, they are also rewarding and much shorter than other residencies, making them a great option for older students.

The median clinical salary of a pediatric doctor in the U.S. is $183,240.

Internal Medicine, 3 Years

Internal medicine deals with preventing, diagnosing, and treating internal diseases such as influenza, bronchitis, and diabetes. Internal diseases are some of the most common ailments, making internal medicine doctors high in demand.

Internal medicine generally has good job availability and is one of the shortest residencies. The median clinical salary of an internal medicine doctor in the U.S. is $152,000.

Physical Medicine, 3 to 4 Years

Physical medicine, also known as rehabilitation or physiatry, involves the restoration of physical functions. Physiatrists work for people with a variety of physical disabilities to diagnose and prescribe treatment plans for physiotherapists to then perform.

Physical medicine is less popular than other specialties and offers shorter programs. A physiatrist’s median clinical salary of $206,774 is slightly higher than other specialties we’ve listed.

There are many other medical residencies that are three to four years in length. When deciding on your specialty, make sure to account for the hours you want to work, stress levels, residency length, position availability, and salary.

FAQs: How Old is Too Old for Medical School?

Here are our answers to the most frequently asked questions about how old is too old for medical school.

1. Can I Go to Med School in My 30s?

Absolutely. There is no age cut-off for medical students. Many people have gone into med school in their 30s.

2. How Old is the Oldest Practicing Doctor?

Doctor Howard Tucker, 98 years old, is the oldest practicing physician in the world.

3. What Can I Study After 50?

Health is one of the areas with the most opportunities for people over 50, alongside finance, management, and administration. You can go back to school at any age. Many people successfully switch career paths later in life.

4. At What Age do Most Doctors Retire?

Most doctors retire at around 65 years of age.

5. How Old is the Average Medical Student?

The average age of entering MD students is 24. The average graduating age is 28.

6. Is 40 Too Old to Become a Doctor?

It’s never too old to go back to school. Although you may be older than your classmates, there’s no age limit for attending medical school.

7. Is a DO or MD Better for Older Medical Students?

There isn’t much difference between older medical students applying to an MD vs a DO. The biggest consideration between the two is that there are fewer jobs available in DO positions. Your likelihood of acceptance is the same between the two.

8. Who Is the Oldest Med Student In History?

Dr Atomic Leow Chuan Tse was the oldest known medical student, graduating at 66 years old from the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi, Romania, in 2015.

Is It Too Late to Become a Doctor?

If you’re over thirty and wondering if you should apply to medical school, don’t let your age deter you from applying. Plenty of students begin their journey through medical school at a non-traditional age.

If you’re concerned about your odds of acceptance, focus more on your application materials. Remember, medical schools do not have age requirements. Make sure your GPA, MCAT, and prerequisite courses are all complete and meet the standards of the schools you’re applying to.

Attending medical school at an older age could be a bit more difficult for personal reasons. Ensure your decision makes sense financially and your family is supportive of your medical venture.

Am I Too Old for Medical School?

Does age matter when you apply to medical school? Learn the truth, plus everything you need to know as an older applicant

Introduction

You’ve decided that medical school might be the right path for you. But, you’re a bit worried because your journey hasn’t been so straightforward and you’re wondering if you’re too old for med school.

In childhood we’re often asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” And when we’re little, the answer to this question is pretty simple. It’s usually right at the tip of our tongue: “A ballerina!” “A fireman!” “A doctor!”

With time, the question becomes more complicated. In reality, career paths are far less straightforward than they may have seemed when we were younger. We meander, we try different things. Discovery and the nonlinear path are part of life, but they’re complicating this decision for you.

Maybe a family health crisis inspired you to head to medical school to make a difference, or maybe you always wanted to be a physician, but took a few years (or more) off after college to work and save money before pursuing a costly degree.

In any case, you’re interested in pursuing a career in medicine at a time that seems untraditional. And that brings with it a new question: am I too old for medical school?

You may be working under the assumption that most medical students have just graduated college with hours upon hours of shadowing and research under their belts. As a result, you think your age might weaken your application in an already deeply competitive admissions process. It’s understandable to feel this way.

But it may surprise you to know that more and more people take years off before applying to medical school. In fact, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges, the average age of a first year medical student is 24.

The truth is that you don’t need to be fresh out of undergrad to go to medical school and you’re not alone in taking some time. To succeed in medical school, you need to be diligent, hardworking, and passionate about a career in medicine—and that can be true of anyone, at any age.

In other words, there is no such thing as being “too old for medical school.”

In this article we’ll go over some things you might consider as an older applicant to medical school, then we’ll explain how medical schools think about older prospective students. And, hopefully, after hearing some of your concerns addressed, you’ll feel confident that you have just as good of a chance as anybody to pursue your dream of becoming a physician.

