Do you all have a Plan "B"??

[PeepDoc]

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Ok, here goes. I am supporting my husband while he persues his dream of becoming a doctor. Hes a Spring semester and a Summer semester away from completing his undergrad in Biology. He hasnt taken the MCAT yet and his GPA is around 3.1. He wants to do nothing else with his life but become a doctor. He would be great at it too, he has a real passion for people. BUT....I'm afraid he wont get in with his stats. I read site liek this all day about what you need stat wise, what EC's you need (he doesnt have any btw) and i try to steer him in the right direction for what he needs to get in. But he doesnt listen to me. Hes very spiritual, sometimes I think he thinks his faith alone will bless him into medical school. If you have blinders on for med school, do you plan for a plan B if you dont get in? or is that planning to fail? Ive never told him that i think he might not get in with his stats, i dont want him to think i dont believe in him. I'm just worried for him. If he does get in i know hell make it through, but i dont want him to be heartbroken and with no plans if he doesnt. Does any of this make sense?? Help!!

 

[BlackSails]

I have two plan Bs. If I dont get in/dont like med school, then I will go back to college and get my PhD in math or physics and either do research or work in finance. If I dont like that, then I will join the FBI, or some similar agency.

 

[leviathan]

I have two plan Bs. If I dont get in/dont like med school, then I will go back to college and get my PhD in math or physics and either do research or work in finance. If I dont like that, then I will join the FBI, or some similar agency.

Why not something else in health care? Why is it doctor or nothing for you?

 

[Kthanksbye]

Ok, here goes. I am supporting my husband while he persues his dream of becoming a doctor. Hes a Spring semester and a Summer semester away from completing his undergrad in Biology. He hasnt taken the MCAT yet and his GPA is around 3.1. He wants to do nothing else with his life but become a doctor. He would be great at it too, he has a real passion for people. BUT....I'm afraid he wont get in with his stats. I read site liek this all day about what you need stat wise, what EC's you need (he doesnt have any btw) and i try to steer him in the right direction for what he needs to get in. But he doesnt listen to me. Hes very spiritual, sometimes I think he thinks his faith alone will bless him into medical school. If you have blinders on for med school, do you plan for a plan B if you dont get in? or is that planning to fail? Ive never told him that i think he might not get in with his stats, i dont want him to think i dont believe in him. I'm just worried for him. If he does get in i know hell make it through, but i dont want him to be heartbroken and with no plans if he doesnt. Does any of this make sense?? Help!!

I wouldn't go so far as to say that he can't get in. But anyone on this path must take a realistic assessment of themselves and their candidacy with the willingness to attack the most glaring problems head on. There are things which can be done to improve ones candidacy, but faith alone, unfortunately, isn't going to do it. Things to consider might be taking classes and acing them to improve undergraduate GPA, volunteering to acquire clinical experience, or getting accepted into a year long masters program in the medical sciences. All options must be considered.

 

[searun]

It is always a good idea to have a plan B. But your husband could get into medical school if he plays his cards right. First, he needs to do really really well on the MCAT. I would recommend that he take a review course such as Kaplan and then devote an entire summer to preparing for the MCAT. If he can rock that exam, it will help him alot. His gpa is low so I would recommend doing post bac work to demonstrate that he can excel in the sciences. Finally, he needs to have alot of clinical exposure to medicine to demonstrate that he knows what he is getting into. I would defer applying for a year or two after he graduates so he can strengthen his application. His dream is not impossible but it will require alot of work and committment. Good luck to you both.

 

[viciouz]

Ok, here goes. I am supporting my husband while he persues his dream of becoming a doctor. Hes a Spring semester and a Summer semester away from completing his undergrad in Biology. He hasnt taken the MCAT yet and his GPA is around 3.1. He wants to do nothing else with his life but become a doctor. He would be great at it too, he has a real passion for people. BUT....I'm afraid he wont get in with his stats. I read site liek this all day about what you need stat wise, what EC's you need (he doesnt have any btw) and i try to steer him in the right direction for what he needs to get in. But he doesnt listen to me. Hes very spiritual, sometimes I think he thinks his faith alone will bless him into medical school. If you have blinders on for med school, do you plan for a plan B if you dont get in? or is that planning to fail? Ive never told him that i think he might not get in with his stats, i dont want him to think i dont believe in him. I'm just worried for him. If he does get in i know hell make it through, but i dont want him to be heartbroken and with no plans if he doesnt. Does any of this make sense?? Help!!

