Competitiveness of HPSP

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I was just awarded a 4 year scholarship for the HPSP for dental school.

my GPA is just over a 3.5, and my DAT score over all is just over a 19.

don't know if this helps. It may be totally different for medicine (the competitiveness), but the Captain who helped me out said that there were only 15 applicants for 60 scholarships this year so far...but that might change. last year, there were 110 applicants for 60 scholarships by the very end.

good luck!
 
I do not advise applying for all three. They will ask you if you do this and frown upon it. Plus, just wait until you see what you have to go through just to apply to one program!!!!!!

A mountain of paperwork, 50% of which gets lost so you have to do it over again, plus spend an entire day getting your physical, and spend yet another day if you have any questionable medical conditions as I did.

The key is apply early. The earlier you apply, the better!!! Decide what you want! I'll give you the low down, others may agree or disagree with me here.

Airforce treats you the nicest, your PT exams are riding an exercise bike! But they do not have as amny facilities and residency choices as the army. Also the army give out for scholarship spots than the Navy or Air Force.
 
True. The AF abandoned the cycle ergometry testing in lieu of a "normal" PT test. You will have a timed run, sit ups and push ups. The new test is called "Fit to Fight."
 
So for someone who had around a 3.3-3.4 GPA by the time of application, wouldn't it make sense to apply for at least two programs? I would be really pissed off to apply for HPSP and not be accepted. I wouldn't be able to go to med school, because federal-backed loans won't pay enough to attend.
 
Well I can say that I just received my results for the Army HPSP and I was not selected unfortunately. The application went to the December Boards. I am really dissapointed because I was really excited about possibly receiving the scholarship. I'm considering applying to another branch, but I'm not sure which one. I already have loans taken out from undergrad and I'm not sure how good my chances are for receiving them for Med school.
 
Okay you guys may find my sotry interesting so listen up.

I applied to the army very late, in fact, they rushed my paperwork and physical because it was to go to the very last board that met for that year, it woudl be my last chance for getting a scholarship. And I really wanted it!

During the process, I watched imcompetance take its course. My recruiters hired a civilian as a tech. They insisted that I give all paperwork to this gentlemen so that he could re-type it for me and make it look neat. He lost I swear 50% of the paperwork I gave to him. I went to engineering school and had the dean of my engineering college write a letter, the tech lost it, I got him another copy.

When the board met, I was waiting, I called up the recuriter and asked how the process works, do I get a phone call, letter in the mail? what happens? This was in May by the way, he told me it takes about two weeks to hear anything.

In July, their tech calls up to tell me that I never gave him a dean's letter (mind you, I gave him two by this point). What this means is, I my paperwork never got to the board in time thanks to this guy's imcompetance. So I said piss on it, I took out approx$42K in federal loans for my first year. (P.S. is this really not enough to go to school for your first year, I'd look into that if I were you!)

In october of my first semester, behold, they call me up and offer me a three year scholarship, I take it. Scholarship does not start until my MS2 year.

My MS2 year starts, guess what, no scholarship and I did not apply for loans either. I call the incompetant tech to ask what is going on, he assures me I will have money and am on the payroll. I call DFAS, the surgeon general, nobody knows who in the hell I am. Finally, after threatening to sue somebody and withdrawal from the program, I get my MS2 scholarship to start 2 months after I began the year.

So the moral of the story is this, if you did not get the scholarship, don't worry, you will probably be put onto a waiting list or given a 3 year scholarship, which is still worth it! However, keep very close track of your paperwork and note everybody you talk to on the phone, note their name, their title, and exactly what they say.

It was amazing how the tech woudl tell me to call say Mr. X. because he needed to talk to me, and I called Mr X. and Mr X> had no clue why I called him or who I was.
 
Two years ago when I applied there was an automatic acceptance (HPSP) with GPA > 3.5 and MCAT >29. I think there is pretty wide range of "acceptable score" for HPSP program. My best advice is that work on getting good recommendation (preferably MILITARY one) and write a great personal statement-- There isn't a lot of space for it, but you can still show them how you can suceed as military physician. Good luck to you. And yes, make sure check on your recruiter and make copies of everything!


P.S. For military recomendation take that initiative to set up an interview or (phone interview) with a military physician/ military officer.
 
Originally posted by cdreed
True. The AF abandoned the cycle ergometry testing in lieu of a "normal" PT test. You will have a timed run, sit ups and push ups. The new test is called "Fit to Fight."
Click to expand...

