What if...?

[ForensicPath]

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What if you don't get into any medical school? Do you have any backup plans?

I have a few ideas, most include getting a masters in something:
1. physical anthropology
2. entomology
3. MBA

I would most likely then reapply after that. I also would consider just taking some post-bacc classes and reapplying after a year. I really haven't decided yet, I'm just kind of hoping that I don't have to decide.

 

[smuwillobrien]

I think that's a really interesting question. I haven't really considered it before. I think if medicine doesn't work out (mind change, or rejection) that I'll probably go into law or work in some finance field (stockbroker, investor).

 

[PianoGirl04]

I honestly don't know...I have my heart set on getting into med school. Maybe I'd do a postbac or get a masters in psychology.

 

[AspiringDoctor9]

Hi guys,

Well, if I didn't get into medical school (or couldn't) - I'd probably enter the legal field. I took my LSATs already, so all I'd need to do is send in my application.

 

[Robz]

If I didn't get in I'll have my MPH degree so that I can still work in the health field.

 

[Clemson Doc]

I would try again the following year. If there were simply no way I would ever get into medical school, I would get a Ph.D. in psychology.

 

[Gleevec]

I would try again next year. If I was unable to apply MD ever, I would probably get a PhD and do research/teach basic courses at a medical school (but I wouldnt get to treat patients 🙁 )

 

[umass rower]

Get my masters, and reapply. Retake the MCAT, actually studying as much as I should have the first time. Travel the world. I don't think it would be the end of the world for me if I didn't get in on the first try, as long as I managed it later on.

I think that I'm probably going to get in somewhere, though. I'm not overly confident about any particular school, but I feel pretty good that I'll be accepted somewhere.

 

[umass rower]

If med. school wasn't an option, I'd either teach or do research. Neither one would be as good as being a pediatrician, though.

 

[h2cooper]

Well, I for one would take a different route...Yeah for high school biology teachers!!! I think it would be fun to do for awhile until I could reapply!

 

[MDmiracle]

I am struggling with this right now. I am getting very pessimistic with no interviews yet. I think that if I don't get in, I would retake some courses and get my teaching certificate. I'd like to teach high school science courses I think that would be fun, I might also try to get a forensic anthropology degree.

 

[PianoGirl04]

Originally posted by Slickness
There is no what if I don't make it. It's do or die for me...

Yeah...I guess for me it's an issue of what I tell interviewers as opposed to what I actually want to do (which is med school or nothing).

 

[Anka]

One of the grad students I work with is a bioE Ph.D. candidate, who is working on a nursing degree. It's a creative way to combine some clinical contact with a primarily research career and doesn't involve the sort of time commitment an MD/PhD would. It's also appropriate for the type of bioE he want's to do. I'd definitly consider that sort of thing if I could never be an M.D.

Anka

 

[matthew45]

Incidentally, I guess this question gets asked in quite a few interviews. What I understand about the answers is...

correct: I will discuss my application with the Dean of Admissions and see how I can strengthen it for next year. (then discuss your own interests for the year off i.e. research, volunteering, following Widespread Panic around in a broken down Saab)

incorrect: There is no way I won't get in/I have no plans if I don't get in.

 

[DrWuStar]

Originally posted by MDmiracle
I am struggling with this right now. I am getting very pessimistic with no interviews yet.

don't be crazy. the fact that you don't have any interviews yet is not a bad sign. september and october interviews are EARLY. really early. the people who took the august MCAT don't even have complete files yet and lots of them will get in. one of my closest friends had all of her interviews in February and March, and she got in. if you are worried that you are out of the running already, i suspect you have been spending too much time on SDN, comparing yourself to the rest of us obsessive-compulsive types. i don't have any interviews yet either, but i'm not worried yet. my advice to you is stop looking at that "official 2004 interview thread" or you might drive yourself crazy.


if i don't get in, i think i'm gonna do an MPH or MS in epidemiology. i might reapply after that, or i might just roll with that field and go on to get a PhD or something. we'll see.

 

[lisa13579]

This is

my advice to you is stop looking at that "official 2004 interview thread" or you might drive yourself crazy.

This is TOO true! But it's so hard not to. Thanks for the reminder🙂 We work so hard to get to this point, it's hard not to be completely consumed by it.

To answer the question, I would also get a PhD and teach medical school or college (organic chemistry😱 ). It would be sad not to be able to practice though.

 

[thackl]

I'd be an engineer😛

 

[Tezzie]

Originally posted by smuwillobrien
I think that's a really interesting question. I haven't really considered it before. I think if medicine doesn't work out (mind change, or rejection) that I'll probably go into law or work in some finance field (stockbroker, investor).

That's disgusting. So if medicine fails you will move on to the other (supposedly) money-making professions. Let me tell you something. Success in either medicine, law or business comes from TRUE passion and dedication. Not because you think you will climb the money/prestige ladder by holding a JD/MD/MBA in your hands.

 

[Tezzie]

Although i do understand rejection is a part of the process and chances are that i am gonna be rejected somewhere , i *REALLY* don't want to think about it right now. I have invested so much emotionally and financially that a complete rejection would devastate me.

So if everything failed i would : Take a 3 month vacation and enjoy life. Work for a couple of years and discuss with the admissions people what i should improve and apply to more "safety" schools.

Hopefully that won't be the case.

Good luck to everyone 🙂

 

[TexasRose]

Originally posted by Tezzie
That's disgusting. So if medicine fails you will move on to the other (supposedly) money-making professions. Let me tell you something. Success in either medicine, law or business comes from TRUE passion and dedication. Not because you think you will climb the money/prestige ladder by holding a JD/MD/MBA in your hands.

lighten up, geez! That's a heck of an assumption to make.


If I absolutley couldn't get an MD (or DO) then I would look for another way to be in a clinical environment and probably also teach.
T