What are you going to do if you don't make it?

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vin5cent0

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I'm sure this thread has been started before, but I can't seem to find it.. so I'll ask away.

Right now, I have (I believe) a very mediocre 3.4 GPA. I had been planning on going with a business degree, so I didn't put too much care into grades. When I decided I was going to try and get into med school, I had a 3.1 or so GPA. I figure I'll probably be around a 3.6 or so when I apply, assuming I do better than I probably will in my upcoming biology and o-chem classes.

I keep telling myself I'll balance out my not-so-spectacular GPA with a 33+ MCAT, since I tend to do fairly well on these tests. Then I started thinking a few days ago.. this is a HARD test. There's a very real possibility I might score a 24 on it. Then what? I keep consistently getting the answers right on that mcat q of the day, but all that's really doing is giving me false confidence in my abilities as I don't really believe the MCAT questions are that easy.

I figure I'll give the application process 2-3 goes, each time working on improving EC's and GPA if I don't make it. After that.. what? I really, honestly cannot imagine doing anything else than going to medical school and becoming a physician. I wouldn't even bother going the DO route as the effort isn't worth the constant questioning and minimizing people will do when they see the D.O after my name. Am I going into it for the recognition? No, but I don't want to live a life of being questioned about my degree, either.

I'm just wondering what kind of back-up plans you guys and gals have. Is there anything else that could really satisfy you for the rest of your life if you didn't make it?
 
I'd probably cry, really I'm not looking as failure as an option.
 
If you get the 24 mcat than you better start looking at other careers. Nursing, anyone?
 
vin5cent0 said:
I wouldn't even bother going the DO route as the effort isn't worth the constant questioning and minimizing people will do when they see the D.O after my name. Am I going into it for the recognition? No, but I don't want to live a life of being questioned about my degree, either.

I'm just wondering what kind of back-up plans you guys and gals have. Is there anything else that could really satisfy you for the rest of your life if you didn't make it?
Click to expand...

From what I hear/see/read (I've been reading these forums a lot lately due to having no life during summer break), this doesn't really happen. But if you want to screw yourself out of practicing medicine for something that is pretty trivial, its your prerogative. You should consider talking to a variety of practicing DOs. Being a physician and comfortable with the degree is worth the time/effort investment.

I was in a somewhat similar situation as you...I was an econ major with a decent gpa applying to MD schools, a couple of DO, Teach For America, and a couple of consulting gigs. My reasoning was that if I didn't get on my first cycle, I'd try again but wouldn't do a SMP/post-bacc (figured my grades wouldn't be the thing keeping me out if I got rejected). During that time, I'd do some financial consulting...which isn't an awful job if you can get a good firm. Decent money, you get to travel in most situations, hours aren't terrible and even though there seems to be a glass ceiling in terms of advancement, you can make an incredible amount of money while you're young. I have a friend I graduated with and he's already earning 6 figures with Deloitte. If you're a business major, it's a pretty easy transition to make...let me know if you're interested and I'll tell you about case interviews, etc., Luckily tho, I got into an MD school and deferred to do TFA. In the program, I met a good number of people that were planning on going to medical school. I figure it'd probably be a good thing to write about in your PS or talk about in your interview. Maybe you might want to consider it. Hope this helps.
 
Hi,

You chose a major in business, did you not? You must have had another vision when you enrolled in college; a dream that was not always medicine? There's always something that you can enjoy doing besides medicine.

With that said, if medicine is your true objective, make it happen. 2-3 times applying, that means two to three YEARS of studying for the MCAT. Most students take the MCAT after/during their junior year of college and have had 2-3 years of preparation. In terms of doing well on the MCAT, you're in a good spot; you have at least twice as much time to prepare for it.

Lastly, you really need to revise your opinion of osteopathic physicians. You think that you'll be looked down upon for being a DO? Not likely; in all likelihood your patients won't ask, won't care, and will be thankful for your help either way. SDN members tend to suggest DO is a safe haven for under acheiving pre-meds, when it's really a unique calling for individuals interested in holistic medicine.
 
I've had to recently ask myself this question, as well. I'm in the process of applying now and submitted my AMCAS with a 3.91 and 32, but I definitely bit off way too much more than I could chew this semester with classes, and there's a chance I'll get a couple C's. If that happens, I'm pretty sure if I get initially accepted somewhere, they would revoke my acceptance upon receiving my final transcript. Having faced this possibility, I would probably be forced to go into an entry-level job in my field (electrical engineering), and possibly try applying to a grad school for bioengineering or EE a couple years down the road. I was depressed about this at first, but the more I think about it, I would have my 20s to myself and actually have time for a family, etc... but I would still rather be a doctor.
 
