Army National Guard's new Med student program details.

[notdeadyet]

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So I got my ASR orders for fiscal year 2010. They are from October 1st, 2009-September 30, 2010.

Ditto here. If you haven't gotten orders yet, it's worth reminding your CO.

 

[ShinyDome19]

Hey NotDeadYet, I saw on a previous post you mentioned PMing someone a national recruiter's information. Could you do the same for me. I just had an awesome interview at my first choice school and should hear if I am accepted/rejected by the end of the week and I would like to get the ball rolling on the ASR paper work the second I hear I am accepted.

Thx

 

[paboyy]

Hello,

I'm applying to PA school for fall 2010 and wondering
1) how many ASR positions left?
2) from date of acceptance to a PA school how long does it take to get accepted into ASR?

 

[notdeadyet]

Hey NotDeadYet, I saw on a previous post you mentioned PMing someone a national recruiter's information. Could you do the same for me.

PM sent...

 

[notdeadyet]

1) how many ASR positions left?

My info is actually a little old, but I heard that about 100 were used for the 1 OCT start.

2) from date of acceptance to a PA school how long does it take to get accepted into ASR?

[[/quote]
It varies wildly. Assuming you have absolutely no health/legal/financial problems and an aggressive recruiter, it can get done in 8-10 weeks. If things set a bit or if you need a waiver for your broken arm as a kid or somesuch, it can jack it up to 15-20 weeks. I'd say the average is about 3-4 months.

 

[paboyy]

if about 100 were used, then how many are available and when is the next "start?-- also, if i were to start school in 8/10, how soon can i possibly get in? Thanks

 

[thisismyname17]

How long is the ASR program expected to be around?

 

[notdeadyet]

if about 100 were used, then how many are available and when is the next "start?-- also, if i were to start school in 8/10, how soon can i possibly get in? Thanks

If 100 were used, then 100 are available. The next possible start would be on 10/01/2010, when 200 new seats would be available if the program were renewed.

You can formally apply for ASR as soon as you have an acceptance in hand. Some states allow you to start receiving ASR before you even start school. You'll need to verify that with your particular state.

Last year, we ran out of seats with folks hoping to start on 07/01/2009. This year we started off much faster than last, so I doubt we'll have many (if any) seats for the 07/01/2009 start. Folks should be gunning for the 04/01/2009 start to be safe(r).

 

[notdeadyet]

How long is the ASR program expected to be around?

It's decided year-by-year. There is no word about whether it is expected to continue. It was originally proposed as a program to get 600 Guard docs, 200 per year. This is the last year it is scheduled to run.

Will they extend it next year? That's what we're all hoping, but I doubt we'll know for sure until summer, 2010, as the new Army budget for the fiscal year starts getting ironed out.

If ASR isn't renewed, then the option for med students in the Guard will be MDSSP. That, plus the $4,500 tuition waiver, plus whatever state tuition waivers you get adds up. Not as nicely as ASR, but it ain't chump change....

 

[Barium56]

If ASR isn't renewed, then the option for med students in the Guard will be MDSSP. That, plus the $4,500 tuition waiver, plus whatever state tuition waivers you get adds up. Not as nicely as ASR, but it ain't chump change....

Speaking of the $4500 tuition waiver, how do you go about applying for that?

 

[notdeadyet]

Speaking of the $4500 tuition waiver, how do you go about applying for that?

VirtualArmory.com --> Education --> Apply for Federal Tuition Waiver

 

[Barium56]

VirtualArmory.com --> Education --> Apply for Federal Tuition Waiver

Thanks. You have to sign in with your CAC so I guess I will have to do this later. Is the application process pretty simple?

 

[notdeadyet]

Thanks. You have to sign in with your CAC so I guess I will have to do this later. Is the application process pretty simple?

Yes, you need a CAC to register. The application process is a little painful, because you need to enter in cost of each "course" and the number of units, information you'll probably need to get from your registrar. It's much better set up for folks looking for undergrad money.

