Hi everyone, this is my first post so I will try to make it a good one!
Short version:
Can I get HSPS while attending an Alliant Psy D program? Do I need to boost up my GPA even though I'm already a grad student? Hopefully someone who has applied or has been awarded HSPS for a PsyD program can chime in.
Long Version:
I have found a lot of great information here about becoming an Army psychologist. Most of my big questions were answered, but I still have a few points I would like to be addressed if anyone can help me.
A little background:
I am an enlisted E-5 in the Army Reserve. My MOS is 68W healthcare specialist (commonly known as "medic"). I graduated with a bachelors in history in 2013, and now I am finishing my 1st year of a master's history program. I love learning, but I am considering leaving the program due to a lack of funding. I don't think I can justify taking out another $20,000 in student loans to obtain what is basically a luxury item. I already have a bachelor's degree which would allow me to apply to OCS. The Army officer corps is my preferred career path, so getting a degree that won't advance my career as an officer in any way seems like a poor use of time and money.
I knew I wanted to become an officer since I was young. My father was an officer during the 70s, and I wanted to continue the family tradition. After I enlisted, a captain, whom I consider a mentor, encouraged me to pursue a career as an army physician. I knew for many years that the army pays for your tuition and that you are commissioned as a 2nd LT while you are in school. While I am not really interested in becoming a physician, I have recently learned that the same scholarship can be applied to those who wish to become psychologists. This is otherwise known as the HSPS and covers 2 years of tuition.
My interest piqued, I began researching the careers of army psychology online and it seems to be something I would like to pursue. But I need more information before I take any further steps. My primary questions are:
Short version:
Can I get HSPS while attending an Alliant Psy D program? Do I need to boost up my GPA even though I'm already a grad student? Hopefully someone who has applied or has been awarded HSPS for a PsyD program can chime in.
Long Version:
I have found a lot of great information here about becoming an Army psychologist. Most of my big questions were answered, but I still have a few points I would like to be addressed if anyone can help me.
A little background:
I am an enlisted E-5 in the Army Reserve. My MOS is 68W healthcare specialist (commonly known as "medic"). I graduated with a bachelors in history in 2013, and now I am finishing my 1st year of a master's history program. I love learning, but I am considering leaving the program due to a lack of funding. I don't think I can justify taking out another $20,000 in student loans to obtain what is basically a luxury item. I already have a bachelor's degree which would allow me to apply to OCS. The Army officer corps is my preferred career path, so getting a degree that won't advance my career as an officer in any way seems like a poor use of time and money.
I knew I wanted to become an officer since I was young. My father was an officer during the 70s, and I wanted to continue the family tradition. After I enlisted, a captain, whom I consider a mentor, encouraged me to pursue a career as an army physician. I knew for many years that the army pays for your tuition and that you are commissioned as a 2nd LT while you are in school. While I am not really interested in becoming a physician, I have recently learned that the same scholarship can be applied to those who wish to become psychologists. This is otherwise known as the HSPS and covers 2 years of tuition.
My interest piqued, I began researching the careers of army psychology online and it seems to be something I would like to pursue. But I need more information before I take any further steps. My primary questions are:
- Should I be concerned about the reputation of schools such as Alliant? I have read in other threads that the quality is not that great, especially compared to state schools. However, I know from experience that the Army has a pretty straightforward way of doing things -- when I spoke to an ROTC commander about selecting a branch, he said, "The Army doesn't care whether you get a degree in art or mechanical engineering. They will teach you everything you need to know about your job. All they care about is GPA, PT score, and your LDAC score. How well you do in that will determine what branch you can choose. Art majors who get a 4.0 and a 300 PT score will have a better rating on the order of merit list than an engineering major who is struggling with a 3.01 GPA." I thought that was stupid, and not fair, but apparently that is the reality. In the same vein, does it really matter if I go to a UC or Alliant as long as it is APA-approved?
- My undergraduate career is, shall I say, less than stellar. The first few years I slogged through chemistry and calculus classes that I had no talent for and averaged a 2.0. I went through a period of turmoil and thankfully have moved on. My transcripts show an upward trend, most dramatically once I switched my major to history. My major GPA ended up being 3.4+. This is why I am looking at Alliant as a possible candidate -- their GPA requirements are not as stringent as say, Pepperdine. While I am not Pepperdine material, I have demonstrated certain qualities to be accepted to a graduate program -- even if it is history. I was able to prove that I have what it takes to excel at graduate-level research and coursework. So will the army reach back to my early undergraduate years and question my GPA and academic performance, even if I get accepted to a PsyD graduate program and do well my first year?
- What are your thoughts about pursuing this path given my circumstances? Some other things to consider: I am married, but I don't have kids; I already have $65,000 in student debt; and I am 29 years old.
