Backup plans

[Dr.Acula]

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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?

 

[bbas]

public health in either epidemiology or health management/policy

 

[Rafa]

Rice farmer in Thailand.

 

[LifetimeDoc]

My plan regarding applying to med school...

1st Application Cycle: apply with 1 year of post-bacc and new MCAT score.
2nd Application Cycle: take another year of post-bacc and maybe retake MCAT, include more schools and consider DO.
3rd Application Cycle: go back to work and try applying again.
4rd Application Cycle: try applying again, and beg.
5th Application Cycle: try applying again, and plead.
6th Application Cycle: celebrate my 40th birthday and jump off a cliff.

 

[ltrain]

public health in either epidemiology or health management/policy

cool, that's what i do now 👍

this was one of the questions i had to answer for my premed office. i wrote a paragraph about how i could be an engineer, but i didn't want to. then i included those questions with the recommendation materials i gave my boss.

the next day he told me he liked how my back-up plan was: none.

so i'm sticking with it...

 

[bbas]

cool, that's what i do now 👍

this was one of the questions i had to answer for my premed office. i wrote a paragraph about how i could be an engineer, but i didn't want to. then i included those questions with the recommendation materials i gave my boss.

the next day he told me he liked how my back-up plan was: none.

so i'm sticking with it...

I see on your mdapplicants profile that you did HIV education with the Peace Corps. I'm thinking of doing this as well, since it ties in directly to my major. Was it a good experience; would you recommend it?

 

[ltrain]

I see on your mdapplicants profile that you did HIV education with the Peace Corps. I'm thinking of doing this as well, since it ties in directly to my major. Was it a good experience; would you recommend it?

i PM'd ya.

 

[e_phn]

Rice farmer in Thailand.

how about china? you'll make more money in the future.

 

[DropkickMurphy]

Plans:
-Masters degree (doing a SMP during my glide year)
-If I don't get in first time around, work on MPH in epidemiology (that will bring my degrees to two associates, two bachelors, two masters (MS, MPH))
-If I don't get in second time around, go either to Ireland or Caribbean

 

[DrVanNostran]

I am becoming the epitome of a reapplicant. I graduated undergrad in the Winter of 2003 and have gone through a lot since then...for on I have an MPH is health care/hospital administration which has changed the way I look at medicine. Anyways, this is my 3rd or 4th attempt at this I really hope that the MCAT goes well....

Anyways heres the deal with me:

1. Allopathic School
2. Osteopathic School
3. Possibly Caribbean or work for a year---all depends on April MCAT.
4. Start drinking and smoking and become that guy at the end of the bar that nobody likes.

 

[e_phn]

4. Start drinking and smoking and become that guy at the end of the bar that nobody likes.

sounds like a good plan to me. 👍

 

[TypeA]

My plan regarding applying to med school...

1st Application Cycle: apply with 1 year of post-bacc and new MCAT score.
2nd Application Cycle: take another year of post-bacc and maybe retake MCAT, include more schools and consider DO.
3rd Application Cycle: go back to work and try applying again.
4rd Application Cycle: try applying again, and beg.
5th Application Cycle: try applying again, and plead.
6th Application Cycle: celebrate my 40th birthday and jump off a cliff.

This pretty much sums up mine too!

 

[ilovehedgehogs]

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

 

[deleted103730]

Join the army, get some training, retire, become a mercenary for hire, travel the world, visit exotic places, meet interesting people, then kill them.

 

[DrBowtie]

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

 

[LifetimeDoc]

I thought about going into nursing, but everyone I spoke to (nurses included) said: Just go for your dreams, you can't half-ass any of these professions. Nursing is not a fallback for med-school rejects.

 

[Dr.Acula]

So none of you would consider being a PA? Also, this might just be me, but i see alot more female PAs compared to males, is this a trend or just bad sampling on my part?

 

[DrVanNostran]

So none of you would consider being a PA??

Being a physician is my dream, like many others here. Being a PA is a noble profession, but I don't think a lot of see ourselves doing that...

 

[Schaden Freud]

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?

Well I do have a humongous penis, so there's always porn.

 

[Dr.Acula]

Well I do have a humongous penis, so there's always porn.

best back up plan so far!