Later, your state ed officer emails you some forms to give your Fin Aid department, who need to fill something out and mail it to the Army for reimbursement by check. Then it takes a couple of months. Long.

 

[Barium56]

Yes, you need a CAC to register. The application process is a little painful, because you need to enter in cost of each "course" and the number of units, information you'll probably need to get from your registrar. It's much better set up for folks looking for undergrad money.

Later, your state ed officer emails you some forms to give your Fin Aid department, who need to fill something out and mail it to the Army for reimbursement by check. Then it takes a couple of months. Long.

They say that Tuition Assistance is limited and is first come first serve. Has anyone had trouble getting it? When is the best time to apply for it?

 

[koojo]

I filled out the Tuition Assistance about 2 months ago and I still haven't been paid. I called the WV education officer and was told I was the next inline to get paid, so I should be expecting it soon. What they do is they send a check to your school, which should then be deposited into your account. The school then should release that money to you.

ASR is nice though. I get PAID $65k a year to go to school (well minus the $20k I pay for school a year, but that's all good).

 

[Boopieness]

100 % non deployment in residency, Guaranteed

How I did it, FYI.

I was in the Army National Guard as enlisted in med school in a prior service Try One (year) program (which gave me a tuition waiver in Illinois), because I did not want to become a medical officer with more obligated time.

I wanted to do my 1 year (get my state tuition waiver, & get out, since I had already served my 8 year MSO ). Because I was not an 01/LT officer med student in the national guard, I was subject to deployment. Actually there were a couple of us prior service, who remained enlisted as med students who just were in for the Illinois National Guard tuition waiver. (We didn't want to owe the military any minute more then we had to.)

The problem was we kept getting deployed as enlisted. I was deployed for Hurricane Katrina (which was actually the best thing that could have happened to me. It was a short, ironically, unique disaster relief experience.)

However, just before my medic/enlisted contract was to end, which coincided with med school graduation, I was stop lossed (to go to Iraq as security for convoys.) My enlisted contract was involuntarily extended.

I said the h.e.l.l. with that, you are not putting an m16 in this medic's/doctor's hand to pull security on IED laden desert roads. (I served in the 1st Gulf War as a combat medic.) I went over to the AMEDD recruiter and had her sign me up. It saved me from deployment. I was already matched & set to start residency. I didn't want to spend a year or more being relatively cognitively idle with an M16. (I'm perfectly fine with carrying a pistol/defensive weapon, but not an offensive weapon.)

When I started residency, I let them know that I was unfortunately now still in the National Guard, unlike I had told them I would be done by the time I started residency during my interviews. The residency director was super supportive & so was the guard with the flex policy. I didn't have a problem in residency with drills.

However, I told my residency director that I was assured by the (NG) military that I would not have my residency interrupted, but that I took that with a grain of salt because we had two wars going on that weren't looking close to being done and docs in the Army NG were at ~ 50% strength across the US, according to our state surgeon. That it was more like a gentleman's (handshake) agreement.

I negotiated with my residency director. I let the RD know that I was subject to worldwide deployment the minute I received my state's unrestricted license. (Without that unrestricted license, you can not be deployed. One has to be properly credentialed as a physician in the military to be deployed. A temporary training license in residency will not cut it.) Thus, while I have been assured of not being deployed, I didn't believe them. So, I was the only resident who was allowed to take my USMLE STEP 3, not only as a senior, but actually after I completed my residency.

My residency director/chair was so supportive of the National Guard that we organized the entire department to send care packages to the troops.
I sent the residency director one of those employer support certificates, early while in my first year in residency & she had it framed & hung in her office right next to her Medical & fellowship diplomas.

She allowed me to go to OBC, Flight surgeon course, Chemical & biological management of mass casualties course during residency and was willing to let me go to other military training had I wanted it. She wanted to make sure I was prepared.

