Second NEET drop or college? Need practical advice

[Murali]

I'm a Class‑12 graduate (PCB, 84%) and I have already taken a one‑year drop to prepare for NEET. My dad is pushing me to take another drop and try for MBBS because he believes it guarantees a job, at least in a private hospital. He also thinks a BSc is risky and many graduates end up unemployed.

I don't feel confident that another year of NEET prep will get me through. I've tried to explain this to him, but he still wants me to give it another shot.

I would rather start college now, build skills alongside my degree and aim for a field with better job prospects. I'm confident I can get into a decent college based on my 12th‑class marks.

So I need practical advice:

Is a second NEET drop worth it when I'm not confident?

Is a BSc really that risky for job opportunities?

What would you do in my shoes?

I'm looking for realistic opinions, not emotional support. Thanks in advance.

[Hardik]

If you don't want to be a doctor, there's no point in taking another drop. Parents usually want a secure future for their kids, so whichever path you choose, work hard and stay focused.

[Farhan]

I'm around the same age as you. In my view, it's okay to move on unless you are truly passionate about medicine.

BSc jobs can be decent; you could consider BSc in Statistics or Economics. I'm not very familiar with life‑science streams, but allied sciences are also an option. Economics and Statistics are good choices, and many private universities accept students without maths.

You could also think about preparing for IIT‑JAM if you want to do a master's later.

Ultimately, the decision is yours – either give NEET another attempt or move on and pursue something else.

It also seems your dad is trying to live his own dream through you. If I were you, I would switch to BSc after two unsuccessful NEET attempts. Being a doctor isn't the only path to a fulfilling life.

[Falguni]

I have seen many students take multiple NEET drops without ever clearing the exam, and there's little point in preparing for something you have little hope of passing. BSc used to be a solid option, but today it only makes sense if you choose a good specialization.

My advice is to follow what truly interests you – whether it's coding, video editing, teaching or any other skill. Focus on that area and upskill yourself. You can still go to college, but make sure you develop marketable skills alongside your studies.

Hope this helps. By the way, I am currently preparing for engineering entrance exams.

[Aarti]

If you're not confident about cracking NEET, a second drop is a high‑risk bet – you lose another year with no guarantee of success. A BSc isn't useless; it becomes risky only if you don't add skills, internships or a clear specialization. In your place, I'd start college now and build a strong, employable profile instead of gambling on one exam.

[Saloni]

I'm a doctor preparing for NEET‑PG, and I can tell you the road ahead is extremely tough. After MBBS you'll have to keep preparing for one exam after another, and the workload is exhausting. Residents often work 48 continuous hours, and the pay doesn't always match the effort.

If you're not deeply passionate about medicine, other fields will likely give you a better work‑life balance and similar or higher earnings.

Only if you are truly passionate about medicine should you commit to it.

[Pradeep]

Consider doing a BCA from a local college; it can be a better option than BSc or BA for job prospects.

[Latha]

I feel people who suggest IIT‑JAM should also consider nursing. You can appear for exams like NORCET, which are comparable in difficulty to JAM, and you'll get two years of nursing training plus a direct job.

Government jobs in nursing or agriculture have less competition than many other government exams, so they can be a stable option.

Besides that, after a BSc in Chemistry you can pursue JAM or an MBA, which are among the better BSc pathways in the country.

[Shashi]

Having PCB as your background is already a gamble. You might want to pivot towards maths‑related fields, perhaps by taking a diploma now.

[Darshan]

If you really want to become a doctor, you should definitely give it another try. If you think you'll lose another year and end up with an average course, you could join a degree program and study for NEET alongside it.

BSc job prospects aren't as strong as MBBS, but if you join a reputable college like IISER and you're interested in PCB and research, you'll be in a good position.

Speaking from personal experience – I was in the same spot a few years ago – just follow what you genuinely want and don't overthink confidence.

[Imtiaz]

Partial, haha.