I'm 32

I've mentioned in previous posts that I am a non-traditional med student.  I'm 32 years old, which by med school standards is quite ancient.  Traditional students graduate from college at 20 or 21 and then go right into med school the following fall.  I am a good 10 years older than the traditional student.  There are several things that this later start time will affect.

The first thing that starting med school at this age brings up is lifetime earnings potential.  Each year I waited I have sacrificed a year of my top income potential.  In other words, if I will be making $200,000 per year when I retire at the age of (65?) I could have made that top income for another ten years thus I am missing out on $2 million in income.  Granted, as a physician I will be making enough money to live comfortably and by that time I should have my $250,000 in student indebtedness paid off by then, so it shouldn't be a matter of necessity.  Alternatively, if I want I could work until I am (75?) (assuming I am healthy until then).

The second thing, and this is more important to me, is reproductive potential.  Being female, my huevos are reaching their expiration date.  At the age of 36 my batch of potential zygotes will decrease precipitously.  If I start school in September I will be hitting the age of 33.  My eggs will be expired before I leave medical school.  If I want to have biological children I should consider making alternative plans.  I could harvest some eggs, freeze them, and hope that in 10 years or so when I am out of residency, that will be successful.  From what I read, lots of women have pregnancies throughout medical school, internship, or residency.  However, it does add another level of difficulty to an already difficult endeavor.  In addition to this, assuming a successful pregnancy, there is the matter of daycare, and how much time will a resident be able to devote to a developing youth? Indeed, there are other alternatives such as adoption or not having children at all.  Both are valid options.  This is something that I still haven't decided about.  A physician I once knew would often say, "Lack of decision is in fact a decision made." 

Back in action!

HI all!

I haven't posted in the past week because I moved (houses).  Last week was dedicated to unpacking and getting technology connections established. 

Since my last post I have gotten rejections from Pikeville College of Osteopathic Medicine, New England College of Osteopathic Medicine, Morehouse Medical College, Ponce College of Medicine and Howard College of Medicine.  While I am feeling discouraged by this, I am somewhat heartened that I did get an interview at Ross and that they are still reviewing my application.

I think that the last time I posted I was under the impression that I would hear back from Ross by two Fridays ago.  I was mistaken in this assumption.  I called my admissions representative and she said that I would have heard only if I had stayed with the May class start date (which is what I had originally applied for).  So, the long and short of it is that I can expect to hear back within 4-6 weeks from the time of my interview.  I can expect to hear either April 22, 29, or May 6.  This is more waiting but also I am glad that I switched to the class starting in September which gives me time to get a passport and save up money etc...

In addition to all of this, and since my other applications have not been going so well I am also applying to pick up more classes to teach in case Ross doesn't go through.  This is the reality of finances and I do need to pay bills.  Even if I do get accepted at Ross, it would be best if I have a bit more money saved up rather than not.

Sorry for the long rambling post this time.  I had a lot stored up since we last spoke!