Alternatives to Medical School?

[UofRochesterMed]

What are the alternatives if you are wait-listed/rejected to all the medical school you apply to? I have heard some people have taken up pharmacy but what if your passion is to become a medical doctor. I wanted to hear some alternatives such as programs oversees or maybe even in the states!

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[Osakhomen]

Physician Assistant programs... or BS in Nursing then get your masters in nursing to become a nurse practitioner.

 

[diamethuel]

If you only applied to MD schools, consider also applying to DO schools. Average GPA and MCAT of DO matriculants are generally lower. You could, though it is often not recommended, apply for Caribbean medical schools. Alternatively, take a year or two off to do a postbac to raise your GPA, retake your MCAT, volunteer, work, or participate in research (basically, anything that could boost your next application).

 

[Bro Dude]

What are the alternatives if you are wait-listed/rejected to all the medical school you apply to? I have heard some people have taken up pharmacy but what if your passion is to become a medical doctor. I wanted to hear some alternatives such as programs oversees or maybe even in the states!

It ain't over till it's over.

 

[flatearth22]

Optometry.

Easy barrier of entrance. Low stress. Still get to be called "Dr". And their rights are increasing (can now do surgery in 2 states and it's going to go way up).

brb working 9-5 if not doing surgery
brb "what looks better? 1 or 2?"
brb "what looks better? 2 or 1?"
brb repeat over and over again
brb $$$$

but if all else fails, open up a Taco Truck

 

[Slack3r]

If your passion is really to become a doctor, you man up and try again.

 

[EBTrailRunner]

If your passion is really to become a doctor, you man up and try again.

👍

 

[Bacchus]

Agreed. If you don't gain acceptance the first time, you need to try at least one more time. If not, what was the purpose of the last 4 years of your life in college? You hopefully have social satisfaction, but you need professional satisfaction too.

 

[UofRochesterMed]

How about going oversees (Europe) and then coming back to do a residency?

 

[PsP for real]

How about going oversees (Europe) and then coming back to do a residency?

If I am not mistaken the european system are much different then the system in the US. For example, I had a friend from England who said he would have started their medical school system right out of high school.

 

[Rippy087]

If I am not mistaken the european system are much different then the system in the US. For example, I had a friend from England who said he would have started their medical school system right out of high school.

Most students in Europe do go right into medical school out of high school, but they are on a six year system. A lot of European medical schools also cater to foreigners (Americans and Canadians mostly) and they offer a four year medical school in English, but you have to already have completed college.

One more thing about European medical schools is that they are relatively very easy to get in to, but they have a huge dropout rate. By the end of the four year medical program, about half of the students drop out, with most dropping out in the first year due to straight up failing. I looked into European medical schools a few years ago before I really pulled it together and applied in the US.

 

[1TB4RKSB4CK]

I would try up to three times, first one is MD, then MD and DO, then again. If for some ridiculous reason I don't get in after three cycles, I will do either a PA program or get a PhD.

 

[dbeast]

Epidemiology?

 

[varsityblue]

I know that research remains a popular option.

 

[RetroBA]

Fighter pilot

 

[gettheleadout]

Reapply x infinity and succeed a la Noshie?

No way would I ever get a straight science PhD in the current academic climate.

 

[UofRochesterMed]

Most students in Europe do go right into medical school out of high school, but they are on a six year system. A lot of European medical schools also cater to foreigners (Americans and Canadians mostly) and they offer a four year medical school in English, but you have to already have completed college.

One more thing about European medical schools is that they are relatively very easy to get in to, but they have a huge dropout rate. By the end of the four year medical program, about half of the students drop out, with most dropping out in the first year due to straight up failing. I looked into European medical schools a few years ago before I really pulled it together and applied in the US.

Thanks for the great advice!

 

[LadyRugger]

Physician Assistant programs...

I thought about applying to PA school... after doing some research, I found that the PA programs don't really like the pre-meds who can't get into med school. It's sort of an insult to their career, I think. Also, I realized that I want to be an MD, and I would not be happy "settling" in a different career. Especially when you'd be working (either directly or indirectly) under an MD.

