What is your plan B? 2016-2017 Version

[TREE TREE]

I know it's still early, but not having an acceptance really stresses me out, so I've been thinking of a back up plan in case I don't get in this cycle.

Right now my plan B is to become a flight attendant. Travel the world while getting paid, sounds good to me.

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[deleted648172]

I was going to get a puppy.

 

[625233]

Hookah on a beach somewhere south of the border, or applying for PhD programs. Still undecided.


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[ScottTenorman54]

Hookah on a beach somewhere south of the border, or applying for PhD programs. Still undecided.


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I think the first option will give you the better chance of finding meaningful employment someday

 

[TREE TREE]

Hookah on a beach somewhere south of the border, or applying for PhD programs. Still undecided.


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Pursuing a PhD would be my very last option. The job market is not looking good, you might have better luck finding a medical assistant job than getting a staff scientist position.

 

[stickgirl390]

I'll deff reapply at least one more time, maybe two more times. If by then I still haven't been accepted, I'd try for PA school. I have to do something medically related.

 

[hungrybox]

The job market is not looking good, you might have better luck finding a medical assistant job than getting a staff scientist position.

That's not really a question is it? I don't know any of the numbers, but I can't imagine a world where getting a staff scientist position was easier than finding a medical assistant job.

 

[TREE TREE]

That's not really a question is it? I don't know any of the numbers, but I can't imagine a world where getting a staff scientist position was easier than finding a medical assistant job.

Alright, I admit that medical assistant is a bad example here. But you get my point, it's notoriously difficult for PhDs to find a job. Even if they managed to find one, they are likely to be underpaid for the amount of work they put in. So for someone like me, who's not in love with doing research, pursuing a PhD is gonna be at the bottom of my list.

 

[hungrybox]

Alright, I admit that medical assistant is a bad example here. But you get my point, it's notoriously difficult for PhDs to find a job. Even if they managed to find one, they are likely to be underpaid for the amount of work they put in. So for someone like me, who's not in love with doing research, pursuing a PhD is gonna be at the bottom of my list.

Amen. I feel like these days going the PhD route for biology, especially for academia, is basically signing yourself up for a life of slavery.

6-7 years PhD (age 28-29)
4-5 year postdoc (age 33-34)
(+possibly another postdoc)
all for a 76k/year staff scientist position

It's not all about the money, but I'd much rather be making PA or NP money when I'm in my twenties, even if they don't really get as much respect in the medical world.

 

[Saifa]

Air Force test pilot

 

[Sardinia]

Pre-med advisor on SDN.

 

[hungrybox]

Pre-med advisor on SDN.

REKT hahaha

 

[Alex_Karev]

Considering getting a MPH if i can fit it into one year and reapply

 

[flapjack3d]

Considering getting a MPH if i can fit it into one year and reapply

find a plan c. i'm really struggling to get one in 3 semesters. 2 semesters would be impossible. just fyi.

 

[Doggo]

There's always PA, dental, vet, Physical Therapy, Nursing/Nurse Practitioner, Paramedic, and becoming a medical technician (radiology technicians make serious bank)


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[Alex_Karev]

find a plan c. i'm really struggling to get one in 3 semesters. 2 semesters would be impossible. just fyi.

I've yet to really look into it, but it seems possible to do from May 2017 to August 2018 if you take classes both summers. Not sure if you can start in the summer tho

 

[stickgirl390]

There's always PA, dental, vet, Physical Therapy, Nursing/Nurse Practitioner, Paramedic, and becoming a medical technician (radiology technicians make serious bank)


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Swap vet out for pharmacy or something else. It's even harder to get into vet school than med school.

 

[814965]

I don't want to go $50K into debt for a second bachelor's degree and really, REALLY don't want to go through MCAT hell again so If I don't get accepted after 2 or 3 tries, I'll either go for PA school or enlist in the air force as a computer systems specialist of some kind, then come out after 4 years and make big bucks in the tech field.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

Probably stick with the corpsman thing. Or go to law school.

Considering getting a MPH if i can fit it into one year and reapply

Pretty sure I saw an adcom or two on here say MPHs are not looked on favorably. Could be mistaken though.

