Besides reapplying, what happens to people who don't get in?

[SusGob711]

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So what eventually happens to people who just aren't getting in? I mean no disrespect, I'm really just trying to reassure myself I won't be stuck in my mom and dad's basement if this thing doesn't work out. I know a lot of people go to graduate school but what sorts of jobs/continuing education can I pursue with a biology degree (and hopefully not be destitute)?

 

[indya]

with just a BS you could be a HS teacher provided you get certification which I think takes some more classes

 

[Forthegood]

Aside from more education (ex. med tech), some go into working with biological agents in retail (sigma or equivalent).

I think it is easy to forget that there is a private sector out there. And they need people with a basic grasp of science to operate their business.

 

[alexrgross]

A friend in the lab I work with is studying for her Masters degree in human physiology. She was'nt taken by med schools.

I don't know if shes planning to reapply later. But with an MS she could wind up with a decent, rewarding career in research working with human subjects.

 

[skatertudoroga]

i am unemployed and angry at the world.😡

 

[schlieren]

Old applicants never die, they just fade away.

 

[slowbutsteady]

Hey, people got teeth, don't they?

 

[DocBell]

A lot of rejected applicants go on to apply to dental, pharm or even law school. It might mean a new test and pre-req or two but you will not be stuck in your parent's basement...forever. It will probably cost you a year.

 

[DocBell]

Hey, people got teeth, don't they?

+1 hahaha exactly.

 

[lmesina]

What happens to ppl who don't get in? They take an extra year building themselves up and strengthening their app. Or they take more classes to enhance u.grad gpa if needed, or even go for a post bacc program. They get jobs (healthcare) to help pay for more school...

All in all, they don't give up. If you really wanted to go medicine, not making it through an app cycle is not the end.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

They either spend time improving their stats or go for alternatives. Or figure out that they can make it big in the world without sacrificing an extra 7+ years.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

+1 hahaha exactly.

And if their grades are completely crap people always need someone to crack their backs.

 

[Ditto1114]

So what eventually happens to people who just aren't getting in? I mean no disrespect, I'm really just trying to reassure myself I won't be stuck in my mom and dad's basement if this thing doesn't work out. I know a lot of people go to graduate school but what sorts of jobs/continuing education can I pursue with a biology degree (and hopefully not be destitute)?

I know several people who have gotten jobs as patient care technicians at local hospitals.

Personally, when I first graduated from undergrad (BS in biology) I went to graduate school and got a master's. Then I worked in a research laboratory for a few years, and now I have an awesome job as a scientist for a pharmaceutical company. I will tell you that the pay is not great, but it's livable.

 

[JazzOne]

I got into teaching for five years after two failed cycles. The pay wasn't great, but the hours were wonderful, and the vacations were even better. I used that time to nail the LSAT, and I received a full scholarship to a T20 law school. Now I'm going to put one last round of medical school applications together and see if I can't crack that nut.

 

[orthomyxo]

And if their grades are completely crap people always need someone to crack their backs.

oh snap

 

[yappy]

DO school. From looking around I've seen it is pretty easy to get into. 26+ Mcat with a 3.3+ and you're golden. Dental school on the other hand is much less forgiving. In many ways it's more competitive than an MD program. So if you cannot get in and want to be a physician go after a newly opened DO school and practice medicine.

PS - not to mention DO schools do grade replacement...

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

DO school. From looking around I've seen it is pretty easy to get into. 26+ Mcat with a 3.3+ and you're golden. Dental school on the other hand is much less forgiving. In many ways it's more competitive than an MD program. So if you cannot get in and want to be a physician go after a newly opened DO school and practice medicine.

PS - not to mention DO schools do grade replacement...

You're acting like those stats are extremely easy to obtain ( 26+ is better then 60? percent of all the test takers). Anyways DO schools aren't an alternative, most applicants apply to both MD & DO schools at the same time.

