Accepted to DO school 2 years ago, eligible to return but would restart from Year 1. Worth it?
Hi everyone,
I am looking for honest advice from people in medicine or anyone who has been through a similar decision.
I was accepted to a DO medical school about two years ago and started the program, but I ended up taking a leave of absence. I am currently 28 and will be turning 29 this June. I am eligible to return, but if I go back, I would have to restart from Year 1.
The part that worries me is the timeline and financial risk. From what I understand, I would still need to complete the program within the school’s completion limit, so I would not have unlimited room for setbacks or delays. Tuition would be around $60K per year before living expenses, and I would need to think carefully about funding all four years, not just starting again.
I am also concerned about the new federal loan changes under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. My understanding is that starting July 1, 2026, Grad PLUS will no longer be available for new graduate/professional borrowers, and professional students will have new federal loan limits. Because I do not currently qualify for private loans, any funding gap could mean having to ask a family member for help, which is not something I want to rely on lightly.
Part of me still respects the physician path and the long-term career upside, but another part of me is worried about the debt, time, stress, funding limits, and pressure of restarting with a limited timeline.
For those who are in medical school, residency, or practicing now:
Would you restart from Year 1 in this situation?
What questions would you ask the school before going back?
At what point would you decide the risk is no longer worth it?
I am not looking for someone to make the decision for me. I am just trying to think through it clearly and would appreciate honest perspectives.