Once you’ve set your sights on becoming a doctor, it can seem like everything you do is to get you one step closer to that goal. But as pre-med students like you work through all the necessary prerequisites and begin the extensive medical school application process, there’s a nagging question many find hard to shake:
The idea of receiving a rejection letter after putting in so much work can seem deflating. But that doesn’t mean all hope is lost. We spoke with physicians who’ve been in this situation. Get firsthand advice on what they learned and how they set themselves on the right path after getting rejected from medical school.
Once you’ve set your sights on becoming a doctor, it can seem like everything you do is to get you one step closer to that goal. But as pre-med students like you work through all the necessary prerequisites and begin the extensive medical school application process, there’s a nagging question many find hard to shake:
The idea of receiving a rejection letter after putting in so much work can seem deflating. But that doesn’t mean all hope is lost. We spoke with physicians who’ve been in this situation. Get firsthand advice on what they learned and how they set themselves on the right path after getting rejected from medical school.
Getting rejected from medical school can feel devastating. You’ve likely spent years taking prerequisites, studying for the MCAT, completing healthcare hours, writing essays, and applying, only to find out you didn’t get that coveted acceptance letter.
It’s normal to feel disappointed, frustrated, or unsure of what to do next Not getting into medical school does not mean your dream of becoming a doctor is over. Here are 7 options to consider if you don’t get into med school
1. Apply Again
Applying a second time is a very common step for many med school applicants The gap year(s) can provide time to strengthen your application. Here are some ways to improve your chances if applying again
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Take More Courses: Complete any outstanding prerequisite courses or take advanced bioscience classes to boost your academic profile.
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Improve Your MCAT Score: Retake the MCAT if needed to achieve higher scores that meet your target schools’ averages.
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Get More Experience: Gain more clinical, volunteer, or research experience to address any weaknesses.
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Revise Essays: Reflect on feedback and make meaningful updates to your personal statement and secondary essays.
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Apply Broadly: Increase the number of schools you apply to and add more mid-tier options to cast a wider net.
With a strengthened application and experience from the first time applying, many students get into med school on their second or third try.
2. Apply to Other Schools
Rather than the same schools, consider applying to different medical programs on your next application round.
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Target schools you’re above average for: Apply to schools where your GPA, MCAT scores, and experience exceed the average accepted student’s. This increases your chances compared to reaching schools.
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Consider DO programs: Expand your list of allopathic (MD) schools to include osteopathic (DO) programs, which take a more holistic approach.
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Look at newer programs: Apply to newer or developing medical schools, which often have higher acceptance rates since they’re building their first classes.
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Broaden geographically: Consider applying to med schools outside your preferred region to maximize options in locations where the applicant pool may be less competitive.
3. Take a Gap Year
Gap years are becoming increasingly common for pre-med students who don’t get into med school right after undergrad. Here’s how to make the most of a gap year:
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Gain clinical experience: Get a clinical job as a scribe, medical assistant, EMT, CNA, or other hands-on patient care role. This demonstrates your commitment to medicine.
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Bolster your application: Use the time to improve grades, MCAT scores, essays, research, volunteering, shadowing, or any weak areas from your first application.
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Do research/fellowships: Participate in a post-baccalaureate pre-med research program or clinical fellowship to strengthen your candidacy.
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Explore passions: Take time to travel, volunteer abroad, work in another field of interest, or pursue hobbies outside of pre-med. This brings life experience to your application.
Overall, a gap year can provide invaluable personal growth and application strengthening to set you up for med school success on your next cycle.
4. Pursue a Master’s Degree
Enrolling in a master’s program is another option during a gap year(s) or if not pursuing med school immediately. Here are some top options:
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Master’s in Medical Science: These programs offer advanced science and lab coursework tailored to prepare students for medical careers. They provide a graduate-level academic boost if your undergrad GPA was low.
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Public Health: An MPH helps build knowledge on epidemiology, biostatistics, public policy and social determinants of health, which are applicable in medicine.
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MBA: For those interested in the business of medicine, an MBA can be a pathway to healthcare administration and leadership roles.
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Biomedical Science: A research-focused master’s degree like biochemistry, microbiology or physiology allows you to enhance your science skills and get valuable lab experience.
A master’s degree signals your commitment to an advanced medical career. It also gives you a backup option if med school plans ultimately change.
5. Apply to Nursing School
If you’re open to a faster-paced healthcare career, nursing can be a fulfilling alternative after not getting into med school. Here’s a quick overview:
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Accelerated BSN (Bachelors): A 12-18 month second bachelor’s degree program if you already have a non-nursing undergrad degree. This is one of the fastest routes to becoming a registered nurse.
