VII. If You Are Not Selected

Reapplication
Career Alternatives

Most premedical advisors agree that one of the most difficult tasks connected with their job is counseling the rejected applicant. The unsuccessful applicant is usually depressed and may be a bit hostile to the system that seems to have caused the rejection. Many rejected applicants are unable or unwilling to see themselves in true perspective, yet one of the first things rejected applicants should do is to honestly and realistically assess their position and identify the reasons for the rejections. In many  cases, this is simply a matter of statistics. Their grade point averages and/or MCAT scores are typically well below the mean for accepted students. There are three courses of action open to the rejected student. These include 1) reapplication 2) matriculation at a foreign medical school**, or 3) choose some alternative career. Remember that you can ask for a "post-rejection interview" at the medical schools to which you applied.

Reapplication
Rejected applicants often arrange a conference with someone in the medical admissions office at a school to which they have applied. This can help identify those areas in which an application may need improvement and then devise realistic ways in which deficiencies may be improved. The rejected applicant must be very realistic when evaluating the chances for significantly improving the deficiencies in his/her application. In some cases this may mean simply retaking the MCAT with better preparation and an improvement in the scores. In many instances the academic performance must be improved. A's and B's in upper-level college classes similar in content to that taught in the first year in medical school should demonstrate to many voters on a medical school admissions committee that a reapplier has the motivation and ability to succeed in medical school. A person may take additional course work as an irregular postbaccalaureate student after completion of the baccalaureate degree. Those who consider going to graduate school for a Master's degree should be aware that those choosing this option need to understand that most medical admissions committees accept students with a condition that they complete the degree or certificate program in which they are enrolled by several weeks before the entering class is designated to begin its lectures. There are some “Special Masters” three semester pathway programs at medical schools** (hopefully: summer term, then fall semester, and the spring semester being the final semester for the program).

**A notebook with information on some of these programs is available in the UGA Premedical Studies Office.

 
Career Alternatives
For the rejected applicant with grades and/or MCAT scores well below the mean for accepted students, the reality of the situation may dictate that some alternative career be chosen and plans for a career as an M.D. be abandoned. Osteopathic medical award a D.O. degree and practitioners have essentially the same rights as a M.D., yet GPAs and MCATs (on average) are somewhat lower. Podiatric physicians earn the D.P.M. and is more restricted in practice than the M.D. (they practice only on the feet and lower legs). Many students find satisfying careers in these medical professions. Students may wish to consider other careers in the health sciences, although some of the professional schools listed below may have a bias against rejected premedical students if they feel that the applicant is attempting to use their profession as a stepping stone into medicine. Other closely related careers include dentistry, veterinary medicine, optometry, and pharmacy. Many former premedical students complete a Ph.D. in some discipline in the basic medical sciences and enjoy a very satisfying career in teaching and research, often at a medical school in a discipline such as microbiology.  Some microbiologists work in hospitals identifying infectious micro-organisms from patient materials. Others take graduate degrees in public health, clinical psychology, or one of the allied health sciences, such as medical technology, clinical chemistry, or respiratory or physical or speech therapy. There are numerous career opportunities in these areas. Hospital administration may be considered by those students with good management skills and the ability to work well with people. There are, however, many talented students with much to offer professionally in the medical/health care arena with M.D. degrees.
Many premedical students who are not accepted to enter medical school prefer to go into other professions that are completely unrelated to the health sciences. Unless a person can be reasonably assured of a satisfying and successful career in some other area of the health sciences, it may be a mistake to remain in a job in which the opportunity for professional advancement is limited just in order to stay in a medically related profession.  Traditionally, there have been great differences between the compensation of physicians and most others working in the health care field. Former premedical students may find very satisfying careers in such diverse fields as banking, law, sales, military service, academia, and dozens of other businesses and professions. Whatever alternative career is chosen, it should be one that is intellectually stimulating and it should offer rewards commensurate with the talents of the student.

(Please send all questions and comments to resa@uga.edu, Memorial Hall, Athens, GA 30602)