@mikemac . . . This is why the calling to be an MD has to be one in which the aspirant asks him or herself, “Would I be happy doing anything else?”
UCLA has a good number of first-generation college students who are driven to be MDs, some undoubtedly by seeing a loved one who needs constant medical care. If this is the case, with enablement from the University, they should continue for at least for a while to gain admission to med school including taking their degrees in whatever major along with having accomplished the premed core. There does need to be a fallback.
Here’s a profile from USC Keck Medical school with the range of ages of its frosh class of 2018 along with its [link](https://keck.usc.edu/education/md-program/admissions/):
Average Age at Admission: 24
Age 21 or less: 13 (7%)
Age 22: 44 (24%)
Age 23: 53 (28%)
Age 24-25: 56 (30%)
Age 26-29: 16 (9%)
Age 30 and over: 4 (<2%)
If some of these students gave up when they were probably told by everyone to do so – 20% are ≥ age 26 – then they wouldn’t have seen the great day when they were accepted to Keck.
Additionally, the entry to PA, nursing and some of the other health-related programs you mention is becoming increasingly harder in which to gain entry, probably because of the overrun of those aspiring to become MDs.
I wouldn’t begrudge anyone who feels he or she needs to be a doctor. I know you’re just presenting a reality-check, but I think these students know what they’re up against including the 11 years of education inclusive of med school for some specialities.