Backup plans

[R.P. McMurphy]

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If I didn't get in ever, I'd do a PhD in medical physics.

what is medical physics? It sounds like it could be similar to bioengineering

 

[Frank Hardy]

In order of priority

a. reapply after doing tissue engineering research and doing non-medical or medical work abroad
b. re-establish my great grandfather's farm
c. paramedic
d. beach bum or amateur boxer

 

[RayhanS1282]

Go to law school and become a lawyer whose specialty is in frivolous medical lawsuits and become the scourge of doctors everywhere. The adcoms will rue the day they rejected me...rue it, I say.

 

[Doctor Bagel]

I think if you want to do MD or DO, and your heart is really set on it, PA wouldnt be a good choice as a "backup" plan. There is extensive patient care experience required for most of the masters programs, so you'd have to take that into account too before even considering applying, its not like you'd have an automatic acceptance just because you were a med school applicant, theres lots more involved than just the pre-reqs. Besides, I think people who want to become physicians and people who want to become PA's have different goals to begin with, and are different kinds of people in general. I thought MD was for me when I entered undergrad, but now with a year left to go before graduating, i have no doubt i want to be a PA. My roomate has wanted to be a doctor ever since she could remember, and she's going to Med school next year. It's all about what you want out of life and what you want out of your profession. Simple as that, really. Don't settle for a backup plan, because your backup plan might be someone else's dream that you'd be taking from them. 🙄

Yeah, the reality is that getting into PA school would be such a huge pain for lots of us. Some of us here do have years of clinical experience, but I don't think that's the norm for pre-med students. I'd have to quit by job and get licensed in some sort of low paying health thing and work for two years or more in that field to get into a local PA program. Frankly, getting into medical school is easier.

I feel the same way about nursing because nursing school is impossible to get into in my city. Our local communty college actually has a lottery for admissions. It feels like half of my coworkers are pre-nursing, and they just keep on applying and applying with no luck. Medicine's a better fit for me and has an admissions process that's more suited to my background.

 

[Ilovelamp]

If I don't get into Medical school this year, I am going to reapply once more probably. But the CIA recruiters showed a lot of interest in me (either as a weapons analyst or clandestine operations). I might just take the CIA job and not reapply to medical schools. This process is far too stressful. 🙁

 

[PreMedMommy]

If I don't get in the first try, I will apply again, then maybe apply again, then if it doesnt work out, I'll got to grad school for physics.

 

[fyi411]

Rice farmer in Thailand.

reapply while doing post-bac
all else fails i will just become a bio-prof and making the pre-meds life hell

 

[DrBowtie]

what is medical physics? It sounds like it could be similar to bioengineering

Similar. There are 3 main branches. Occupational Health/Radiation Safety, Diagnostic Radiology, and Radiation Oncology. Basically it is using all of the physics behind the machines used for MRI and Radiation treatment. Pretty cool field.

 

[DrBowtie]

If I don't get into Medical school this year, I am going to reapply once more probably. But the CIA recruiters showed a lot of interest in me (either as a weapons analyst or clandestine operations). I might just take the CIA job and not reapply to medical schools. This process is far too stressful. 🙁

And being a CIA agent wouldn't be stressful?

 

[fyi411]

Having a back up plan admits weakness 😉
If you really want to be a doctor, get it done!

get what done if you don't get in

 

[72531]

i PM'd ya.

i'm interested in that program too. can you tell me about it?

 

[72531]

most likely possibilities for me
-masters in virology or immunology
-work in a lab somewhere, improve my application
-hiv education program for peace corps

 

[etf]

becoming an arbitrageur

 

[R.P. McMurphy]

Similar. There are 3 main branches. Occupational Health/Radiation Safety, Diagnostic Radiology, and Radiation Oncology. Basically it is using all of the physics behind the machines used for MRI and Radiation treatment. Pretty cool field.

yes that is cool, I am a Bioe major and took lots of courses on those devices, although somewhat broad. One of the professors in our department is working on therapeutic applications of MRI and Ultrasound (like, for insulin delivery). She offers a course on physics of MRI but I didn't take due to scheduling.

It sounds like Medical Physics is a very focused "branch" of bioengineering.