 

[Knpnfa]

I don't want to go $50K into debt for a second bachelor's degree and really, REALLY don't want to go through MCAT hell again so If I don't get accepted after 2 or 3 tries, I'll either go for PA school or enlist in the air force as a computer systems specialist of some kind, then come out after 4 years and make big bucks in the tech field.

I may be new on the forum, but well experienced in the enlisted USAF "computer systems specialist"...one doesn't just do 4 years and walk out making a lot of money.

 

[rolliespring]

Swap vet out for pharmacy or something else. It's even harder to get into vet school than med school.

Pharmacy market is pretty saturated, too nowadays.

 

[814965]

I may be new on the forum, but well experienced in the enlisted USAF "computer systems specialist"...one doesn't just do 4 years and walk out making a lot of money.

I've known two people that worked with computers in the military and easily found high-paying tech jobs after getting out, and I used that term because I don't know the exact military term for their classification. Either way, PA school is the far more likely option for me.

 

[TREE TREE]

I don't want to go $50K into debt for a second bachelor's degree and really, REALLY don't want to go through MCAT hell again so If I don't get accepted after 2 or 3 tries, I'll either go for PA school or enlist in the air force as a computer systems specialist of some kind, then come out after 4 years and make big bucks in the tech field.

ikr, I will not retake my MCAT no matter what (I don't think I can score higher the next time anyway). But are you motivated to study for the GRE?

 

[814965]

ikr, I will not retake my MCAT no matter what (I don't think I can score higher the next time anyway). But are you motivated to study for the GRE?

Yes. The GRE is hard but not as bad as the MCAT.

 

[Knpnfa]

I've known two people that worked with computers in the military and easily found high-paying tech jobs after getting out, and I used that term because I don't know the exact military term for their classification.

And they are working where? What one has the potential to make, is greatly dependent on their specialty/location. Working "Cyber Security" in Montana is vastly different than doing the same in the beltway. Whether they chose a government job vice contractor plays a huge role. What is their clearance? All huge roles into "making the big bucks".

What I'm telling you is that you are not going to make any where near what a physician makes just after 4 years of doing some computer stuff in the USAF. Just like medicine there are specialties that earn a ton of money. But you pursue those specialities on the front end as opposed to the back end.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

I may be new on the forum, but well experienced in the enlisted USAF "computer systems specialist"...one doesn't just do 4 years and walk out making a lot of money.

They do in the Navy. A number of my old Shipmates walked out into 6 figure jobs.

 

[814965]

One used his veteran status to work his way into a high-paying position for the federal government and the other works for one of the Big Three auto companies, and I'm aware that things like location matter and that they don't make as much as physicians do. My point is that although I want to be a doctor more than anything, at this point I just really want to get my life started and I'd personally rather do something like that or another type of grad school than put my life on hold for another 3-5 years getting a second degree or attempting to get into medical school several times.

 

[TRPMinus]

Swap vet out for pharmacy or something else. It's even harder to get into vet school than med school.

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but I did a quick fact check and am pretty sure this is a longstanding myth......

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but I did a quick fact check and am pretty sure this is a longstanding myth......

It is considered more difficult because there are significantly fewer vet schools and all require a good amount of animal experience.

 

[stickgirl390]

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but I did a quick fact check and am pretty sure this is a longstanding myth......

What Matthew9Thirtyfive said. There are only 28 American schools so statistically, it is more difficult to get in based on how many people apply.

 

[BombsAway]

ikr, I will not retake my MCAT no matter what (I don't think I can score higher the next time anyway). But are you motivated to study for the GRE?

GRE was crazy easy. Its elementary math, NY times reading, and a dash of critical thinking.

 

[TRPMinus]

It is considered more difficult because there are significantly fewer vet schools and all require a good amount of animal experience.[/QUOTE

The acceptance rates are way higher. Also no MCAT is required and a lower Gpa is more acceptable. Don't see how that's harder.

 

[TRPMinus]

What Matthew9Thirtyfive said. There are only 28 American schools so statistically, it is more difficult to get in based on how many people apply.

