I am interested in the HPSP, but I have a formal diagnosis of ADHD and take medication that I don't plan on stopping (or lying about as recommended by one recruiter I worked with). I have been accepted to medical school (AT Still University- Kirksville) and I am considering either the 3 or 4-year scholarship. The plan long term would be internal medicine and then payback before going onto a fellowship in GI or Cardio- *Disclaimer* I want to spend some time serving my country, but don't want the military to be my life.
In addition to that, I am also unclear on what the requirements are for MCAT scores: some sources say over 500, others say minimum 124 in each section, some say 510 to be competitive, etc.
So...
1 - Is it possible to get a waiver for ADHD/ADD?
2 - What are the specific HPSP MCAT requirements? Or is it branch-dependent (if so, what are the requirements)?
3 - Is it Actually a 1:1 payback? I read in some of the paperwork I received at an informational session that it can be Year:Year unless it reaches a certain dollar amount, in which case you could end up owing 5-6 years because of the cost of school. [ATSU is a private school with an estimated cost of attendance of $90k p/year]
4 - What are the deployment requirements for the payback period? Do you have to be deployed to a warzone?
5 - My wife is also going to medical school (yay us), but that would mean that if we get bounced around, she has to find employment that will work for her as well. What would that look like if I was doing military payback and she is a civilian? Would they find a job for her wherever I go or would she roll the dice and run the risk each time I am asked to move?
THANKS!
According to the accession standards above, ADHD with medications prescribed within the past 2 years is disqualifying. However, there MAY be a waiver possible at MEPS for "disqualifying" conditions. I would see if a recruiter is willing to work with you. If they think you have a chance, they will start an application with you. If they don't think there's a chance, they won't. If you try a few recruiters at one branch (and different recruitment offices) and all say no, go to the other branches. If you speak to several different recruiters for Army, AF, and Navy, and all say no, then that's the end of that.
I respect you very much for choosing to be honest. This is a great decision. I was also pressured by my recruiter to lie, but decided to spill everything at MEPS anyway. It made my application process drag on for MONTHS and was an aggravating hassle, but worked out in the end.
As for your other questions:
2. Each branch has its own minimum standard. If you fall below the standard, a waiver may be possible, but you'll be MUCH less competitive. Check with a recruiter to be sure.
3. For Army, it is 8 years total: 4 years active duty, and either 4 years reserve or 2 years active duty (I believe). I'm not sure for Navy or AF. Depending on which type of residency you do, you can add more onto the service requirement. That's much more complicated. A military residency or civilian-deferred will NOT add on extra time. Civilian-sponsored WILL add on a year for every year of residency.
4. Once you become active duty, you will be deployed whenever and wherever you're needed. There is no "requirement." It is based on the needs of the military, and they will send you where they need you, whether that is to be stationed somewhere or deployed to a war zone. You don't have much say - once you join, you are a tool for them to use how they choose, so make sure you truly want to SERVE before signing the contract.
5. TBH, I don't know much about military spouses. If your wife is civilian, then the military is not very concerned with her. Regardless of where you go, she can do what she wants, like own a practice, or work somewhere while you finish up your requirement, or she can try to find a job wherever you're stationed. That's something you two will have to discuss. If she is joining as well, that is the best scenario - then the military can station or deploy you two together. But please remember to respect HER career and her decisions. She should not have to drop everything and sacrifice for your job.
Please feel free to DM me with any questions - best of luck!
