Considering med school withdrawal until later

[Rahdam]

Here is my situation:
I've already been accepted to medical school, c/o 2013. I am also seriously considering withdrawing to enlist in the military for 5-6 years, followed by the peace corps for 2 years (health volunteer) and then reapplying to medical school after the peace corps. This would take approximately 8 years, but I am concerned that if I go to medical school now, I will never get the chance to do these things again.

I'm 25 now, I have a 3.7 GPA (biochemistry) and a 34 MCAT. I am finishing my Teach for America commitment in several months. I am not at all concerned about taking the MCAT again, and suspect I would score better (there was absolutely no preparation beyond eating breakfast before the test...)

Has anyone done this before? Does anyone have any insight here? This is a BIG decision, and I'm trying to collect as much information as possible.

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[pianola]

Here is my situation:
I've already been accepted to medical school, c/o 2013. I am also seriously considering withdrawing to enlist in the military for 5-6 years, followed by the peace corps for 2 years (health volunteer) and then reapplying to medical school after the peace corps. This would take approximately 8 years, but I am concerned that if I go to medical school now, I will never get the chance to do these things again.

I'm 25 now, I have a 3.7 GPA (biochemistry) and a 34 MCAT. I am finishing my Teach for America commitment in several months. I am not at all concerned about taking the MCAT again, and suspect I would score better (there was absolutely no preparation beyond eating breakfast before the test...)

Has anyone done this before? Does anyone have any insight here? This is a BIG decision, and I'm trying to collect as much information as possible.

Well, this is just a blind guess, but I would assume that you would be even MORE useful to the military and/or peace corps AFTER training as an MD. Both organizations could use doctors, for sure -- heavily recruit them. And heck, the military will even pay for your medical education if you are entirely sure you want to join.

Be aware that if you are in the Peace Corps right before you apply, you may have considerable difficulty flying back to the US to do interviews (I have a friend who has that problem, and medical schools won't let him defer two years while he serves his commitment to the Peace Corps).

I would think very carefully about the decision, though if I were you. You are talking about committing 7-8 years of your life to these activities and then another 7-8 for medical school plus residency (assuming a 3 year residency). You would be 14 years older before you started your first career. Maybe that works for you, I don't know.

Is there any particular reason that you want to postpone your education so long? Having taken two years off college (and possibly about to defer for a year) I am anxious that I will never be done with my education and start the job that I've been working towards for 6+ years.

 

[DrMidlife]

Unfortunately you should have planned for this BEFORE you applied to med school. You can't get a deferral to go "play" (even if you're working not playing), and walking away from an acceptance is a black mark on your record. You don't have to do the Peace Corps to see the world - just get a passport and a backpack. You can always do international electives during med school.

That said, if you just have to do Peace Corps and the military, then I'd vote for you to go ahead and do a Peace Corps gig before med school, which will burn 4 years (about 9 months to get in, 27 months of service, then your med school app year), and then get a military scholarship for medical school, after which you'd have a service obligation of about 4 years and NO DEBT. NO DEBT.

But pianola's right: your opportunities only GROW once you have medical training. A number of RPCVs talk about extreme boredom and isolation during their service, and negligible results for their efforts. On the other hand, after residency, you will have third world medical directors falling all over themselves to get you to come work in their hospitals whenever you can. (Regardless, if you do PC before med school, make sure to learn a widely useful language like Spanish, Chinese, or Arabic.)

Best of luck to you.

 

[gman33]

It's going to be hard for anyone to advise you on this one. If you really want to do those things now, go ahead, but just know there is a chance you won't end up in med school after all that.

I wouldn't be so confident about the MCAT. In 8 years you will probably remember just about nothing from the basic sciences. With some prep, you can relearn the material, but there will be a significant relearning process.

The only advice I could give would be that if you want to do the military, I'd go to med school on a military scholarship. As for the peace corp, I'd just forget about that. There will be plenty of opportunities to do international work as a doc.