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Direct Entry MSN (Masters): Earn your MSN in 2-3 years if you have a bachelor’s degree in another field. This pathway allows you to become an advanced practice registered nurse.
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Online RN to BSN: Already have an associate’s degree in nursing? Get your bachelor’s 100% online while working as a registered nurse.
With the advanced patient care skills and high demand for nurses, this is an impactful way to work in healthcare if med school plans change.
6. Apply for a Physician’s Assistant Program
Similar to nursing, becoming a physician’s assistant (PA) offers many overlapping benefits as an MD career:
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Patient care focus: PAs practice medicine on healthcare teams with physicians in clinics, hospitals, and other settings.
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Less schooling: PA programs are just 2-3 years, instead of the 4 year med school commitment, plus residency.
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Flexibility: PAs can switch specialties without additional formal training, unlike MDs.
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High demand: The PA career field is projected to grow 31% over the next decade, ensuring plentiful job opportunities.
For pre-med students open to a career as a mid-level practitioner, PA programs offer strong job prospects and the ability to regularly interact with and care for patients.
7. Change Your Med School Plans
It’s also perfectly okay to adjust your career plans and let go of the medical school dream if it’s not the right fit anymore.
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Be open to alternates: Reflect on what initially drew you to medicine. Look for careers that offer parts of the med school appeal – helping people, using science, lucrative pay, prestige, etc.
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Consider your strengths: Make a list of your skills, talents, and values. Brainstorm alignments with other healthcare admin/business roles, research paths, teaching, lab techs, public health, and more.
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Embrace a pivot: It’s not “all or nothing.” You built valuable hard skills as a pre-med student. Look for adjacent roles that leverage your existing knowledge and experience.
While it may take time to process and grieve not meeting your med school goal, know that you have options. Letting it go can open new possibilities you’re even more passionate about.
Key Takeaways
Not getting into medical school is disappointing but not the end of your healthcare career. Take time for self-care, then strategically evaluate these options:
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Strengthen your candidacy and reapply to medical schools
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Apply to different medical programs or schools
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Take 1+ gap years to improve your application and demonstrate commitment
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Pursue an advanced degree like Masters or PhD
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Consider nursing, PA, or other healthcare professional routes
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Be open to related careers in healthcare business, research, public health, etc.
Stay motivated and trust that with perseverance, the right path will unfold – whether that leads to med school or an equally fulfilling alternative healthcare career. Your dream of making an impact is still within reach.
Find your path forward
Don’t give up on your dream
You may be feeling disheartened if you’ve been rejected from medical school, but that doesn’t mean you should give up. Gaining an acceptance letter is hard for just about every applicant. But if you know you’re destined to be a doctor, trying a different approach when reapplying can make all the difference.
It might be a matter of reassessing your target schools. Learn more about what you should be looking for by reviewing our infographic “What Medical Schools Should I Apply To? How to Create Your List.”
*This article was originally published in 2018. It has since been updated to include information relevant to 2022.
Once you’ve set your sights on becoming a doctor, it can seem like everything you do is to get you one step closer to that goal. But as pre-med students like you work through all the necessary prerequisites and begin the extensive medical school application process, there’s a nagging question many find hard to shake:
What if I don’t get into medical school?
The idea of receiving a rejection letter after putting in so much work can seem deflating. But that doesn’t mean all hope is lost. We spoke with physicians who’ve been in this situation. Get firsthand advice on what they learned and how they set themselves on the right path after getting rejected from medical school.
What happens if you don’t get into medical school?
Being rejected from medical school can leave you feeling directionless. After landing in that exact scenario, these physicians found a way to persevere and eventually earn their Doctor of Medicine (MD) degrees.
Here’s their advice for those who find themselves in that situation:
5 Reasons Premeds FAIL To Get Into Medical School
What if I didn’t get into medical school on my first try?
If you didn’t get into medical school on your first try, it doesn’t mean you never will. In fact, second-time applicants have roughly the same acceptance rate as pre-meds applying for the first time. So don’t despair. Instead, focus on improving yourself as a candidate. 1. Assess Your Original Application
What should you avoid when applying to medical school?
Here are 10 things you should take care to avoid as you prepare to apply to medical school. Experts say medical school applicants should reflect on their reasons for choosing medicine. Focusing on sports accomplishments.
What if you are not accepted by a medical school?
Applicants who are not accepted by a medical school should take some time to work through their feelings and put things into context. The national average acceptance rate the past few years has been around 40%, so each year, over half of all applicants do not end up being accepted.
What should I do if I didn’t get a medical school interview?
If you were granted a medical school interview but didn’t get a spot in the incoming class, you might need need to improve your verbal communication. Like any skill, the more you practice communicating, the better you’ll become. Sign up for a practice interview at your school’s career center.
