35F pivoting out of tech into pre-med. Advice on my 1-year sprint plan?
Quick background: did most of my pre-med pre-reqs in college, but graduated in 2013 with a finance degree instead. Worked in finance, then tech, got my MBA at Stanford GSB somewhere in there. But now I'm fed up with this dystopian AI bs. When I joined tech 10 years ago, it felt like people were still trying to make the world a better place, now it's just increasing shareholder value (often to the detriment of humans). Spent the last few months in existential crisis mode and after MUCH soul-searching, have decided to apply to med school.
As I mentioned, I'm 35, and I know I'm not starting med school for a couple more years no matter what. I'm prioritizing not wasting another application cycle over chasing prestige. Would love a top 20 school if it happens, but I'd rather get in somewhere good next cycle than delay for a reach. I plan on applying to next year's cycle (2027-2028). Here's my plan:
Past Credit
- 3.96 cGPA, 4.0 sGPA, but that's from 2013 (10+ years old)
- AP credit for bio and chem (chem AP had labs, bio AP didn't)
- 2 semesters ochem with labs
- 1 semester physics with lab
- 1 semester pyschology
Plan
- This Semester
- Currently taking Khan academy classes on chemistry, biology and ochem to brush up on my science knowledge (any other resources I should be looking into?)
- Take 2 advanced biology courses this semester (anatomy & physiology) at my local community college because it's free in my city
- Start volunteering at a hospital to get clinical hours
- Try to get some research under my belt
- Next semester
- Take biochemistry through university extension program
- Study my butt off for the MCAT
- Continuing volunteering at hospital
- Continue research
- Do all of this while working a full time tech job to save up money for tuition
Questions
- I'm not doing a full formal post-bacc, just picking up the specific missing classes. Given my other pre-reqs are 10+ years old, do I need a real post-bacc to be taken seriously?
- Plan is to self-study and try to crush the MCAT to offset the older coursework. Realistic, or am I kidding myself?
- Is this all enough or am I still missing something?
Would really love any advice since I'm coming new into the medical space after 10+ years. Be gentle...auntie's got feelings too :)
Posted Aug 19, 2026, 8:08 PM UTC