Science UG major, what to do if you get rejected the first time?

[xnfs93hy]

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Let's say someone has a major in Chemistry and for whatever reason, just did not get in. What are some of the highest paying jobs that this student could get on his/her year off before applying next cycle?

And, how could this person improve his/her med school app so this doesn't happen again?

I also have another question. What if a student didn't do that great on his/her pre med courses in college, could this student graduate, go through a post bacc program, ace the courses, score high on the MCAT and have just as good or possibly BETTER chance than the student applying in college on the regular first time cycle or are post bacc programs looked down upon as only for people who couldn't handle or just didn't want to deal with taking the classes in college?

 

[Depakote]

Let's say someone has a major in Chemistry and for whatever reason, just did not get in. What are some of the highest paying jobs that this student could get on his/her year off before applying next cycle?

I worked in and did clinical research for 2 years. I managed to get myself listed as a co-investigator on 2 studies so my name should be listed on the publication when they're written up. I wouldn't say the pay was amazing since it was an entry level position, but it wasn't bad and I had some great benefits. Awesome health/dental insurance, I could attend evening classes at the university (this was a great school) for absolutely free and a lot of other little perks. I got a couple of great letters of recommendation out of it and some good research experience. It wasn't time wasted

And, how could this person improve his/her med school app so this doesn't happen again?

It helps if the job is clinically relevant. But as I mentioned above, the person can take evening classes, get more letters of recommendation, get better extracurricular experience, etc.

I also have another question. What if a student didn't do that great on his/her pre med courses in college, could this student graduate, go through a post bacc program, ace the courses, score high on the MCAT and have just as good or possibly BETTER chance than the student applying in college on the regular first time cycle or are post bacc programs looked down upon as only for people who couldn't handle or just didn't want to deal with taking the classes in college?

Also something I had experience with. I went on and did a post-bac (this was prior to my above-mentioned research job). I wouldn't go as far to say that it made me look better than someone that aced everything the first time through, but it definitely helped my case. I did get in eventually.


Seriously, though. It's fine to explore college questions, it's fine to look ahead to what medical fields you might be interested in, but predicting your future failures is a bit defeatist and becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. You haven't even started college and you're predicting not doing well. Snap out of it.

 

[bailey42]

I have a question relating to this thread: what exactly are post-bacc programs? I've heard them talked about a lot, and I know that they are done after UG but before med school, but what exactly do they entail? Who are they meant for?

 

[coldkatanagirl]

I have a question relating to this thread: what exactly are post-bacc programs?

Additional study done after one has earned a bachelor's degree (i.e. graduate school), I think.

 

[broken tibula]

Yeah, but you don't do it after UG and before med school. Unless you're non-trad. People usually go to grad school to get their Master's, but if you want to get your MD, then you usually go straight from UG to med school.

 

[bailey42]

Yeah, but you don't do it after UG and before med school. Unless you're non-trad. People usually go to grad school to get their Master's, but if you want to get your MD, then you usually go straight from UG to med school

Wait...so a post-bacc program is like graduate school?

 

[MilkmanAl]

No, a post-bac program is usually something for people who didn't complete the pre-requisites for med school application during their undergrad years. The classes are undergrad classes and are factored into your undergrad GPA. Post-bacs are also sometimes done by people who are trying to bring up their GPA's and show that they can succeed in upper-level science courses.

 

[coldkatanagirl]

I thought it was any type of course work after a bachelor's degree, including graduate, medical, pharmacy, etc...

EDIT: Oh, never mind. 😛

 

[broken tibula]

Ah... okay. I thought s/he was asking about grad school.

 

[bailey42]

No, a post-bac program is usually something for people who didn't complete the pre-requisites for med school application during their undergrad years. The classes are undergrad classes and are factored into your undergrad GPA. Post-bacs are also sometimes done by people who are trying to bring up their GPA's and show that they can succeed in upper-level science courses.

Ok, got it. Thanks, and sorry to pull this thread in a totally different direction than jefgreen meant...

 

[Maygyver]

Seriously, though. It's fine to explore college questions, it's fine to look ahead to what medical fields you might be interested in, but predicting your future failures is a bit defeatist and becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. You haven't even started college and you're predicting not doing well. Snap out of it.

I can't say it any better myself. You need to learn to take things one step at a time. It is one thing to shadow doctors and find out if you enjoy it and find out what else you want to do, but with this post you are acting like you are a junior in college with a low GPA. Stop worrying. You haven't even begun college yet and you are hypothesizing about what yo do after you graduate. I agree with Depakote "Snap out of it."

 

[ToldYouSo]

Depakote is right on the ball with what he said... Getting OCD about $$$ and failure is a very bad way to think. Don't worry about why residents get paid so little, or what happens if you fail, or what other high paying jobs are there or how hard the MCATS are... You are yourself and not what statistics or other people say. Just stick it out one day at a time and you will suceed no matter what. Spend as much time studying as you do obsessing about money and you will have the grades AND the money one day.