What are the chances that someone who has spent their academic career in the humanities and social sciences could go back to school to study hard science and be successful?

I think it is definitely possible. If it is what you want, you can make it happen.

I think the chances are pretty high. This is inspiring to go back to school in a different direction no matter how old you are. Good luck!

Yes.. you can do anything you really desire. :)

Do it.

Probably higher than the chances that a high school dropout has of completing a bachelor’s degree at the age of 60, and we all know somebody here who is doing that.

if you want it, go for it! you can be successful in anything if you’re really passionate about it. :-)

Depends entirely upon how badly you want it.

I have a friend your age that quit his job as an insurance agent and went into veterinarian studies.
He had to take a lot of math.

Good luck! I don’t see any reason why you couldn’t. You’ll be challenged but there’s tutors if you need help. You can do this.

You’re a smart woman.. I say go for it.

I went back to get a Ph.D. when I was 45. I can’t tell you how much fun I had, how I had learned how to learn, how focused and happy I was, how challenging and stimulating it was. Certainly based on my experience, I would say definitely do it!

My aunt got her Ph.D. in her sixties, my mother her master’s in her fifties. My cousin became a psychiatrist in his fifties. I am retired now and taking college classes even though my degree is decades behind me. I don’t see why not. What can beat a combination like energy, brains, and passion?

I’m not saying that a person that has spent there entire career in the humanities can’t do well in science but I am saying that they would need to change there whole mindset to be successful. I studied electronics, engineering, and math. I took liberal arts courses for relaxation. An excellent education should include both.

I look at people like Jefferson, Galileo, and Da Vinci as my heroes. They were interested in everything. Unfortunately in this day and age, there’s is little time to be expert in a wide range of fields.

All you need to switch course is time, money, energy, and dedication to education. Unfortunately only the very rich or well supported can do this. If you have these qualities, you will be successful. I wish you well

You’re brilliant. You’ll be amazing.

Relaxation? Pssh.

If I can do it, anyone can do it!

So go do it!

Knowing that this “somebody” is you, I say yes. You can do this!

Since you list no particular reason why you couldn’t, I’d have to guess you can. In general, if you have any sort of “academic career”, even just a basic degree, you should quite capable of learning any subject you want to learn.

My brother graduated with a degree in Russian Language and Literature, with the intent of working internationally, or perhaps doing non-profit work. After a year of pursuing that, he came to conclude it was all nonsense and went back to college to do his pre-med requirements.

As someone who finished his liberal arts degree with a perfect GPA, he has found chemistry to be extremely challenging. But, he is taking his time (only taking one course per semester) and letting the information sink in. He tells me that he feels like he had to restructure his brain a little to understand the “language” and “logic” of science, but he finds it very rewarding.

As long as your intent is clear and your desire strong, you’ll get back into the rhythm of college studies and do well.

@drdoombot I did that as my minor! it was fun!

@drdoombot Thanks for that.

I’m currently going through the same thing… what’d you end up doing?!

I’m still working on it. It’s not fun (or interesting) and I am questioning the point now.