 

[drizzt3117]

You're acting like those stats are extremely easy to obtain ( 26+ is better then 60? percent of all the test takers). Anyways DO schools aren't an alternative, most applicants apply to both MD & DO schools at the same time.

lol wut?

 

[TFS]

So what eventually happens to people who just aren't getting in?

they get eaten by bears.


jk. apply more broadly, apply DO too, apply to another health related field (dental, pharm, etc).

 

[morning]

They become pre-medical advisors.

 

[Bugatti]

They become pre-medical advisors.

haha, that's awesome. Premed advisors are the coolest people in the world. But on a more serious note ... a lot of people who don't end up in MD/DO/Carib will end up going into dentistry or being physician assistants or go into research or even pick up other jobs. Being a doctor is not the end all be all though a lot of people seem to think that's the case. Honestly, a lot of my friends are having a lot more fun and making a lot more money than I am currently so seems like they're doing ok. lol.

 

[Overmjnd]

Where do bad folks go when they die
They don't go to heaven where the angels fly
Go to a lake of fire and fry
See them again 'till the Fourth of July

 

[tweek125]

well if you truly want to get in, you can. there is always the caribbean. not exactly harvard, but you'll get your MD.

 

[jadealer]

I'm a reapp.. but besides reapplying, I work full time in research though I had that job prior to my reapp because I worked there for years. I know alot of people with Bio degrees who work in industry and make decent money. I'm not one of them because I work in academia=crap pay. But I keep telling myself its only temporary plus I chose to stay in this area until my SO finishes his schooling. But you can do research/quality control/clinical research associate/etc. without extra training.

 

[Dianyla]

They become pre-medical advisors.

Thankfully I've got a good one, but many aren't so lucky. 😎

 

[ericflem4286]

That's why I would suggest to some people not to get a bio or chem degree...if you dont make it into professional school there are not a lot of well paying jobs out there...

 

[FIREitUP]

janitorial arts.

 

[Lacipart]

I got a job as a research tech. Really can't complain, I made about 30k a year with full benefits and payed vacay. All you need is a college degree in the biological sciences. 👍

That's just something to do in your year in between application cycles though. If you apply several times and still can't get in they you start to look at other options. It just depends on why you wanted to go into medicine.

You want the MD? Then going to med school in Eastern Europe or the Caribbean is often the answer.

You just want a stable job with decent pay? Go to Podiatry or Physician Assistant school. I have a friend in Podiatry school and he just admits to it outright. If someone asks him "You're in Podiatry school? You like looking at people's feet all day?" He just replies "Not everyone gets into med school you know" 🙄

Seriously though, there are always options out there. You have a science degree so you're in pretty good shape. Just be glad you didn't get an education degree and graduate at a time like now where there are something like 3 million other unemployed teachers all competing for the 5,000 spots that open up each year.

 

[sustentacular]

There are a lot of people who end up with jobs that seem completely unrelated to their undergrad degree, but just require a bachelor's in general. For example I have several friends working at an insurance company who have varied degrees in things like psych, philosophy, criminal justice, art etc.
So I think you'll find that there is a lot you can do just by virtue of having a degree.

 

[Playa]

Definitely spend an extra year or two doing something your passionate about, and be the best you can at that.

Don't settle for a DO school unless your really okay with doing that. You might regret it when you enter the workforce.

 

[45408]

Go to another type of professional school. Go to grad school. Work as a lab tech or research assistant.

Marry a rich doctor. If you're really good-looking, you can be a pharmaceutical rep.

 

[Perrotfish]

....

 

[LifetimeDoc]

They go into the private sector for 14 years, earn a living, pay back their undergrad loans, revisit their dream of medical school every year or two, eventually try again to obtain their dream, quit their job, go back to school with renewed vigor and an older mind, work hard, eventually get in, find school eats them alive yet they keep on going because this is what they have always wanted to do. Don't give up if this us truly your passion.