 

[DrBowtie]

yes that is cool, I am a Bioe major and took lots of courses on those devices, although somewhat broad. One of the professors in our department is working on therapeutic applications of MRI and Ultrasound (like, for insulin delivery). She offers a course on physics of MRI but I didn't take due to scheduling.

It sounds like Medical Physics is a very focused "branch" of bioengineering.

Yeah except us physicists will refuse to be lumped in with you engineering nerds. 🙂

 

[R.P. McMurphy]

Yeah except us physicists will refuse to be lumped in with you engineering nerds. 🙂

 

[Uncle_Tbag]

If I didn't get in ever, I'd do a PhD in medical physics.

Same here, except I'm leaning more toward medical informatics.

 

[Bubblehead-to-MD]

Yeah except us physicists will refuse to be lumped in with you engineering nerds. 🙂

Nice Brett! I am one of those engineering nerds, but as it turns out, Medical Physics is my backup plan as well! Radiation Oncology (specifically Brachytherapy) is particularly interesting to me due to the number of friends and family that have benefited from this treatment.

 

[DrBowtie]

Nice Brett! I am one of those engineering nerds, but as it turns out, Medical Physics is my backup plan as well! Radiation Oncology (specifically Brachytherapy) is particularly interesting to me due to the number of friends and family that have benefited from this treatment.

Yeah it's pretty widely used for prostate cancer I think.
BTW, Danjo, you've abandoned the vampire thread. 🙁

 

[Bubblehead-to-MD]

BTW, Danjo, you've abandoned the vampire thread. 🙁

I may appear as though I did...

 

[Pose]

Back-up...

The military idea is out (I was leaning towards rep-63 with the 20th, 18D) due to a back injury, so I spose:

I'd probably finish up my EMS experience with a paramedic certification, and find my way into international relief -- combined with my passion for photography.

I'd find some use for my interest in economics -- with relation to the above, and epidemiology.

I would become the resident zombie expert slash defense director.

Maybe I would end up in counselling of sorts, maybe specializing in those with traumatic histories/experiences, and those with extreme depression related to a fixation on negativity.

And another really big passion of mine is search and rescue. The reason I was "leaning" towards 18D was because of the ongoing battle with pararescue. Posey the PJ. Perhaps there's something out there for me that involves survival, rescue, and the ocean.

 

[DropkickMurphy]

The military idea is out (I was leaning towards rep-63 with the 20th, 18D) due to a back injury, so I spose

Lucky you......Glad to see the military won't cost you several years of your life.

 

[LADoc00]

What is/was your back up plan if you don't get into an med school?

After a few tries at MD/DO i think i'd go to PA school. What about y'all?

Probably been said already but when polled by the Pre-Medical Office at my undergrad over 40% of students claimed the porn industry was their back up plan.

 

[SirTony76]

1982 Datsun 210 station wagon with gold rims. I call it Eddie

Ahh it's good to see somebody here has good taste in music too.

 

[thes_hunter]

If I don't get in for 2007 after completing my SMP:
- Reapply to 40 of the most mediocore medical schools in the nation
- Apply to as many DO schools as I can afford the applications to
- Apply to any caribbean school I feel has some credability

If I do not get in for 2008 after spending thousands of dollars trying all the above programs.

Cry.

Consider that maybe I should find a career in Bioinformatics that doesn't involve staring at a computer screen all the time. Maybe get an MPH and become an emergancy planner.

 

[DropkickMurphy]

- Reapply to 40 of the most mediocore medical schools in the nation

Sounds like my plan for my first application...

 

[karirunner]

I was a technician in a genetics/developmental bio lab for two years. If I decided to capitalize on the skills I learned while teching, I could make over 30k (insane! i know!(yeah, right)) a year. (Research experience, even as a technician, will enhance your app). If I didn't get in this year, the second time around, I was considering BSN Nursing.

What is/was your back up plan if you don't get into an med school?

After a few tries at MD/DO i think i'd go to PA school. What about y'all?

 

[DropkickMurphy]

PS If anyone can make this into a slideshow avatar for me, I'll sell you my second born.

 

[QuikClot]

And being a CIA agent wouldn't be stressful?

Hell, no! If you screw up and allow 3,000 Americans to die as a result, the only consequence is a Metal of Freedom from our aw-shucks president. The only lower-stress job in America? Running FEMA. Still too challenging? Become a Republican president. That's my backup plan. No matter how big the screw-up, no matter how abysmal the poll numbers, God loves me best and the people who pointed out the mistakes are traitors who hate America. Eaaaaaaaaasy street . . . .