 

[NontradICUdoc]

My advice would be to contact your local military recruiter's office and ask about what is needed for their scholarship program. Basically, you are enlisted but are inactive until you finish medical school. Once you are done, you come out a Lieutenant and you then do your residency where the military tells you and you work off your scholarship for several years in the military. This is a way for you to do a couple of things: 1) Serve your country which it sounds like you want to do and 2) Not have any medical school debt:

Health Professions Scholarship Program

Medicine, Dentistry, Vet Medicine, Optometry, Clinical Psychology, Nurse Anesthesia


WHAT IS THE ARMY’S HEALTH PROFESSIONS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM?
The Army offers one of the most generous and comprehensive scholarships in the health care field. It’s called the F. Edward Hebert Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP, for short). Whether you want to become a Physician, Dentist, Veterinarian, Optometrist, Clinical Psychologist, or Nurse Anesthetist, if you qualify, you could earn a full-tuition scholarship, plus a monthly allowance through the Army’s HPSP.

SCHOLARSHIP ELIGIBILITY:
· Be a citizen of the United States.
· Be enrolled in or have a letter of acceptance to an accredited graduate program in the United States or Puerto Rico.
· Meet eligibility criteria for appointment as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army Reserve.
· Maintain full-time student status during the entire length of the program.

WHAT DOES THE ARMY PAY FOR?
· Tuition: You select the school, obtain acceptance, apply for the scholarship. If selected, 100% tuition is paid to any accredited professional school in the United States or Puerto Rico.
· Books/Fees/Reimbursables: Army will pay for required books, rental of nonexpendable equipment, and most academic fees.
· Monthly Stipend: A generous monthly stipend of $1058 will be provided for the 10 1/2 months of each school year.
· Army Officer Pay: For the remaining six weeks of the school year, you will receive the full pay and allowances offered a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve.
· Promotions: You’ll be commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Army Reserve. After graduation and entrance on active duty, you’ll be promoted to Captain, which means more pay. Your salary will increase through the years with promotions, time in service, and annual cost of living increases. You’ll also receive a monthly non-taxable allowance for your food and housing. As well as up to four(4) different special duty pays, added to you salary.

WHAT DOES THE ARMY EXPECT OF YOU?
· Full Time Student: You are expected to be a dedicated, full-time student, putting your best effort toward your studies.
· Army Reserve Officer: You will be commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve.
· 45 Days Active Duty for Training: While a student, you will be required to perform a training period for each school year in which you participate in the scholarship program. This training may be performed at an Army health care facility near your school, or you could work in one of the Army’s world-renowned health care facilities, such as Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., or Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, Washington. Either way, you’ll be exposed to a health care system that excels at training people for rewarding careers in health care. This training provides you the opportunity to learn about your particular specialty. If your academic program does not permit time away from school, arrangements may be made to allow you to continue your studies while performing annual training at school.

THE ADVANTAGES OF ARMY HEALTH CARE:
· The Army Health Care Team: Once you graduate, you will become a member of one of the most comprehensive and dynamic health care organizations in the world--the Army Medical Department. It’s mission is to support America’s Army at home and abroad, serving over three million beneficiaries. The Army Medical Department is comprised of six corps: the Medical Corps, Dental Corps, Medical Service Corps, Medical Specialist Corps, Nurse Corps, and Veterinary Corps, plus enlisted specialists and civilian employees. Together they offer more diversity than just about any other health care system in the world.
· Superior Facilities: Army health care is like no other health care in the world. Where else can you work and train at state-of-the-art facilities like Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas; Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii; Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.; or the Army Burn Center, located in San Antonio, Texas and part of the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases located in Frederick, Maryland?
· High-Tech Equipment: Where else can you have the opportunity to work with the latest high-tech equipment, whether it’s laser technology, life-saving trauma equipment, or sophisticated telemedicine capabilities that enable Army personnel to hold teaching seminars and perform medical operations all over the world?
· Quality Care: Perhaps the greatest advantage of being part of the Army Health Care Team is our commitment to patient care. Army health care professionals don’t have to worry about processing insurance claims, the costs of running an office, or building a client base. They’re free to concentrate on patient care and professional growth. And, with over 100 challenging health care specialties to choose from, you can see why Army health care is a smart choice for more than just financial reasons.

GRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION:

Medical HPSP: Participants are required to apply for the First Year of Graduate Medical Education (FYGME), which is performed on active duty. Army medical training programs are approved by the Council for Graduate Medical Education. If selected, you must participate. You will then have the opportunity to compete for continuation in the residency of your choice. If not selected for FYGME, you will be granted an educational delay (full deferment) status to allow you to complete that portion of your training in a civilian hospital.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
The following information/documents are required to start your application:
· Letter of Acceptance to Professional School (Four year scholarships only)
· Dean’s Letter stating that you are currently enrolled in the Medical School and are in good standing with a projected graduation date (For 2nd, 3rd & 4th year medical students).
· 3 to 6 Letters of Recommendation (You must provide your Army Counselor/Recruiter with the names, address and telephone number of these individuals). “Committee Letter can count as all three(3) for 4 yearr scholarships only”
· Copy of MCAT / DAT / VCAT / OAT / GRE results (which ever applies)
· Proof of Birth / Citizenship: Copy of Birth Certificate / Passport / Naturalization Cert.
· Official Transcripts from ALL Undergraduate and Graduate Schools attending or have attended. (Request ALL Official Transcripts and have them mailed to the below address, ATTN: Joseph K. Otis)
· A physical examination is also required. Your free physical exam will be conducted at the local Harrisburg Military Processing Station (MEPS). Exams are conducted Monday thru Fridays.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE: To get started now call or email your local Army Health Care Recruiter at:

Sergeant First Class Joseph K. Otis // email: [email protected]
U.S. Army Health Care Recruiting Team
Wilkes-Barre Recruiting Office
77 E. Market Street, Suite 7000
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701
(570) 823-9914 or 823-9915
Or visit our web site at www.goarmy.com

DEADLINES

Medical students: Boards held monthly and stop after all scholarships handed out.

Dental students: Board 1 held on February 26
Board 2 application deadline past, board held on March 20
Board 3 application deadline March 21, board held on April 17

 

[nlax30]

Well, this is just a blind guess, but I would assume that you would be even MORE useful to the military and/or peace corps AFTER training as an MD. Both organizations could use doctors, for sure -- heavily recruit them. And heck, the military will even pay for your medical education if you are entirely sure you want to join.

+1 Definitely agree with the above. Someone else asked, why do you feel the need to take this 8 year detour now? Only reason I can think of is if you aren't sure you really want to go into medicine, then by all means give it more thought before jumping in.

But I just don't see any advantages in doing military/peace corp for 8 years BEFORE med school when you're already sitting on an acceptance.

Like has already been said, if it's a desire for military service then join up while in school and get all the benefits that come from that.

Plus, 8 years from now you will have forgotten a lot of the basic sciences you currently know so I'd count on at least SOME MCAT prep. Plus med school (and residency) is only getting more competitive, you are definitely not guaranteed anything if you wait a year, let alone 8.

In the end only you can make this decision, but if there are NO DOUBTS about wanting to become a physician then I just don't see many reasons for delaying that process this long.

 

[dragonfly99]

I agree with all of the above.
Doing Peace Corps after med school + residency would be much more useful than doing it now. You'd have MUCH more to offer. I also know Peace Corps volunteers who ended up not doing much...being bored or isolated, stuck out somewhere with not much results in the end.

I agree if you strongly want to do military, let them pay for your med school. But be SURE you want to do the military for several years.

If you are not sure you want to be a physician, that's a different thing...better get your head on straight about that b/c medicine isn't for the faint hearted or people not sure they want to do it.

 

[slight365]

That's a great sales brochure posted above.

What happens at the end when you have to go into the miltary and you're not physically able to pass the physical or otherwise not eligible?

 

[bioteach]

you would be even MORE useful to the military and/or peace corps AFTER training as an MD. Both organizations could use doctors, for sure -- heavily recruit them.

Think how much more USEFUL you'd be to both of those organizations with an MD rather than just a bachelor's degree.

 

[sumstorm]

That's a great sales brochure posted above.

What happens at the end when you have to go into the miltary and you're not physically able to pass the physical or otherwise not eligible?