 

[SusGob711]

They go into the private sector for 14 years, earn a living, pay back their undergrad loans, revisit their dream of medical school every year or two, eventually try again to obtain their dream, quit their job, go back to school with renewed vigor and an older mind, work hard, eventually get in, find school eats them alive yet they keep on going because this is what they have always wanted to do. Don't give up if this us truly your passion.

👍

 

[Evergrey]

Just be glad you didn't get an education degree and graduate at a time like now where there are something like 3 million other unemployed teachers all competing for the 5,000 spots that open up each year.

I graduated with a Humanities degree, applied to over 60-70 research or medically-related jobs during the past year, and wasn't offered interviews at any of them! Now I work at Starbucks 😉 Although I probably could have gotten a much better job if I hadn't needed to start earning money ASAP.

 

[bige11]

If at first you don't succeed, go take a post bacc program.

If that doesn't work, retake the MCAT.

If that doesn't work, then ?!@##$..... what do you do? Apply a 4th time and BAM!!! Several acceptances to both MD and DO.

KEEP TRYING!!! and yes the above is my own personal testimonial.

 

[luke587]

If i dont get in the first time i will take a year off and work full time in my dad's practice, reapply next cycle with a more improved application. Easy one year off isnt a big deal, my brother didn't get into his law school of choice the first time around, got into several but deferred all of them. He works full time and took a couple classes to enhance his GPA, so far from what hes told me its nice to take a break from school and recharge before you start up again. Also by doing this, he got into the school that he really wanted to attend so it all paid off in the end

 

[integralx2]

Its a rough road. I have a few friends who majored in Bio or Health Sciences, and they did not get into there program. Now there working crappy jobs. Its all about being smart in college. People who major Bio (or w.e else) are focused onto getting into med school (which is a good thing) , but dont focus on a plan b if they dont get in and have to wait. Its a good idea for students to research in what they should major in, that would be beneficial if they dont get into med school. Cause working at a lab or something for $14 bucks an hour kinda sucks.

 

[Fort]

Its a rough road. I have a few friends who majored in Bio or Health Sciences, and they did not get into there program. Now there working crappy jobs. Its all about being smart in college. People who major Bio (or w.e else) are focused onto getting into med school (which is a good thing) , but dont focus on a plan b if they dont get in and have to wait. Its a good idea for students to research in what they should major in, that would be beneficial if they dont get into med school. Cause working at a lab or something for $14 bucks an hour kinda sucks.

Could be worse. Could be working for 8 bucks an hour as a cart attendant for Sam's Club. I suppose it's good to know what being poor feels like.

 

[Playa]

Extra year of research, volunteering, anything that you care about, apply to an SMP if you can make that and then apply to med school a year after.

 

[FrkyBgStok]

Learn to love working nights and get your CDL. You can make a lot more than working in a lab.

 

[MIAmedica]

Don't settle for a DO school unless your really okay with doing that. You might regret it when you enter the workforce.

Not sure why there's a downside to being a DO in the workforce... If you rock the COMLEX and USMLE boards, residency programs don't care whether you have an MD or DO after your name. You're still a physician. Yes, some DO schools emphasize primary care meaning less of those students specialize, but I don't see that as a downside. If you want to get into a highly competitive residency program (like derm) then maybe MD has an advantage. A lot (and I would argue most) DO med students don't 'settle' for their degree. Work load is the same, if not harder, since they have to add their OMM classes to the already ridiculously busy schedule. Not trying to start a debate here, I just want the OP to get another view of DO 🙂

And in response to the OP, there's a reason why people don't get in their first year. My weakness was my mcat score, which I retook and improved (also did an SMP). Still waiting to see if I get in this cycle, but I've already had 2 interviews (1 MD and 1 DO, and I actually liked the DO school better... hmmmmm... 🙄). Looking back, the extra year turned out amazing - I met some great people in my SMP program, lived in a different city, and made some great connections with med school professors.