Should I take a drop for NEET? A comprehensive answer to the question.

Hello friends. NEET is just over. I know that some students are very happy with their performance, but I also know that some of you are very dejected too. When I walked out of the NEET centre, I had an idea about my score, all of us do. Even when the results are not out, we know the chances of our selection.

Every aspirant has an idea of their performance. And if they fear that they are not going to get a seat, there is one constant doubt in their minds ‘Will it be a good decision to take a drop for NEET.’

Honestly, it is up to you to decide if you wanna take a drop for NEET. Nobody else can make the decision for you. I can only tell you the good side and the bad side of taking a drop. A drop year is a complicated decision, you have to consider all the aspects of the decision before making it.

So, let’s discover the reality of a drop year.

The Reality Check:

The first thing. Nobody can guarantee your success after a drop year. I know this sounds very blunt, you might think that I’m trying to discourage you. I have no such intention.

I am just telling you the reality of NEET aspirants. If you haven’t studied in 11th or 12th then studying in a drop year is equivalent to studying as a fresher. You will start from zero just like any fresher.

The competition is intense. What will you do if you are not able to clear it?

Do you have a plan? Will you be able to take another drop? Will you move on with another course? You have to think about all this before making the decision. You cannot just assume that you will succeed. Most NEET aspirants get depressed when they cannot clear NEET after multiple attempts. If it were to come to that, will you be able to handle the failure?

Pressure and expectations

Your parents might support you, or they might not. One thing you will definitely get from your parents is ‘expectations’. They will start to expect great things out of you if you are spending more time clearing NEET as compared to the other kids that they see. 

They will think to themselves, ‘My child will surely get into AIIMS Delhi if he is taking a drop.’ They have not faced the JEE/NEET battle, they will obviously think that taking a drop is a very big thing. They won’t understand your situation.

Plus, all your relatives and cousins will taunt you and make fun of you. Your friends will move forward. They will get into colleges, join other courses, leave medicine all-together, they will all move on with their lives. You will feel isolated and alone. 

It is necessary to keep your parents and siblings in the loop to avoid this isolation. Talk to them, tell them about your conditions and what you want to do. Tell them that you are willing to work for your dream. Ask them for their emotional support. Some help from family will lead a long way.

Do You Really Want This?

Now, let’s talk about your passion for medicine. Do you wake up every morning excited about the idea of becoming a doctor? Or are you doing it because you think you should be doing it? What is your motivation? Is it money? Or is it the passion for medicine?

Let me tell you that if it is money, you are in the wrong stream. It is not bad to want money and financial security for your family, it is a totally normal thing to want. The point is that medicine does not give so much money early on. You will have to wait for a long time to even start earning in medicine.

The degree itself is 5.5 years long, the PG race is an entirely different topic to talk about. The medical field is full of challenges, the hustle actually begins AFTER NEET UG is done. If there is no passion, surviving in medicine is impossible.

Think long and hard about whether you’re ready for the intense pressure and responsibility that comes with medicine before you commit to it.

The Drop Year Hustle:

The implications of taking a drop year are many. But, for now, lets leave everything aside and talk about study only. Imagine this: no weekends, no hanging out with friends, and definitely no time pass. It’s going to be you and your books, 24/7.

The competition is very difficult. It’s fierce. Are you ready to go head-to-head with the smartest minds? It’s going to take everything you’ve got, you should be prepared for that before you make the decision.

The dream

If you have a dream, if you have the passion, if you want it desperately, then none of these points will matter to you. You will neglect every problem to work for it. It is totally fine to take a drop if you feel that way about medicine.

But if the dream is borrowed and you are doing it just because everybody does it, then you should rethink your decision.

Making the Call:

I think I’ve laid down most of the aspects of a drop year before you. These are

• No guarantee of success in drop year
• Lot of pressure from family and friends
• Delay in earning even more than the already long wait
• Medicine is a difficult career
• An entire year of work in isolation
• Financial drain during drop year (Courses, books, rent)
• Another chance for your dream
• Seeing yourself in a white coat with a ‘Dr’ tag before your name.

Whatever you decide, just know that we are here for you. There is absolutely no shame in being a dropper but again, there is no shame in looking at other options either.

And honestly, I’m not trying to scare you. MBBS, BDS and the medical field is totally worth it when you think about the respect and status you will have in society. The satisfaction, the feeling of having the ability to save a life, is unmatched. No other job satisfaction can ever give you the moral satisfaction that you get as a doctor. I will never regret working so hard to be a doctor. The field is great for those passionate about it. But it is the most demanding career too, are you ready to make so many sacrifices? Are you ready to work so much instead of living an easier life? 

Ask yourself all these questions before making a decision. Be smart about it, make an informed and well-thought decision.