Backup Careers?

bluewind · 06-08-2009, 08:22 PM

What are possible backup careers for premeds if they're rejected from med school? (A medically related career other than nursing?)

hopeful_gtb · 06-09-2009, 02:45 PM

pharmacy? dik. why not nursing?

RUTransfer · 06-23-2009, 02:29 AM

I'm actually a Biomedical Engineering major. If I don't get into med school, biomedical engineer is a good back up profession.

youngscholar2 · 06-27-2009, 10:20 AM

Dental school is always an excellent option. I was a premed until I discovered the benefits a career in dentistry offered compared to an MD.

Bigredmed · 06-27-2009, 11:46 AM

I'd warn against considering any other professional school career an option, post rejection from med school. Dentistry and Pharmacy admissions are just as competitive as med school. Further, those schools want to see dedication to those professions same as med school - if you don't have pharmacy or dental experiences, don't count on impressing those committees. Further, the PCAT and DAT are very different admissions tests than the MCAT...you will have to take the time to study for those.

So what options are viable?

Physician's Assistant (will have to take the GRE, but that's a lot easier than the PCAT/DAT).

Accelerated Nursing programs can get you your BSN in 12 to 18 months, then with appropriate clinical experience you can get into the variety of advanced practice nursing fields - Nurse Anesthetist, Neonatal Nurse Practioner, etc

MPH or Masters in Healthcare Administration can also open up various opportunities that go past what your typical bio/pre-med has available.

Law school is always option, and in my limited experience, if you're a science major, law schools are usually impressed in comparison to the standard history/poli-sci/psych majors they're used to seeing. Plus, if you're a science major, you can get into patent law (which requires a technical background to enter).

BERN1943 · 07-08-2009, 11:31 PM

I didn't see Optometrist or Podiatrist mentioned. Those are two more options. Also, those really interested in sciences might consider teaching on the high school or even the college level with a Ph.D.

RileyJohn · 07-13-2009, 06:23 AM

some promising back-up plans in here.

unsureoflife · 07-19-2009, 09:24 PM

You can always work and then go into medical school. With a biomedical engineering degree you can probably get a job doing healthcare consulting. A lot of those companies have people who work for 2-3 years then go to professional school whether it be MBA, PhD or MD.

NNukibw77 · 07-20-2009, 10:52 AM

Consulting - anyone can do that. Firms will be attracted to your problem solving skills.

unsureoflife · 07-21-2009, 10:26 PM

For consulting you had better go to career fairs/recruitment events and to be taken by the best firms you need a great gpa. Its all about connections.

NNukibw77 · 07-24-2009, 11:36 PM

Not all about connections. I got a job with a top firm without one - But yeah, they really care about GPAs.

hellojan · 07-25-2009, 12:10 AM

Uh, let's see. Meth lab proprietor (pay attention in all your chem. courses), beef cloner, and, oh this is a good one, you could become a gang-doc.

When gang members or underground boxers get hurt, they'll come to you. "Patch 'em up, doc," they'll say, stinking of bootlegged gin.

"I ain't yer servant, Micky," you'll say. "I work for nobody, ya hear? So don't tell me how it's gonna be."

"Just patch 'em up, will ya? I got a dame I need to get to-"

"-before someone else does?"

"You could say that. But you won't. Because you work for me, ya understand?" He pulls a revolver from the inside of his coat.

"Yeah, got it."

What were we talking about?

student01 · 08-17-2009, 04:02 AM

So... can you get an MBA even with a degree like, for instance, PSYCHOLOGY???