Additionally, there is a LOT of variability among admissions requirements for PA programs -- so you can definitely tell which ones try to weed out the pre-meds. They have additional/different pre-reqs (such as 2 semesters of psychology and many require A&P). Also, many programs try to attract people from other medical fields, such as EMT or Nursing, so they require 500+ hours of DIRECT patient contact (not just shadowing).

 

[Ebola4Breakfast]

Reapply x infinity and succeed a la Noshie?

No way would I ever get a straight science PhD in the current academic climate.

Good advice.

Research is tough, especially if you don't live, eat, and breath it. I would not recommend it as a backup. You need to be heads over heels in love with research to succeed these days. And, even then, it can be a struggle to get started.

 

[crimedawg]

If your passion is really to become a doctor, you man up and try again.

Agree......BUT...First get a syringe, stick it in your behind, and feel those roids circulating

 

[DrYoda]

If you really want to be a doctor you should give it at least one more shot. One year isn't **** when you have an entire career ahead of you. If you have a bad grades + good MCAT set up consider doing a post-bac year or SMP. If you didn't apply to DO programs, consider that as well (much better than the foreign school idea).

Pharmacy I commonly see listed as an alternative on these forums and to be honest I don't really understand it. Other than being under the broad heading of "healthcare worker" I don't see much similarity between pharmacist and physician. If I were going to pick another healthcare career I'd personally do another more hands on field like PA, PT, psychology, podiatry or dentistry depending on personal interests.

Also note, that many of the med-school alternative careers are also fairly competitive to get into.

How about going oversees (Europe) and then coming back to do a residency?

Absolute last resort. All those E. European schools set up for Americans are the same deal as the Caribbean schools: you will likely be limited in specialty choice and may even struggle to get a residency spot period (especially with the growing # of US grads and stable number of residency slots).

 

[CuttingCorneas]

I thought about applying to PA school... after doing some research, I found that the PA programs don't really like the pre-meds who can't get into med school. It's sort of an insult to their career, I think.

Isn't this how DOs feel (should feel) about pre-allo applicants using osteopathic medicine as a backup? I don't see a difference.

 

[Illinois2012]

Isn't this how DOs feel (should feel) about pre-allo applicants using osteopathic medicine as a backup? I don't see a difference.

Some of them do. They can't know for sure whether or not you applied MD unless you tell them. They might make some guesses based on your attitude, scores, etc. but can't know for sure. I know a good amount of DO schools ask "Why DO?" in an essay and/or interview, and have even heard (anecdotal evidence) of people being asked if they applied MD or even as far as asking if they were applying to DO as a backup in interviews.

I don't know if you should be honest if asked about applying MD or not, but definitely never say you're using DO, or any school or program, as a backup.

 

[235788]

What are the alternatives if you are wait-listed/rejected to all the medical school you apply to? I have heard some people have taken up pharmacy but what if your passion is to become a medical doctor. I wanted to hear some alternatives such as programs oversees or maybe even in the states!

as mentioned,

PA, Nurse (-np,crna), AA, caribbean, DO, Chiropractor, podiatrist

 

[StoicJosher]

Isn't this how DOs feel (should feel) about pre-allo applicants using osteopathic medicine as a backup? I don't see a difference.

This is how I see it: The general consensus when applying to medical school is to apply broadly with a few reach schools, some schools in your stats range and a few safeties. If your numbers are in the range of DO, then they are the schools you apply to with some (MD?) schools as reach.. (and caribbean as safety?). I don't see DO as a "lower" degree or DO physicians as less of a doctor. That would be like saying an MD who graduated from Harvard is less of a doctor than an MD who graduated from Howard or Georgetown or that the degree is "lower". When you play the numbers game, you pick schools following the "reach-range-safety" format and if DO falls into it, then that is how it shall be. I don't think of DO as something you apply to if you don't get into MD. I hope I made that subtle difference clear.

 

[235788]

This is how I see it: The general consensus when applying to medical school is to apply broadly with a few reach schools, some schools in your stats range and a few safeties. If your numbers are in the range of DO, then they are the schools you apply to with some (MD?) schools as reach.. (and caribbean as safety?). I don't see DO as a "lower" degree or DO physicians as less of a doctor. That would be like saying an MD who graduated from Harvard is less of a doctor than an MD who graduated from Howard or Georgetown or that the degree is "lower". When you play the numbers game, you pick schools following the "reach-range-safety" format and if DO falls into it, then that is how it shall be. I don't think of DO as something you apply to if you don't get into MD. I hope I made that subtle difference clear.

