As much as I hate to say it, there’s a chance of not getting into medical school. But just know, that’s ok! Medical school is a challenging path and if you chose to continue on it after the fact, it just proves your determination. While you might believe that medical school is the way to go and there’s no way around it, there are always going to be plenty of other options to consider. Make sure those options are considered. Before applying for medical school, have a general gauge in the direction you ought to follow. Medical school requires extreme passion and drive along with spectacular stats, that’s why the burnout rates are pretty high for med students. If you’re one of the students that fall into this category of passion and drive, remember that there are even more things to consider. The path of a medical student is not a short one, it’s a long winding road that seems to never end, although when it does, it’ll be one of the most rewarding. So, go after what you believe is best for you and always have a back-up plan on what to do in the case you don’t get in!! For medical students, good alternatives are always available! Many kids take a gap year, in which they revamp their application by getting involved in a research project, applying for medical jobs, volunteering/shadowing with physicians, or work on a graduate degree program, such as an SMP. Because a Special Masters Program is generally affiliated with a specific medical school, it allows the student to gain enhanced exposure to the field. Post-Baccalaureate programs are typically used in order to catch up on coursework or even add additional relevant coursework to your schedule. This list isn’t comprehensive, but covers the basic foundation of what a medical student would do in the case of a gap year. Also know that becoming a doctor isn’t the only way you’ll be able to help out in the hospital. It takes about 2-3 years to complete a Physician Assistant program, you’d be performing almost the same tasks as a doctor, except for the inability to perform surgical procedures, in addition to being required to be under the guidance of a physician, whether indirect or direct. Becoming a nurse practitioner would also be an option! It’s in the nursing sector and allows for the almost the same practical functions as a physician or physician assistant, such as patient needs, diagnosing diseases, interpreting test results, and providing treatment care. If you don’t want to do anything medically related, there are plenty of administrator jobs on the market that are just as important to keep the hospital running smoothly. Whatever you want to do, just remember to have a backup plan in mind, especially in the case where something goes wrong!