She was always cognizant of the local news & our troops (Illinois NG) who were killed over there. She signed off on the paperwork to have my 3 year temporary/training license extended during my residency. Now, I finally took my last step, have my unrestricted license and I am more then eligible, happy & ready to go.

The National Guard can't make you take USMLE step 3, like they do in a military residency. Civilian residency directors have the ultimate power to work with you, if they want to. The GME office was never the wiser at my program & I received my residency diploma (from a highly ranked very well known hospital program) just like everyone else at graduation (but without having taken Step 3 or having an unrestricted license.) My fellow residents were also supportive, they knew why I didn't take Step 3, it was an additional obstacle to be cleared, to even be eligible for that unrestricted state medical license.

It took a week after my Step 3 results to get that unrestricted license.

This is how I made sure the military kept its promise during residency.

 

[notdeadyet]

They say that Tuition Assistance is limited and is first come first serve. Has anyone had trouble getting it? When is the best time to apply for it?

I applied in mid-August and got mine okay. And keep in mind the fiscal year ended 1 October, so I doubt they ran out. If you wanted to play it safe, just input for FTA in the fall.

I filled out the Tuition Assistance about 2 months ago and I still haven't been paid. I called the WV education officer and was told I was the next inline to get paid, so I should be expecting it soon. What they do is they send a check to your school, which should then be deposited into your account. The school then should release that money to you.

Sounds like your situation is atypical. Here's the usual process:

1. You fill out the online application
2. The Guard sends you forms to submit to your school.
3. Your school sends off forms and an invoice to the Guard
4. The Guard cuts your school a check or makes an electronic deposit to your school.
5. Your school deducts $4,500 from your tuition.

So for most folks, your tuition gets adjusted, you never see any actual cash. The only exception I could imagine is if folks are on full-ride scholarships.

 

[koojo]

I applied in mid-August and got mine okay. And keep in mind the fiscal year ended 1 October, so I doubt they ran out. If you wanted to play it safe, just input for FTA in the fall.

Sounds like your situation is atypical. Here's the usual process:

1. You fill out the online application
2. The Guard sends you forms to submit to your school.
3. Your school sends off forms and an invoice to the Guard
4. The Guard cuts your school a check or makes an electronic deposit to your school.
5. Your school deducts $4,500 from your tuition.

So for most folks, your tuition gets adjusted, you never see any actual cash. The only exception I could imagine is if folks are on full-ride scholarships.

How is it atypical? I've received FTA for about 5 years now, at 2 different schools so I know how it works.. Usually by the time FTA is paid to the school, you don't have a balance in your school account because you've paid your tuition via loans. When the FTA gets deposited in your school account, you will have a positive balance, and the school has to give that to you. Never once did that balance just stick around until the next semester; the school always pays me that money. I actually just got an email from the school today, have to go sign a tax form and they'll direct deposit the $4500 into my bank account.

 

[Boopieness]

Is it still in effect that there is 4 year (served concurrent with other) obligation from the time the college class was paid, for that federal tuition assistance for officers?

 

[notdeadyet]

How is it atypical?

Atypical in that it doesn't match the usual workflow like I mentioned above.

Usually by the time FTA is paid to the school, you don't have a balance in your school account because you've paid your tuition via loans.

Correct.

When the FTA gets deposited in your school account, you will have a positive balance, and the school has to give that to you.

You've been dealing with some wack FinAid folks.

When the FTA gets deposited by the school, it is applied towards your tuition. If your tuition has already been paid by loans, the FinAid folks are supposed to deduct $4,500 from your loan amount. You are NOT supposed to get cash, because it's a TUITION assistance. You could only get cash if you paid cash for tuition. If you paid for your schooling via loans, the money is credited to the lenders and you're debt burden is reduced.

Glad you're getting the extra dough. It's the equivalent of returning something bought for on credit card and getting cash back. Most retailers know better. I have a hunch that most FinAid departments know better too. I'm just mentioning the advertised workflow so that folks don't have unrealistic expectations. Most students will find that FTA goes towards their tution, NOT given to them in cash by their FinAid people.