I get your logic but not your example.

So would you say that caribbean doctors are equivalent to US MD's? Some are, but a general consensus is that many/most aren't

 

[PantherPride]

Honestly I can't see myself doing anything else. I'd try again

 

[StoicJosher]

I get your logic but not your example.

So would you say that caribbean doctors are equivalent to US MD's? Some are, but a general consensus is that many/most aren't

There are many other factors that make it undesirable to go caribbean for medical school but provided they make it from there (residency, fellowship etc), I would say caribbean MDs that made it are equivalent to US MDs.

 

[equinsu ocha]

Optometry.

Easy barrier of entrance. Low stress. Still get to be called "Dr". And their rights are increasing (can now do surgery in 2 states and it's going to go way up).

brb working 9-5 if not doing surgery
brb "what looks better? 1 or 2?"
brb "what looks better? 2 or 1?"
brb repeat over and over again
brb $$$$

but if all else fails, open up a Taco Truck

Don't comment on topics you know nothing about, it makes you sound ignorant.

 

[UofRochesterMed]

To be honest, I don't see myself doing anything other than medicine as a MD. I have great respect for PA's and nurses and even DO's but I see myself as a leader and want to be a doctor with all means. I guess I would make sure my MCAT scores were up to par and then retake classes or take new ones. Whatever works to get me into a Medical School!!!

 

[StoicJosher]

To be honest, I don't see myself doing anything other than medicine as a MD. I have great respect for PA's and nurses and even DO's but I see myself as a leader and want to be a doctor with all means. I guess I would make sure my MCAT scores were up to par and then retake classes or take new ones. Whatever works to get me into a Medical School!!!

You do realize that DOs are doctors, right? Also, DO schools are medical schools - MD schools are allopathic medical schools and DO schools are osteopathic medical schools.

 

[UofRochesterMed]

You do realize that DOs are doctors, right? Also, DO schools are medical schools - MD schools are allopathic medical schools and DO schools are osteopathic medical schools.

I really hope you were joking about the comment you left. You really think I would be applying to medical school and wouldn't know that a DO was a doctor? What I was implying was that I want my name to have MD tagged to it and not DO.

 

[thesauce]

I really hope you were joking about the comment you left. You really think I would be applying to medical school and wouldn't know that a DO was a doctor? What I was implying was that I want my name to have MD tagged to it and not DO.

Truthfully, I didn't know what a DO was when I applied

 

[StoicJosher]

I really hope you were joking about the comment you left. You really think I would be applying to medical school and wouldn't know that a DO was a doctor? What I was implying was that I want my name to have MD tagged to it and not DO.

To be honest, I don't see myself doing anything other than medicine as a MD. I have great respect for PA's and nurses and even DO's but I see myself as a leader and want to be a doctor with all means. I guess I would make sure my MCAT scores were up to par and then retake classes or take new ones. Whatever works to get me into a Medical School!!!

Maybe you should work on your writing? 😛

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

I really hope you were joking about the comment you left. You really think I would be applying to medical school and wouldn't know that a DO was a doctor? What I was implying was that I want my name to have MD tagged to it and not DO.

So... you'd rather not be a doctor than be a DO? That's kinda petty, but alright.

 

[CuttingCorneas]

I get your logic but not your example.

So would you say that caribbean doctors are equivalent to US MD's? Some are, but a general consensus is that many/most aren't

Caribbean MDs still have to take the same USMLE exams that US MDs have to take. Although the odds for a Caribbean MD getting a 250+ on Step I are lower, it's not impossible. That being said, Caribbean MDs who achieve the same scores as US MDs are, in a sense, equivalent.

Would I ever want to go to a Caribbean school? No. But that's not because I don't think the Caribbean trains witch doctors or anything. There are other factors to consider.

 

[Doc Foot]

I would at least give a look into podiatry. You are still a Dr. and still can be a surgeon. You are just limited to the lower leg. This isn't a big deal though because all MD's that specialize have to narrow their practice anyway. Now that most of America is obese and have diabetes, you will be very busy. Performing ankle reconstruction surgeries is not a bad job at all.

