Becoming a surgeon?

[Oliver-Christoph]

I'm not sure if I posted this in the right place, but here goes nothin'...
I haven't been on here in awhile, and recently I've ran into some issues regarding my future. I'll be enlisting into the Army within the next 2 months where I'll spend the next 6 years of my life. I was planning on getting the ball rolling after I get out, starting HRT and hopefully getting my top surgery done then. But here lies the problem: I want to go to med school after I get my masters for neurology specializing in surgery. I need y'all's opinion on what I should do regarding transitioning after the military and then going into college for at least 5 years, with another 4 or so tacked on by med-school? How could I transition with all of this going on?

[Doctorwho?]

Well I'm slightly different in that I was PAIS intersex, and my gender surgery was done most of a lifetime ago ... (around 3 decades back) but I am at medical school now and in just over three years time I will be a doctor.

Medical school is often brutally tough, competitive and demanding! My advice is don't even think about thinking about going to med school UNTIL you have not only transitioned and finished all surgeries, but have also lived in role and been fully settled for a few years. The demands medical education will put on you psychologically, physically and mentally are not compatible with any other source of stress.

If you really want to do it - I'd junk the army - transition right now and then go to med school in 5 or 6 years time. Either that or settle for the fact that increasingly people are doing medicine in later life. I'm in my 50's and this is my third career... yes I may be a bit exceptional for my age, but there are plenty of people in their later 30's on my course.

[Oliver-Christoph]

So there's not necessarily a "cut off age" for going to college/med school? If I take a couple years and transition and hold a steady job for awhile, is it a bad idea to start school again that late? I'll have to complete my residency as well, which adds an extra 7 years to the whole process...I just don't want to be an old man by the time I get my life going ^_^

[Doctorwho?]

Well I'm probably not the best person to ask as I shall be well into my 60's by the time I make it out of training grades... The short answer is that (at least where I am in the UK) there is no cut off as long as you retain the necessary neural plasticity to learn as rapidly and as retentively as a 20 to 30 year old.

I suspect the USA is exactly the same. Here we have an entrance exam for mature entrants, which is kind of the equivalent of running an intellectual triple marathon. Less than 10% of those who sit it pass it... and less than 30% of those who pass it, get a place after interviews. I managed both despite my age.

To be honest most people of my age probably could NOT cope - but for some reason I seem to have managed to defy the ageing process, must be the timelord genes I guess ;-)

That said there is actually a lot to be said for being older. Youthful energy and swiftness of thought is great and will get you a long way... however there are some situations where the extra maturity and life experience serves me well and gives me a distinct edge over my young rivals.

For example I know how to talk to patients who are stressed and frightened. I know how to read older people, I can often pull off the appearance of greater authority than perhaps my younger colleagues and as a result a lot of patients find it easier to trust me...

I've seen a few things in life, so I don't get so affected by some of the, frankly awful, things that I witness. So its roundabouts and swings. I wouldn't advise leaving it until you are in your 50's like I have - but certainly there is nothing wrong with doing it in your 30's.

[Flan]

So there's not necessarily a "cut off age" for going to college/med school?

In the US generally no and earlier isn't necessarily better because of experience can get to prepare yourself for the joys of dealing with the general public (especially one that wants to sue first for complications). The biggies with pre-meds are related to biology (and labs) and figuring how to not do too bad on MCAT (which in my not humble opinion is useless for most physically orientated  medical careers).

[Cindy]

Another country again, getting into Med school in Australia is 'easier' after you have life experience and another degree. But most grad entries have a PhD, about 75/25 have a higher degree in my school. We have about a 20% reserve for grads to fight it out.

Dr Who, is a very dear friend, but would have no chance of Med school in Aus. And that is not disparaging in anyway.

It's brutal.

Cindy

[Doctorwho?]

Dr Who, is a very dear friend, but would have no chance of Med school in Aus. And that is not disparaging in anyway.

Well as I passed the GAMSAT (which is the Australian exam) and with a more than adequate score by Australian standards, AND I do have a higher degree I think you could even be wrong about that.

When I was applying I checked the entrance requirements for a range of GAMSAT accepting colleges including two in Aus - and I did at least theoretically qualify for interview... Of those I applied to ALL of them offered me an interview, and all of them that I went to offered me a place.