<p>Though I have medschool aspirations, I do also realize there is a possibility I will not make it into medschool. Usually I get the response that you can either teach in school, work for a pharmaceutical company, get a Phd in research, and other things.</p>
<p>Can anyone please elaborate one what alternatives there are?</p>
<p>What do you mean by "not make it into med school"? Not get in on your first try? Not get into any school after two-three years of trying?</p>
<p>That depends on what your majored in. If you don't get into med school, that's where that bachelor's degree you earned in undergrad comes in. If your degree is just a BS in biology, then you're probably looking at teaching, grad school, and/or clinical research.</p>
<p>norcal is true. That's how I pretty much set myself up...a lot of people I know worry about what major(s) med schools look highly upon but I looked for what major I one, enjoyed, and two, felt that that if I didn't make medical school or changed my mind...I have a good alternative. The alternatives you listed look like a reality for most of the sciences. Either u pursue that PhD or you work in a lab for industry or gov't...both of which will require that eventual PhD.</p>
<p>Very cool richter! I don't have much of a life outside science (except maybe Politics). What sciences would you consider "useful."</p>
<p>Well, with Biology it's tough considering most places want people with specializations so there's not too much outside of teaching. Pharmacology (my major) is useful in both teaching/research as well as industry. It really depends on the demands...chemistry is useful whereas I don't see physics or astronomy having a big job pool (which makes it tough unless you went to MIT)...and then of course there's all sorts of engineering.</p>
<p>Nursing is a very underrated profession but offers some amazing advantages-- decent salary, very high demand, you can practice pretty much anywhere, and has a lot of job options including administration, direct service, & others. It's definitely an option of medschool isn't in the "cards." Some nurses go on to become docs thereafter, but some nurses actually make as much or more than docs, especially anesthesia nurses, etc.</p>
<p>you mentioning nursing made me remember Physician Assistant. That's also pretty competitive but some people prefer PA. PA school is two years, cheaper, and less intense. The job is pretty much 9-5, you need to know a lot (not as much as MDs or DOs) but a lot none the less...and the pay isn't half bad either.</p>
<p>There are many positions in the medical profession to consider, including PAs, as you mention. Respiratory therapist, physical therapist, occupational therapist, and many more.</p>
<p>i have a question about the process. say that you go through college and get your b.s. in bio and you dont get in to med school or in my case dental school then could you just decide there that you want to switch to nursing? b/c dont you have to go through a certain nursing program to become a nurse or PA...so how would that work as an alternative? can somebody clarify please...</p>
<p>Here's some good info about nursing. If you have a bachelor's degree in another field, you can sometimes enroll in an accelerated program to get your nursing degree, as explained below:</p>
<p>"Accelerated BSN programs also are available for individuals who have a bachelor’s or higher degree in another field and who are interested in moving into nursing. In 2004, more than 165 of these programs were available. Accelerated BSN programs last 12 to 18 months and provide the fastest route to a BSN for individuals who already hold a degree."</p>
<p><a href="http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos083.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos083.htm</a></p>
<p>Good luck in your choices.<br>
Starion</p>
<p>I also considered what I would do if I didn't get into med school. Some alternatives I thought of were either reapply, apply to foriegn med school, apply to DO schools or maybe even think about pharmacy. Those were what came to my mind as alternatives although going into Pharmacy also requires an entrance exam so I don't know if I get take both PCAT and MCAT and do faily well on both given the time contraints. </p>
<p>Off topic but is there a site what can tell you what you can do with "X degree/major"? Or should I go to my advisor or someone and ask?</p>
<p>The public library has series of books about what you can do with various majors & I'm sure your libraries has similar references. Talking with your counselors & advisors is a good idea as well, since that's what their trained & paid for (out of your money). Shadowing someone who is in a field you're thinking of is always a good idea to be sure you like the routine as well as the "glamor" aspects of the field.</p>