Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I just wanted to let everyone know it's never too late to pursue your goals and dreams. long story short, he retired from the service (after 20 years), graduated from a small state school in maryland, got accepted to a post doc program, did well (it was a year long full time program) and got accepted to a pretty good med program. of course there were doubters who said he was too old, there were doubters who said he couldn't hack it academically since he was a liberal arts (sociology) undergrad major. his journey isn't over, as it's just really begun but, i know he will do well. anything he's set his mind on accomplishing he has. not bad for a guy who dropped out of high school and got a GED.
it's pretty much why i cringe when i hear people who are only 25 and 30 years old act as if there lives are over. it's the beauty of america.
At my med school, I've seen some amazing people attend med school. Congrats on your friend's acceptance. I hope he brings his unique knowledge of the world to the school he attends.
Thanks....what a pleasant post...good luck to your pal
-);18738481]I just wanted to let everyone know it's never too late to pursue your goals and dreams. long story short, he retired from the service (after 20 years), graduated from a small state school in maryland, got accepted to a post doc program, did well (it was a year long full time program) and got accepted to a pretty good med program. of course there were doubters who said he was too old, there were doubters who said he couldn't hack it academically since he was a liberal arts (sociology) undergrad major. his journey isn't over, as it's just really begun but, i know he will do well. anything he's set his mind on accomplishing he has. not bad for a guy who dropped out of high school and got a GED.
it's pretty much why i cringe when i hear people who are only 25 and 30 years old act as if there lives are over. it's the beauty of america.
Can you imagine those opressed savages in other countries where evil dictators took away the freedoms of accumulating college degrees at one's whim (provided sufficient funds, naturally). Thanks to our brave men & women in uniform who defended our cherished freedom just like this one.
You get accepted, you pay, you pass tests and voila - a degree is yours whether you are 25 or 75, Iran or Canada. Raking in a degree is NOT a big deal, neither is shopping at a Wal Mart. What you gonna do with that at the ripe age of 47+ is quite another matter. If you are an independently wealthy, or you have a secure job behind your back, getting another degree is just like a hobby. You may turn your hobby into a business, or you might not, not a big deal, have fun. If you have to turn your degree into Cash flow ASAP to pay bills & loans at the ripe age of 47, especially if your degree is in something unrelated to your previous experience, it's not even a gamble, it's stupidity. Medical field is little bit lenient in this regard and there are a few "feel good stories" about guys in their 40s breaking in the field, but, every year dozens of people win millions in lotteries (it's way more than the number of freshly minted 47 years olds entering medical profession). Other fields are merciless, no feel good stories there.
The guy put in his 20 years, that means GI bill + VA care + $3,000/month at least. For him it's a hobby without major consequences. But, on the other hand, if he takes a loan to put himself through medical school, and considering all the horror stories about student loan mafia, it's a big gamble anyway. However, if some penniless idiot will get inspired by his example, there will not be happy ending there. I've seen a couple of broke guys getting a Ph.D. in engineering in their 50th (with a specific goal of making more $$$ upon graduation), that was sorry looking futility, neither made it through, both were rewarded with an M.S. and both can use their diplomas to wipe their arses, UNEMPLOYABLE.
He's actually not uncommon. Obviously most student bodies skew toward youngsters, but almost every class has a few people who are older. Your buddy will have the benefit of 20 years of experience living, so some of the things that are "like, OMG" to his classmates, will probably be nothing to him. If anything, he probably has an advantage.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
