Do Adcoms Like HPSP?

[Confused2626]

I was just curious what you all think of how med schools view the HPSP program in terms of admission?

I have pretty much decided that I would like to do the HPSP program. I know there are a ton of complaints on this forum, but the major one seems to be as long as you don't do it for the money you'll be happy...I am fortunate enough to secure funding outside of HPSP, but this is something I want to do.

With that said...do I mention this during the application process? Like the questions that say "where do you see yourself in 5 years" or "what would you like to do after school?". Is it in anyway a NEGATIVE if I say I plan on doing the HPSP program? If so, I will kindly leave this bit out...but if not I definitely would like to mention it (I'm sure adcoms would like to know that financial aid wouldn't be an issue with me, right?)

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[Sarg's kid]

I was just curious what you all think of how med schools view the HPSP program in terms of admission?

I have pretty much decided that I would like to do the HPSP program. I know there are a ton of complaints on this forum, but the major one seems to be as long as you don't do it for the money you'll be happy...I am fortunate enough to secure funding outside of HPSP, but this is something I want to do.

With that said...do I mention this during the application process? Like the questions that say "where do you see yourself in 5 years" or "what would you like to do after school?". Is it in anyway a NEGATIVE if I say I plan on doing the HPSP program? If so, I will kindly leave this bit out...but if not I definitely would like to mention it (I'm sure adcoms would like to know that financial aid wouldn't be an issue with me, right?)

I mentioned it during every interview. I know that it hurt me in at least one of them, but I was honest and the school that I am attending was quite supportive of the military effort. After I explained that my primary goal was to be an Army doctor, my interviewer at GWU said, "Why would you do that?" No explanation was good enough for him and the conversation pretty much died after that.

But, if that's what you want to do, better to know at the outset that they won't be supportive, right? It's your life, and at the end of the day, you're the one that's stuck with it.

 

[BOHICA-FIGMO]

I was just curious what you all think of how med schools view the HPSP program in terms of admission?

I have pretty much decided that I would like to do the HPSP program. I know there are a ton of complaints on this forum, but the major one seems to be as long as you don't do it for the money you'll be happy...I am fortunate enough to secure funding outside of HPSP, but this is something I want to do.

With that said...do I mention this during the application process? Like the questions that say "where do you see yourself in 5 years" or "what would you like to do after school?". Is it in anyway a NEGATIVE if I say I plan on doing the HPSP program? If so, I will kindly leave this bit out...but if not I definitely would like to mention it (I'm sure adcoms would like to know that financial aid wouldn't be an issue with me, right?)

I don't know if it makes a difference in the admissions process. I doubt it, but I'm sure that the financial aid directors love it. Also, I do know some schools do look favorably at prior military experience.

 

[Confused2626]

I don't know if it makes a difference in the admissions process. I doubt it, but I'm sure that the financial aid directors love it. Also, I do know some schools do look favorably at prior military experience.

I actually have no prior military experience...so it probably seems crazy I want to do this. I'm just surrounded by close family/friends in the military and this has been my motivation

But agreed, if the school isn't supportive of something I want to do, that wouldn't be ideal. However, I'd much rather get in to medical school and deal with lackluster support.

I'm a Texas resident. Texas Tech on their website provides a link to the HPSP program, this should be a good sign I guess. Thanks for the headsup on the GWU interview as I will be applying there. Anybody else come across hostile encounters?

 

[NavyFP]

I actually have no prior military experience...so it probably seems crazy I want to do this. I'm just surrounded by close family/friends in the military and this has been my motivation

But agreed, if the school isn't supportive of something I want to do, that wouldn't be ideal. However, I'd much rather get in to medical school and deal with lackluster support.

I'm a Texas resident. Texas Tech on their website provides a link to the HPSP program, this should be a good sign I guess. Thanks for the headsup on the GWU interview as I will be applying there. Anybody else come across hostile encounters?

Texas as a rule is very pro-military. To add my 2 cents. If you have other funding and you want to be military, consider the Health Services Collegiate Program (HSCP) vice HPSP. HSCP pays you active duty E6 pay, but pays nothing towards school. Add to that the time in the program counts towards pay and retirement, it would be a great deal for you.

