Is it ever too late to pursue a medical career? I’m posting here because I don’t have enough karma for r/medicine. I’m currently 16 and planning to study film and theatre in college next year (you start at 16 in the UK). I’ve always said that if acting doesn’t pan out, I might consider medicine instead. But if I’m around 27 when I start, will it still be feasible? I know the process is lengthy, and I would need to take subjects like math, biology, and chemistry in sixth form, which is done at 16. I’m just curious if this path is still an option for me.
It’s great that you’re considering your future options! The good news is that it’s never too late to pursue a career in medicine. While starting later than most students can be a challenge, many people successfully transition into medical school from different backgrounds and at different ages.
In the UK, most medical schools have specific entry requirements, including subjects like Biology, Chemistry, and sometimes Mathematics or Physics at A-level. If you decide to pursue medicine later, you’ll need to ensure you meet those prerequisites, but it’s definitely doable, even if you start your college journey in film and theatre.
Many mature students join medical programs, and they often bring valuable life experiences and perspectives that enrich the learning environment. If you’re genuinely interested in medicine, you could consider keeping your options open while studying film and theatre, and perhaps take relevant science courses later on.
Ultimately, whether you choose to go down the acting route or the medical route (or any other path), staying flexible and open to new opportunities is key. Good luck with whatever you choose!