"Non Traditional"
By: Donna Anderson, 3rd Semester AUC Student, 2005

The AUC student body is an eclectic group stemming from many backgrounds and cultures. I belong to the "non-traditional" group of students which, to put in politically correct terms, is a student of an elevated age. I have come to find that there are many at AUC who join me in the distinction of being a non-traditional student. In preparation for writing this article, I interviewed four of my colleagues and questioned what inspired people to resign from their perfectly good jobs, and for many, leave families in order to undergo the rigors of academia once again. The answers, although varied, have a common theme.

My good friend Shon LaFrance, a 2nd semester student, stated, "I firmly believe that everyone is meant to do one particular thing with their life and for me, this is it. I could have stayed at my job in the lab, but I knew even when I took the job, that it wasn't what I really wanted in life." Both Steve Dukette, a 4th semester student and former EMT, and Ron Buchheit, a 2nd semester student and licensed chiropractor, strongly felt the need to broaden the scope of their health care practices. "I wanted to be able to care for the whole person rather than just musculo-skeletal problems," said Ron. Terry Davis, a 2nd semester student, echoed the same sentiment in his reasons for attending medical school at this time in his life: "In my previous career, I saw what physicians do and I caught the fever for practicing medicine. Plus, my job became more about making money, and I wanted it to be more about making a difference. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a fool in that I know much of my job as a physician will be about pulling in financial reward for the hospital, but I really want to balance that with the ability to make a difference in people's lives."

When asked about the reception they received as non-traditional students at AUC, their answers were very similar. Terry responded without any hesitation that he felt welcomed "with open arms." He notes, "I did not think I'd be so welcomed and integrated into the student body but here, I'm viewed by everyone as just another student and I'm given the same opportunities as everyone else." Steve indicated that he also had a positive experience. "The average age of my class is in the upper 20's; my classmates and professors have thus treated us all with a high level of professionalism."

And what of me, you ask? Well, my reason for attending medical school is a very personal story involving a car accident 15 years ago that left me with a fascination of how the human body works. Moreover, I developed a strong desire to help people the way that I was helped. It took me a while to start medical school because life simply got in the way. However, now that I have the opportunity to follow my dream, I am working hard not let my insecurities get the better of me as I try to keep up with all you "kids" as I'm so fond of calling you. I appreciate not being treated as if I do not belong based on my age. In fact, I think you "kids" have made me younger by going out of your way to include me and for that, I thank you. Now, if one of you future dermatologists discovers the magic cream to get rid of these fine lines showing up around my eyes, you had better make your first phone call to me!