CREATING A PLAN B:
Alternatives to Professional School
Brittany M. Wampler, M.Ed.
Coordinator, Pre-Professional Health Programs
College of Sciences and Health Professions Advising Center
MC 218
Cleveland State University
2121 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44115-2214
b.m.garner71@csuohio.edu
Phone: 216-687-9321
Introduction & Expectations
• Welcome!
• My Career Story
• Expectations for time together
– No Cell Phones
– Actively Listen & Engage
– Ask questions where appropriate!
What to Expect
• How to go through the decision-making
process when choosing secondary options
• Learning how to take a strengths-based
approach to decision making
• Current and viable Plan B options
• Introduction to resources
What does career success
mean to you?
What is a Plan B?
•Back-up Plan
•What you can reasonably do if you do
not get accepted into professional
school.
•When your first option doesn’t
materialize, you should…
Why have a Plan B?
•Feel hopeful, not hopeless
•Feel empowered, not trapped
•Feel motivated, not reaching
Options we will consider
today…
Career Re-Direction
Work
Reapplying
Quick Activity
Question 1
• Who did you look up to when you were
younger and why?
Question 2
• What was your favorite book or movie
growing up and why?
Question 3
• Favorite quote or saying?
Responses
How are these questions used?
• Who you look up to  Construction of self
• Favorite book or movie  Central Life
Themes/Strategies for life challenges as
represented by character coping
strategies
• Favorite quote or saying  Guide for life
decisions, best advice to self
Career Re-direction
Exploring Options: Using
Values, Interests, Strengths
• Consider what you enjoy and what you actually like to do.
– What activities have you always enjoyed?
– What are your favorite and least favorite subjects?
– What skills do you have and what skills need to be
developed?
– What type of career would you enjoy?
– What work environment would you enjoy?
• Before you can choose another career, it is important to
know yourself and be able to answer these questions and
more.
Only 20% of American workers
who were surveyed (3,200) are
Engaged/ Passionate about their
jobs. The other 80% fall into the
other category –
Disengaged/Passive.
“Measuring the Forces of Long-term Change,” Deloitte’s Shift Index Survey, 2009.
Center for the Edge, p. 70.
Exploring Options:
CSU Resources
• Career Center (Rhodes West, Room 280)
• Self Assessments (MBTI, Strengths,
Strong)
• Exploratory Advising (MC 110)
– Focus Assessment
– Online resources
• CSC 121: Career Orientation
Exploring Options:
Internet Resources
• Explorehealthcareers.org
• Onetonline.org
• Strengthsquest.com
• “What can I do with a major in?” websites
• See other online resources on the
handout!
Exploring Options:
Informational Interviewing
• Gather information about a career through
interviewing someone in that career
• Start with family/friends and use
connections
• Send professional email/cover letter format
• Create a list of questions to bring with you
• Send a thank you note
Exploring Options:
Non-traditional Careers in
Healthcare
• Community Health
Worker
• Patient Advocate
• Perfusionist
• Genetic Counselor
• Health Educator
• Healthcare
Administrator
• Naturopathic Doctor
• Dosimetrist
• Anesthesiologist
Assistant
• Orthotist and
Prosthetist
• Geriatrician
• Optician
“The only thing worse than
being paid little-to-nothing to do
what you love is being paid
anything to do something you
hate.”
Campus2Careeers http://uweeklyaustin.com/article/campus2careers-188/
Work
Short-Term Work
Appointments
• Beneficial if you need to take time before
reapplying
• Allows for time to figure out future plans
while getting experience in another field
• Gain exposure to various communities,
disparities, people, places
Peace Corps
• Government Sponsored program
• 27 month commitment
• 18% of positions are health-related
– Public health education
– Health extension services
– Water and sanitation extension
• Service may lead to loan deferment
• Advantages when seeking federal jobs
• Training, stipend, travel, housing included
Teach for America
• Summer prior to service and two school
years commitment (27 months)
• Teach in a urban or rural district
• Rolling selection process
• Potential for loan forbearance
• Benefits included
AmeriCorps
• Government sponsored program for people
interested in community service/volunteer
work
• Summer programs – 1 year programs
• Volunteers placed throughout the US
• AmeriCorps VISTA and AmeriCorps NCCC
(National Civilian Community Corps)
City Year
• cityyear.org (an Americorps program)
• 25 Locations around the US, including
Cleveland
• 11 month commitment starting in July, 1700
work hours throughout the school year
• Working in underserved areas to fill the
education gap with tutoring, behavioral
coaching, support, etc.
Short-Term Considerations
• Be aware of your availability for professional
school interviews during your appointment.
• Consider how the short-term appointment
could help in your application.
• Consider how it could delay your application.
• Plan a timeline and consider what you want
to get out of the experience.
Full-Time Work
Considerations
• Experience
• Resume Writing
• Application Timeline
• Utilizing Resources
• Location
• Salary
• Job Market
Advice on Work
• Remember to capitalize on strengths. You will be a
better employee, person, and happier in what you do!
• Utilize university resources.
• Build a strong resume NOW.
• Apply early. It takes, on average, 3-6 months to land a
job.
• Plan.
• Find appropriate mentors to assist you in building
connections and who want to help.
REAPPLYING
Reapplying:
Statistics to Consider
• In 2012, there were 45,266 applicants to the AMCAS
application.
– 2002: 33,624 applicants
– Roughly 26% increase in 10 years.
• In 2012, there were 19,518 students that matriculated
to medical school.
– 2002: 16,488 matriculants
– 15.5% increase in matriculants in 10 years
• Percentage matriculated
– 2012: 43.1%
– 2002: 49%
Reapplying: Getting Feedback
on Your Application
• Consult professionals, attend
enhancement workshops.
• Honestly appraise where you went wrong.
• Late applications
– When did you submit your professional
school application?
– Application Cycle begins in June
Reapplying:
Casting a Wider Net
• Geographic: out of state, international, DO/MD,
DMD/DDS
• Choose schools that meet your criteria/interest you
• Research
• Check schools that align with your credentials (who
is getting in, not minimum GPA/entrance exam
scores)
• Average number of schools for medical school: 15
Reapplying:
Do You Need to Retest?
Pro’s
• Taking entrance exam
before you were ready
• Allows schools to see that
you are committed and can
do better
• Timeline for studying
Con’s
• Score could get worse, stay
the same, go up
• Takes more time and likely
another year/another
application cycle
• Expensive
CONSIDER: Changing your prep method, how you study, paying for a
private course, how far away from your ideal number you are
Retesting:
Statistics to Consider
Changes in MCAT Scores between 1st and
2nd Attempts (in percentages)
Initial Score
N
Negative
Impact
0
+1-2 +3-4 +5 or More
5-14
1256
20
9
19
23
30
15-20
4843
22
10
22
22
25
21-23
4951
23
11
25
22
19
24-29
10664
23
12
14
23
15
Data from 2008, 2009, 2010 years of students that tested twice in one year.
Final Thoughts
• Capitalize on your strengths and abilities.
• Stay true to self.
• Research, learn, make good decisions.
• Find mentors and people that can offer
concrete advice.
• Shadow!
More Help?
Brittany M. Wampler, M.Ed.
Coordinator, Pre-Professional Health Programs
College of Sciences and Health Professions Advising
Center
MC 218
Cleveland State University
2121 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44115-2214
b.m.garner71@csuohio.edu
Phone: 216-687-9321
THANK YOU!