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That's really awesome! A friend of a friend did the same thing in her 50's. Her kids were grown and gone. Husband had passed away. She wanted a new life. Now in her 60's, she's in her own practice and living her dream. There is hope even for us old folks!
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.
Most of those older people you see in college classes are working already in the field, and they think that (true or not) a B.S., M.S., or a Ph.D. will move them up the food chain. From personal anecdotal encounters, older folks getting in college at the ripe age of 40+ to get a better job/career (just 2 data points), are missing quite a few marbles or otherwise troubled to make it too far.
Most of those older people you see in college classes are working already in the field, and they think that (true or not) a B.S., M.S., or a Ph.D. will move them up the food chain. From personal anecdotal encounters, older folks getting in college at the ripe age of 40+ to get a better job/career (just 2 data points), are missing quite a few marbles or otherwise troubled to make it too far.
i wasn't going to say anything but this is your second negative reply in this thread. seems like you have an axe to grind or something, i don't know.
Congratulations for being, at the same time, humble and courageous, and deciding to come back to school at any age.
It is never too late to study, what other people think does not matter more than one's will to learn and advance when it comes to education. One is only as old as one feels. I hope I can learn something new until the last day I live!
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.
don't ever let anyone tell you what you can't do!
I congratulate your buddy. He will be nearly 50 or 60 when he is done with school and ready to be a surgeon. I guess he could be a regular doctor too.
25 to 30 is my generation. When you hear and see your entire life "you are too young" and then we age and hear "you are too old." This is why we are like this. The generation between the two boomer generations.
i wasn't going to say anything but this is your second negative reply in this thread. seems like you have an axe to grind or something, i don't know.
Is this thread some kind of a feel good, motivational Prozac for the people clinging to the last straw of their? dreams? No, it's never too late, 45, 55, 65, 95, opportunities are abundant, just go for it. With little bit of positive attitude and $30k in student loans you can move mountains.
Reality is not negative, reality is just that, reality.
So, let's refresh on "reality":
a) Most "non traditional" an euphemism for "old" students are enrolled in the programs (part time) that further their existing careers. To put it bluntly they just need to muddle through with a 2.5 GPA, earn a diploma and "collect" prearranged rewards, be it promotion, keeping a job, or a fatter paycheck.
b) your brain is not getting any better with age. Even though older students efforts are commendable from personal development&perseverance standpoint (and may even keep dementia at bay for a year or two longer), whom are you trying to kid? Only a few truly extraordinary older folks can keep up with younger brains. And you really think that in the age of the disposables HR managers will bet on you being a late blooming Einstein?
c) Why it's hard to accept age limitations for so many? Yup, many (if not all) things in this life are age specific, no amount of positive attitude will change that.
This man was already a medical doctor but worked for others. Had a good life. Lost it all to a schemer who was a friend of his sons. Had to start over at 62.
He is one of the most sought after doctors - he went out on his own and built up a practice. His and wife moved into a small home. It has now been 20 years. They are just amazing people, he and his wife.
You would never, ever know they are 82 and 80. The nicest couple.
So, you never know what people have to go through to get somewhere. I applaud the guy who entered college after the military and then got accepted to medical school. Do you know how hard it is to go against the grain?
Not everyone wants to work for a big corporation. Some of us would rather be self employed and work for ourselves.
Most of those older people you see in college classes are working already in the field, and they think that (true or not) a B.S., M.S., or a Ph.D. will move them up the food chain. From personal anecdotal encounters, older folks getting in college at the ripe age of 40+ to get a better job/career (just 2 data points), are missing quite a few marbles or otherwise troubled to make it too far.
I did a quick NPV calculation. I compared two scenarios. Base assumptions: You are 42 years old and will retire when you are 65. I will assume 0 living expenses in both scenarios to keep things even for the sake of the math.
1. You make $80,000/yr now and take out 240,000 in loans to invest over the next four years (the cost of medical school). You get an 8% return on the investment and you get a 2% raise every year. The Net Present Value of this scenario is $1,727,739
2. You go to medical school. You take out $240,000 in loans over four years, make $50,000/yr for each year in a five year residency, and after that make $350,000 / yr until you retire at 65 years old. You gain 2% raises along the way, and you take from the moment you graduate medical school until the day you retire to pay off the loans. Given this scenario, your net present value is $4,024,264.
Basically, an average 42 year old going to medical school, they will make 132% more because of that decision than if they stayed in their current job, given the generic conditions i listed above.
I think you must be missing quite a few marbles NOT to go back.
Is this thread some kind of a feel good, motivational Prozac for the people clinging to the last straw of their? dreams? No, it's never too late, 45, 55, 65, 95, opportunities are abundant, just go for it. With little bit of positive attitude and $30k in student loans you can move mountains.
Reality is not negative, reality is just that, reality.
"reality" is a matter of perception. your reality and my reality are, apparently, two totally different things.
So, let's refresh on "reality":
a) Most "non traditional" an euphemism for "old" students are enrolled in the programs (part time) that further their existing careers. To put it bluntly they just need to muddle through with a 2.5 GPA, earn a diploma and "collect" prearranged rewards, be it promotion, keeping a job, or a fatter paycheck.
evidence?
b) your brain is not getting any better with age. Even though older students efforts are commendable from personal development&perseverance standpoint (and may even keep dementia at bay for a year or two longer), whom are you trying to kid? Only a few truly extraordinary older folks can keep up with younger brains. And you really think that in the age of the disposables HR managers will bet on you being a late blooming Einstein?
if this were true, we'd start graduate school at 5 and graduate from kindergarten at 33.
c) Why it's hard to accept age limitations for so many? Yup, many (if not all) things in this life are age specific, no amount of positive attitude will change that.
if you want to limit yourself, make your own post, and put limitations on folks who agree with your "reality". this isn't that post.
I did a quick NPV calculation. I compared two scenarios. Base assumptions: You are 42 years old and will retire when you are 65. I will assume 0 living expenses in both scenarios to keep things even for the sake of the math.
1. You make $80,000/yr now and take out 240,000 in loans to invest over the next four years (the cost of medical school). You get an 8% return on the investment and you get a 2% raise every year. The Net Present Value of this scenario is $1,727,739
2. You go to medical school. You take out $240,000 in loans over four years, make $50,000/yr for each year in a five year residency, and after that make $350,000 / yr until you retire at 65 years old. You gain 2% raises along the way, and you take from the moment you graduate medical school until the day you retire to pay off the loans. Given this scenario, your net present value is $4,024,264.
Basically, an average 42 year old going to medical school, they will make 132% more because of that decision than if they stayed in their current job, given the generic conditions i listed above.
I think you must be missing quite a few marbles NOT to go back.
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Someone I knew