In the spirit of reform, I also heard that the AF is getting new BDUs. I haven't seen them, but I heard they resemble tiger stripes.
 
So the chAir Force has gotten rid of the much ridiculed exercise bike test...good for them. I haven't seen any tiger stripes, yet, but I'm sure they'll be spiffy. AF is still the most viable alternative to military service out there. 😉
DD
 
Originally posted by bustbones26
I do not advise applying for all three. They will ask you if you do this and frown upon it. Plus, just wait until you see what you have to go through just to apply to one program!!!!!!

A mountain of paperwork, 50% of which gets lost so you have to do it over again, plus spend an entire day getting your physical, and spend yet another day if you have any questionable medical conditions as I did.

The key is apply early. The earlier you apply, the better!!! Decide what you want! I'll give you the low down, others may agree or disagree with me here.

Airforce treats you the nicest, your PT exams are riding an exercise bike! But they do not have as amny facilities and residency choices as the army. Also the army give out for scholarship spots than the Navy or Air Force.
Click to expand...

I would apply to all the branches that you could reasonably see yourself serving in. Its technically frowned upon to apply to more than one service but your recruiter needs to respect the fact that med school is horribly expensive and there is no guarentee from any branch that you'll be awarded their scholarship. Also, re the tons of paperwork, many of the forms are DD forms, meaning that they are DoD universal and that copies should suffice for the paperwork for all branches. Also, don't buy the bunk about needing to take multiple physicals-- make sure that your recruiter doesn't pull the original physical form from MEPS and then all of the branches can use the single exam.

I'm prior service Army and a current AF HPSPer and they both have their advantages and disadvantages. AF is definitely cushier, more like a civilian job, which can be a plus and a minus. If you're looking for a real military experience, it can be shocking sometimes how unprofessional/laid back the AF is. But still, as I get older, I respect not having to be all Hoah-Hoah and tough all the time. Still, I was awarded both scholarships and accepted the AF. All in all you can't go wrong with the AF or Army. Navy is another story-- Lots of GMOs ( general medical officers, ppl who have to go to the Navy immediately following medical school and serve, no residency), cool places to visit but if youre on the ships, the cruises are ridiculously long (6mth). Not the type of life, I would enjoy....
 
Anyone who wants to join the military as a doctor can, no matter how bad your grades. In fact, they will not leave you alone once your name is in the system.

I went to a state college, had around a 3.4 GPA, good MCAT, and the recruiter told me how competitive the scholarships were and how important it was to get in early so that I got a spot. it was all a load of bull****.

I decided not to do the military thing, but was nevertheless hounded by them for the remainder of my med school, "It's not to late to join..." etc. They are hard up for doctors, so don't underestimate your value or feel pressured to sign anything. Putting pressure on you to sign is what recruiters do.

I'm finishing my fourth year now, and if I wanted to, I could still have the military pay for all of my school. They even hound you during residency to join the reserves.

Just my 2cents...
 
Anyone who wants to join the military as a doctor can, no matter how bad your grades. In fact, they will not leave you alone once your name is in the system.

I went to a state college, had around a 3.4 GPA, good MCAT, and the recruiter told me how competitive the scholarships were and how important it was to get in early so that I got a spot. it was all a load of bull****.

I decided not to do the military thing, but was nevertheless hounded by them for the remainder of my med school, "It's not to late to join..." etc. They are hard up for doctors, so don't underestimate your value or feel pressured to sign anything. Putting pressure on you to sign is what recruiters do.

I'm finishing my fourth year now, and if I wanted to, I could still have the military pay for all of my school. They even hound you during residency to join the reserves.

Just my 2cents...
 
Ha! You're not kidding about them not leaving you alone.
I am currently an ACTIVE DUTY doc and STILL I keep getting mail at home from recruiters trying to get me to join up!
 
When did you guys start talking with recruiters? I got a phone call from one today, but I don't really see a point in speaking with him this early. Plus my GPA is only a 3.3x
 
The process is pretty long and (at times) filled with incompetent people. Like the secretary that kept on losing paperwork, stuff happens during the app process. I started the application process July of 2002 for a med school entry date of Aug 2003. (If you're all ready in medical school or looking at FAP, they seem to be more aggressive about getting these scholarships processed, so you'd need less time to get those done) A year might have been a bit excessive but it also gave me the chance to complete what was required without getting all stressed about everything. I was supposed to be finished in Dec with everything but still was getting phone calls up until the deadline for the decision board, so I would be proactive with your recruiter and make sure everything is getting done.
 