GTV said:
I've had to recently ask myself this question, as well. I'm in the process of applying now and submitted my AMCAS with a 3.91 and 32, but I definitely bit off way too much more than I could chew this semester with classes, and there's a chance I'll get a couple C's. If that happens, I'm pretty sure if I get initially accepted somewhere, they would revoke my acceptance upon receiving my final transcript. Having faced this possibility, I would probably be forced to go into an entry-level job in my field (electrical engineering), and possibly try applying to a grad school for bioengineering or EE a couple years down the road. I was depressed about this at first, but the more I think about it, I would have my 20s to myself and actually have time for a family, etc... but I would still rather be a doctor.
Click to expand...

If you want to be a doctor, give it a go and see what happens! If you never tried there's always the what if factor...
 
GTV said:
I've had to recently ask myself this question, as well. I'm in the process of applying now and submitted my AMCAS with a 3.91 and 32, but I definitely bit off way too much more than I could chew this semester with classes, and there's a chance I'll get a couple C's. If that happens, I'm pretty sure if I get initially accepted somewhere, they would revoke my acceptance upon receiving my final transcript. Having faced this possibility, I would probably be forced to go into an entry-level job in my field (electrical engineering), and possibly try applying to a grad school for bioengineering or EE a couple years down the road. I was depressed about this at first, but the more I think about it, I would have my 20s to myself and actually have time for a family, etc... but I would still rather be a doctor.
Click to expand...

Wow I must say that a 3.8+ in engineering is quite impressive. While I know adcoms do look view major as an excuse for a low GPA, as a high one it must have some kind of impact ( positive )


For me, failure is not an option, I as well would not apply DO like stated above. They may very well be equivelant ( MD and DO) but I will never forget my father ( an MD ) telling me that DO's are kind of a joke, and simply went that route because they didnt get into MD schools. I am however a URM in which case, with a 3.4 im still in a fairly safe zone.

Buuuut if I did fail ( in some other universe ) I would probably become a CHP officer, or join the NAVY to train to go to BUD/S to become a NACY SE.A.L.
 
osumc2014 said:
If you want to be a doctor, give it a go and see what happens! If you never tried there's always the what if factor...
Click to expand...
Very well put...
In other words.
You can't win the lotto if you don't play.
 
Naijaba said:
Hi,

You chose a major in business, did you not? You must have had another vision when you enrolled in college; a dream that was not always medicine? There's always something that you can enjoy doing besides medicine.
Click to expand...

Actually, no. Since as far back as I can remember, being a physician has always had a hold on me. According to my parents, it started when I was 6. Of course, at that age, every kid wants to be a doctor, lawyer, president, etc. I only started as a business major because I was trying to convince myself that becoming a doctor was a bad idea. I didn't like the idea of having huge debt and no income until I was over 30 years old, but I have gotten over that fear since then.
 
I am applying to both DO and MD schools just to make sure that I make it somewhere. But my education has been delayed by stupid mistakes in the past... And I wouldve been better off if I just quit at the first opportunity(5yrs ago) and became a cop. I wouldve been a NYPD detective right now making $100k/yr and always having an opportunity to stand at some night club with my gun making $100/hr. And I would still be young. And people say I wouldve made a terrible cop because i feel so self-entitled. But they say that about me and any other career... The fact is I succeed at most jobs that I do. You can talk **** all you want. But my mcat is higher than harvard med school average because I focused on mcat when I studied for it. Yet people say that I cannot deal with patients professionally or any other bull**** that relates to any other job. Any job is just a means to an end. And my only mistake is that I try hard at anything that I pursue. Being so meticulous i am aging and still have no long-term girlfriend. And it is becoming painfully clear that by going into medicine I have undermined my chances to marry and to have a nice and happy family. I'll probably marry some vapid bitch in the future.
 
If I don't get in on the first cycle (I'll have a similar GPA as you do with an upward trend from a terrible 2.5 freshman year), I'll probably look at doing a one year SMP and then try again. I'll also look into taking the MCAT again depending on how I do the first time around.
 
I had a job lined up if I didn't get in. Then after 2-3 years I would've reapplied to med school if I still had the desire to do so.
 
