Oh no, you got rejected! What now?

[monopolova]

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Both a common interview question and a fact of life for some, the question, "what are you going to do now that your dreams have been destroyed?" is an important one indeed. (Let's assume you have already re-applied to no avail.)

Thanks for your input!! 👍

 

[bewitched1081]

dreams are never destroyed as a result of a simple rejection. it may just be you who chooses to let go of your dreams.

 

[Anka]

The correct answer for an interview is "I'll apply again, I'm very committed to becoming a doctor." The answer for life is as variable as the people forced to make the decision -- the important thing is to realize there are a number of wonderful ways to live life. Some examples include:

1. Re-apply (really): D.O. and Carribian schools are common options.
2. Go for nursing: Previously a less than desirable option for would-be physicians, it's an excellent career path. Nurses can have fairly independent roles in family practice, critical care, anesthesia (CRNA), surgery (CRNFA), and so on. This also adds the advantage of an incremental education, i.e., you can get your R.N., work while you get your B.S.N., and eventually you're M.S.N.
3. Find another way to improve quality of life: examples include ensuring sanitary water sources, opening an orphanage, teaching.
4. Find another way to get money and social status: go do investment banking, management consulting, law.

Best,
Anka

 

[closet_premed?]

Maybe you could consider a post-bac program

 

[gschl1234]

Both a common interview question and a fact of life for some, the question, "what are you going to do now that your dreams have been destroyed?" is an important one indeed. (Let's assume you have already re-applied to no avail.)

Thanks for your input!! 👍

When asked this question at an interview, I stated honestly that I would probably become a PA, get a Ph.D. in chemistry and become a professor at a teaching-emphasized college or stop pursuing higher degrees altogether and try to get certified to teach high school chemistry.

 

[velo]

well...the best answer is when you've already been accepted somewhere else and you can just say "i'll go to one of the schools that let me in." I got lucky with this question, first school I interviewed at didn't ask it and they had rolling addmissions. Every other school i went to asked it, and I could just side step it 'cause i had an acceptance in hand...

That said, the other best answer is I would recommit myself to my studies and apply again at a later date...after going to Calcuta for a year to work with orphans...orphans with diseases....

 

[gschl1234]

well...the best answer is when you've already been accepted somewhere else and you can just say "i'll go to one of the schools that let me in." I got lucky with this question, first school I interviewed at didn't ask it and they had rolling addmissions. Every other school i went to asked it, and I could just side step it 'cause i had an acceptance in hand...

That said, the other best answer is I would recommit myself to my studies and apply again at a later date...after going to Calcuta for a year to work with orphans...orphans with diseases....

It depends on how they phrase it because one school asked "what would you do if medical school was simply not an option for you." Also, asking this question is may be a back-door way of seeing whether you already have acceptances. Your stock at that school may drop if they've found out that you already have multiple acceptances. You're just opening yourself to a potential hole if you admit to having any acceptances so even if you do have some, I'd keep my cards close to the vest.

 

[TTSD]

Do what I do.. who needs medicine? I became a professional pole dancer and gigalo and give the best medicine of all, sex.. FOR MONEY! So is that unethical, immoral? Yeah, but sure beats being part of the HMOs!

 

[Nebmuse]

I got asked this question after I had already been admitted and I answered it honestly. I was then asked why I was there, to which I replied that I wanted to make sure I was going to the best school for me.

 

[Cerbernator]

no clue, drink a little and cry into teddy roxpins arms?

 

[Shades McCool]

no clue, drink a little and cry into teddy roxpins arms?

Is that the bear that is a tape player too?

 

[Cerbernator]

Is that the bear that is a tape player too?

indeed. Mine unfortunately took a nasty fall from the third story balcony when I became more interested in GiJoes than teddy bears. It is unfortunate that he tried to end himself that way. His real end came when he was "accidentally" caught in all that bb gun fire. RIP Teddy Ruxpins

 

[velo]

indeed. Mine unfortunately took a nasty fall from the third story balcony when I became more interested in GiJoes than teddy bears. It is unfortunate that he tried to end himself that way. His real end came when he was "accidentally" caught in all that bb gun fire. RIP Teddy Ruxpins

YES! and my cool older cousin used to put van halen tapes into him and make him teddy RAWKSpins!!!

 

[g3pro]

Well, it would definitely happen before I even applied to med school if I had gotten a very poor GPA and low MCAT score (below 30). If that happened, I would join the 18X program and become an Army Special Forces soldier in 2 years.

 

[waitman192]

YES! and my cool older cousin used to put van halen tapes into him and make him teddy RAWKSpins!!!

I definetely put some Led Zeppelin in him and he was jammin'. It was super sweet. I think he then took a couple throws into the wall - but he still rocks out occasionally

 

[velo]

I definetely put some Led Zeppelin in him and he was jammin'. It was super sweet. I think he then took a couple throws into the wall - but he still rocks out occasionally

gotta love the zep. Oh and nice avatar waitman...Go Lance (or tyler)!

 

[ZOT! ZOT!]

Well, it would definitely happen before I even applied to med school if I had gotten a very poor GPA and low MCAT score (below 30). If that happened, I would join the 18X program and become an Army Special Forces soldier in 2 years.

My poor MCAT score (below 30) got me into 2 CA schools. My guess is that your personality would keep you out.

 

[ctaborda]

If I got rejected I would go for dentistry or law 🙂

 

[liverotcod]

It aint' gonna happen, so why bother coming up with a plan?

 

[ctaborda]

It aint' gonna happen, so why bother coming up with a plan?

🙄 Just in case...

 

[SanDiegoSOD]

I would get my MBA and go into business... If I still wanted to help people, maybe I would start a non-profit that raises money for children or something like that. I don't think I would ever attend a medical school in the Carribean; why spend four years of your life getting a medical degree that isnt valid in all parts of the country?
Don't forget: Physician's assistants can make $100,000 a year! (most dont, of course)

 

[PublicEnemy]

I'd take revenge on the system. I'd continue working in health care consulting for either an HMO, Managed Care or insurance provider or something like MedPAC (Medicare Payment Advisory Commission) and dedicate myself to increasing insurance premiums for physicians while reducing reimbursements and decreasing physician autonomy. There's that saying, if you can't join 'em, beat 'em, thats how it goes right? Or I'd be a caterpillar.

 

[liverotcod]

🙄 Just in case...

I suppose I will shift the focus of my current IT career toward proteomics or the like. I have a lot of aptitude for data analysis, but would rather apply the analytical skills to human being than numbers, but if I have no choice...

 

[Fermata]

🙄 Just in case...

Such a lack of commitment. 😀

P.S. I plan on hitting the lottery if medicine doesn't work out.