Of course there are options. For students not wanting to wait a year just to compete with the next round of applicants, offshore schools are attractive. Building the ‘resume’ by doing volunteer or paid medical related activites is also a good idea.

Unfortunately, there are issues, other than ego, that are involved for some potential medical students. Many have familial pressure to achieve a ‘high station’ in life and this stumbling block sends ripples through that family that can create a lot of unnecessary stress. I have a lot of sympathy for the student who has parents who make such demands.

But failing to matriculate is also a good gut-check time. Many students dream of becoming a physician and seriously lack the ability. You would be surprised by the volume of applications from students who are barely passing their courses. Reality can be a cold, hard lesson.