 

[QuikClot]

PS If anyone can make this into a slideshow avatar for me, I'll sell you my second born.

Reminds me of the poem:

Résumé

Dorothy Parker

Razors pain you;
Rivers are damp;
Acids stain you;
And drugs cause cramp.
Guns aren’t lawful;
Nooses give;
Gas smells awful;
You might as well live.

Or reapply, as the case may be.

 

[Law2Doc]

Probably been said already but when polled by the Pre-Medical Office at my undergrad over 40% of students claimed the porn industry was their back up plan.

Not surprising - people who take the medicine route tend to be much better endowed than the general population -- or at least that's the rumor we want to generate -- pass it on.

 

[govikings10]

Grad school in either surface chemistry or ochem.

 

[govikings10]

Dropkick... not sure if this will fit the avatar unless you are an angel or donor. It's 35.5 Kb... and I don't want your secondborn, i got enough trouble with my first... Enjoy!

 

[DrBowtie]

Dropkick... not sure if this will fit the avatar unless you are an angel or donor. It's 35.5 Kb... and I don't want your secondborn, i got enough trouble with my first... Enjoy!

Well done.

 

[DropkickMurphy]

Dropkick... not sure if this will fit the avatar unless you are an angel or donor. It's 35.5 Kb... and I don't want your secondborn, i got enough trouble with my first... Enjoy!

Thanks!! Are you sure I can't interest you in a kid? Look at the first one I have!

 

[akinf]

Ph.D in biochemistry, but I think if I do get into medicine, I'll probably do this anyways.

 

[govikings10]

Thanks!! Are you sure I can't interest you in a kid? Look at the first one I have!

yeah, I'm sure... here's my little princess... she looks so angry, but that's actually a yawn. 🙂

 

[LifetimeDoc]

PS If anyone can make this into a slideshow avatar for me, I'll sell you my second born.

Here is one chopped down to below 20k so you can upload it as a non-SDN donor (it's got some frames removed)

 

[Ilovelamp]

And being a CIA agent wouldn't be stressful?

Its not the job thats stressful. Its just the process of being given a little hope and then get it completely smashed on the pavement. Plus the whole medical schools not telling me anything about what is going on with my application...that too is stressful.

 

[75969]

1)Teach for America ~2 years (I am actually applying at the same time as applying for medical school)
2)Retake MCAT (?), reapply after 1st year teaching...*maybe* include a few DO's (though I dont feel right using DO as a backup to MD).

 

[DrFeelgoodMD]

what about something like podiatry or optometry?

 

[LifetimeDoc]

Med School or bust for me.

 

[DropkickMurphy]

what about something like podiatry or optometry?

Yeah, right....clip toenails and ID bunions or hand out glasses and contacts for a living.....hmmmm, I don't think so

 

[Go Time]

Med School or bust for me.

Hey...I'm right there with ya!

 

[lynn623la]

Rice farmer in Thailand.

Darn.. I was planning on doing that, I'll have to think of something else now. 🙂

 

[Pose]

Darn.. I was planning on doing that, I'll have to think of something else now. 🙂

It must be a pretty tight market.

 

[Caristra]

I'd get a PHD in pathology or microbiology and then re-apply. It's essentially what I plan on doing now but I woulod have to get the two degrees independently. it would take me longer but it's worth it.

 

[Sondra]

Public health - health policy or epidemiology

 

[thes_hunter]

Public health - health policy or epidemiology

But you are in, so no back up plans for you! 👍

 

[mychelle774]

This is my first cycle to apply. If I don't get in, I'll do an MPH, some international health work, AND go on the Amazing Race!!! 😀 Yeeeeah baby, no too many tears there. And give America's Next Top Model a shot, but at 5'2" I don't think I have a chance. That doesn't mean I wouldn't try!! But after that, I'd apply again. If that didn't work, I'd have to find more fun things to do til the next app cycle comes around like travel, film-making, or repeat any of the above. If I am most unfortunate in the admissions process, I'd eventually break down and settle for a job that just "pays the bills" ... Then I'd get over myself and genuinely pursue a career in my other passions. But after about ten years, I'd apply to MD school again. I'd never stop chasing the dream.