 

[notdeadyet]

Is it still in effect that there is 4 year (served concurrent with other) obligation from the time the college class was paid, for that federal tuition assistance for officers?

Correct. You need to stay in drilling status for four years from the time you take your last batch of FTA.

For those taking ASR for three years, and planning on drilling for three in residency and getting out, they've extended their drilling to a fourth year.

 

[TANSTAAFL]

Boopie, thank you for sharing your story. I'm still waiting for that coveted acceptance letter but with a mind for the future I will be keeping your tale in my back pocket for a workaround to guarantee a safe and sane transition into the field.

 

[n618ft]

I've got all of my paperwork handed in, an acceptance, and I'm waiting for initial MEPS (it's taking a bit longer than expected to process the initial approval for a physical)... I was looking around to see what kind of tuition assistance I can get in Florida aside from the regular $4500 the federales hand out. Also, I have next semester completely free and med school starts in late May for me... is there anything the Guard will let me do in the meantime as far as training/drilling/work for more income or anything that will give me some sort of rank/promotion advantage in the long run?

EDIT: I'm going to a state school (FSU) and tuition is just under 20k a year... anything to help cover that, fees, and housing would be awesome... I'd like to save my ASR money!

 

[notdeadyet]

I've got all of my paperwork handed in, an acceptance, and I'm waiting for initial MEPS (it's taking a bit longer than expected to process the initial approval for a physical)...

Keep on top of them. If you're looking for a 1 JAN start, you'll need to go into MEPS over the next week or two.

The timeline varies by state, but it takes about a week to get all the paperwork back from a successful MEPS appointment, especially given that there's sometimes a bit of back and forth. Your recruiter then needs to get it and file your application to your state board, which often has an application deadline a couple of weeks before they meet. State boards usually meet once a month.

Dec 1st is the deadline to have your control number in and be sworn in for a January 1st start. So in my state, this means you need to go before the mid-November board. The application deadline that the recruiter needs to file post-MEPS is the first week in November. So right now, I'm telling applicants that for a 1 JAN 2010 ASR start, they need to have MEPS scheduled by next week. And that's assuming everything goes well.

So be aggressive with your recruiters. There are about 85 slots open right now, so my guess is that a majority of those will be used 1 JAN and a small number will be left over for 1 APR. You want to get your control number as soon as you can.

Also, I have next semester completely free and med school starts in late May for me... is there anything the Guard will let me do in the meantime as far as training/drilling/work for more income or anything that will give me some sort of rank/promotion advantage in the long run?

If the Guard will let you go to OBLC before med school, I'd strongly suggest you do it. That will give you your summer between MS I and MS II free, which would be nice. Also, you need 18 months as an O1 before you can be promoted to O2, but you can't get promoted to O2 without OBLC. And there's a fair size salary difference between the two, so getting it taken care of early is a smart choice.

Best of luck with the process...

 

[n618ft]

Keep on top of them.

Argh, they said it would take 1 week between submitting and the medical read coming back... it'll be 2 weeks Wednesday that I had my 680 turned in (who knows when they put it in). I guess with Columbus day it might have delayed things a bit. I did have a few surgeries (appendectomy, wisdom teeth, and septoplasty) that I put down on there but nothing out of the ordinary. Everything was documented 100%. Heck, I won't have any appendix, breathing, or wisdom teeth problems later on in life. If I don't hear anything back Monday/Tuesday I'll call up and try to see what I can do... I do want to start in January and I'd like to do the OBLC ASAP. I really don't want to do the HPSP route with a cheap state school. 👎

 

[tele turnin]

So I have a question about what forms of documentation I will need for past injuries, surgeries, etc. I like many broke some bones as a kid, have had a concussion or two, few minor surgeries, etc. I'm in great overall health, but am wondering how much this will slow me down. Will they require documentation from the physicians that performed the procedures and/or treated me, or will they seek something from my current physician saying that I am in good health?

