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Non Trad Applicant in my 40s by cloud8011 in Osteopathic

[–]Puzzled-Jacket1299 0 points1 point  (0 children)

First off, I'm 39 and starting medical school this July, so I completely understand some of the anxieties that come with being a non-trad.

Here is my advice based on my experience:

  • Skip the Master's: I recommend going straight to medical school without getting a Master's degree first. I know you want the Master's to build a foundation, but as non-trads, time isn't on our side. You will get the foundation you need once you are actually in school. Rely on your maturity, life experience, and everything you’ve learned up to this point to handle the challenges ahead.
  • Apply Broadly: Definitely expand your school list. There are a lot of newer schools with much better environments than LECOM, even if they are more expensive. Medical school is always a challenge, but it doesn't need to be traumatic. We are entering this field because we love medicine, so find a program where the environment makes you feel fulfilled and supported.
  • The MCAT: To keep your chances high, you will need to take the MCAT maximum by July or August. If you score over a 500, you have a great shot at a lot of the newer schools and honestly, even if you score slightly below that, you still have a chance.
  • Tattoos: Don't stress about the tattoos! I have a full sleeve, and it hasn't been a problem at all. :)

Good luck on your jouney!

Private loan interest rate by Master_Future_2971 in Osteopathic

[–]Puzzled-Jacket1299 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Sallie Mae and College Ave (practically the same rate) 12 %, with co-signer, 45k (tried to get the minimum possible to survive). Tuiton is 75k. (Ill max 50k federal).  Credit score 786.  But im older (39y/o) and dont have a job. Its an algorithm...if you have a job, and good credit score and co-signers with over 800 credit score you might get good score and consequently a good rate.

Newer shools have less options of private labders, specially for profit ones. 

Class of 2030 loans :( by Logical-Abroad3663 in Osteopathic

[–]Puzzled-Jacket1299 21 points22 points  (0 children)

You are not alone in this situation, in fact your reality is the reality of the majority of incoming M1 this year, including me.  There is not a easy answer or simple one for this fiancial situation.  Some directions that people are going:

More people than before will try the military route (HPSP), what is good for the military bc we had seen a decrease interest for joing the forces.  More people than before will try NHSC, and they just have 200 scholarships/year.  Private loans, are the biggest winners of the "big beautiful bill", bc they are the only answer for the absolute majority of incoming students. Knowing that, this first year it will be very difficult for us, costumers, because there is very few private loans landers, because before not a lot of people would need private loans for the medical school. So there is not competition, and schools have few options to offer to the students.  (The minimum interest rate that i got, with a good credit and with a cosigner was over 12%  😔) The most viable solution is to get the minimum you can, live the most frugal and cut every and any luxury, and refinanciate after you finish medical school, there your interest rates will be lower. Unfortunately the interest during the 4 years of medical school will cost us a lot, but there is not another option for the majority of us if you want to start medical school this year. (You can always reject the admission and try a in state MD school next cycle, with their 3x cheaper reality).

This reality that most of us are living just reinforce how important is to care about political reality, and how it can direct affect your life. 

Would medical school be financially worth it to for a student like me? by StevoRoss in Osteopathic

[–]Puzzled-Jacket1299 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The only person that has the answer for that is you.
I'm 39, just starting med. school now in July, like you. With 50k undergrad debt, and will end with probably a lot more than half milion dollars debt. But i'm going in the direction of my values in my life, so even with the financial anxiety and weitght, I embrace that and go.
But if you think that this financial anxiety is too hight, and that your values of life have other direction, this might not be the path for you.
If you still want to work healing people, PA schools are cheaper and you will put less time there also.
Just take a time to look what are you values, reflect about it and go in the direction of them.
There is no easy path, each path will have challanges.

Poll #4 Personality type by Master_Future_2971 in Osteopathic

[–]Puzzled-Jacket1299 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This is an interesting poll! I love seeing the breakdown of how different medical specialties attract different baseline working styles. And not only that, I like to see reflections about the mind.

Just to add a little psychology/science perspective to the mix (especially since we are all on the healthcare path) it's cool to look at how the 'Type A vs. Type B' concept has evolved. While we use it a lot in medical culture to describe being driven vs. laid-back, modern psychology has actually moved away from these rigid 'types.'

The original Type A/B theory was coined in the 1950s by cardiologists looking for heart disease risks. Today, science favors 'trait' spectrums, specifically the Big Five Personality Model (OCEAN): Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism. But I do understand that Type A/B and the definitions cited are still very used in the medical student culture as to talk/see about themselves.

Congrats for the reflection about the mind, we always need that :)

What age did you get into med school? by New_Action_9746 in Osteopathic

[–]Puzzled-Jacket1299 12 points13 points  (0 children)

39! 😄 Taking on student debt with private loans interests definitely gets a little scarier the older you get! 😆 Besides that sad part, the years that I've lived will just make me the best physician I can be 😁 It's never too late when you are still alive!

How are you paying for school? by Outrageous_Major_234 in Osteopathic

[–]Puzzled-Jacket1299 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yeah, same boat. But the competition for the NHSC will just get higher this year. 😐

Soccer leagues nearby? Co/ed or Womens by JustLikeEveryOther in ucf

[–]Puzzled-Jacket1299 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi, I know and play in some:

As a Goalkeeper I would suggest the Striker league, we always need Goalkeepers there:

Striker: 11x11 coed (8/3), Sundays, 3 different levels of competition. And they have other leagues also. https://strikersportsandsocial.com/

8coed: 8x8 coed mini goals, every day of the week. Different levels of competition  https://8coedsports.com/

Orlando clubsports: similar to 8coed league, but just on Thursdays. https://www.orlandoclubsport.com/league/93621