As an older applicant, what should I consider before applying to medical school?

There’s no getting around it: there are unique challenges associated with being what we call a “nontraditional” medical school applicant.

For example, it’s possible that, as an older candidate, you’ve been in the workforce for some time and, as a result, have been earning a sizable salary. Walking away from a career to pursue additional schooling may come at a heavy financial cost, even if it’s to pursue something you love.

The prospect of loans and long years of relatively low pay can be less daunting to candidates in their early twenties. But if you’re a candidate in your thirties or older, or if you have children, it might be difficult to entertain the idea of giving up a sizable paycheck for quite some time.

For instance, you might ask yourself if you’re comfortable having a spouse or partner support you financially during your time in medical school. You might ask yourself how you’ll support your kids, if you’re a single parent. You might consider what it will be like to be far from aging relatives, unable to offer care.

You may also wonder if you’ll be alone in your status as an older med student. Using the AAMC data linked earlier, we can estimate that about 25 percent of matriculants in recent years were 25 or older, and around 5 percent were over 30. Additionally, the AAMC reports that just 1,143—about 0.3 percent—of medical school matriculants between 2000 and 2019 were over the age of 40.

We don’t mention these things to scare you off—in fact, these are serious questions that anybody applying to medical school may have to answer for themselves, not just older candidates. So, know that you won’t be going through these difficulties alone. Many have done this before you. And if you are committed, you can do it too.

A common fear we encounter from nontraditional applicants is the worry that, after several years out of school, they won’t be prepared to excel in medical school. And if you find yourself in that situation or if you did not take premed prerequisite classes as a part of your undergraduate education, that’s okay. You have alternatives.

Post-baccalaureate programs are designed especially for those in these circumstances, and while they can add a year or two of schooling to your pursuit, they can be a great way to ease back into academics while also offering opportunities to prepare for the MCAT.

All this is to say that the only person who can decide if it’s the “right time” for you to apply to medical school is you.

Deciding to pursue medical school later than traditional candidates, despite what it may cost you, speaks a lot about who you are and your commitment to medicine. If you’re in your late twenties, thirties, or older, you’re likely more aware of what is important to you than when you were younger. You have years of real-world experience that younger candidates just don’t have. And that is something that you can absolutely leverage as you prepare your application.

Will being older affect my chances of getting into medical school?

The short answer to this question is: no, being older won’t lower your chances of getting into medical school. The long answer is: no, but knowing that you are an older candidate should influence the way you approach your application.

Because getting into medical school is notoriously difficult, you don’t want anything outside of your control to hold you back.

You may worry that schools might interpret you leaving behind an established career as a sign that you’re not truly committed to any career, let alone medicine. You might worry that a school will see your age and worry that you may not be up to years of training.

These are understandable concerns for you to have! But you can address these concerns in your application and use the valuable skills you’ve developed outside the classroom to create a strong, competitive application.

While your MCAT score and your undergraduate GPA are objectively the most important parts of your application, top medical schools are also looking to admit a diverse cohort who are dedicated to the medical field and who will reflect their values.

As someone who has more life experience than a traditional applicant, you can use your experiences to explain not only why you’re a great fit for medicine, but also why you’re a great fit for a particular program. Medical schools recognize that the maturity and life experience that older applicants bring to the table are significant assets that can’t be taught in a classroom.

For example, if you’ve worked for years as a construction foreman, your ability to manage people, resources, and situations is likely incredibly transferrable to medicine. In medicine, you have to deal with people in tough circumstances, and you will need to make important decisions that will have a substantial impact on people’s lives. The people skills you’ve developed are critical to being an excellent physician, and you can bring that confidence to medical school as well.

With that in mind, take the time to reflect on the skills, values, and life experiences you’ve developed. We’re sure that they are numerous. Brainstorming these skills can be a great way to prepare for writing your personal statement.

It’s not enough to assume that the medical school will just understand how your work and life experience translates into a future career as a physician—it’s your job to weave that story for them in your application.

Being an older candidate comes with other advantages. The life experience and potentially the confidence that you’ve developed over the years might make it easier for you to excel in medical school interviews or in networking with medical school alumni and admissions staff.

Final thoughts

The truth is that every applicant to medical school will face challenges. The application process is deeply competitive, medical school is rigorous and expensive, and internships, residencies, and fellowships offer long, difficult hours. The path to becoming a physician is certainly not an easy one for anybody, at any age.

But it speaks volumes about your dedication if you’re willing to go back to school and take on those challenges, despite the fact that you may be a nontraditional applicant.

You’re not too old for medical school, and you’re not too old to be a competitive applicant. In fact, we’ve created an entire guide for nontraditional medical school applicants. Read it to harness all of the benefits of being wiser—and yes, older—and to craft the strongest possible medical school application.