I don't know how the MD plan is, but the DVM is competitive. You have to be eligible, from my understanding, to start and continue it. If you are unable (I do mean unable, not unwilling) to hold your obligation, you have to repay (and I believe there is a methodology to that, so you pay over time) but if you are unwilling or attempt to refuse, the military has a solution to that, which is essentially loss of freedom.

 

[quiz]

I would go now. Just from looking at the numbers it gets more competitive every year. You have a great mcat- you may not remember all those molecular interactions 8 years from now.

If you're worried about needing to go to work right away because you'd have to start paying loans back- almost all of the federal loans can be postponed interest free while you're in the military or peace corps.

I think you'll also have a better time choosing your assignment in the military and/or peace corps with an md as you'll have a unique set of skill sets.

 

[nabeel76]

As others have said if it's just a matter of getting the military experience then you might as well finish med school on a military scholarship - you'll not only get med school paid for but you'll also give you huge incentives in terms of rank etc. If it's a matter of figuring out whether medicine is for you - well than you've got some things to think about.

In addition if you do decide to take 8 years off your going to most likey have to come back and take an additional semester or two of courses prior to medical school. I guess it depends on the school, but in my case I decided to come back to school and pursue medicine after a 10 year gap and was told by several medical school admission's counselors and other advisors that most med schools like to see current coursework after a long interim from school so that they can get a more current representation of your abilities. So you might also have to factor this into your time off. If you ask me its not worth it, go to med school and get a military scholarship. If you want to travel and help people in organizations such as the peace corps etc. do this as a doctor, you'll be in a position to help more.

 

[jabreal00]

I know that there are different strokes for different folks but your plan does not seem well thought through. Like someone else said, do not be so cocky that you'd rock the MCAT again in 8yrs after your service to the PC or military. Becoming an attending doctor can take 8-12 years with huge loans and meager pay. Like others said, go to medical school first. Decide between the peace corp or military afterward. There is definitely more leverage that way. Just my $0.02.

 

[Krisss17]

You sure you are not just getting cold feet? Sometimes you work so hard for something, it comes to fruitation and it scares the bejesus out of you. Sit on it for a couple of days. If the military and peace corps is definitely something you want to explore, do as the others have suggested and look into the opportunities you may have if you got your MD first. Whatever happens, don't act in haste...it may seem like a momentary sense of relief but you may eventually find yourself kicking yourself in the butt for a very long time.

GL

 

[melanoleuca]

Here is my situation:
I've already been accepted to medical school, c/o 2013. I am also seriously considering withdrawing to enlist in the military for 5-6 years, followed by the peace corps for 2 years (health volunteer) and then reapplying to medical school after the peace corps. This would take approximately 8 years, but I am concerned that if I go to medical school now, I will never get the chance to do these things again.

I'm 25 now, I have a 3.7 GPA (biochemistry) and a 34 MCAT. I am finishing my Teach for America commitment in several months. I am not at all concerned about taking the MCAT again, and suspect I would score better (there was absolutely no preparation beyond eating breakfast before the test...)

Has anyone done this before? Does anyone have any insight here? This is a BIG decision, and I'm trying to collect as much information as possible.

Are you friggin' crazy? If your intention is to enlist in the Marines to be a hard-charging, muddy, door-kicking infantry magnificant bastard then I am all for it but if your intention is to get some silly quasi-medical job other silly military thing then you are seriously off your rocker.

 

[pietachok]

Some schools consider your pre-med requirements to "expire" after several years have elapsed. If you wanted to reapply, you might not just have to take the MCAT to be successful, you might have to re-take your pre-med pre-reqs and/or more advanced courses to prove that you are still on top of the material.

Why wouldn't you just go to the military as a physician and/or do Drs. without borders after getting your MD?

 

[pietachok]

Also, obviously, I don't know about when 8 yrs elapses between application cycles, but I think that when you re-apply within a *few* years, schools can see that you have previously been accepted and didn't matriculate. This might hurt your application.

The way the current AMCAS app works, you are given the same ID # each time you apply, and some old info carries over with that. Of course, if 8 yrs passes the whole system might change.