I've been wanting to get in on this for a year and am hoping to have an acc/ acceptance in hand this upcoming week. Anybody know how many spots are left?

Thanks for the help all.

 

[akoman]

I found the med records part to be the most labor intensive. Your recruiter should give you a health release form you can give to the people who treated your broken bones. In my case some of the records were destroyed so at meps I got to go for extra xrays to amke sure my bones had healed correctly. I still had to get waiver because I'm part metal. The meps doc told me so long as my bones work fine a waiver wouldn't be a prob and it wasn't. Hope his helps.

 

[notdeadyet]

So I have a question about what forms of documentation I will need for past injuries, surgeries, etc. I like many broke some bones as a kid, have had a concussion or two, few minor surgeries, etc. I'm in great overall health, but am wondering how much this will slow me down.

It depends on exactly what the surgeries and injuries were. When you fill out the paperwork, you'll disclose all of that and the recruiter will figure out which problems (if any) will require waivers.

Waivers slow things down. If all the stars align, a waiver shouldn't take more than a week or two, but some folks have found they needed to wait a month.

To improve your odds, I'd make an appointment with your primary care doc and ask them to do a physical. I'd then ask them to write a letter explaining each of the injuries you've disclosed and how they are not current problems, do not impact your physical abilities, and are not expected to be problems again.

I would also request medical records from all of the hospitals you went to as a child. They will tell you the records have been destroyed. Ask them to mail you a letter stating such. This seems like overkill, but if you can provide that with your paperwork, it will make the waiver process go smoother, as no one will bother requesting records from your old hospitals.

Will they require documentation from the physicians that performed the procedures and/or treated me, or will they seek something from my current physician saying that I am in good health?

Depends on the injury. A letter from your current physician can't hurt. For some things, they'll require you to be evaluated by a MEPS-approved specialist.

I've been wanting to get in on this for a year and am hoping to have an acc/ acceptance in hand this upcoming week.

If you have an acceptance in the coming week or two and do not require too much in the way of waivers, you still have a chance of getting a slot this year.

Anybody know how many spots are left?

See my post from today. I hear we're down to 85 slots.

 

[ftrflyr29]

Argh, they said it would take 1 week between submitting and the medical read coming back... it'll be 2 weeks Wednesday that I had my 680 turned in (who knows when they put it in). I guess with Columbus day it might have delayed things a bit. I did have a few surgeries (appendectomy, wisdom teeth, and septoplasty) that I put down on there but nothing out of the ordinary. Everything was documented 100%. Heck, I won't have any appendix, breathing, or wisdom teeth problems later on in life. If I don't hear anything back Monday/Tuesday I'll call up and try to see what I can do... I do want to start in January and I'd like to do the OBLC ASAP. I really don't want to do the HPSP route with a cheap state school. 👎

I PM'd you with a question about FL ASR. Thanks in advance!

 

[Octagonecology]

I just got my ASR control number.

Here's to saving a quarter of a million dollars. God bless the National Guard. Thanks Koojo for taking me through this process. Now if I can just get through Biochem and Histology. Word.

 

[notdeadyet]

Congratulations, Octagonecology... Welcome to the club...

 

[eflix]

Congrats and welcome also... were they able to retroactively give you a OCT 1st start date as well? And good luck with the biochem and histology!

 

[rottenba]

So what are the chances that a person can get a retroactive start date for Oct 1? I am in a similar boat where I should get my ASR control number soon and start drilling in November.

 

[DeadCactus]

I just got my ASR control number.

Here's to saving a quarter of a million dollars. God bless the National Guard. Thanks Koojo for taking me through this process. Now if I can just get through Biochem and Histology. Word.

I've fallen out of touch with this thread. Why are you saving $250k and not $140k?

 

[notdeadyet]

I've fallen out of touch with this thread. Why are you saving $250k and not $140k?

My money is going on his attending a school that gives discounted tuition to Guardsmen...

