Do you commission after the end of med school, or the residency? Are fellowships available?
You commission before starting medical school. Residency and fellowship works the same way as it does for any other HPSP/USUHS grad. Fellowships are available, but most docs have to do a utilization tour between residency and fellowship. Some go straight through, but it’s a small number since there are not a ton of spots for each fellowship. But that’s military GME, not something unique to this program.
Essentially, this program is a postbacc and an SMP. The first year you take all the med school prereqs and the MCAT. Then while applying to med school, you take graduate courses in biochem, anatomy, physiology, etc. You are required to apply to USUHS, are guaranteed an interview, and are given priority for admission if you meet the requirements of the program (3.0/500). You are also allowed to apply to civilian schools, but you’re own your own there. If you decide to attend a civilian school (one or two people usually do), you must apply for HPSP.
The program covers the cost of your tuition, an in-person Kaplan course, your MCAT, and the initial amcas primary fee. Once you matriculate at a medical school, you become just like any other military med student.
