Different Branches of HPSP and NHSC

[goldcrown17]

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Hello fellow SDNers-

I'm applying this summer with pretty compeditive stats and wanted some input on different branches of the military for HPSP and national health service corps. I think all of my options are Army, Navy, Airforce, NHSC. For each branch and NHSC, I was curious about:

1) Compensation while in dental school: I know all options are a full ride. I understand the military pays $2000 a month for living expenses. What about other compensation for the branches? Signing bonuses? Paid training?
2) What about requirements during school? Training? Work during breaks? Are you paid for that?
3) Pay back is 1-for-1 right? But I heard something else about an extra 4 years inactive duty for military. What do you do during that period?
4) Is there a difference in the lifestyle after graduation with each option/branch?
5) Can I specialize if I choose with each option/branch and if so, do I have to do the military residency or can I do a civilian one?
6) What are the post school compensation packages like?
7) Am I able to do a duel degree program to get a MS/PhD/MPH with any of the options?
8) What is the acceptance rate for each option/branch? Like how many open spots are there.

Any other info? Thanks so much!

 

[aaa127]

https://nhsc.hrsa.gov/downloads/spapplicationguide.pdf

 

[sumin5924]

1) Compensation while in dental school: I know all options are a full ride. I understand the military pays $2000 a month for living expenses. What about other compensation for the branches? Signing bonuses? Paid training?
All branches of the military pay equivalent living stipends. The amount differs based on where you go to school. Usually hovers around 2100-2300. Not sure about NHSC but I think they offer substantially less.

2) What about requirements during school? Training? Work during breaks? Are you paid for that?
The branches requires Active Duty training whenever you have off time from school. I believe they're for 30-45 days? (during which you get PAID active duty). Otherwise, if you attend a school that doesn't have enough of a long break to accommodate this training, you can be easily exempt.
Don't think there's any equivalent to this for the NHSC.

3) Pay back is 1-for-1 right? But I heard something else about an extra 4 years inactive duty for military. What do you do during that period?
After 4 years active duty, you will be placed on reserve if you choose to leave.
With the NHSC, I believe your obligations are fulfilled after 4 years.

4) Is there a difference in the lifestyle after graduation with each option/branch?
Air Force (chair force...) > Navy=Army (depends on your personal preference).
NHSC will depend greatly on where you choose to work (rural, urban, Alaska, reservation, etc.)

5) Can I specialize if I choose with each option/branch and if so, do I have to do the military residency or can I do a civilian one?
So I've been getting conflicting information for the military. Each branch has specific specialties available. The army has the most opportunities because they're the largest branch and have the most resources. Now, it seems they favor applicants who have been serving for a while. Don't quote me on this, but I believe you cannot go into a civilian specialty unless it is highly needed (like pedo or OMFS) and that's usually after serving for a while. If you do specialize, the residency period will not count towards your payback nor increase it.

6) What are the post school compensation packages like?
Salary wise, they're very similar I believe. Whole she-bang too with health insurance, malpractice, etc.
Military? 20 year service equals that sweet pension?
You get vet status? Otherwise, not sure.

7) Am I able to do a duel degree program to get a MS/PhD/MPH with any of the options?
Not sure

8) What is the acceptance rate for each option/branch? Like how many open spots are there.
In terms of number of scholarships: Army>Navy>>>>>Air Force
NHSC is highly competitive as well.

 

[kstoothfairy]

1) Compensation while in dental school: I know all options are a full ride. I understand the military pays $2000 a month for living expenses. What about other compensation for the branches? Signing bonuses? Paid training?
NHSC pays a monthly stipend of 1307/mo before federal taxes. Comes out to about 1250 for me, but be sure to set aside a bit each month to pay state taxes at the end of the year, since they're not with-held. No sign-on bonus, no paid training that I am aware of. They do not pay you stipends during residency, if you choose to do one the of approved options. They do pay for expenses related to relocation for employment and job interviews.

2) What about requirements during school? Training? Work during breaks? Are you paid for that?
Paid stipends every month as long as you're in school. Not sure about schools that have summers off. We don't, so I always get paid. Nothing to do during school but succeed and turn in forms on time every quarter/semester (so far, I'm a 2nd yr).

3) Pay back is 1-for-1 right? But I heard something else about an extra 4 years inactive duty for military. What do you do during that period?
Pay back is 1-for-1, but WITH a 2 year minimum service. So even if you get funding for only one year of school, you still serve two years.

4) Is there a difference in the lifestyle after graduation with each option/branch?
You'll be serving in an underserved area - may be rural, may be inner-city, depends on where you find yourself a job.

5) Can I specialize if I choose with each option/branch and if so, do I have to do the military residency or can I do a civilian one?
Certain residencies are approved: Pediatrics, GPR/AEGD, Public Health. Cannot choose perio, endo, oral surg, etc. until after you have done your repayment service.

6) What are the post school compensation packages like?
Not sure, have been told "competitive to private practice," I've seen different numbers thrown around. Anywhere from 90-120,000, varies by location.

7) Am I able to do a duel degree program to get a MS/PhD/MPH with any of the options?
You can do a duel degree program, but I'm fairly certain they say they will not pay any associated fees.

8) What is the acceptance rate for each option/branch? Like how many open spots are there.
In 2013 they had 1700 applications and made 180 offers to dentists, doctors, nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, and PA's.

Any other info? Thanks so much!
So far I couldn't be happier with my decision. I've acquired very little new debt while my friends and classmates get a $20,000 bill every 10 weeks.

 

[dentalanswers0923]

When you join the military you have a 8 year commitment. You have so many years active and so many inactive however, it all equals 8 years. Inactive reserve is like registering for the draft. If they really need you they can re activate you. That is really unlikely.