(I realize this is in the "Resident Forums" section, but I can't find another Military Medicine heading. Please direct me towards a more appropriate forum if I'm lost.)
I'm about to graduate from undergrad and commission from ROTC into active Med Service Corps.
I have my med school application set and am relatively competitive, but I'm unsure if I should apply right now.
I did not opt for an ed-delay because I am set on doing some time in as a line officer.
I would ideally like to maximize the time in service before med school but not run past the stale dates for MCAT scores, coursework, etc. That means I would apply in 2013.
I requested and received a later BOLC date (Oct) to allow me time to apply and at least get a few interviews in before my time starts.
How readily (and with what timeline) would the MSC release me to go to med school knowing I was coming back as a doc?
If I don't apply now, how feasible is applying to medical school while on active duty?
Should I:
1) Apply now and defer matriculation 1 year
2) Apply in 1 year
3) Apply later out than 1 year (retake MCAT, potentially have to take a post-bac course)
Thanks for any answers or advice. I cannot get solid answers from my cadre or the prehealth advising offices at my undergrad or medical schools I'm looking at.
Additionally, my PMS has told me that I cannot contact my branch manager as a cadet, even as an accessed cadet who will pin on his bars in 2 weeks. I don't want to step on any toes now, but I also don't want to go into BOLC having already have stepped on toes by not clearing things with the branch. Any advice?
I'm about to graduate from undergrad and commission from ROTC into active Med Service Corps.
I have my med school application set and am relatively competitive, but I'm unsure if I should apply right now.
I did not opt for an ed-delay because I am set on doing some time in as a line officer.
I would ideally like to maximize the time in service before med school but not run past the stale dates for MCAT scores, coursework, etc. That means I would apply in 2013.
I requested and received a later BOLC date (Oct) to allow me time to apply and at least get a few interviews in before my time starts.
How readily (and with what timeline) would the MSC release me to go to med school knowing I was coming back as a doc?
If I don't apply now, how feasible is applying to medical school while on active duty?
Should I:
1) Apply now and defer matriculation 1 year
2) Apply in 1 year
3) Apply later out than 1 year (retake MCAT, potentially have to take a post-bac course)
Thanks for any answers or advice. I cannot get solid answers from my cadre or the prehealth advising offices at my undergrad or medical schools I'm looking at.
Additionally, my PMS has told me that I cannot contact my branch manager as a cadet, even as an accessed cadet who will pin on his bars in 2 weeks. I don't want to step on any toes now, but I also don't want to go into BOLC having already have stepped on toes by not clearing things with the branch. Any advice?