OP,

It is really up to you. I would try until I succeed. The question you have to ask yourself is that how much do you want to be a doctor. Once UHC is passed (this year or never), the salaries for most doctors will go way down. Ask yourself honestly before applying.
 
I'll just keep on with the job I've got now. It's a pretty cool one and a bit unique. I like it so unless I decide to go elsewhere I'll stick with this if I don't follow through with my clinical pathway.
 
If I dont get in, I probably will go for a Bachelor in Nursing accelerated program, become a RN and then go for Master in Nursing specialized in Anasthesiology...
I always have back-up options..I got things planned out ^_^
 
If for some reason I don't get in this cycle, I want to go for a masters in genetics and try applying again. If I never get in, I will be very happy studying genetics and auctioneering on the side. I absolutely love genetics, and auctioneering is cool because it's an okay income if I don't have a job right off the bat.
 
Male modeling or maybe pet detective.
 
Van Chowder said:
For me, failure is not an option, I as well would not apply DO like stated above. They may very well be equivelant ( MD and DO) but I will never forget my father ( an MD ) telling me that DO's are kind of a joke, and simply went that route because they didnt get into MD schools. I am however a URM in which case, with a 3.4 im still in a fairly safe zone.
Click to expand...

I personally find a great deal of hypocrisy in this. You yourself feel you have a better chance to get into an MD school due to your URM status (not due to merit), yet you attack DO students for not being able to get into MD schools (due to their supposed lack of merit). A 3.4 GPA is about average for incoming DO students. So what makes you so much better than any DO student? Chuck the arrogance and learn some humility; it would be greatly becoming.
 
Everyone WILL make it. All it requires is effort and sincerity.

Oh wait...nevermind 🙁.
 
I can't believe everyone else here, despite being SO dedicated to being a physician and a career in healthcare, wouldn't consider another career in healthcare!

If I didn't end up going to medical school, I would be a flight/critical-care paramedic. They are the elite of the EMS field, and make relatively good pay ($50-60K). And, with my MS, I would be highly eligible for advancement into management. It would be a good, solid career, without the downsides of a crappy cubicle job.
 
Just make sure you shadow some docs and really understand what you are getting yourself into...
 
Van Chowder said:
For me, failure is not an option, I as well would not apply DO like stated above. They may very well be equivelant ( MD and DO) but I will never forget my father ( an MD ) telling me that DO's are kind of a joke, and simply went that route because they didnt get into MD schools. I am however a URM in which case, with a 3.4 im still in a fairly safe zone.

Buuuut if I did fail ( in some other universe ) I would probably become a CHP officer, or join the NAVY to train to go to BUD/S to become a NACY SE.A.L.
Click to expand...

LOL.

If you've ever read an AA thread on SDN, that quote of yours would be teared apart. Ironically, it is in the same paragraph stating your father is an MD (which to me, is an advantage in this process). That also leads me to believe you aren't so bad off socio-economically.

Also, I find it funny if you don't get the MD, you'd rather not be a physician. It seems that lately, people have replaced the word "physician" with "MD", which is fine because it's true. But it takes away from the fact that "DO" is the same as "physician", as well.
 
I would try to break up the dog whisperer's monopoly on the pet psychic business. Or find me a sugar mama and do nothing...
 
Damn you and I are in similar situations except my major is bio and I've always wanted to go to med school. Right now I have no other option, it's med school or bust. This may be a foolish concept, but I never want to consider an alternative when I'm trying to spill all my efforts into one thing. I just feel like having a back up may pull me back from giving it my all if I were to think this was the only thing... you know?

It seems daunting to think about what may happen if you don't get in, but I feel like all you really can do is give it your all, and if things don't turn out the way you want them to... well that's called life and that's a pill you're going to have to swallow.
 
If i don't make it this year I'll reapply next year but add Creighton where I have a quadruple legacy. And work as a Phlebotomist in the mean time
 
If I don't get in I'll work on my lifelong dream of a pizza place where you make your own. We give you the dough, you smash it, you pound it, you fling it in the air; and then you get to put your sauce and you get to sprinkle your cheese, and they - you slide it into the oven.

Realistically I would try strengthening my application and apply over again. I wouldn't give up on my goal of being a physician be it a DO or MD (Personally I like the DO option simply because I want to do PM&R and follow in the footsteps of Dr. Rob Gotlin --> Yankees/Knicks/Nets team doc + own show on ESPN radio).
 
