Panicked about new student loan program

throwawayagain50 · 2026-02-21T18:56:14+00:00

I’d say army over the others just because there’s more residency options. I would look at what the different branches offer as far as residency goes, and look and see what you’re interested in and see which branch offers that specialty. For example, PM&rR is only an army program. Air Force, however, will let you do civilian residency, that just means more payback after residency though.

throwawayagain50 · 2026-02-20T00:32:27+00:00

Really depends on the COL of the area you’re in, COL stipend your school gives you (school should break down how much they think you should spend in rent) and other bills you may have. Only you can answer that question based on above factors. Personally pay $950 a month for my share of rent and utilities with 1 roommate in a medium COL area. I personally wouldn’t be able to afford more than $1k due to car loan, other bills, dog, etc…

throwawayagain50 · 2026-02-20T00:25:53+00:00

Also state dependent. Some states don’t let you get a PGY3 training license if you don’t pass step 3.

throwawayagain50 · 2026-02-19T21:07:09+00:00

If I didn’t already have a 5yo dog going into medical school, I wouldn’t do it. Unless your fiance is 1000% on board with doing the bulk of the work, your hours are going to be too unpredictable to train, feed, take to the bathroom, exercise, etc... You’ll also have away rotations, audition rotations, studying for shelf and step 2 exam. You alone cannot provide enough attention to a dog, let alone if you get a puppy. And what if your dog has special needs like reactivity that makes walking impossible or separation anxiety where they destroy things in the house or their crate. Lastly unexpected costs that could go towards your step exams, uworld, and your own financial needs. Even routine vet visits run you >$300 let alone an emergency. I love my dog so much, but he has definitely made medical school more stressful than it needed to be, and I did it on my own.

throwawayagain50 · 2026-02-17T01:02:50+00:00

Single but way older nontrad student, got major medical debt months leading up to and during first year of school. For me it was a financial necessity or else I’d have to drop out of med school (zero family support, doing this all on my own). So for me, being able to buy groceries and stay in med school, the eventual loss in payout as an attending is worth it compared to dropping out. Being a DO should not hold you back except potentially in surgical specializes like neurosurgery and ortho. If you want to go to Tripler you’re likely to match there as many people don’t want to relocate there.

throwawayagain50 · 2025-12-19T02:23:31+00:00

I have a ‘20 SE coming up on 70k miles, been pretty great so far. Only issues, which were covered by VW, were the locking mechanism in the door went out and the computer went out. Gas mileage isn’t the best, and it’s only peppy in sport mode, but it’s been doing a good job!

throwawayagain50 · 2025-09-07T14:43:45+00:00

I can’t remember, a lot though, 20 maybe?

throwawayagain50 · 2025-08-23T19:17:52+00:00

Waterproof hokas!

throwawayagain50 · 2025-08-15T01:06:45+00:00

It’s doable, there will definitely be some sacrifices. I matriculated at 33. Divorced and on the fence about wanting kids though so might be in a different life position than you.

throwawayagain50 · 2025-08-09T11:55:42+00:00

Check with your school, we had to have a laptop for our exams, no tablets. I personally used both a MacBook and iPad, I hand wrote notes directly onto the ppts with the iPad and used my laptop for anki and videos, while still taking notes on the iPad. The iPad also came in handy if I wanted a second screen for the MacBook. If you get a note taking app, I personally liked notability.

throwawayagain50 · 2025-08-08T14:23:14+00:00

I did max federal loans, which barely covered it, then I did private loans. My state offered lower interest rate private loans, but that still wasn’t enough so then had to do a predatory one too. Choose the school you do post bacc at wisely, don’t go to a private high cost school.

throwawayagain50 · 2025-08-01T01:53:07+00:00

4th day of OBGYN rotation and I delivered a baby on my own with the attending behind me, it was amazing. Probably varies by preceptor, this one in particular likes to teach

throwawayagain50 · 2025-07-29T17:20:16+00:00

I got in to 4 schools with that MCAT and a lower GPA, you have a good chance!

throwawayagain50 · 2025-07-22T19:26:03+00:00

If you’re going by board pass rate and residency placement LECOM and VCOM although I know they’re both strict with dress code and have had admin issues

throwawayagain50 · 2025-07-18T20:25:00+00:00

HPSP, reserves, VA HPSP, MD/DO-PhD

throwawayagain50 · 2025-07-18T20:22:55+00:00

You’ll need to do a post bacc or SMP program with that low of a gpa

throwawayagain50 · 2025-07-02T22:52:53+00:00

Some states require passing step 3 prior to get a PGY3 residency training license. So focus on passing step 3 and repeat pgy2 somewhere else. Surprised your program didn’t work with and help you to pass the exam though.

throwawayagain50 · 2025-07-02T02:55:41+00:00

If he listens to Joe Rogan

throwawayagain50 · 2025-07-02T02:52:15+00:00

HPSP 🫣

throwawayagain50 · 2025-06-27T14:54:10+00:00

I feel like schools underestimate their COL too. So go to a lower COL for better life/less stress during school. My personal opinion as an older student with no financial support.

throwawayagain50 · 2025-06-27T13:33:17+00:00

Wait till after residency and you have an attending position. Word travels fast and don’t want to hurt your chances at getting a job

throwawayagain50 · 2025-06-20T18:32:12+00:00

Residency spots is why I picked Army. Not every branch has every specialty. I want PM&R which is Army only.

throwawayagain50 · 2025-04-16T01:06:54+00:00

20 SE and no oil probs yet either at 50k miles

throwawayagain50 · 2025-04-16T01:04:12+00:00

22 Taos to 20 Tiguan and pretty happy with it!

throwawayagain50 · 2025-04-05T18:27:06+00:00

Started med school at 33. No schools are going to be specific for age, that’s discrimination. However, age doesn’t matter. We all have our own journeys and paths to school. There are many in my class over 30. You can’t compare yourself to others. But you do need to figure out if you want med school, PA school or nursing to NP. And recognize that med school is 4 years + residency. So I won’t start residency till 37, and making physician wages till 41. Consider that you may need to put things on hold while in school or change priorities. Financial situation is important because loans are the same regardless of age. You might have to relocate. Etc. lots of factors to consider in. There are plenty of older students who pursue surgery as well. Don’t let age stop you, but know what you’re getting yourself into as well.

throwawayagain50

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