Army ROTC student interested in psychology

[AHEADAU]

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I am a contracted cadet in my sophomore year and I am hoping to eventually get my PhD or PsyD (haven't decided yet) in psychology. I just do not know how to get there. How much of this schooling will the Army pay for? I've seen so much about HPSP, but I have no clue what it is. I feel helpless because I don't even know what questions to ask! It would be nice to know that there is an active duty Army psychologist that was once an ROTC cadet as well. Any takers?

 

[LisaLisa86]

I am a contracted cadet in my sophomore year and I am hoping to eventually get my PhD or PsyD (haven't decided yet) in psychology. I just do not know how to get there. How much of this schooling will the Army pay for? I've seen so much about HPSP, but I have no clue what it is. I feel helpless because I don't even know what questions to ask! It would be nice to know that there is an active duty Army psychologist that was once an ROTC cadet as well. Any takers?

Check out USUHS.

 

[drsaxa]

USUHS is a phenomenal program that not many people know about!

Their military track is clinically oriented and only open to servicemen, while their medical track is more research focused and also open to civilians. You need permission/clearance from your branch of service to be admitted and i believe they have a 1 for 1 service requirement post-grad (again military only, which you are). They dont charge tuition and have VERY generous stipends.

They are right next to NIH and have strong relationships with area military and teaching hosptials and have very strong match rates.

I'm not sure quite how it works, but from what I've seen they in fact reserve some spaces for qualified, competitive applicants from the army, navy, and air force.

 

[xXIDaShizIXx]

USUHS is a phenomenal program that not many people know about!

Their military track is clinically oriented and only open to servicemen, while their medical track is more research focused and also open to civilians. You need permission/clearance from your branch of service to be admitted and i believe they have a 1 for 1 service requirement post-grad (again military only, which you are). They dont charge tuition and have VERY generous stipends.

They are right next to NIH and have strong relationships with area military and teaching hosptials and have very strong match rates.

I'm not sure quite how it works, but from what I've seen they in fact reserve some spaces for qualified, competitive applicants from the army, navy, and air force.

This. But if not, you have to complete your first year of your program before you qualify for the HPSP.

 

[LisaLisa86]

USUHS is a phenomenal program that not many people know about!

Their military track is clinically oriented and only open to servicemen, while their medical track is more research focused and also open to civilians. You need permission/clearance from your branch of service to be admitted and i believe they have a 1 for 1 service requirement post-grad (again military only, which you are). They dont charge tuition and have VERY generous stipends.

They are right next to NIH and have strong relationships with area military and teaching hosptials and have very strong match rates.

I'm not sure quite how it works, but from what I've seen they in fact reserve some spaces for qualified, competitive applicants from the army, navy, and air force.

They take about 2 people per branch a year (Army, Navy, AF). If you're military, you actually get your full salary, not a stipend. I'm not sure if you can come in right after college, but you should definitely check into it!

 

[spector0]

Let me explain a few things about USUHS based on my interview there last cycle.

Firstly, they are doing lots of psychology that is embedded with hard science. They wanted really strong backgrounds in biology and chemistry, as well as math. This is not something that most psychology programs really specialize in. It is a very biophysiopsycho program, so to speak.

Secondly, 8 of us interviewed for 2 slots. Apparently, the is done weird backlog of students into the program from another avenue. No idea hour to explain it.

Also, your interview is basically 45 minutes with all the faculty. I had two full bird colonels sitting in on mine, so it's not just faculty, but also the command.

 

[xXIDaShizIXx]

Let me explain a few things about USUHS based on my interview there last cycle.

Firstly, they are doing lots of psychology that is embedded with hard science. They wanted really strong backgrounds in biology and chemistry, as well as math. This is not something that most psychology programs really specialize in. It is a very biophysiopsycho program, so to speak.

Secondly, 8 of us interviewed for 2 slots. Apparently, the is done weird backlog of students into the program from another avenue. No idea hour to explain it.

Also, your interview is basically 45 minutes with all the faculty. I had two full bird colonels sitting in on mine, so it's not just faculty, but also the command.

So your level of nervousness was...? 😀

 

[drsaxa]

Not sure if i understand what you're saying here spec, care to clarify please?