Not nearly as many people apply tho. All about that acceptance rate

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

Not nearly as many people apply tho. All about that acceptance rate

Yeah, that's my point. It is not more different statistically, but the number of schools and requirements makes it difficult for people to just apply to vet schools on a whim.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

GRE was crazy easy. Its elementary math, NY times reading, and a dash of critical thinking.

I didn't study for it at all and did pretty well. The subject tests though I'm not sure about. Haven't taken any.

 

[holycrap]

I've been learning about Forex, I'd just take that more seriously and try to become an entrepreneur. I'm still just a freshman in college though so hopefully won't have to think of a plan B

 

[holycrap]

Or join the NFL.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

I've been learning about Forex, I'd just take that more seriously and try to become an entrepreneur. I'm still just a freshman in college though so hopefully won't have to think of a plan B

Good choice.

 

[holycrap]

Good choice.

Lmao Forex as in foreign exchange currency trading, my Australian buddy I met on RuneScape loves 4 x though I don't drink.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

Lmao Forex as in foreign exchange currency trading, my Australian buddy I met on RuneScape loves 4 x though I don't drink.

I knew what you meant. I'm partial to puns. And I don't drink anymore either.

 

[Ho0v-man]

(radiology technicians make serious bank)

I literally laughed out loud at that one. Every year when I look at what I made last year I regret not going to nursing school

Sincerely,

Your friendly neighborhood rad tech

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[JLC]

Amen. I feel like these days going the PhD route for biology, especially for academia, is basically signing yourself up for a life of slavery.

6-7 years PhD (age 28-29)
4-5 year postdoc (age 33-34)
(+possibly another postdoc)
all for a 76k/year staff scientist position

It's not all about the money, but I'd much rather be making PA or NP money when I'm in my twenties, even if they don't really get as much respect in the medical world.

I think when choosing a career, its equally important to find a job that offers what you want to do as well as compensation. Many of the most successful researchers choose wisdom vs greenbacks as currency. As opposed to MD's(or at least those who only do clinical work), NP's, PA's, nurses, techs (anyone who cares for patients) who are trained to basically copy what others have done, those who do research are striving to actively solve or discover something new. There is no creativity in the practice of medicine (or if there is it typically ends up as malpractice). So while what you guys said can be true, if you love research, the PhD route can be a very rewarding career. I also don't think many people realize how economically crappy it is during your 20-30's if you pursue medicine...

As a disclosure, I DON'T have a PhD.

 

[sdhere1234]

Would people really rather switch careers entirely than apply to DO schools? Hard to fathom how you can have 70+LM and not get an acceptance somewhere.

 

[bornunderatree]

Probably go to my friends at the local university, convince them to partner with me so I can use their IRB, and publish some bedside research on the population I regularly care for.
I'm happily doing my plan B already.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

Would people really rather switch careers entirely than apply to DO schools? Hard to fathom how you can have 70+LM and not get an acceptance somewhere.

I assumed DO was included. I'm applying DO concurrently with MD.

 

[TREE TREE]

Would people really rather switch careers entirely than apply to DO schools? Hard to fathom how you can have 70+LM and not get an acceptance somewhere.

I just don't want to go through another year of hell. I hate this waiting game, every single morning I wake up hoping to receive an II, but end up with disappointment.

I was too optimistic when I first started the application cycle. I thought with a LizzyM of 72 and plenty of meaningful ECs would get me into at least 1 MD school by November. I should have applied to DO as well, sigh...

I might reapply in the future, but definitely not next year.

 

[Dr. Stalker]

 

[TheRevenant]

Currently looking for jobs related to my engineering degree. Biotech would be great, but we're pretty strapped for biotech jobs locally. Maybe get a masters in my engineering discipline for the time being.

 

[sdhere1234]

I just don't want to go through another year of hell. I hate this waiting game, every single morning I wake up hoping to receive an II, but end up with disappointment.

I was too optimistic when I first started the application cycle. I thought with a LizzyM of 72 and plenty of meaningful ECs would get me into at least 1 MD school by November. I should have applied to DO as well, sigh...

I might reapply in the future, but definitely not next year.

Still have time for DO schools with your stats.

 

[JB50]

My planB currently right now is in the form of estrogen/progesterone control however we may be considering an iud in the near future.

Thanks for asking how kind of you.