What if I Don’t Get into Medical School?

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The really painful part of not getting into medical school is that you won’t know right away.   It’s unlikely that you will be rejected by every school; rather, you will spend weeks trying to figure out what “on hold” or “under review” means or hoping that you will make it off a wait list.  Eventually, you will conclude that it probably isn’t going to work out.

The first step is to work through some of the feelings that are bound to accompany this realization.  Rage.  Disappointment.  Panic.  Frustration.  Relief.  All of the above.  None of the above.  Call upon your friends, family, advisors and let it out:  “Morons!  Don’t they know talent when they see it!”  or “I’m a failure!”  Curse the gods and pity yourself.  And then stop (or dial it down) because you are going to have make some decisions about your next steps.  It will be hard to think clearly if you are consumed with the desire to burn your MCAT materials (don’t do it — you can sell them!).

If you didn’t have a “Plan B” then there may be some immediate life concerns to address.  Do you need a job?  Are you going to stay at your current position?  Are you going to move?  Oy.  Do know, as many premedical students do not, that Career Services offers counseling and services related to finding employment while you are at Penn and after you graduate.  Really!  It’s not just OCR!

The other questions you need to contemplate are also important:  Why didn’t I get in?  Do I still want to be a doctor?  Do I want to apply again and when?  Oy, oy, triple oy.

There is a very good chance that there was at least one major weakness in your application.  Think it through — grades, MCAT score, personal statement, clinical exposure.  Think harder.  Did you apply late?  Did you have a very fancy list of schools?  Did you have a fair number of interviews?  If so, those may not have gone as well as you thought.  Was everything there, but maybe a little thin?  Where could the application be stronger?  It’s possible that you just had bad luck, but usually there is some aspect of the application that could be strengthened.  That isn’t a reason to beat yourself up, but should motivate you take stock of your application before reapplying.

Speaking of reapplying, it’s not a great idea to do this automatically.  Sometimes people reapply without considering other career paths or changing their application, which can lead to two or three years of going through the application process unsuccessfully.  If you want to be a doctor because you have never thought about doing something else, this is a good time to think of alternatives if only to reconfirm your commitment to becoming a physician.  It could be that medical school is not the best fit for you.  Not infrequently, we have alumni tell us that they hadn’t thought of being anything but a doctor when they came to Penn, but have found their niche in another field that they never knew existed.  This is often communicated in an email with lots of exclamation marks and happy faces.

If you remain steadfast in your desire to become a physician do not despair.  Many people are admitted after a disappointing turn through the application process.  You’ll stand a much better chance of reaching your goal if you think carefully about the strength and timing of your application.  If you need to spend more time in a health care setting or take more courses to show what you can do academically, then do it…before you apply again.

Your pre-health advisors are happy to meet with you to consider your strategy for a second application.  If you don’t get into medical school this year, you won’t fall off the edge of a map.  You have many options.  Your personal support network will help see you through and Career Services will support you as you reorient yourself in uncharted waters.

Summer Hours at Career Services

Happy summer!

Well, just about anyway!  As everyone wraps up with finals and graduating students prepare to make their way down Locust Walk for the commencement procession, we wanted to remind you that Career Services is open throughout the summer!

Summer hours for both the main office and the Career Services library are Monday-Friday from 9am-5pm.  Extended library hours will resume with the start of classes in September.

Stop in or call us to make an appointment with an appropriate counselor!

If you’re a graduating senior or you’ve just complete a Masters or PhD, be sure you visit the undergraduate or graduate home pages and fill out our Career Plans Survey!  You can take a look at the results from previous surveys here – a great resource if you’re still on the job market!

Additionally, this blog will continue to post fresh content all summer long every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.  Keep us bookmarked or subscribe to our RSS feed so you never miss an entry!

We wish you the best of luck during finals and hope that you have a wonderful summer!  Just remember that we’re here if you need us!

How to Make the Most of Your Summer Internship

By: David Ross

As you prepare for your upcoming summer internship, remember that navigating your experience in a positive way will be an important part of your success this summer. Here are some tips that may help you succeed at your internship:

Understand expectations. Whether you are given specific expectations at the beginning of your internship or not, it is important to make sure you understand what is expected of your performance so that you can do your best to meet or exceed expectations.

Be professional. While an internship is a great learning opportunity, professionalism is key. Be sure to conduct yourself in a professional manner during your internship. Perceptions and impressions can be very important so be careful not to jeopardize your candidacy with unprofessional behavior.

Take initiative. Completing your tasks and assignments as delegated should be the minimum. Think of ways you can take initiative and go above and beyond what is required and expected of you.

Maintain a positive attitude. Although you may encounter challenges and adversity that can be stressful at times, maintain a positive attitude during your internship. You want to be viewed as someone that fits well within the company and has a “can-do” attitude for assignments.