 

[LifetimeDoc]

So none of you would consider being a PA? Also, this might just be me, but i see alot more female PAs compared to males, is this a trend or just bad sampling on my part?

No offense to PAs, but I would feel like I was a perpetual intern always needing to have an MD/DO over me. Plus, I want to know everything about medicine, and keep on learning, not just do routine work and punch-in/out every day like a job. Being a physician is a whole life.

 

[Vox Animo]

I'd become a science teacher. Or maybe a cage fighter

 

[DropkickMurphy]

So none of you would consider being a PA? Also, this might just be me, but i see alot more female PAs compared to males, is this a trend or just bad sampling on my part?

I make as much as an PA as an RT. Why would I want to get a master's degree to make the same amount of money I make with an associates but be doing the job of an MD?

 

[Vox Animo]

I make as much as an PA as an RT. Why would I want to get a master's degree to make the same amount of money I make with an associates but be doing the job of an MD?

RT?

 

[Beau Geste]

RT?

Respiratory Therapist. How on earth are you an RT with an Associate's degree????

Edit: Sorry - that sounded a little harsh. I was asking that thinking about state licensure requirements.

 

[DropkickMurphy]

Respiratory Therapist. How on earth are you an RT with an Associate's degree????

Edit: Sorry - that sounded a little harsh. I was asking that thinking about state licensure requirements.

Actually only a couple of states (Minnesota and Ohio I believe) require more than an associates. Most RT's have no more education than a "community college learner's permit". That's why MOST RT's aren't the sharpest tools....a lot of them are nursing school washouts. This is the predominant reason I want to get out of the field....it's like being in a normal kid in an LD class...

 

[Maverik]

I would execute the following plan:

BSN, MHA accelerated program ~ 2yrs.
Work as healthcare administrator ~ 3 yrs.
MBA, regular program (night school) ~2 yrs.
Take over the world ~ indefinitely

About the PA idea drAcula, I say go for it. I have worked with some very competent, satisfied PAs who do find challenges in their work. The salary is nice, the profession affords a lot of time for family-building, and you can leave work everyday and not worry about being on-call or mulling over the health of Mrs. Rosas with the bad liver.

if PA school is your second passion (next to MD) then it can never be the wrong choice.

 

[NonTradMed]

I would try at least three times to get into a US med school, then I would go carribean. There are many paths to being a doctor, I believe, if you are an American kid with access to parental support and no family obligation (kids, spouse), then you CAN make med school happen to you, it's just a matter of how far you are willing to go to get that done.

 

[wildorchid]

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. 🙄

 

[Beau Geste]

I would try at least three times to get into a US med school, then I would go carribean. There are many paths to being a doctor, I believe, if you are an American kid with access to parental support and no family obligation (kids, spouse), then you CAN make med school happen to you, it's just a matter of how far you are willing to go to get that done.

That sounds good, in theory. I'm not sure about others, but being 30 this year and having a husband makes me want to get the ball rolling. The issue now is more the fundage than the years. Gotta pay the mortgage!

 

[DropkickMurphy]

I'll be 28 or 29 when I enter medical school and I know one thing....I'm glad I didn't go to med school as a 21 year old like I originally thought about......

 

[ironmaidenrules]

I'm a reapplicant this year and I am enrolled in a Nuclear Medicine Program that goes from July to July. It certifies you to be a Nuclear Medicine technologist in the radiology department. I can't work my lab job for another year, I need some type of backup. It will be a good backup and possibly some on-call work during medical school. We'll see, I think it is a good investment.

 

[Beau Geste]

I'll be 28 or 29 when I enter medical school and I know one thing....I'm glad I didn't go to med school as a 21 year old like I originally thought about......

Word!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Although, my plans were going to be put on hold no matter what I wanted to do.

 

[Beau Geste]

I'm a reapplicant this year and I am enrolled in a Nuclear Medicine Program that goes from July to July. It certifies you to be a Nuclear Medicine technologist in the radiology department. I can't work my lab job for another year, I need some type of backup. It will be a good backup and possibly some on-call work during medical school. We'll see, I think it is a good investment.

I love your username!