He could try DO, but yes I think a lot of applicants who don't have the best GPA's or MCAT scores have Plan B's, and some even have Plan C,D, and F.

 

[hermit]

No ECs and a 3.1 are a recipe for disaster.

DO school is a valid plan B with that GPA but he won’t even land an interview at one without some clinical experience. As others have mentioned, strong performance on the MCAT is a must in this situation. Again, not even a stellar MCAT score is going to compensate for a lack of clinical experience. Do anything and everything to convince/trick/force him into some patient situations. Maybe sign up for this stuff yourself and ask him to join you?

As far as other plan Bs in health care go, I suppose you could just run down the hierarchy: MD/DO > Caribbean MD > PA/NP > other stuff like physical therapy, podiatry, etc > RN > LPN/various techs/etc

Outside of health care, there are a million plan Bs that someone with a passion for people may enjoy. Tough to suggest some without knowing your husband’s other interests.

 

[brandnewsaves]

My plan B: Become a lawyer and make a career out of sueing Doctors


j/k 😀

 

[Arjunsi]

Ok, here goes. I am supporting my husband while he persues his dream of becoming a doctor. Hes a Spring semester and a Summer semester away from completing his undergrad in Biology. He hasnt taken the MCAT yet and his GPA is around 3.1. He wants to do nothing else with his life but become a doctor. He would be great at it too, he has a real passion for people. BUT....I'm afraid he wont get in with his stats. I read site liek this all day about what you need stat wise, what EC's you need (he doesnt have any btw) and i try to steer him in the right direction for what he needs to get in. But he doesnt listen to me. Hes very spiritual, sometimes I think he thinks his faith alone will bless him into medical school. If you have blinders on for med school, do you plan for a plan B if you dont get in? or is that planning to fail? Ive never told him that i think he might not get in with his stats, i dont want him to think i dont believe in him. I'm just worried for him. If he does get in i know hell make it through, but i dont want him to be heartbroken and with no plans if he doesnt. Does any of this make sense?? Help!!

I do not have a plan B, but if I had a 3.1 GPA and no EC's I would generate one quickly.

Maybe you should tell him. With the proper information he can make the changes necessary to succeed.

 

[slicknick5k]

My backup plan involves a hairdryer and a bath tub. Jk.....no but seriously.

 

[Quix]

My Plan B is to keep doing what I'm doing: collegiate teaching and medical research. Plan C is to look into graduate work in psychology, but that would be in a few years.

 

[scholarken]

Ok, here goes. I am supporting my husband while he persues his dream of becoming a doctor. Hes a Spring semester and a Summer semester away from completing his undergrad in Biology. He hasnt taken the MCAT yet and his GPA is around 3.1. He wants to do nothing else with his life but become a doctor. He would be great at it too, he has a real passion for people. BUT....I'm afraid he wont get in with his stats. I read site liek this all day about what you need stat wise, what EC's you need (he doesnt have any btw) and i try to steer him in the right direction for what he needs to get in. But he doesnt listen to me. Hes very spiritual, sometimes I think he thinks his faith alone will bless him into medical school. If you have blinders on for med school, do you plan for a plan B if you dont get in? or is that planning to fail? Ive never told him that i think he might not get in with his stats, i dont want him to think i dont believe in him. I'm just worried for him. If he does get in i know hell make it through, but i dont want him to be heartbroken and with no plans if he doesnt. Does any of this make sense?? Help!!

Just keep encouraging him to do his best while leaving it up to God. The biblical faith entails God working "thru" a person, not Him alone. Keep praying together so that your husband will see a vision and gain passion to do whatever it takes to fulfill his dream in God if it's one given from Him. My prayers and encouragement to you! Be strong and take courage.

p.s. My plan B is to teach students and keep working in pharmaceutical industry while finding my ideal role.

 

[HumidBeing]

I'm not trying to be mean, but your dh has already asked about this a couple of times and had many replies. Just click on your screen name and then on "Read other posts by PeepDoc", and you will be able to read what has already been advised.

If he's as spiritual as the two of you say, perhaps you could tell him that you've been praying about how to best support him, that you've discovered that, in order to be a successful candidate, he needs much more than a bio degree and sitting through the MCAT. Encourage him and help him to find local volunteer opportunities that he can become very involved with. Volunteering in health care settings is the most appropriate because that will give him clinical experience at the same time.