 

[DeadCactus]

My money is going on his attending a school that gives discounted tuition to Guardsmen...

Yea, I realized this morning that it was probably benefits specific to his school or state. Mystery temporarilly solved...

Edit: On a seperate note, I recall hearing about a potential expansion of the GI Bill to cover people on ADSW which would potentially cover ASR folks. Any word on what's going on with that?

 

[notdeadyet]

Edit: On a seperate note, I recall hearing about a potential expansion of the GI Bill to cover people on ADSW which would potentially cover ASR folks. Any word on what's going on with that?

The new GI Bill gives benefits to Guardsmen activated under Title 10 orders. These are federal orders: think Iraq, Afghanistan.

There is talk about expanding this to Title 32 orders. These are state orders: think AGR, ADSW, ASR. At this point, a couple of politicos are discussing it. It's not up on the floor right now. I can't get too excited about it yet, as I think it will be a few years before any big change to the GI Bill they just rolled out is made. I'll happily eat crow on this one.

 

[AlphaPower]

How do you actually sign up for OBLC?

 

[notdeadyet]

How do you actually sign up for OBLC?

Go through your CO. He'll direct you to whoever processes the school request forms.

 

[DeadCactus]

Going in front of the boards soon. I think I'm supposed to swear in late in November and begin ASR on January 1st. Is it likely to get a spot for OBLC during summer 2010 if I jump on it as soon as possible? How critical is it to get it done during the summer? I'm concidering putting it off to do research this summer and trying to just take elective time during 3rd year to get it done. Any input?

 

[notdeadyet]

Going in front of the boards soon. I think I'm supposed to swear in late in November and begin ASR on January 1st. Is it likely to get a spot for OBLC during summer 2010 if I jump on it as soon as possible?

Congrats on the swearing in!. As for the OBLC slots, right now, they only show four start dates on the calendar, none of which are summer:

29 Oct 2009
25 Feb 2010
22 Apr 2010
23 Sep 2010

That said, I believe that they were talking about adding an August 19th one, but I don't know if that's going through or not. All courses are 26 days.

How critical is it to get it done during the summer? I'm concidering putting it off to do research this summer and trying to just take elective time during 3rd year to get it done. Any input?

I believe the rules are that you need to do OBLC within 18 months of signing, but you can get a waiver to do it later than that if you get your CO's okay. I'm sure it wouldn't be a problem, but I'd ask to be safe.

 

[CraeMer75]

Does anyone know if there school will allow OBC to count as a rotation for 3rd/ 4th year? I am trying to get my school to approve it but my argument will be better served if I have an example to show them.....

Also, how do ASR people plan to complete this training next year when it is not at all convenient for med students? Any word on that?

THanks!

-Recently titled 2LT, MEARNG in ASR program!

 

[notdeadyet]

Does anyone know if there school will allow OBC to count as a rotation for 3rd/ 4th year? I am trying to get my school to approve it but my argument will be better served if I have an example to show them.....

Most schools I've heard will allow it as an elective, but I can't imagine any letting it satisfy any requirements. OBLC has exactly 0 patient contact, so it doesn't fulfill anything clinically.

 

[CraeMer75]

Most schools I've heard will allow it as an elective, but I can't imagine any letting it satisfy any pre-reqs. OBLC has exactly 0 patient contact, so it doesn't fulfill anything clinically.

Just to clarify, I am referring to rotation "credit" in medical school, not undergraduate...

I am thinking maybe you thought undergrad b/c of the pre-req comment? I am not aware of any pre-req's once you are in med school.....?

Thanks for the reply, though! Feel free to correct me if I am completely off track on this! That is a good point, also, about the 0 clinical hours. Kind of stupid its designed for medical personnel when there is no patient exposure.

 

[notdeadyet]

Just to clarify, I am referring to rotation "credit" in medical school, not undergraduate...

I meant med school. My bad. I corrected "pre-reqs" to read "requirements."