 

[spector0]

USUHS is not like a normal graduate program in terms of expectations. I was blindsided by this when I got there. No one warned me about their emphasis on the hard sciences.

That being said, I ended up taking an awesome offer with one of the best ptsd researchers around, and I'm incredibly happy here.


If you want more details about preparing for grad school, pm me. I'm always willing to help out other.mil folks. Right now, I'm holding out for my hpsp Window to open.

 

[LisaLisa86]

USUHS is not like a normal graduate program in terms of expectations. I was blindsided by this when I got there. No one warned me about their emphasis on the hard sciences.

That being said, I ended up taking an awesome offer with one of the best ptsd researchers around, and I'm incredibly happy here.

If you want more details about preparing for grad school, pm me. I'm always willing to help out other.mil folks. Right now, I'm holding out for my hpsp Window to open.

Their clinical psychology program is in a medical and clinical psychology department, and I believe is technically in the medical school. There is an emphasis on health psychology, which is actually beneficial if you ever work in a medical setting or with patients who have physical disorders as well as mental ones 🙂.

Anyway, it's not for everyone, but you might as well read up on the program and figure out if it's a good option for you. Good luck with your decision process!

 

[SpiritMachine]

Right now I would recommend finishing your bachelor's through ROTC, taking the GRE during your senior year (or right after), and finding ways to get research experience.

1. As mentioned, the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences (in Bethesda, Maryland) has Ph.D. program with a clinically oriented track for practice, as well as a dual track (medical/clinical). You accrue a seven year obligation after completing your degree. Benefits include free tuition, all pay and benefits of a 2nd Lieutanant (you may have to backtrack :/), as well as good training with military members.

2. The Army, Air Force, and Navy offer the health professions scholarship program. The military will cover your tutition for up to four years, of which you pay them back for every year they cover you. You have an active duty rotation for 45 days per year (with full pay and benefits), but your stipend is 2000 dollars per month. The Army gives a 20,000 sign on bonus because they are hurting for health professionals. It is very competitive, so you may have to parlay one or two years of your G.I. bill with a later scholarship to cover between one and four years.

3. The G.I. Bill may help at state universities. If you do well, some Ph.D. programs offer assistantships and will start to cut your tuition costs for doing independent research and teaching for the college.

I am currently enlisted, but I will try to apply to the USUHS prior to January 1st. Enjoy your time in ROTC, and try to get a feel for the military lifestyle. If you enjoy it and want to practice, check those options out. The USUHS has been getting a lot of buzz lately in the Air Force as they are also in need of psychologists. Good luck.

 

[student til 30]

A couple things on the HPSP scholarship from a current recipient. First, I'm sad to say that there is no 20k bonus for clinical psychology. Second, in clinical psychology the scholarship is much more competitive than in medicine. There are 5 three-year scholarships (Navy), ~10 two-year scholarships (5 Army, I assume 5 AF), and 5 one-year scholarships (Army). About 45 people apply for each round of scholarships. I'm sure ROTC or other service will make you competitive, but I would have a back up plan in case HPSP doesn't work out.

You should definitely consider USUHS, but I would also go through the standard application process for funded APA accredited programs if it makes sense given your present commitment. If you do get the HPSP scholarship in a funded program what essentially happens is that uncle Sam doesn't pay for tuition since it is covered by your fellowship and you collect a stipend from your school and the military. If you go to an unfunded program you are on the hook for tuition until you (maybe) get the HPSP scholarship in the 2nd-4th year, and of course standard cautions about unfunded/poor match rate schools apply. Don't even consider unaccredited programs, which disqualify you from military/VA work.

For now, get as involved as possible in research with faculty mentors who can eventually write LORs, get some patient contact in if possible, and start thinking about your GREs over the next year. Feel free to PM.

 

[SpiritMachine]

A couple things on the HPSP scholarship from a current recipient. First, I'm sad to say that there is no 20k bonus for clinical psychology. Second, in clinical psychology the scholarship is much more competitive than in medicine. There are 5 three-year scholarships (Navy), ~10 two-year scholarships (5 Army, I assume 5 AF), and 5 one-year scholarships (Army). About 45 people apply for each round of scholarships. I'm sure ROTC or other service will make you competitive, but I would have a back up plan in case HPSP doesn't work out.

