Already Enlisted.....

[NicholasD]

Currently I am enlisted in the US Army as an x-ray tech. I would like to attend USHUS but I only have an associates. Does anyone know about any programs the army offers to finish my degree and or how to go to USHUS? All help is appreciated.

Thanks,

V/r

Nick

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[psychbender]

Here's something:
http://education.military.com/money-for-school/tuition-assistance/army-tuition-assistance
http://education.military.com/money...ty/active-duty-education-benefits-users-guide

As for USUHS, finish medical school pre-reqs and take the MCAT like any other school, then list it as one of the schools to which you want to apply. From there, you'd have to ask someone else, as that's as far as I got before deciding I'd rather go to a civilian school.

 

[JP1982]

Currently I am enlisted in the US Army as an x-ray tech. I would like to attend USHUS but I only have an associates. Does anyone know about any programs the army offers to finish my degree and or how to go to USHUS? All help is appreciated.

Thanks,

V/r

Nick

I'm kind of in the same boat. I'm enlisted, trying to work on my Bachelor's degree. I can only give you some general information, seeing as how I'm Air Force. On the Army base where I'm stationed, I've heard of people being able to get some time off to do school full-time, based on commander's approval. I'm not sure, though, if it's dependent on something like re-enlistment or not.

I'm sure that the Army has some kind of enlisted to officer program, where you can get the Army to send you to school full time in exchange for extra years of service. The biggest drawback, at least for the AF's version of that program, is that one would have to spend at least two-three years as a line officer before being allowed to apply for USUHS or HPSP.

As far as getting into USUHS goes, like bender said, it follows the same path. As an AD military member, you'll have to go through your command for paperwork, getting released from your contract, etc. But, as long as you've served out at least half of your current enlistment, and you meet the requirements, you shouldn't have any problem applying.

By the way, one awesome thing about being enlisted and applying to med school is that you'll be able to travel to do your interviews (once you get them) and not have to take leave. That and if you have to take your MCAT somewhere outside of your local area are considered permissive TDY. You won't get paid extra, like plane ticket, gas, or food, but you'll still be getting paid without having to take those vacation days.

Your best bet, overall, is to go down to the Ed Center on base and talk with some of the reps down there. They should be able to give you some more information about programs for a degree, etc. Another thing is, if you haven't already, look into taking CLEP tests for as many of your non-required classes as possible. The only 4-year school here in my area is horrible about schedules. Starting in January, I'm having to switch my schedule to work nights just so that I can take classes during the day. So CLEP tests are a big help for me not having to take as many classes as I would normally. Plus, they're free for us.

Good luck!

 

[notdeadyet]

I'm sure that the Army has some kind of enlisted to officer program, where you can get the Army to send you to school full time in exchange for extra years of service. The biggest drawback, at least for the AF's version of that program, is that one would have to spend at least two-three years as a line officer before being allowed to apply for USUHS or HPSP.

From a purely financial standpoint, wouldn't it then make more sense to finish out your enlistment, use the GI bill to finish your BA in two years while applying as a civilian to HPSP/UHUHS/etc.? 2-3 more years as a physician instead of a line officer would more than make up for it, no?

 

[RichL025]

I'm a former active duty E-7 who finished college while in the National Guard, and then went to USUHS.

Is there a college near your base where you can take night courses?

The biggest difficulty always seems to be with the lab classes - which generally always occur during the day. Plus, you always face the possibility of a deployment interfering with your classes.

If your chain of command is supportive, you may even be able to take the lab classes by volunteering to cover nights in your department.

Another option is to do what I did - my MOS and deployment schedule pretty much guaranteed that I couldn't take much in the way of traditional classes (although I did knock out all the BS little freshman lit classes via video courses, etc). So I waited until my ETS and joined the NG - the GI Bill/ Army College Fund money was more than enough to live on, and the NG actually paid my tuitition at my state school (different states vary on this).

I finished up my undergrad degree in 2.5 years & was accepted into USUHS.

Another possibility is what the USAF poster mentioned - many commands have a program where they will give you a semester or more off entirely to work on college courses, but this is dependant on re-enlisting. In order to apply to USUHS you will need a letter of release from someone in your CMF up at DA, and if you still have a several year commitment left they _might_ be sticky about letting you go. But then again, it sounds like you need more college that that, and you CANNOT do all of the lab courses in one or two semesters.

Best bet: the middle option above. Be a full-time student for two or so years while you finish your pre-med.

PM me if you have any more questions about how I did it.

 

[JP1982]

From a purely financial standpoint, wouldn't it then make more sense to finish out your enlistment, use the GI bill to finish your BA in two years while applying as a civilian to HPSP/UHUHS/etc.? 2-3 more years as a physician instead of a line officer would more than make up for it, no?

I agree. I was just presenting all the AD options I'm aware of. If working full-time as an Army lab tech precludes getting a degree done, then yeah, get out, get the degree, and re-assess returning to the military.

 

[Stillwaters]

I am an Army specialist who was able to finish a bachelor's while on active duty. Try to find a college in your area that offers night lab courses. I wasn't able to get all of the prereq's done this way, but I was able to finish the ones that weren't offered at night during the one semester I was given for school (21 credit hours that semester, mostly lab classes). My school was willing to make allowances for my military duty, giving deadline extensions, late exams, ect. when I had to miss class. it takes a lot of hard wok and coordination, but it can be done.

 

[Gastrapathy]

I am an Army specialist who was able to finish a bachelor's while on active duty. Try to find a college in your area that offers night lab courses. I wasn't able to get all of the prereq's done this way, but I was able to finish the ones that weren't offered at night during the one semester I was given for school (21 credit hours that semester, mostly lab classes). My school was willing to make allowances for my military duty, giving deadline extensions, late exams, ect. when I had to miss class. it takes a lot of hard wok and coordination, but it can be done.

While this is admirable, for medical school admissions, your undergrad institution matters. Think about getting your prereqs done and then getting out and transferring to the best school you can (probably a large public university) to get your degree.