 

[colbgw02]

I was concerned that my military obligation would hurt me since I wanted to go to my in-state school, which is - of course - charged with producing physicians that will practice in that state. I remember a dean with whom I interviewed asked me a few questions about it. I ended up getting in and attending there, so it clearly didn't hurt too much. In retrospect, it would have been a stupid concern for them to have since so many non-military classmates of mine went to out-of-state residencies and will likely never move back.

 

[TheGoose]

After I explained that my primary goal was to be an Army doctor, my interviewer at GWU said, "Why would you do that?" No explanation was good enough for him and the conversation pretty much died after that.

Your immediate response should have been "Why would the LCME put GWU on probation?" And taken no explanation as good enough. =D That way the interview can die on your terms and it would be legen...wait for it...dary!

 

[Sarg's kid]

I actually have no prior military experience...so it probably seems crazy I want to do this. I'm just surrounded by close family/friends in the military and this has been my motivation

But agreed, if the school isn't supportive of something I want to do, that wouldn't be ideal. However, I'd much rather get in to medical school and deal with lackluster support.

I'm a Texas resident. Texas Tech on their website provides a link to the HPSP program, this should be a good sign I guess. Thanks for the headsup on the GWU interview as I will be applying there. Anybody else come across hostile encounters?

Oh, The Great State is a whole other ball game. I would tell them for sure. Texas is where I'm headed. If military medicine is central to your desire to be a doctor, as it was for me, Texas is a very supportive place and it would be worth throwing that into your TMDSAS or your interview. I wouldn't worry at all about it hurting you in Texas.

 

[Jolie South]

I mentioned it at some of my interviews, mostly the private schools out of state. I'm a Texas resident and I think it was hard to fathom why I would attend anywhere other than a Texas public school with the cheap tuition and low cost of living we have. HPSP helped me get better consideration at the high cost schools, I think.

I even had a couple of interviewers that actually served as physicians in the military. They were able to provide some good advice as well.

As most people have said, Texas is pro military, so mentioning it wouldn't hurt you. Regardless of other people's desires to serve, most respect the fact that you're willing to do so.

 

[Sarg's kid]

Your immediate response should have been "Why would the LCME put GWU on probation?" And taken no explanation as good enough. =D That way the interview can die on your terms and it would be legen...wait for it...dary!

That would have been SUPERB!!! Too bad they weren't put on probation until two weeks after I interviewed, b/c that would have been perfect.

 

[Neuronix]

The big name places are not fans of HPSP. Since HPSP does not allow you to take a year out for research, does not allow you to take time to obtain extra degrees, and does not allow you to take advantage of any programs between first and second year, HPSP students can not take advantage of the opportunities provided by a big name academic med school. Thus, those schools would rather accept students who can take advantage of those unique resources.

 

[The White Coat Investor]

This thread reminds me of why being a pre-med sucked. I remember when I used to worry about things like this. Ha ha. Boy was I dumb.

Having been on an admissions committee, I don't recall once discussing whether an applicant was HPSP or not. I don't think we even knew unless they put it in their personal statement. In fact, how could they know since you don't get the scholarship before the acceptance?

 

[Confused2626]

Having been on an admissions committee, I don't recall once discussing whether an applicant was HPSP or not. I don't think we even knew unless they put it in their personal statement. In fact, how could they know since you don't get the scholarship before the acceptance?

Yeah, the pre-med life sucks a lot.

It is true that one doesn't know if they'll get HPSP, but the individual certainly knows of their intentions to apply or not apply. This is more in regards to the secondary or interview question of "where do you see yourself in 5 years?". Med schools clearly want to recruit doctors who will practice in their community, so this HPSP thing can be a double edged sword

 

[Confused2626]

With that said, I think I'm going to keep the HPSP intentions in the closet based on all of your feedback. As mentioned, I am applying to many 'pro military' Texas schools but...it still seems to be opening a can of worms when it needn't be.

 

[Caprica6]

I've been thinking about how ADCOMMs will look at students who are interested in serving as military physicians. The problem I have is that I cannot explain why I want to become a doctor with out bringing this up. I would also be okay with working at a VA hospital, but I'm going to have to discuss this stuff in my personal statement in order to explain why I want to go into medicine as opposed to research.

 

[Mcrap]

With that said, I think I'm going to keep the HPSP intentions in the closet based on all of your feedback. As mentioned, I am applying to many 'pro military' Texas schools but...it still seems to be opening a can of worms when it needn't be.