That is a good point, also, about the 0 clinical hours. Kind of stupid its designed for medical personnel when there is no patient exposure.

It's not meant to be clinical training, so there's no reason for it to be clinical. If you can't take it between MS 1 and MS 2, expect to use fourth or third year free time for it. Most schools have a big puddle of weeks in 4th year in which they don't care what courses you do. You can use OBLC in this bank of time at most schools. Failing that, you can always use vacation weeks.

 

[CraeMer75]

I meant med school. My bad. I corrected "pre-reqs" to read "requirements."

It's not meant to be clinical training, so there's no reason for it to be clinical. If you can't take it between MS 1 and MS 2, expect to use fourth or third year free time for it. Most schools have a big puddle of weeks in 4th year in which they don't care what courses you do. You can use OBLC in this bank of time at most schools. Failing that, you can always use vacation weeks.

Right... well I suppose its worth asking about anyway. It's just that rotations for us go from Aug 1-Aug 1 as MS III's, so this is a problem....and as an MS II (which I am now), I can't attend any of the OBC dates because I have classes that run until May 22. WTF! I was hoping that it would get me a get-out-of-jail-free pass from my normal schedule so that I could complete my ARNG requirement, but if my school won't bend, I guess the Army will have to.... ha.

 

[CraeMer75]

Most schools I've heard will allow it as an elective, but I can't imagine any letting it satisfy any requirements. OBLC has exactly 0 patient contact, so it doesn't fulfill anything clinically.

PS... do you know which schools allow it as an elective, specifically? and btw, thank you for your answers!

 

[notdeadyet]

It's just that rotations for us go from Aug 1-Aug 1 as MS III's, so this is a problem....and as an MS II (which I am now), I can't attend any of the OBC dates because I have classes that run until May 22.

I'd contact your CO and keep in posted about your schedule. Even if a new class opened up over summer between MS II and MS III, you'd be silly to go, as you need the time to study for Step I.

You'll most likely just have to go as a fourth year elective, which is when most folks go when they can't go between MS I and MS II.

 

[notdeadyet]

PS... do you know which schools allow it as an elective, specifically? and btw, thank you for your answers!

Fourth year "electives" are kind of unusual animals. For most schools, once you hit fourth year, you have a lot less actual requirements. Some schools may require this class or that, but for the most part, you just have a set number of weeks that you have to fill.

Lots of schools do have a requirement of how many of those weeks need to be "clinical" or "patient facing". This is to make sure that folks don't do 20 weeks straight of electives in which they are doing research or not seeing patients.

But after you satisfy requirements and the required number of clinical weeks, you're left with a bucket of weeks that you can use for vacation, extra research, and classes like Rafting Medicine and that kind of thing. How many weeks varies by school. At mine, it's 16.

The only downside to that is that OBLC eats into that number of essentially freebie weeks. Some schools MIGHT allow you to count OBLC as one of your clinical courses, but I'd imagine they'd be few, as you don't see patients in OBLC. But some schools have very little oversight for fourth year, so you might get lucky. Talk to your senior classpeople, registrar, or advisor.

 

[Octagonecology]

I've fallen out of touch with this thread. Why are you saving $250k and not $140k?

Hey sorry man, busy with school. In West Virginia members of the WV National Guard get in-state tuition. OOS is 50,000/year IS is 20,0000 per year. That alone is $120000 saved, add in 4 years of tuition assistance at $4500 per year plus 3 year ASR 2LT pay, throw in some drill pay and i think it comes out to about $250,000 or more for the deal. Note, you will incur an additional committment if you take MDSSP your 4th year.

NotDeadYet, do I have this right? I know your the expert.....🙂

Believe me, I researched all the HPSP's and NIH and the National Guard hands down kills them all. At least in my case it did considering the tuition.

There are two things that I always wanted to do with my life. 1) Become a doctor 2) Be in the military. The National Guard has given me the opportunity to do both.

I hightly reccomend it. Cheers.