Persistence, Passion, and a 31-Year Journey: How I Finished Medical School Against All Odds
Samuel Dyer, MD, PhD has worked for over 25 years as a Medical Science Liaison ... Read more
Emil Chuck, PhD
Updated April 9, 2025 by Emil Chuck, PhD
Non-Traditional
Non-traditional student articles for pre-medical and health professional applicants, including career changers, gap years, returning students, academic reinvention, application strategy, and balancing school with work or family responsibilities.
Article Collection
Keep exploring Non-Traditional
Review this collection of 10 articles, then explore these SDN Review hubs to extend your knowledge:
Taking Medical School Prerequisites as a Nontraditional Student
A look at the pros and cons of a post-baccalaureate program, self-designed program, classes as ... Read more
Emily Millet
Updated June 24, 2022 by Emily Millet
How Nontraditional Students Benefit Traditional Students
In both high school and college, we get used to our peers being our age. ... Read more
Adelle
Updated June 24, 2022 by Adelle
Where To Start: A Non-Traditional Student Guide to Beginning Your Pursuit of Medicine
Whether you are changing careers or deciding late in your college career that medicine is ... Read more
Jeff Thomas
Updated August 21, 2026 by Jeff Thomas
If At First You Don’t Succeed, Try (Try, Try, Try) Again
You are an applicant (or reapplicant) in the current medical school admission cycle who has ... Read more
Bryen Turco
Updated June 26, 2022 by Bryen Turco
Time Away From Formal Academics Can Enhance Application
Whether or not a student should take a “gap year” (or two) often comes up ... Read more
Laurie Tansey
Updated June 26, 2022 by Laurie Tansey
4 Strategies for Students Reapplying to Medical School
In an ideal world, your first attempt at applying to medical school would also be ... Read more
Cassie Kosarek
Updated June 26, 2022 by Cassie Kosarek
What You Should Know About a Gap Year
Need expert support? Get confidential guidance at any stage of your career, or work with ... Read more
Student Doctor Network
Updated August 21, 2026 by Student Doctor Network
How Nontraditional Students Can Best Position Themselves When Applying to Med School
A friend of mine studied film in college and subsequently found himself working as a ... Read more
Ryan Hickey
Updated August 21, 2026 by Ryan Hickey
How Should I Transition From a Gap Year to Medical School?
With one or more years between undergraduate study and a medical school education becoming more ... Read more
Cassie Kosarek
Updated June 26, 2022 by Cassie Kosarek