I just interview this last round at the Texas Schools ( UT Schools only), and the only school I mentioned I was interested in doing HPSP was San Antonio. The reason for this was that one of the persons that interview you there is usually a med student. I just lucked out and mine was an HPSP Air Force student so we talked for a while about it. Unless your put in the same situation I wouldn't mention it. One thing I will say is that San Antonio hands down from my short glimpses of the 4 UT med schools had the largest HPSP population (at least out and about during interviews). If you have any more questions about the interviews at the Texas schools send me a PM.

 

[MaximusD]

I just interview this last round at the Texas Schools ( UT Schools only), and the only school I mentioned I was interested in doing HPSP was San Antonio. The reason for this was that one of the persons that interview you there is usually a med student. I just lucked out and mine was an HPSP Air Force student so we talked for a while about it. Unless your put in the same situation I wouldn't mention it. One thing I will say is that San Antonio hands down from my short glimpses of the 4 UT med schools had the largest HPSP population (at least out and about during interviews). If you have any more questions about the interviews at the Texas schools send me a PM.

PCOM is the largest generator of military medical students out of any medical school excepting, of course, USUHS. We have a very large and very active AMOPS club here. I am not very active in it, but I have the cool t-shirt

That said, I'm not sure how it factors into admissions decisions. I didn't apply for HPSP until halfway through my first year.

 

[tweaked17]

I think there was a lot of good advice offered so far, with the take-home message being "it depends."

I didn't mention it early on, because I didn't think it would be sincere and also because that's when I interviewed at most of my state schools. Later in interview season, I was more committed and was also interviewing at expensive private schools, in and out-of-state. I can say that it never hurt me, and certainly did help me at a couple of schools. One interviewer was very impressed and treated me with more respect after I mentioned it.

I think it would be best to leave out that information if you're interviewing at a state school and/or a school that focuses on research.

Financial aid directors DO love it.

 

[Kingfisher]

I'm going to have to discuss this stuff in my personal statement in order to explain why I want to go into medicine as opposed to research.

I would say focus on your goals and motivations rather than trying to explain why you DON'T want to do certain things. Leave the questions about research to be asked at the interview (that is if they will even be asked at all).

 

[BrickHouseMD]

I remember bringing it up in my interviews as a means of saying: hey, things are paid for, you as an institution won't have to throw money at me so you can use it for other scholarships; also, I don't have to worry about money and can focus 100% on being a successful student. Not sure if it came to be any kind of factor in my acceptance but I can't imagine it hurting. It makes good business sense and at the heart of it, that's what the schools are about.

 

[Caprica6]

I would say focus on your goals and motivations rather than trying to explain why you DON'T want to do certain things. Leave the questions about research to be asked at the interview (that is if they will even be asked at all).

I wasn't going to discuss why I DON'T want to go into research in my personal statement, but I know I need to make a strong case for why I DO want to go into medicine (since they will see my extensive research background in the experience section). I'm just worried about if should bring up the fact that I want to either work with active duty or veterans. I don't know how ADCOMMs will look at that, but my experiences with this group of people is why I want to become a doctor.

 

[Neuronix]

My response if I was interviewing you would be:

Well why not either contract at a military hospital or work for the VA? They are always hiring. That will provide you the flexibility to continue doing research if you so choose. It would also allow you to work with those patient populations.

But that's just my opinion having extensive research experience. The MDs who aren't into research probably won't care about this.

 

[notdeadyet]

I'm just worried about if should bring up the fact that I want to either work with active duty or veterans. I don't know how ADCOMMs will look at that, but my experiences with this group of people is why I want to become a doctor.

If working with active duty or veterans is your passion, you should DEFINITELY mention it.

Keep in mind that HPSP is not the only route to working with this demographic. There is FAP, which has no military involvement until after med school. There's the Guard and Reserves, which does not involve military medical residencies. There's also those who join after residency is over, taking advantage of loan repayment plans.

As for working with veterans, though I would guess that vet doctors would be more likely to want to work with vets, most VA docs I know have never served (I can see how after working many years in the overly bureaucratic military system, moving to an overly bureaucratic pseudomilitary system might not have a lot of appeal).

My point is that adcoms are not going to hear about your passion for helping servicepeople and veterans and equate that with HPSP or any other commitment that might impact their med school in any way.