A 3.1 does not put him out of the running, especially since his GPA has been improving. A solid MCAT score will improve his chances. That isn't likely to happen if he just takes the test without heavy preparation. Encourage him to sign up for a prep course, or at least to purchase and USE the materials to study at home.

Other than that, he does NEED to have a convincing amount of volunteer community involvement and clinical exposure beyond his father's trips to Haiti. That's a make or break aspect that he does have control over.

Believing and praying can only take him so far. If his convictions are really that this is something he must do, then he must also put in the effort to complete the groundwork necessary. Because his GPA is relatively low, he's going to have to create a stronger foundation of relevant experiences in order to get in to any U.S. school.

It may come to the point where it is time for him to open his eyes to the many other opportunities besides becoming a physician. There can be more than a single "Plan 'B'". The world is ripe with fulfilling avenues to help others.

I'm not trying to discourage you. This is, of course, just my own opinion. Best wishes to the two of you.

 

[Luxian]

Ok, here goes. I am supporting my husband while he persues his dream of becoming a doctor. Hes a Spring semester and a Summer semester away from completing his undergrad in Biology. He hasnt taken the MCAT yet and his GPA is around 3.1. He wants to do nothing else with his life but become a doctor. He would be great at it too, he has a real passion for people. BUT....I'm afraid he wont get in with his stats. ...Does any of this make sense?? Help!!

Don't get scared by the other folks here. There are a lot of paths to med school. I have a 3.1 and no clinical experience, and yet right now I have three interviews so far at very good schools. What do I have? I worked in public health (though any health-related field might do), I have a very good MCAT score, and good recommendations. It's not impossible!

There are a few things I would recommend to your hubby:
(1)Study hard for the MCAT. If he can, get a score a couple notches above 30.
(2)Make sure to get good recommendations. The biggest hurdle for me is getting science recs since I've been out of school so long, but a combination of science professors and work supervisors should do. Getting people who will write really good recommendations is more important than just having one from each science prof.
(3)Volunteer if he can. If he can't, don't worry, it's not a make or break.
(4)Perhaps most importantly, APPLY EARLY! He's not going to be the top applicant anywhere, so applying early means he has a chance. Applying early means getting the AMCAS in in June/July and secondaries finished by September.
(5)There's no shame in applying twice. Quite a few people I know and respect haven't made it in their first round. It's okay. It's worth it in the long run and will give him time to improve his application.

All in all, I just wanted to wish him (and you) luck in pursuing your dreams. It's possible!

 

[TheRealMD]

Don't need Plan B if you keep it in your pants man! 😛

 

[BlackSails]

Why not something else in health care? Why is it doctor or nothing for you?

I have no interest in being a technician, which is what all mid levels are to some extent. I would be extremely unsatisfied going through my job without understanding why I was pushing some drug, or wheeling a patient down for some test. Also, I am not going into health care to help people. I dont dislike helping people, but its not the reason I want to be a doctor. If you noticed, one of my other career choices is along the lines of FBI agent, or CIA analyst, etc. Being a doctor is alot like being a detective or analyst. Im sure some of you are going to jump on me, and yell that medicine is not so glamourous, etc, but I know that. Most police cases arent sherlock holmes either. Sure, there are cases which movies and books are written on, but those are very rare, much like the cool zebras that appear every week on house. This is not to say I want a completely cerebral specialty like ID or rheumatology; I very much like to work with my hands, and will probably* end up in some surgical speciality.

*: Yes, I know most medical students change what they want to go into.

 

[ufgrad00]

Ok, here goes. I am supporting my husband while he persues his dream of becoming a doctor. Hes a Spring semester and a Summer semester away from completing his undergrad in Biology. He hasnt taken the MCAT yet and his GPA is around 3.1. He wants to do nothing else with his life but become a doctor. He would be great at it too, he has a real passion for people. BUT....I'm afraid he wont get in with his stats. I read site liek this all day about what you need stat wise, what EC's you need (he doesnt have any btw) and i try to steer him in the right direction for what he needs to get in. But he doesnt listen to me. Hes very spiritual, sometimes I think he thinks his faith alone will bless him into medical school. If you have blinders on for med school, do you plan for a plan B if you dont get in? or is that planning to fail? Ive never told him that i think he might not get in with his stats, i dont want him to think i dont believe in him. I'm just worried for him. If he does get in i know hell make it through, but i dont want him to be heartbroken and with no plans if he doesnt. Does any of this make sense?? Help!!

