DO's in HPSP

[texdrake]

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I am going into my second year at DMU and have just been awarded an ARMY 3 year scholarship. I was wondering if any of you who are on the scholarship can tell me what your opinion is. Thoughts, regrets, thanks, they are all important to me. I just want to see what all I am getting into.

 

[raspberry swirl]

i just received the scholarship last week but after doing a lot of research, including a lot right here on sdn, i turned it down. there are tons of other threads here on sdn about military scholarships. there is a lot of good, bad, and conflicting information regarding hpsp. some people love it while others loath it, and a fair amount are up in the air (which was reason enough for me to be pretty sure i didn't want to risk it-- everyone pays off their loans eventually without a huge problem anyway).

i would check out the other threads-- there are a bunch under allopathic, and few under both allo and osteo premeds.
a lot of the other threads have links to websites that are also helpful.

if you have any specific questions, you can pm me, and i'll give you my opinion, but since i haven't accepted the scholarship, my thoughts and opinions are based only on the research i did, the people i spoke to and my completely misinformed recruiter . i don't want to be a hater or anything, but my overall conclusion is that the scholarship makes life during med school a little easier, but you'd better really love the military afterward if you know what i mean. good luck!

 

[texdrake]

Keep them coming. Thanks for the comments, I will search the site for some of those other posts. I am to be commissioned on the 8th so I guess that is the day I have to decide, although I don't see me turning it down now. DMU is afterall one of the most expensive schools in the nation...

 

[cdreed]

Hi texdrake!

I was just released from active duty Air Force to attend AZCOM using the HPSP. I would be happy to answer any specific questions you have regarding the military. IMO, I love the lifestyle. I can't imagine doing anything else. I get the unique opportunity to pursue my two primary goals- becoming an AF officer and a compassionate physician. But you must understand that while in the Armed Forces, you will be a soldier first and a physician second. Most days are like those of any civilian doc, but when the situation occurs that military responsibilities conflict with others, you're duty as a soldier supercedes. You will be called upon from day one to be a leader. You must always consider the condition of those in your command. In the military, you will be charged with effectively utilizing resources and people. I would suggest that you think closely about your decision. You know that you want to be a physician. But do you also foresee yourself as an officer in the Armed Forces? You would be doing a disservice to those in your command if you resent doing that part of your job. And no doubt about it, you will be required to evaluate and lead others... sometimes to the point that you feel commanding may be an obstacle to being the best doc you can be. Are you willing to learn to balance these two tasks? Feel free to pm me if you have any concerns.

Cyndi

 

[monchiormeno]

Hi! I'm Monica. I enlisted in the Navy when I was 18, after finishing my enlistment, I got out and became a full-time college student (VA benefits payed for college). I stayed in the reserves during my undergrad years because I LOVE THE NAVY. I can honestly tell you that, there is no grey area in the military. Either you hate or you love it. And if you think that you are going to hate it, then DON'T DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Because not only are you going to hate life for the following 7-8 years after med school, but you are going to be a pain in the butt to the people serving with you. The military is not for everyone.
I just found out that I was selected to the HPSP for the Navy last week and I am as happy as I can be. My father served in the Navy Medical Corps for 27 years and taught me to love the Navy and the military. Being a Navy doctor has been my dream since I was conceived!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can answer any question you have about the program, etc. The good, the bad and the ugly, trust me there is a bit of everything and if you are not familiar with the military, the recruiter may take advantage of that and might "forget" to tell you some things. You can PM-me or e-mail me at [email protected]
My suggestion: turn the ARMY HPSP down and
GO NAVY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!