You should definitely consider USUHS, but I would also go through the standard application process for funded APA accredited programs if it makes sense given your present commitment. If you do get the HPSP scholarship in a funded program what essentially happens is that uncle Sam doesn't pay for tuition since it is covered by your fellowship and you collect a stipend from your school and the military. If you go to an unfunded program you are on the hook for tuition until you (maybe) get the HPSP scholarship in the 2nd-4th year, and of course standard cautions about unfunded/poor match rate schools apply. Don't even consider unaccredited programs, which disqualify you from military/VA work.

For now, get as involved as possible in research with faculty mentors who can eventually write LORs, get some patient contact in if possible, and start thinking about your GREs over the next year. Feel free to PM.

I totally believe what you said about the bonus.
http://www.goarmy.com/amedd/education/hpsp.html

Looks like the Army needs to update their website... 🙄

 

[student til 30]

.

 

[SpiritMachine]

Nevermind...

 

[xXIDaShizIXx]

A couple things on the HPSP scholarship from a current recipient. First, I'm sad to say that there is no 20k bonus for clinical psychology. Second, in clinical psychology the scholarship is much more competitive than in medicine. There are 5 three-year scholarships (Navy), ~10 two-year scholarships (5 Army, I assume 5 AF), and 5 one-year scholarships (Army). About 45 people apply for each round of scholarships. I'm sure ROTC or other service will make you competitive, but I would have a back up plan in case HPSP doesn't work out.

You should definitely consider USUHS, but I would also go through the standard application process for funded APA accredited programs if it makes sense given your present commitment. If you do get the HPSP scholarship in a funded program what essentially happens is that uncle Sam doesn't pay for tuition since it is covered by your fellowship and you collect a stipend from your school and the military. If you go to an unfunded program you are on the hook for tuition until you (maybe) get the HPSP scholarship in the 2nd-4th year, and of course standard cautions about unfunded/poor match rate schools apply. Don't even consider unaccredited programs, which disqualify you from military/VA work.

For now, get as involved as possible in research with faculty mentors who can eventually write LORs, get some patient contact in if possible, and start thinking about your GREs over the next year. Feel free to PM.

This is the best post on this thread. But don't get discouraged if you don't get the scholarship you may be able to get a direct commission later on and have debt repayment. There are other options available.

 

[student til 30]

.

 

[xXIDaShizIXx]

Gracias.

I would agree that you shouldn't get discouraged. There are several ways into the military, so it helps to have the attitude that you will eventually be a military psychologist, but don't know exactly when or how they will pick you up.

Exactly. And it may be necessary to even look at other branches even if you have your heart set on one in particular. Good luck!🙂

 

[AHEADAU]

Well, since I'm a contracted Army ROTC cadet, I am actually already part of the military and am guaranteed to commission (unless I screw up royally). I was hoping to become an active duty psychologist, but from all this advice it sounds like this route is only feasible if I go Reserves or Guard. Is this true? And I'm sorry, but what is a GRE? I am still very new to everything, so I hope this is not a "no-brainer".

 

[student til 30]

.

 

[LisaLisa86]

Well, since I'm a contracted Army ROTC cadet, I am actually already part of the military and am guaranteed to commission (unless I screw up royally). I was hoping to become an active duty psychologist, but from all this advice it sounds like this route is only feasible if I go Reserves or Guard. Is this true? And I'm sorry, but what is a GRE? I am still very new to everything, so I hope this is not a "no-brainer".

GRE is the SAT of grad school.

 

[CPTeacherinNH]

it is well worth the time to investigate National Guard state benefits. As an example, the NJ national guard offers free tuition to Rutgers. This means you save ~130k in debt. Having said that, the NG has fewer openings than the Reserves or Big Army, so there's some ying to the yang. You may end up having to ride out your remaining contract w/ the guard in [insert non psych job here] until you can join the reserves/active.
Also, think long and hard about the time commitments of being a soldier and a grad student. It's do-able (i've done it) but your personal life WILL suffer. Good Student, Good Soldier, Good Husband- pick 2