Do you drive an IROC or z-28? (sorry, couldn't resist..... my husband loves Iron Maiden 🙂)

 

[WestTexasRambler]

I'll be 28 or 29 when I enter medical school and I know one thing....I'm glad I didn't go to med school as a 21 year old like I originally thought about......

same here, I don't think I was focused enough at 21 nor would I have approached it the same way. I am amazed at some of these people here who are seemingly mature beyond their years.

 

[DropkickMurphy]

There are only a couple of the young ones on here I would classify as "mature". Most of the traditional premeds are terribly immature, but thats through no fault of their own in many cases.....they're just kids still

 

[Beau Geste]

There are only a couple of the young ones on here I would classify as "mature". Most of the traditional premeds are terribly immature, but thats through no fault of their own in many cases.....they're just kids still

Word. Again.

 

[JRJ26]

I'm gonna apply to maybe three or four MPH programs, either international health or infectious diseases. Also gonna apply to Gtown SMP. After either MPH or SMP I'll reapply and hope for the best 🙁

 

[Hopeful_Doc]

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?

Work in Biotechnology Research ( would need to find the central hub of biotech labs and move im sure), perhaps attempt a path to a Ph.D in it. This would only happen after 3 cycles and no acceptances. 3 tries and you're out I feel.

 

[JackBauERfan]

I am becoming the epitome of a reapplicant. I graduated undergrad in the Winter of 2003 and have gone through a lot since then...for on I have an MPH is health care/hospital administration which has changed the way I look at medicine. Anyways, this is my 3rd or 4th attempt at this I really hope that the MCAT goes well....

Anyways heres the deal with me:

1. Allopathic School
2. Osteopathic School
3. Possibly Caribbean or work for a year---all depends on April MCAT.
4. Start drinking and smoking and become that guy at the end of the bar that nobody likes.

You mean you can't do 4 and 1?

 

[Vizsla]

I make as much as an PA as an RT. Why would I want to get a master's degree to make the same amount of money I make with an associates but be doing the job of an MD?

you make $80K as a RT??

 

[Dr. Pepper]

Pre-med Advisor/Saboteur...

If I don't get into med school, nobody will...muhahaha. 😀
-Dr. P.

 

[JackBauERfan]

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. 🙄

I agree, I don't think many folks cross (PA to MD or MD to PA) since they are different jobs, even though the subject may be similar. And like you said PA does require some specific patient experience hours (even though I think most med students have had some experience). I think there are a lot of posts about this though, so won't "hijack" this thread haha.

 

[asunshine]

This is the predominant reason I want to get out of the field....it's like being in a normal kid in an LD class...

Word.

actually, my job is pretty interesting and stressful (nurse), but practice is SO limited to me. and some of the people i work with....yikes!

i would do a ton of international health, get an MPH, be a professor, and maybe work for a AIDS or other health charity. i want to make racial disparities in health care go away!

 

[DrVanNostran]

You mean you can't do 4 and 1?

If I'm a doctor, I'm buyin...therefore now I'm the guy at the end of the bar that everyone likes 😎

 

[DropkickMurphy]

you make $80K as a RT??

Well, between $62K and 65K ($24 an hour plus shift differential) which is the starting salary for a primary care PA around here. I can make more as an echocardiographer, or as a cath lab tech (which I'm taking my boards for in January).

 

[ironmaidenrules]

I love your username!

Do you drive an IROC or z-28? (sorry, couldn't resist..... my husband loves Iron Maiden 🙂)

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

 

[Ema]

If I do not get in anywhere -Back up plan is:
1) take that modeling job for a year and move to Milano
2) or accept the job opportunity with the UN in Geneva

Umm nah,I would really love to stay n the town... being a volunteer, and taking all those post bac classes and applying again ...and thats what I am gonna do. 😀

 

[DrVanNostran]

If I do not get in anywhere -Back up plan is:
1) take that modeling job for a year and move to Milano
2) or accept the job opportunity with the UN in Geneva

Umm nah,I would really love to stay n the town... being a volunteer, and taking all those post bac classes and applying again ...and thats what I am gonna do. 😀

You back ups are way better than mine 😛

 

[MirrorTodd]

Become a cop so that I could supply hospitals with shot up crooks.