Enlisting before medical school but after college

[deleted1072210]

Hi everyone. I am needing some advice, I just graduated from college May of 2020. My goal is be a military physician, but right now I know that I am not mature enough for medical school right now. I thought that having military experience will help my application. I am going through my first gap year, and I know that I’ll have to take at least 2 more gap years. Does it sound strange to enlist before medical school? Has anyone does this before? I’ll be 27 by the time I’d be applying for medical school.

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[CricB4Tube]

Why exactly can't you get accepted now? And why don't you think you're mature enough for med school?
I don't see how enlisting will help you get in. You just need a strong GPA, MCAT, clinical experience, volunteer experience, and research. The military won't help you with these in a way that is more beneficial than staying a civilian for a year and doing it yourself. And enlisting now will have no impact on your ability to become a military physician. Military experience isn't a replacement for any of the core components to get in, it's just icing on the cake.

 

[8YearsLate]

Hi everyone. I am needing some advice, I just graduated from college May of 2020. My goal is be a military physician, but right now I know that I am not mature enough for medical school right now. I thought that having military experience will help my application. I am going through my first gap year, and I know that I’ll have to take at least 2 more gap years. Does it sound strange to enlist before medical school? Has anyone does this before? I’ll be 27 by the time I’d be applying for medical school.

The military is pretty open about the fact that it only wants mature, mentally and emotionally-sound individuals enlisting. So, I wouldn't mention that in your discussion with recruiters. Also, you'll want to look into HPSP and see if they still cover the cost of school if you enlist ahead of time. I don't see why they wouldn't, but who knows. Also, just because they are able to offer you HPSP now, does not mean that they will be able to in the future. I know that they just closed the dental HPSP for this upcoming year. HPSP only exists to produce the type of doctors the military NEEDS right now, so keep this in mind when considering delaying. If military cuts occur, that will likely have an effect on how many seats are available over the next several years. Personally, if you plan to serve in the military AND be a doctor, you should take advantage of the scholarship and attend medical school as soon as your application is ready. The military is a career choice, not something you do to fill time. Screw whoever told you you're immature. What does that even mean? If you truly believe that, spend the next 6 months preparing your app, getting letters, volunteering, shadowing, and applying to medical school while still managing self-care and finances. If you can do that, you're just as mature as everyone else who did it before you.

 

[deleted599599]

I only enlisted because I didn't get in the first time I applied (2014). I didn't have the grades or MCAT of a competitive applicant. Did some soul searching and joined because I wanted to serve and with the intention of learning if medicine was the right path and ultimately it's worked out (matriculation this Fall).
That being said it will be a huge commitment. If you are already planning your gap years with something productive I don't think you'd need the military. The stars need to align and it's a real roll of the dice to make the experience applicable to a medical school app.
If you're not mature enough for medical school, the military won't be a pleasant experience. It's a big leap into a lot unknowns. Unless you're comfortable with that I'd hold off.

 

[pizzapac]

Regardless of whether you choose to joint he military, if you have a college degree, DO NOT ENLIST. Do not let a recruiter convince you to do so. Find a way to COMMISSION instead. Officers are treated and paid significantly better, and almost every enlisted-to-commissioning program is extremely competitive and requires a minimum amount of service or minimum paygrade to be eligible. As a commissioned officer, I see the differences in my quality of life compared to the enlisted service members I work with and am responsible for. There are officer recruiters out there, and some even specialize in medical or other special programs. I would recommend looking into OCS requirements through an officer recruiter. If your bachelor degree is in the medical field, there may be an option to become a medical officer in your field. Lastly, if your goal is to be a military physician, now is the perfect time to look into programs like USUHS and scholarship programs like HPSP or HSCP. In doing so, you can start your military service at the same time as your medical career.

 

[deleted555445]

Regardless of whether you choose to joint he military, if you have a college degree, DO NOT ENLIST. Do not let a recruiter convince you to do so. Find a way to COMMISSION instead. Officers are treated and paid significantly better, and almost every enlisted-to-commissioning program is extremely competitive and requires a minimum amount of service or minimum paygrade to be eligible. As a commissioned officer, I see the differences in my quality of life compared to the enlisted service members I work with and am responsible for. There are officer recruiters out there, and some even specialize in medical or other special programs. I would recommend looking into OCS requirements through an officer recruiter. If your bachelor degree is in the medical field, there may be an option to become a medical officer in your field. Lastly, if your goal is to be a military physician, now is the perfect time to look into programs like USUHS and scholarship programs like HPSP or HSCP. In doing so, you can start your military service at the same time as your medical career.

I disagree, being an officer sucks, you do much more of the boring stuff. Sure you don't get shat on as much as the lower enlisted, but I never get to go kick in doors.

That being said, being an officer would give you more to write about in terms of leadership on apps. But I really, really, really don't recommend you join the military just for med school apps. If you absolutely feel like you have to, join the Air Force, its basically a civilian job 🤣

 

[Mississippi Grind]

There isn't a strait forward answer to this. There are some intangibles that come with spending time as enlisted sucking and suffering. I've been on both the enlisted and Officer side and they are just two different things. Being a staff Officer could be a fate worse than death depending on your personality. I can only speak for myself, but I am an advocate of the Army if that person needs the personal growth. I don't think I would do it to pad an application... I think you would be very very unhappy with the results of that.

What the Army has to offer you is something relative to discipline, discomfort, and sacrifice. I have 0 regrets, but it was just a good fit for me at that time.