Mine:

Crab Fishman fighting the sea ice. Arrggghh!

 

[Tenacity]

I'd most likely get into a Master's program in bioengineering, work, get my MBA, and hopefully land a leadership position in a pharmaceutical company. I want to be the one making the important decisions when the time comes.

This is considering that I don't consider medicine ever again, which is completely false.

 

[ufgrad00]

I have no interest in being a technician, which is what all mid levels are to some extent. I would be extremely unsatisfied going through my job without understanding why I was pushing some drug, or wheeling a patient down for some test. Also, I am not going into health care to help people. I dont dislike helping people, but its not the reason I want to be a doctor. If you noticed, one of my other career choices is along the lines of FBI agent, or CIA analyst, etc. Being a doctor is alot like being a detective or analyst. Im sure some of you are going to jump on me, and yell that medicine is not so glamourous, etc, but I know that. Most police cases arent sherlock holmes either. Sure, there are cases which movies and books are written on, but those are very rare, much like the cool zebras that appear every week on house. This is not to say I want a completely cerebral specialty like ID or rheumatology; I very much like to work with my hands, and will probably* end up in some surgical speciality.

*: Yes, I know most medical students change what they want to go into.

Dude, you are a lot like me. I was interested in Emergency Medicine after having volunteered in an ER for soooo long. But now, I am employed with a large oncology practice in N. FL and I am very interested in surgical oncology. I know the specialty is uber competitive and there are only fifteen programs for it in the US, but I am a person that likes to be competitive. In a down to earth, non A-holish kinda way.

 

[BlackSails]

Oh yes, to Peepdoc:

With a GPA of 3.1, I think he should also look at DO schools.

 

[pakbabydoll]

Well if I don't get in then my plan B is pharmacy and plan C is PA school.

 

[pakbabydoll]

I have no interest in being a technician, which is what all mid levels are to some extent. I would be extremely unsatisfied going through my job without understanding why I was pushing some drug, or wheeling a patient down for some test. Also, I am not going into health care to help people. I dont dislike helping people, but its not the reason I want to be a doctor. If you noticed, one of my other career choices is along the lines of FBI agent, or CIA analyst, etc. Being a doctor is alot like being a detective or analyst. Im sure some of you are going to jump on me, and yell that medicine is not so glamourous, etc, but I know that. Most police cases arent sherlock holmes either. Sure, there are cases which movies and books are written on, but those are very rare, much like the cool zebras that appear every week on house. This is not to say I want a completely cerebral specialty like ID or rheumatology; I very much like to work with my hands, and will probably* end up in some surgical speciality.

*: Yes, I know most medical students change what they want to go into.

Well, I am a pharm tech and its teaching me a lot about different drugs and dosages. We have 2 Pharmacy techs who did this 20 years then both decided to go to pharmacy school together. Both got in top tier schools, and both are employed by the hospital I work at.

 

[Isoprop]

I have no interest in being a technician, which is what all mid levels are to some extent. I would be extremely unsatisfied going through my job without understanding why I was pushing some drug, or wheeling a patient down for some test. Also, I am not going into health care to help people. I dont dislike helping people, but its not the reason I want to be a doctor. If you noticed, one of my other career choices is along the lines of FBI agent, or CIA analyst, etc. Being a doctor is alot like being a detective or analyst. Im sure some of you are going to jump on me, and yell that medicine is not so glamourous, etc, but I know that. Most police cases arent sherlock holmes either. Sure, there are cases which movies and books are written on, but those are very rare, much like the cool zebras that appear every week on house. This is not to say I want a completely cerebral specialty like ID or rheumatology; I very much like to work with my hands, and will probably* end up in some surgical speciality.

*: Yes, I know most medical students change what they want to go into.

in health care,
not doctor =/= not professional (i.e. technician or technologist)

just to clarify.

 

[Revenant]

job

 

[BlackSails]

in health care,
not doctor =/= not professional (i.e. technician or technologist)

just to clarify.

In health care, not doctor = you take orders, not give them, and you dont really know the mechanisms and science behind what you are doing most of the time.

 

[mvenus929]

My plan B for this year is becoming a CNA and taking a year completely off to strengthen my application. My plan C (should I not get in the second round) is probably going to be becoming a nutritionist or getting a Masters in history and going into museology or something of the like.

 

[PT2MD]

Ph.D. in physical therapy. I'd be a PT superfreak.

 

[Isoprop]

In health care, not doctor = you take orders, not give them, and you dont really know the mechanisms and science behind what you are doing most of the time.