Originally posted by JKDMed
I want to wait and see how this semester ends and whether I should apply.
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So you're still in undergrad and not sure about whether or not you want to apply to medical school? If you're not sure then yeah thats probably the best plan bc otherwise you could be wasting time.

I saw an earlier post of yours where you were worried about getting the scholarship. A 3.3 isn't the best but don't believe the hype if someone tells you that you can't get in with that. It might require some more resume/experience building applying to a diverse array of medical schools (different levels of competiveness/allopathic/osteopathic/different locations) But you'll be fine esp for the HPSP scholarship. Basically if you get accepted to medical school you're competative for the scholarship (my undergrad GPA was a 3.2)

Best of luck!
M
 
Originally posted by bustbones26

So the moral of the story is this, if you did not get the scholarship, don't worry, you will probably be put onto a waiting list or given a 3 year scholarship, which is still worth it!
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Not so comforting for U of Colorado though, where the first year tuition is 67,000. 🙂
 
If that is in fact your tuitioin, be sure that the military will not retain you as a doc. First off, I think the max you can get is around 170k, and if you're tuition is 67k a year, your app will be one of the few that is rejected. They could sign up two doctors for the price of one, so naturally their accountants have something to say about it. And being that it is afterall taxpayer money, they should have something to say about it. that's the most expensive med school in the country, by a lot.
 
67K is the cost for an out of state resident for tuition. You would have to be an exceptional candidate (and likely to get into many other non-state schools or your own state schools) or be screwing the Dean's daughter to get in.

Not to mention plain stupid in my opinion. If you are worried about costs now that price is not for you. The state schools jack up the cost so that way the only non residents are rich alumni children.

67K Tuition + 3K in books/fees/supplies + 14K in living expenses is 84K per year or $336,000 total. That would be extreamly hard to pay off. Not to mention get loans for. The government is only going to give you 38,500 a year. The rest would have to be through other sources and at likely higher rates.

Just to know 336K on a 10 year note at 3% interest would be a monthly payment of 2,400 with it escalating to 3,200 for you final payment. You would pay 56,000 in interest.

Think of it this way you would pay about 30K a year to it.
 
Is it too late now to apply for hpsp for fall '04 entry?

I feel I would know better if I want to become an army doc when I am in my 3rd or 4th year of med school. Would it still be possible to decide THEN to apply for hpsp? -or is it best to apply now or during my 1st year?
 
The deadline is fast approaching for the first Air Force board (they have a second board but most seats are filled by the first), so this late in the ballgame you are left w/ Navy an Army. The Navy board usually meets every Weds. and the Army has an automatic for high GPAs and MCATs.

Get cracking for you have a lengthy EPSQ to fill out, get recs, and do a physical at your local MEPS. Call you local MC recruiter to get the acronyms and the application rolling. It's first come first serve...
 
...you might as well apply now. Nothing to lose, and it is time consuming to do while trying to handle 1st yr of med school. You get in now you do 4 yrs of service, after your first yr of med school and you get in you are only required to do 3 yrs. You can apply now and if it doesn't work out apply again in med school.
 
Apply, you are not late. I received the HPSP scholarship (Army) in around June. Because most residencies are three to more years long I would recommend you to apply for at least three year HPSP scholarship. But don't apply unless you want to become a military physician right now!
 
thanks for the input guys. I thought there was a program where you can join after you're done with med school - where the military will just pay off ALL of your school loans, at that point, in return for service - have you heard of this?
 
HooahDOc said:
So for someone who had around a 3.3-3.4 GPA by the time of application, wouldn't it make sense to apply for at least two programs? I would be really pissed off to apply for HPSP and not be accepted. I wouldn't be able to go to med school, because federal-backed loans won't pay enough to attend.
Click to expand...


Don't apply yet, not till you get an acceptance letter. You'll just be wasting your time.
 
ek6 said:
thanks for the input guys. I thought there was a program where you can join after you're done with med school - where the military will just pay off ALL of your school loans, at that point, in return for service - have you heard of this?
Click to expand...


its called FAP. FAP is better than HPSP. If you are in a large city HPSP sucks- the stiped doesnt cover rent. HPSP also takes away residency choice and forces you apply to the mil match.
 
met19 said:
its called FAP. FAP is better than HPSP. If you are in a large city HPSP sucks- the stiped doesnt cover rent. HPSP also takes away residency choice and forces you apply to the mil match.
Click to expand...


:laugh: Check the date next time.
 
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