 

[medsky]

you should also consider getting an MPH degree. Most leaders in the medical world get the degree at some point in their career and surely it would improve your chances of getting into an MD program.

 

[Doc Foot]

"I really hope you were joking about the comment you left. You really think I would be applying to medical school and wouldn't know that a DO was a doctor? What I was implying was that I want my name to have MD tagged to it and not DO."

Wanting to be a doctor because you are infatuated with the title "MD" is probably not the best reason to choose medicine and may not be the correct career path for you.

 

[EBTrailRunner]

"I really hope you were joking about the comment you left. You really think I would be applying to medical school and wouldn't know that a DO was a doctor? What I was implying was that I want my name to have MD tagged to it and not DO."

Wanting to be a doctor because you are infatuated with the title “MD” is probably not the best reason to choose medicine and may not be the correct career path for you.

Not to turn this into an MD vs. DO debate, but I think it's perfectly reasonable to want to become a physician for all the right reasons and want to specifically be recognized as an MD vs. DO. As much as I want to be a physician, if I didn't get in this cycle to an MD program, I would've reapplied until I did. I don't want to learn and practice osteopathic medicine and I don't see anything wrong with wanting to be an MD and MD only.

 

[betsywetsy]

Not to turn this into an MD vs. DO debate, but I think it's perfectly reasonable to want to become a physician for all the right reasons and want to specifically be recognized as an MD vs. DO. As much as I want to be a physician, if I didn't get in this cycle to an MD program, I would've reapplied until I did. I don't want to learn and practice osteopathic medicine and I don't see anything wrong with wanting to be an MD and MD only.

DOwnage

 

[betsywetsy]

DOwnage

👍

 

[fzwarrior]

To be honest, I don't see myself doing anything other than medicine as a MD. I have great respect for PA's and nurses and even DO's but I see myself as a leader and want to be a doctor with all means. I guess I would make sure my MCAT scores were up to par and then retake classes or take new ones. Whatever works to get me into a Medical School!!!

Then why start this thread?

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Not to turn this into an MD vs. DO debate, but I think it's perfectly reasonable to want to become a physician for all the right reasons and want to specifically be recognized as an MD vs. DO. As much as I want to be a physician, if I didn't get in this cycle to an MD program, I would've reapplied until I did. I don't want to learn and practice osteopathic medicine and I don't see anything wrong with wanting to be an MD and MD only.

Is this your best answer? An ill informed and fallacious facade of a rationalization?
Petty are as petty is.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

👍

Your profile pic is a piece of toast, I suppose that's a tad bit ironic.

 

[iceman132]

Get ready to say "You want frys with that" a lot more.

 

[EBTrailRunner]

Is this your best answer? An ill informed and fallacious facade of a rationalization?
Petty are as petty is.

Great rebuttal. Tell me, what's wrong with preferring to study allopathic medicine? If it's okay for someone to specifically want to learn osteopathic medicine, I don't see how it's somehow petty to have a specific interest in allopathic medicine.

 

[betsywetsy]

Your profile pic is a piece of toast, I suppose that's a tad bit ironic.

Sassy AND smart.

 

[Doc Foot]

Great rebuttal. Tell me, what's wrong with preferring to study allopathic medicine? If it's okay for someone to specifically want to learn osteopathic medicine, I don't see how it's somehow petty to have a specific interest in allopathic medicine.

There is nothing wrong with wanting to study allopathic medicine. Wanting to be a MD just for the letters on your lab coat so that everyone can see how awesome you are is a bad idea. "What I was implying was that I want my name to have MD tagged to it and not DO."

Craving stature and title empowerment is not a good interview topic for "Why I chose medicine"

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Great rebuttal. Tell me, what's wrong with preferring to study allopathic medicine? If it's okay for someone to specifically want to learn osteopathic medicine, I don't see how it's somehow petty to have a specific interest in allopathic medicine.

Because there is no difference, there is an extra class, which will provide you a better understanding of anatomy if you're uninterested in manipulation.
And If you want to match into a uber competitive specialty or whatever career choice, which is easier to achieve as an MD, that is fine enough a reason. But you possess no reason, and I'll make it clear I truly am not attacking you for preferring the MD degree, but rather for craptastic logic and argumentative skills.