Document and track your achievements and accomplishments. Regardless if you have a formal review at the end of your internship or not, it’s vital to keep a running tab of your accomplishments and achievements to showcase your contributions. This can be very helpful when you update your resume and reflect on everything you worked on over the summer. The more details you can provide (especially quantifying outcomes and your impact on the organization) the better.

On-the-Job Development

by Sharon Fleshman

Many of you will be starting new jobs in the next few months and you’ve probably already heard the term “on-the-job training” mentioned in one place or another.  I’m going to tweak the language a little bit and use the term “development” as some organizations are currently doing. There is a finite quality implied in “training” which typically has a beginning and end. On the other hand, I think that “development” points to more of a dynamic and continuous process.  The bottom line is that wherever you find yourself, you need to be proactive and responsible for your own development.   To that end, here are some steps that you can take:

Embrace the present. It’s good to plan ahead and envision the future, but you also need to make sure that you focus on the job that you have been hired for.  Take advantage of all of the resources at your disposal so that you get off to a strong start. Attend relevant training sessions offered or sponsored by your employer. Ask good questions and be on the lookout for potential mentors.  Be clear on the expectations regarding your role.

Assess.  Most employers have at least an annual review process for their employees, but you should not wait for your formal evaluation to assess your performance on the job. Ask yourself a few key questions periodically. How am I using my strengths and skills in a way that produces results and maximizes impact?  What are some areas for improvement for me to work on?  How should I elicit constructive feedback from my supervisor and peers? How can I best align my work responsibilities with my own work values and goals in this environment?

Network. I realize that we’ve already inundated you with encouragement to network, network, network, but the benefits of networking are not limited to searching for that first job. Building bridges to others on the job, through professional associations and by way of alumni networks can pave the way to progress at your current employer as well as future career opportunities.  While you’re at it, don’t forget that networking should be reciprocal, so look for ways to give good information, advice and leads to those who have helped you as well as current students who will follow in your footsteps.

Broaden your horizons. Once you have established a solid track record in performing your current job responsibilities, it’s time to develop in other areas that can expose you to new people and possibilities. Think about skill sets that you need to move forward in your career.  Is training available in those areas?  Perhaps you can participate in special projects or committees that involve staff from different functions or departments.  Remember that similar opportunities also exist outside of your job; professional associations and volunteer work are two potential contexts for your career development.

As you transition from your time at Penn, I hope that you’ll see your first (or next) job as an opportunity to continue your journey of lifelong learning.

By the Book: New Additions to the Career Services Library

by J. Michael DeAngelis, Information Resources Manager

The Career Services library is open during our regular business hours, Monday – Friday from 9am-5pm.  It’s a great place to come and study during finals and to take advantage of some of the amazing print resources we have.  Here are a few of our latest acquisitions:

The Ten Day MBA by Steven Silbiger (3rd edition) – Billed as “a step-by-step guide to mastering the skills taught in America’s top business schools,” this is an extremely popular book for those about to enter the world of business but don’t have an exclusively business background.  The book covers everything from understanding finical statements to developing corporate strategies.   Easy to read, this book will help anyone get on the same page as those with an advanced business degree.

 

Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR) 2012-2013 – from the Association of American Medical Colleges.

The preeminent and reliable resource on medical schools just got better. MSAR’s printed guidebook includes abridged profiles of each medical school, while comprehensive listings of U.S. and Canadian medical schools, and baccalaureate/MD programs appear online. (The guidebook includes a unique code which can be entered for one year of unlimited access to the web site.) On the MSAR web site, you’ll be able to perform advanced searches, sort data, browse schools at a glance, save favorites, compare schools, and access more data and information than ever before. MSAR is the only resource fully authorized by medical schools and is a must for anyone interested in perusing a medical degree after graduation.

 

The NALP Directory of Legal Employers 2010/2011 – from the Association of Legal Career Professionals.  NALP’s most widely used Directory features information on more than 1,500 employers. The front of the book includes indexes by location and practice area keyword. For the most up-to-date version of this Directory, including employers who listed after the print edition was published, visit www.nalpdirectory.com. (The entire nalpdirectory.com database is replaced annually — at about the same time the print edition is released — but employers can continue to change their online listings throughout the year.) While the online version allows searches, comparison charts, and creation of mail merge lists, the print edition remains a valuable companion resource.

Accelerating on the Curves: The Artist’s Roadmap to Success by Katharine T. Carter & Associates – The definitive guide to self-marketing and career advancement for artists. The 363 page volume is anchored by Katharine T. Carter’s detailed roadmap approach to building an exhibition record and advancing from local and regional success to a path toward national recognition. Also included are numerous practical guidelines and approaches to marketing and presentation–sample pitch letters, artist statements, press releases and résumés, as well as protocols and advice on the best ways to effectively approach and communicate with professionals in each sector of the art world. In addition, individual contributions by the company’s distinguished Associates cover a broad range of issues and professional development topics. And finally, a comprehensive, up-to-date Information Resources index provides a wealth of useful research tools, publications, contacts and professional services essential to artists. A perfect companion for fine artists at both the BFA and MFA levels.