This is my situation: i am going to need money for med school. I don't want to have to pay back alot of student loans. I am willing to dedicate time to the military but I am not enthusiastic about it. I think I read two years active duty. I also don't want my future completely taken over by govt, military etc. Is a military scholarship for me? Should I look elsewhere? I've read both very pro and con things on the forum and am a bit confused.

Originally posted by indymed
This is my situation: i am going to need money for med school. I don't want to have to pay back alot of student loans. I am willing to dedicate time to the military but I am not enthusiastic about it. I think I read two years active duty. I also don't want my future completely taken over by govt, military etc. Is a military scholarship for me? Should I look elsewhere? I've read both very pro and con things on the forum and am a bit confused.

Hmm, it doesn't sound like the military is the best path for you. If your only reason is finacial, HPSP just doesn't add up unless you're going to GW and planning on doing a lower paying specialty. Two years is definitely not the case either. You'll owe at least 4, or possibly more back.

Originally posted by Sledge2005
Hmm, it doesn't sound like the military is the best path for you. If your only reason is finacial, HPSP just doesn't add up unless you're going to GW and planning on doing a lower paying specialty. Two years is definitely not the case either. You'll owe at least 4, or possibly more back.

i agree. depending on your career goal, there are other alternatives to get school financed. IMO you have to *want* to be in the military to get the best result-- using it for financial reasons only is a quick way to find yourself ina situation you don't like and can't fix.

look into manpower programs or similar programs that fund your education in exchange for serving in an underserved community. if you want to do primary care, these can also be a good way to be debt free out of school.

good luck

Originally posted by Sledge2005
If your only reason is finacial, HPSP just doesn't add up unless you're going to GW and planning on doing a lower paying specialty.
I will be going to Tufts which costs around $50k/yr and with interest I will probably have around 250k in loans from med school. And I have 15k from undergrad. I want to go into EM (which isn't one of the lowest paying specialties.) Is HPSP a financially beneficial decision for me? I think I would be fine in a military environment. I have read and reread so many posts here, and talked to some HPSP people, so I believe I know what I'm getting into. I wouldn't mind being in the military and would really be proud to be there, although I likely would not sign up if it weren't for the financial incentives. I'm going to the Feb boards for Army and AF so when the decisions come out, I'm going to need to have my mind made up. Thanks for your opinions!

Originally posted by indymed
I am willing to dedicate time to the military but I am not enthusiastic about it.

I also don't want my future completely taken over by govt, military etc.

based on those 2 things that u said, i doubt that u will be happy in the millitary. though u never know. i am also interested in EM(among other things) from my research i found out that if u r an EM doc u r more likely to get deployed. personally i have always had an interest in the military but if i didn't have that interest then i probably would jsut take loans and pay them back.

also some states will pay some (not all) of your loans if u practice in that state for a # of years. u can check that out.

anyways militar is a very big commitment....at least 4 years and in all likelyhood more that four.....as in if your residency is longer, if u get deferred, if u do a transitional year...and so on

I want to reiterate the above point about not doing it for money. Do it if you love the military and want to serve. I signed up because of the latter.

Once commissioned, you really owe a total of 8 eight years. You may serve 4 of those on active duty, but the remainder of the 8 years will be served in the inactive ready reserve. If you thought that active duty was horrible, then you'll hate it when your number is called to be reinstated to serve as a GMO in a time of military need. The military make pull you out of your practice or job.

Be informed before you decide on a military career. ;)

I think the element for you to consider is to dissect out if you would do it anyhow regardless of the money.

I am currently GMO in my final 5 months of service. I joined the Navy because I wanted the experience and wanted to do something different. So I have spent my entire years doing payback and did'nt bother with military residency. Not because of quality, but because I did'nt want to lengthen my obligation.
My best years were at Sea, I have traveled to Thailand, Hong Kong, Australia, and other places in the far east. That and the independent experience was worth it for me. The experiences on my ship will last a lifetime. Also I needed some time to think about my specialty. I am now getting out because I don't like mixing political views with medicine, and I don't agree with the way the military is currently being utilized by the administration. Don't do it just for the money. You will make it up without any problems in the private sector. If the military interests you, and you like to travel then think about it. Also you have to consider that you are making a decision for yourself well into your future. I signed up for HPSP at age 21.

In summary I must say that I enjoyed my service, but you should'nt do it for the money.