Pull a post-Denny Izzie (Grey's Anatomy reference for those of you who aren't addicted to the show), then pick myself up in time to apply again next year.
 
I'll probably re-apply, attempting to fix any issues in my resume.

If I fail again, I might try to become a fighter pilot.
 
Can't strengthen my stats any more so once I graduate I would try to get into a 2 year contract with the Navy as an officer and go to the Navy Graduate School in Monterrey, CA.

Hopefully I could get a degree in something useful, surface warfare and get stationed aboard a surface ship. I would learn some valuable leadership skills and become a more well rounded individual, which apparently the bastard adcoms demand of us😉

Then, after 2 years, with my MCAT still good, (i believe you have to retake it after 3 years) reapply, hoepfully with some good stories to put on essays.

Of course this route would most help with USUHS, which is my dream school now.

If I still don't get in then I would have to retake the MCAT, (please god no!) and reapply after another 2 years, (I think I would be allowed to apply to USUHS every year since its a military school and I would still be in the Navy).

Each time I will apply to different schools, so I don't have to deal with the "have you ever applied here before and what have you done to strengthen your application" essay.

I would keep doing this until I got into a med school.
 
Van Chowder said:
Wow I must say that a 3.8+ in engineering is quite impressive. While I know adcoms do look view major as an excuse for a low GPA, as a high one it must have some kind of impact ( positive )


For me, failure is not an option, I as well would not apply DO like stated above. They may very well be equivelant ( MD and DO) but I will never forget my father ( an MD ) telling me that DO's are kind of a joke, and simply went that route because they didnt get into MD schools. I am however a URM in which case, with a 3.4 im still in a fairly safe zone.

Buuuut if I did fail ( in some other universe ) I would probably become a CHP officer, or join the NAVY to train to go to BUD/S to become a NACY SE.A.L.
Click to expand...

Added to the list of hilariously stupid posts.
 
Here's my advice: Never plan for failure.

Needless to say, I don't have a contingency plan for if I do not get into medical school.
 
Evergrey said:
Here's my advice: Never plan for failure.

Needless to say, I don't have a contingency plan for if I do not get into medical school.
Click to expand...

That's how you get New Orleans after Katrina, or Houston trying to evacuate from Rita.

Needless to say, if you don't have a contingency plan, your falls will tend to be much more difficult.
 
Evergrey said:
Here's my advice: Never plan for failure.

Needless to say, I don't have a contingency plan for if I do not get into medical school.
Click to expand...

I'd strongly advise you to get out of this mentality. Listen, everyone wants to go to medical school. There's no applicant that's in it "just to see if they can get it." This means that there's an extremely competitive applicant pool. Think about what will happen in the unfortunate case that you don't get in...if you pass the deadline for SMP/post-bacc degrees and various other programs you might be put in a position where you'll be sitting at home for a year. Personally, I don't especially get along with my parents so that's kindof a scary thought. If you plan a contingency, you still have options in your worst case scenario.
 
xmsr3 said:
Can't strengthen my stats any more so once I graduate I would try to get into a 2 year contract with the Navy as an officer and go to the Navy Graduate School in Monterrey, CA.

Hopefully I could get a degree in something useful, surface warfare and get stationed aboard a surface ship. I would learn some valuable leadership skills and become a more well rounded individual, which apparently the bastard adcoms demand of us😉

Then, after 2 years, with my MCAT still good, (i believe you have to retake it after 3 years) reapply, hoepfully with some good stories to put on essays.

Of course this route would most help with USUHS, which is my dream school now.

If I still don't get in then I would have to retake the MCAT, (please god no!) and reapply after another 2 years, (I think I would be allowed to apply to USUHS every year since its a military school and I would still be in the Navy).

Each time I will apply to different schools, so I don't have to deal with the "have you ever applied here before and what have you done to strengthen your application" essay.

I would keep doing this until I got into a med school.
Click to expand...

minimal officer contract with the navy is 4years and the process to apply and ship off to the officer training school may take over a year. usmc and army have much quicker processing times but there is no guarantee that they would let you apply to usuhs. On the usuhs application it says that you must have a permission from your supervising officer to apply and if you have just finished your training to be a surface warfare officer or whatever, the officer might be reluctant to let you out immediately.
 
xmsr3 said:
Can't strengthen my stats any more so once I graduate I would try to get into a 2 year contract with the Navy as an officer and go to the Navy Graduate School in Monterrey, CA.