...........

anyway, i'd probably become a teacher/professor if i couldn't go into medicine.

 

[ChubbyChaser]

Pa, and plan C paramedic

 

[mordounhas]

Have him take the GRE as well and apply to Master's programs in Bio if it's looking bad. He can actually make money during a two-year's Masters program at many schools, fill out his EC's, get better lor's, and some more research. He can also retake the MCAT during that time if he needs to. That's what my Plan B was.

 

[collegefootball]

In health care, not doctor = you take orders, not give them, and you dont really know the mechanisms and science behind what you are doing most of the time.

It depends on what area you work as a health care worker. An RT will know very well how all of the stuff they do works and why they do it. The same goes with a PT. We can add other fields as well, but I don't want to right now.

 

[PT2MD]

you dont really know the mechanisms and science behind what you are doing most of the time.

That's not entirely true for many allied health professions.

 

[sawood]

Ok, here goes. I am supporting my husband while he persues his dream of becoming a doctor. Hes a Spring semester and a Summer semester away from completing his undergrad in Biology. He hasnt taken the MCAT yet and his GPA is around 3.1. He wants to do nothing else with his life but become a doctor. He would be great at it too, he has a real passion for people. BUT....I'm afraid he wont get in with his stats. I read site liek this all day about what you need stat wise, what EC's you need (he doesnt have any btw) and i try to steer him in the right direction for what he needs to get in. But he doesnt listen to me. Hes very spiritual, sometimes I think he thinks his faith alone will bless him into medical school. If you have blinders on for med school, do you plan for a plan B if you dont get in? or is that planning to fail? Ive never told him that i think he might not get in with his stats, i dont want him to think i dont believe in him. I'm just worried for him. If he does get in i know hell make it through, but i dont want him to be heartbroken and with no plans if he doesnt. Does any of this make sense?? Help!!

If being a doctor is the only thing that he feels called to do,then if he doesn't get in, no plan will keep him from feeling heartbroken. I know you are worried, and that's okay too. But sometimes you can't keep people from being let down, dissapointed, etc.

Just be there for him. Make sure he knows that you love him and respect him for who he is and for the dreams he is pursuing. Support him as he applies, celebrate with him if he gets in, and stand by him if he doesn't. This is his deal, he'll devise a plan B when and if he feels he needs to.

Good luck, I know its hard on the significant others too 🙂. Hang in there.

 

[ikeepthinking]

If I don't get in, I'll go for a Ph.D in something Anatomy or Genetics related.

 

[StevenJ128]

Actually medical school is my plan C. Plan A is win the lottery. Plan B is find a sugamamma at school.

 

[vandyland10]

My back-up plan is dentistry...the dental school that I'd want to go to has only one extra required class (biochemistry) than medical school, and I was planning on taking it anyway. Another positive: the DAT natural science section tests on biology, gen. chemistry, and organic chemistry...not physics!🙂

 

[searun]

Mine:

Crab Fishman fighting the sea ice. Arrggghh!

Crab fishermen in Alaska. Those guys are studs.

 

[Omyss]

apply to carribean schools? high school teacher might be a good back up plan for him

 

[Blade28]

Everyone, please have a plan B (at least in your head). You might get asked this during interviews.

 

[BrokenGlass]

If being a doctor is the only thing that he feels called to do,then if he doesn't get in, no plan will keep him from feeling heartbroken. I know you are worried, and that's okay too. But sometimes you can't keep people from being let down, dissapointed, etc.

Just be there for him. Make sure he knows that you love him and respect him for who he is and for the dreams he is pursuing. Support him as he applies, celebrate with him if he gets in, and stand by him if he doesn't. This is his deal, he'll devise a plan B when and if he feels he needs to.

Good luck, I know its hard on the significant others too 🙂. Hang in there.

sawood, will you marry me?

 

[ChubbyChaser]

I agree with some of the previous posters, He should apply to DO schools, eventhough with that GPA and no ECs they are very slim. If he is serious about getting in (which it seems like he is), he needs to get some clinical experience and an excellent GPA. I would also reccommend going on to get a Masters in something just so the Adcoms now that he would be capable of handling the course load in medical school

 

[sawood]

sawood, will you marry me?

Sure

 

[pakbabydoll]

no offense but maybe you should tell him in a firm manner. Maybe he just needs a reality check. I got mine at the end of high school and maybe it time you give your husband a reality check.