Question well right now i am 27 yrs old and just got out of the military after 7 yrs... i really want to become a pediatrician, but i have NO college education yet. IN YOUR OPINION, am i too old? and also in reference to another question about fin. aid what military option were you referring too?
Answer KP,
You are 27 now and have no BS degree. You must obtain a 4 year BS degree meeting all pre-med requirements. Then if you are lucky and get in the first year you apply you face 4 years of medical school. To be a board certified pediatrician you will then need to complete a 3 year post-graduate residence program. That totals 11 years at the very least (in an American program). You will then be 38 years old.
It depends on how you feel about starting a career in medicine when 38. I cannot give you an opinion as to how you perceive this. FYI, our valedictorian in our med school class upon graduation was 42. I currently practice with an ER doctor who is pushing 74 years of age (and still going strong). In medicine there is NO mandatory retirement age.
You may have options through the military for scholarships... I had applied for a Navy scholarship position but my poor uncorrected vision disqualified me.
Best of luck...it is predicted that we will have a major physician shortage in the next 20 years so I do hope you consider.
