To ask if you (honestly) think there's a cut off point for retraining as a DR?

[RetrainingDR]

I've nc as I'd like to add a few things about my history which would otherwise be outing.

I have a-levels but not in any of the sciences. I then went on to do a degree in Sociology and an MS in comp sciences. My career has mainly been in those fields.

Would it be totally insane at the age of 33 to retrain as a doctor? I know I'd probably have to start from scratch to get relevant a-levels or so which means by the time I'm done I'd be a great deal older but I don't know if I'd even understand any of the course or be accepted.

Has anyone done similar?

I'm a doctor. Still "junior" at the age of 31 despite having gone to medical school at the age of 18. Had 2 maternity leaves and plan to go part time after my second, so will probably become a consultant shortly after turning 40. It's a slow process, and much much slower if you have a family at the same time. It's also exhausting. You're on your feet all day. Shift work messes you up. I'm all for following your dreams, but I don't think I'd be brave enough to start from scratch in this career at the age of 33. Having said that, it depends on how strong your motivation is, and I'm sure you can succeed if you have the right motivation.

I think too old.

I think it is doable if you are so motivated and focused you make Goldfinger's laser look like a nightlight, but there will be many, many extremely tough moments. A friend did it possibly one or two years younger, and has also had two children (she would say herself in the nick of time, and also that she was lucky to be fertile). But she's also the sort of person who works and achieves at the very top of everything; medicine is her third career (she graduated aged 17) and she has been top of the trees in each one. A friend on her medical course asked her for tips about how to get through the course exams, and she just looked at them and said 'I learn everything' and my God she does.

I have to say, have you considered getting what it is you want from medicine in a slightly easier way?? If only medicine will do, well, there's your answer. But if there are alternatives for you, I would look into them. What exactly do you want from medicine? Can we suggest other ideas?