What if you don’t qualify NEET: Undeniably, the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) is a highly competitive exam in India. As many as 18.72 lakh aspirants registered for NEET 2022 to grab a seat and get admission to 83,075 MBBS, 26,949 BDS, 52,720 AYUSH, 525 BVSc & AH seats, besides the 1205 seats in AIIMS and 200 JIPMER seats. The competition increases yearly with the limited seat count in government, deemed, and private colleges. After considering the aspirants and seat ratio, it is challenging for candidates to spend two years preparing relentlessly for the exam for a chance to grab a seat. What if you don’t qualify NEET?

After being unsuccessful, some general questions which bother the candidates are – Is it better to take a drop year? Will I be able to get a better rank next year? Not knowing how to go about things from there often creates confusion. Candidates at this point need must understand that there are alternative career options open to them besides NEET. If they make the best of these options, they can be equally successful in the future. To address these doubts, Embibe has discussed what you can do if you don’t qualify for NEET 2022!

Options to Go if NEET Score is Low

It is rightly said by Norman Vincent Peale, “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.” You just need to find that one star. Similarly, not qualifying for NEET does not end the world or the options. Also, you should not abort your dream of pursuing a career in the medical field. There are many medical-allied courses for which one can apply without qualifying for NEET. Let us go through these allied-medical career options that you can opt for if you don’t qualify for NEET. None of these career options is inferior to the MBBS or BDS courses. 

Course Beyond NEET – Pharmacy

Pharmacy is a well-balanced profession, combining health care, direct patient contact, science, and computer technology. As the medical industry is the heart of healthcare, the pharmaceutical industry is the heart of the medical industry. 

You do not require the NEET score to have a career in this. Those who have completed class 12th with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Mathematics as main subjects can apply for the courses offered in Pharmacy by various governments and private colleges. Some courses available after class 12th are:

1. Bachelor’s in Pharmacy
2. Diploma in Pharmacy

Graduates in Pharmacy can work for the Food and Drug Administration, the Public Health Service, the Veterans Administration, etc.

Know more about Career In Pharmacy

Course Beyond NEET – Nursing

Nursing – If you cannot qualify for NEET, then you can’t become a doctor, but the option to enter the medical field as a nurse is open. The demand for nurses has been ever-increasing in today’s world. A nurse is the helping hand of a doctor. Nowadays, a nursing career is not just taking care of sick patients but also administration, research jobs, and teaching.

To become a nurse, you need to have qualified in class 12th exam with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology with a minimum of 50 or 45% marks. The courses that are available after class 12th in nursing are: 

1. Bachelor’s in Nursing 
2. Diploma in Nursing 

After graduation, candidates will be offered the following job roles: Staff Nurse, Nursing Superintendent, Assistant Nursing Superintendent, Teacher of Nursing, Community Health Nurse, etc. They will work in government or private hospitals, armed forces, Nursing councils, etc.

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Course Beyond NEET – Nutritionist

Nutritionist – A career as a Nutrition-based health professional is more in demand. Nutritionists are healthcare professionals who prepare diet plans for people. Also, they enlighten them about the importance of eating healthy and staying fit. 

To become a nutritionist, candidates must qualify for Class 12th with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology and obtain the prescribed marks. They need to complete a bachelor’s degree in Food Science and Nutrition. Also, they can opt for a diploma degree in Food Science and Nutrition. 

Candidates with this degree will be offered the job as a nutritionist in the following sectors – Wellness centres, Health product companies (Pharmaceuticals, FMCGs), Gyms and Diabetic Clinics, etc. 

Know more about Career as a Nutritionist

Course Beyond NEET – Clinical Research

Clinical Research – Clinical research is the study of illness and heath. It also determines the effectiveness and safety of medicines that are prescribed for different health problems. Having a career in Clinical research means candidates must ensure the safety of drugs, treatment procedures, medical equipment, and any other devices used by humans. They perform clinical trials as well.

