Army OMFS or Civilian OMFS

[happyosborne]

I'm in the process of applying for the 2-year Army HPSP (3 year commitment), but I've been interested in OMFS as well. I'm wondering if it's worth it to take HPSP and pursue OMFS if the payback is concurrent anyway or to not take HPSP and just apply for a civilian OMFS. I've roughly crunched the numbers and time spent in both. I've listed pros and cons of both. My rank is top 20% and I'm hoping to crush the CBSE in the summer. I wanted to know if there are any other factors I should consider?

Pros of Army HPSP + OMFS
Minimal debt (~300k since HPSP only covers 2 years)
Possible GI bill (almost 10 year commitment)
Easier time getting into Army OMFS residency
Living in new place

Cons of Army HPSP + OMFS
Loss of autonomy
Delay starting family
Living in new place

Pros of Civilian OMFS
Full autonomy, can start work after 4 years
Higher pay after residency

Cons of Civilian OMFS
Higher debt load after residency (~600k+ full loan amount)
Competitive OMFS residency

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[ShortShortsDad]

Don’t do it.

The ONLY reason to go Army OMS is because it’s easier to be accepted, although even that’s changing somewhat as they are starting to accept off the civilian match.

This is especially a bad decision for you as you only will have 2 years of school paid for. Your minimum commitment will be 9 years if you get accepted while still in dental school: snow bird year, 4yr residency, 4yr payback. You can work another year for the GI Bill but most people don’t because the quality of life sucks and the civilian pay will be so much higher.

If you go the military route you will be at least $1M and 5yrs behind your civilian equivalent path, not taking into account the opportunity cost of skills attrition, no choice of which ****hole you’ll be sent to, terrible leadership etc.

If you have **** grades but your grandfather was a general or your parents are active high ranking dental officers then go HPSP. Otherwise absolutely not

 

[knewstance]

your grandfather was a general or your parents are active high ranking dental officers

How/why would this make things any better?

 

[ShortShortsDad]

How/why would this make things any better?

Nepotism. If you are seriously connected strings can be pulled. Certainly not common but the couple kids of COLs I know seemed to get preferential assignments/clinics

 

[Big Time Hoosier]

Don’t do it.

The ONLY reason to go Army OMS is because it’s easier to be accepted, although even that’s changing somewhat as they are starting to accept off the civilian match.

This is especially a bad decision for you as you only will have 2 years of school paid for. Your minimum commitment will be 9 years if you get accepted while still in dental school: snow bird year, 4yr residency, 4yr payback. You can work another year for the GI Bill but most people don’t because the quality of life sucks and the civilian pay will be so much higher.

If you go the military route you will be at least $1M and 5yrs behind your civilian equivalent path, not taking into account the opportunity cost of skills attrition, no choice of which ****hole you’ll be sent to, terrible leadership etc.

If you have **** grades but your grandfather was a general or your parents are active high ranking dental officers then go HPSP. Otherwise absolutely not

Big Hoss

 

[almost6ft]

The ONLY reason to go Army OMS is because it’s easier to be accepted, although even that’s changing somewhat as they are starting to accept off the civilian match.

What does this mean? Are they accepting civilians to make sure seats do not go unfilled––meaning priority will still be given to people already in the Army? Or are civilians going to be considered just the same as those already in the Army?

 

[D1Bound]

What does this mean? Are they accepting civilians to make sure seats do not go unfilled––meaning priority will still be given to people already in the Army? Or are civilians going to be considered just the same as those already in the Army?

I’ve spoken directly with subject matter expert of Army OMS. Priority will 100% be given to people serving in the Army.

 

[Big Time Hoosier]

Priority will 100% be given to people serving in the Army.

As well it should be.

Big Hoss

 

[ShortShortsDad]

As well it should be.

Big Hoss

What’s previously happened is qualified HPSP or active Army applicants were selected, a decent amount of the slots were still unfilled and the Army went back and picked unqualified applicants or held additional boards to fill the slots. These lower tier residents usually sucked and often washed out.

Now, after the qualified military applicants are selected we can pull from civilians and random federal programs (Indian health service corps for example). It’s still way easier to get selected in the Army vs civ, but we just are now able to start turning away the bottom of the barrel military applicants.

I am aware I probably sound like an dingus putting it this bluntly but I’ve had to cover down for some garbage residents that had no place in a surgery residency and who really did a disservice to our soldiers who very much deserved better

 

[Big Time Hoosier]

What’s previously happened is qualified HPSP or active Army applicants were selected, a decent amount of the slots were still unfilled and the Army went back and picked unqualified applicants or held additional boards to fill the slots. These lower tier residents usually sucked and often washed out.

Now, after the qualified military applicants are selected we can pull from civilians and random federal programs (Indian health service corps for example). It’s still way easier to get selected in the Army vs civ, but we just are now able to start turning away the bottom of the barrel military applicants.

I am aware I probably sound like an dingus putting it this bluntly but I’ve had to cover down for some garbage residents that had no place in a surgery residency and who really did a disservice to our soldiers who very much deserved better

I know someone who was selected for OMFS in the Navy and I was completely shocked. He was a terrible dentist and officer.

Big Hoss

 

[LFA20]

I know someone who was selected for OMFS in the Navy and I was completely shocked. He was a terrible dentist and officer.

Big Hoss

Maybe his grades were top notch? 😃

 

[Big Time Hoosier]

Maybe his grades were top notch? 😃

Doubtful…

Big Hoss

 

[MentallyFlossy]

Why does Army HPSP + OMFS entail delaying the start of a family?

 

[ThrowawayOMFS]

What kind of cbse score do I need to be competitive if I’m a civilian trying to apply for military OMFS programs?

 

[D1Bound]

What kind of cbse score do I need to be competitive if I’m a civilian trying to apply for military OMFS programs?

As competitive as civilian programs. Are you tracking the payback to the military? Choose carefully!