Hey all,

I usually don't post questions, just give glib responses to others questions. This time, however, things are different.

I am a 4th year Army HPSP student. I will complete all the requirements for my degree two and a half months before my graduation date. I would prefer not to have to take classes or rotations during that time.

The quandry is the Army will only pay tuition for required classes and I will not have any more required classes to take. I was told that there is a 45 day grace period, but 2.5 months is clearly longer than that.

I was thinking that my only options are:

1. Take time off now in order to reschedule a required rotation at the end of the year.

2. Take a Leave of Absence at the end of the year.

3. Take an away rotation at the end of the year in an elective.

The question that I have is whether anyone has taken a LOA and what kind of grounds it was on. Otherwise, any advice that anyone could provide would be most helpful.

Geo

1 - do an easy but useful (radiology) away rotation in your next to last month in the town where you're going to be doing residency. Gives you a chance to scout things out, line-up an apartment, etc. You just have to make sure you don't goof off too much if you're working with your future colleagues.

or

2 - do an easy month at your own medical school, but take a month off before & after and have fun - it'll be the last true freedom from work & responsibility you'll have for a long time.

I had thought about option 1, but I have "used up" all my electives (that is, I have fulfilled all my school's elective requirements). I was told that if it is not a required course by the school that the HPSP won't pay. I think what I will be doing is a hybrid of the first and the second option - doing an away rotation (of a required course) at the end of the year near or at the hospital where I will be doing my residency.

Thanks!

G