To become a cardiologist will take what might as well be forever. 4 years of med school and then years of residency and internships. I’d ask myself if it’s financially reasonable to do this. If she is single, then sure, why not. But unless money is not a factor, it would be a pretty rough financial road.
I think they should go for it. They know what they’re getting in to right? The hours and time commitment?
They can always decide to do something different within the school if they find it’s really more than they want to do. A friend of mine wanted to go through medical school too, she ended up finding a love for burn victims and helping them with prosthesis items and making their scar areas not be so noticeable. So even though she had wanted to be a doctor her whole life…medical school helped her find a career and a love for a forgotten group of people.
I worked at a medical school once and they had the interviews with potential students. One time there was a female in her early 30s that applied. They asked her all kinds of questions because she was an “older” student. Her answers impressed the board and she was granted a spot in the next class. That was 40 some years ago.
Today, there are more people with degrees that are competing to get into the schools. So your friend would have to be on their tippy toes to make sure they have all the requirements and hope they get in. If this person is married I hope that they have sat down with the spouse and proposed a schedule of what can and cannot be done to help out around the house and with the children. The next 10 years of the family are going to be quite stressful because of the schooling.
I hope all works out and that the friend can have the dream and the family stays together. Divorce coupled with student loan funds is a huge undertaking.
the other Suzanne
Yes, I have seen persons that age attend medical school. However, he/she should be prepared for the majority of classmates being about 30 and younger. Once there is the oportunity, why not? That person probably have completed premed requirements of aprrox four years inclusive of the sciences. So all that may be required now is completion of two to four years of medical training and a year of residency.