Hopefully I could get a degree in something useful, surface warfare and get stationed aboard a surface ship. I would learn some valuable leadership skills and become a more well rounded individual, which apparently the bastard adcoms demand of us😉

Then, after 2 years, with my MCAT still good, (i believe you have to retake it after 3 years) reapply, hoepfully with some good stories to put on essays.

Of course this route would most help with USUHS, which is my dream school now.

If I still don't get in then I would have to retake the MCAT, (please god no!) and reapply after another 2 years, (I think I would be allowed to apply to USUHS every year since its a military school and I would still be in the Navy).

Each time I will apply to different schools, so I don't have to deal with the "have you ever applied here before and what have you done to strengthen your application" essay.

I would keep doing this until I got into a med school.
Click to expand...

That isn't really a good backup plan just so you know. Joining the Navy as a line officer is fine but just realize you won't be turning around and reapplying immediately. (it wouldn most likely be at least long enough to have your MCAT expire) Also I am fairly certain you couldn't go to Naval Postgraduate School as an ensign. (especially as a newly acquired ensign) Do a little more research if you want this to be your backup plan. (I think you'll find it would delay reappliation a lot longer than you think it will right now; it is hardly the ideal thing to do if your goal is to be a doctor)
 
Evergrey said:
Here's my advice: Never plan for failure.

Needless to say, I don't have a contingency plan for if I do not get into medical school.
Click to expand...

Yes, I am sure all of your diagnoses will be 100% correct on the first try.🙄
 
stud247 said:
minimal officer contract with the navy is 4years and the process to apply and ship off to the officer training school may take over a year. usmc and army have much quicker processing times but there is no guarantee that they would let you apply to usuhs. On the usuhs application it says that you must have a permission from your supervising officer to apply and if you have just finished your training to be a surface warfare officer or whatever, the officer might be reluctant to let you out immediately.
Click to expand...

So if I sign the contract and get commissioned as an officer what do I do while waiting for my application to officer training school? Would I be a line officer?
 
Vacatttiiiiooonn!!! 😀

And, some extra stuff to fluff up the app 😉
 
xmsr3 said:
So if I sign the contract and get commissioned as an officer what do I do while waiting for my application to officer training school? Would I be a line officer?
Click to expand...
You would be nothing till you actually go to officer candidate school. Unlike med corps and other staff corps jobs that go to ODS for OCS you are not an officer before you get there you are an Officer Candidate. You get a commission upon completion of OCS.
 
Assuming you mean trying again isn't an option, I'd try for a psychology doctorate. If that didn't work out, I'd pursue becoming a high school chemistry teacher.
 
It all boils down to this:

If you truly want to be a U.S. practicing physician and the MD schools don't work out, you apply for DO schools, plain and simple. If you want to cheat yourself out of becoming a physician because of two different letters, hey, it's your call. Just remember you will be missing out on at least a year of a six-figure salary if you choose to re-apply. If you instead end up finding a fulfilling "back-up", the more power to you (and I honestly mean that).
 
stud247 said:
I am applying to both DO and MD schools just to make sure that I make it somewhere. But my education has been delayed by stupid mistakes in the past... And I wouldve been better off if I just quit at the first opportunity(5yrs ago) and became a cop. I wouldve been a NYPD detective right now making $100k/yr and always having an opportunity to stand at some night club with my gun making $100/hr. And I would still be young. And people say I wouldve made a terrible cop because i feel so self-entitled. But they say that about me and any other career... The fact is I succeed at most jobs that I do. You can talk **** all you want. But my mcat is higher than harvard med school average because I focused on mcat when I studied for it. Yet people say that I cannot deal with patients professionally or any other bull**** that relates to any other job. Any job is just a means to an end. And my only mistake is that I try hard at anything that I pursue. Being so meticulous i am aging and still have no long-term girlfriend. And it is becoming painfully clear that by going into medicine I have undermined my chances to marry and to have a nice and happy family. I'll probably marry some vapid bitch in the future.
Click to expand...

wtf?
 
Kramerica said:
If I don't get in I'll work on my lifelong dream of a pizza place where you make your own. We give you the dough, you smash it, you pound it, you fling it in the air; and then you get to put your sauce and you get to sprinkle your cheese, and they - you slide it into the oven.
Click to expand...

Too much Seinfeld, my friend. Too much.
 
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