To pursue a career in clinical research, candidates will have to complete a bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy, Medicine, Life Science, or Biosciences. Those who have passed class 12th with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology with the minimum required marks will be eligible for the above-mentioned bachelor’s courses. They are not required to qualify for NEET. 

After completing graduation, candidates can work as – Clinical Research Coordinator (CRC), Clinical Monitor or Trial Monitor, Clinical Research Scientist, Clinical Research Associate (CRA), Clinical Quality Assurance Auditor (CQA), etc.

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Course Beyond NEET – Psychology

Psychology – In this era of depression, mental health problems, and anxiety, a good Psychologist is in higher demand. It is not just the study of human behavior, but it is also the study of mental functions. Those working in this field recognize it as a science, philosophy, and even art. 

This field has many specializations such as clinical psychology, educational psychology, forensics, sports, and so on. 

To be eligible for this career, candidates will have to qualify in class 12th in any discipline with the prescribed marks. Further, they can opt for a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. The course is offered in many renowned colleges in India.

Know more about Career in Clinical Psychology & Psychology Courses

Course Beyond NEET – Veterinary Sciences

Veterinary Sciences –  Veterinary science deals with the treatment of different animals. It can be a domestic pet or any other animal. So, if you love animals and always ensure their well-being, then a veterinary science degree is for you. 

To be eligible to pursue this degree, you must have qualified in class 12 from a recognized board with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as compulsory subjects. Also, you must appear in some of the entrance tests the colleges/universities conduct for admission. 

Once you have completed your graduation in this course, the following roles will be offered to you – Food Animal Veterinarians, Veterinary Pharmacologist, Research Veterinarians, etc. 

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Course Beyond NEET – Forensic Sciences

Forensic Sciences – It is the study of analysis and conservation of the evidence during an investigation.  Forensic Science involves the study of subjects like biology, chemistry, and psychology for scientific knowledge in the fields of criminal investigations. 

The minimum eligibility criteria to pursue a bachelor’s degree in forensic science is that candidates must have completed and passed class 12th with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Mathematics. Also, those with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry or biology are also considered for a job as Forensic Experts in some organizations. 

After completing graduation, candidates will be provided with the following job roles – Crime Laboratory Analyst, Forensic Psychologist, Crime Laboratory Analyst, etc.

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Course Beyond NEET – Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy – Physiotherapy is a professional healthcare field that helps revive a person’s mobility and physical fitness. It helps with movement impairments and revitalizes the life of patients through physical intervention. The job of a physiotherapist is to treat patients who are suffering from pain or disability in movement and physical therapy.  

To pursue a Bachelor in Physiotherapy, the candidate must have completed and passed class 12 or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English. They must have secured at least 50% to get admission to graduation colleges. 

A physiotherapist can work in health care and social care facilities, such as hospitals, care homes, private surgeries, treatment and recovery centres, or provide home care services to patients. 

Know more about Career in Physiotherapy

Alternative Allied-Medical Career Opportunities Without Qualifying NEET

Apart from these, a candidate can always become a teacher or professor. They will have to complete a bachelor’s degree in any of the specialisation subjects of their choice. Some other career options without qualifying in NEET are –

1. Career in Food Technology
2. Career in Food Science
3. Career in Rehabilitation Counseling
4. Career in Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences
5. Career in Agricultural Sciences
6.  Career in Biochemistry
7. Career in Chiropractic
8. Career in Life Sciences
9. Career in Paramedics

Now that you have read the above-mentioned career option, in case you don’t qualify in NEET. However, there are many candidates who are adamant to pursue MBBS or BDS only. In that case, the candidate can take a year gap to prepare for the medical entrance exam. But dropping a year can be a tough decision. So, think, consult, take a final decision and prioritise the expectations and commit to them. Also, this will add additional pressure on the candidate to score better than last year. Therefore, always think of the alternate career choice provided above. 

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