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Plan B: Make Alternative Plans
What is "Plan B" and why is it important?
"Plan B" is your back-up plan. It is what you are going to do, in case your first choice for a career path doesn't work out the way you had expected. Developing a back-up plan is a good way to approach major/career planning – and life in general! It is essential to develop multiple approaches to your future. Thousands of applications are received by health professional programs each year and most of these programs are highly competitive. If you are not admitted to the program of your choice, it is in your best interest to have an equally exciting “Plan B” to fall back on.
Tips to develop your "Plan B" option
- Develop “Plan A” and “Plan B” early and simultaneously
- Apply to several professional programs – increase your odds of an admission letter!
- Continually explore your values and goals
- Research and consider traditional, non-traditional and emerging health-related fields
- Be well-informed of your Plan B admission process and plan accordingly (take required prerequisite courses, arrange appropriate experiences, etc.)
If you are not admitted to Plan A…
- Contact the program and ask for suggestions to improve your application
- Ask for admission statistics and profile of admitted class (e.g. GPA average/range, etc.)
- Be realistic – assess whether or not re-application is in your best interest. Get feedback from advisors, health professionals, etc.
- If you decide to re-apply, target your areas of weakness and intentionally invest resources to improve your next application. Examples may include:
- Re-taking a class
- Arranging an internship
- Arrange a learning abroad experience
- Volunteer with intentionality – set specific goals (e.g. working with a particular population, developing a specific skills, etc.)
- Consider non-traditional health care fields. Options may include:
- Public Health
- Forensics
- Scientific and Technical Communication
- Mental Health
- Creating your own major (for example, Inter-College Program's Health & Wellness focus or CLA's Individualized Degree Programs)
Not the end, just a detour…
If you are not admitted to the health professional program of your choice, feelings of grief, disappointment, and even rejection are perfectly normal. If you are in this situation, it is important that you understand that your situation, while very disappointing, need not be the end of your career journey. Take time to re-assess your desires and talents. Ask yourself:
- What do I really want?
- What is it about Nursing (Medicine, Physical Therapy…) that appeals to me?
- Are there other career options that share these qualities?
- Which of these professions could potentially be a fit?
- How do I find out about them?
- What are my next steps?
The Health Careers Center staff and your academic advisor can provide you with resources that will help you explore alternate options and productively move you forward towards a rewarding health career.
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Plan B Example:
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Ethan has always been naturally athletic and enjoys playing and watching a wide variety of sports. As an athlete, he had several opportunities to work with athletic trainers and physical therapists. Given his interests and experiences, physical therapy seemed like the natural career path. Ethan knew that the admission process to Physical Therapy programs was competitive, however, so he researched his options and did some additional self-assessment. After doing so, he realized that while he had great interest in helping athletes physically heal after injuries, he was equally interested in the coaching and teaching components of health, wellness and physical activity.
Although Ethan graduated with a B.S. in Kinesiology and completed all the prerequisites courses and requirements for the Physical Therapy program, the application pool was extremely competitive and he was not offered admission. Though initially disappointed, Ethan moved forward with his Plan B. He was accepted to the Master of Arts (M.A.) program in kinesiology, with an emphasis in sports management. After completing his degree, he plans to work with a college athletic department to develop the facilities and training programs for intercollegiate athletes.
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