<p>I have an interview coming up and I've researched some of the basic questions that they ask. I'm having trouble with answering: "What will you do if you don't become a doctor?" Personally, once I made up my mind about medicine, I knew that that is what I wanted to do. So, I haven't really given a thought as to what else I would do. I guess scientific research would be an option, but I know that I would hate a career that lacks a lot of interaction with people. So, how could I answer a question like that? Do they like hearing that you are set on becoming a doctor or do they want to know that you have a Plan B?</p>
<p>if you don’t have a plan B say “i don’t have a plan b”…dedication is crucial, maybe talk about other careers you have considered.</p>
<p>i wouldnt say “i dont have another option.” just talk about anything…its silly to think that youve only considered one career your entire life. it doesnt have to involve science either…any reasonable career is fine (like not rock star or something).</p>
<p>when i had my interview, that question kinda took me by surprise- and what i said was that honestly i couldnt imagine being anything else, and that a doctor is the only thing i would become- i also said that i would go to any extent to get my MD, even if it meant going to a different country for medical school</p>
<p>It is a valid question to evaluate how serious person you are in general. With or w/o interview, you got to have some plan B. It could be that you are planning taking subjects outside of your pre-med major to see what other things you might like (most pre-meds have 1 or 2 minors). But, seriously, you got to have some idea what you might be doing if MD is not there for you (hopefully you are going to be OK).</p>
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<p>I agree with this. Do not say that you don’t have a Plan B. This isn’t a test of your dedication. They know you like medicine. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be interviewing. What they want to see is that you’ve at least considered and thought about other career options. They don’t want a high schooler who blindly rushed into medicine without exploring what else is out there. That’s exactly the kind of BS/MDer who ends up dropping out bitter and disappointed. The second point behind asking what other job you’d be willing to do is to get a better gauge on your personality. If you say that people interaction is the main reason you want to be a doctor and yet your answer to this question is “research,” then something doesn’t add up.</p>
<p>Thanks guys! Everyone’s take on this really helps.</p>