Entering HPSP MS4, Good Idea?

[Syndonium]

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- I've been looking into starting HPSP and I'm a rising MS4.
- Recruiter said I could join and still get the signing bonus etc. My 45days would be after I graduate.
- Plan to do FM or IM (not super competitive?) in the military match.
- Only 1 FM residency close to home would be top choice
- What are my realistic chances to even match this late? Would I be destined for GMO tour?
Context I've been prepping to apply civilian MedPeds and 4th year schedule is already laid out. It doesn't seem like I'd have time to even apply to military match this cycle as I heard it can take up to 6months for apps to process and get "commissioned". I didn't do any ADT auditions in MS3 and I heard that's basically how you match programs.

I decided to do this now because I have a child and my family is really struggling financially, plus I have thought about the military for years, but it would I think be better to keep struggling through and do ERAS if I'd basically be destined to be a GMO.

 

[afteranesthesia]

OMG no. Take out loans. You will owe four years for only one year of tuition if you take the sign on bonus. This is such a terrible financial decision. I'd do Doordash deliveries first. You also cannot apply MedPeds in the military. You have a child too? Do you want to deploy away from them? You didn't touch on that at all. I have deployed with three children at home. It's horrible. This is a terrible decision. Get a loan. Do the civilian match. Maintain a modicum of control over your life and then you will make real doctor money way sooner than with the military anyways.

 

[armytrainingsir]

You completely missed the window for HPSP.
Absolutely do not sign up at this point.
Put any thoughts of HPSP completely away.

 

[afteranesthesia]

You completely missed the window for HPSP.
Absolutely do not sign up at this point.
Put any thoughts of HPSP completely away.

These posts give me material to talk to my therapist about. It's so frustrating watching people consider this crap after I feel like I ran from the military screaming after I finish my ADSC. WTAF are recruiters telling people to let them think any piece of her post was a reasonable idea?

 

[DOswag]

Yeah echoing what’s been said. Don’t do it. 13/10 would not recommend at this point. 9.9/10 would not recommend pretty much any other time even if you were still a pre med. Way too many variables in milmed and the false veil of financial gain is not even close to worth it at this point for you. At the absolute very least for the military you could consider FAP but even then I still wouldn’t necessarily recommend it. I didn’t even know HPSP was a legit option this late in the game for med students, or is the recruiter fos?

 

[SirGecko]

Like the others said I don't think there is any medical corps officer that would tell you trying to join right before MS4 year is a good idea without extreme extenuating circumstances. (and all those circumstance are more about a need to be in the military not a need to avoid something else, running to something not running from) This sounds like a problem that loans can solve. If you are still interested in joining the military you should do that after residency.

 

[Nontrad_FL_LGBT]

I don't know if you can even get a 1 year scholarship. I've only heard of 3 and 4 years, and if you take the bonus it's an automatic 4 year ADSO. That would be kinda nuts. If you really want to join the mil do FAP/HPLRP or join as an attending imo.

 

[Syndonium]

I appreciate the advice. I've been struggling all of MS3 with finances and I don't have a supportive spouse so it all ends on my shoulders. I have already taken out a total $20,000 in personal loans which has shot my credit to trash and the monthly payments are cruel. We've lived in a 1 bedroom, have no W/D, cars breaking down and needing repair work, not able to take care of my spouse or do much fun things with my kid. Not able to keep the home clean and safe for them because I'm always working.

I've been trying to just suck it up and figure things out until graduation, but there's lots of expenses MS4. Since this post a family member has offered to give me $20,000 in $5,000 q 4mo to just pay back when I'm a doctor. Thank God for them because I have had zero help from in-laws or my spouse. I also haven't been able to see my child in 2 weeks and desperate. It seemed like a good idea because I would be willing to sacrifice anything for my family..

I love and appreciate this community so much, thank you SDN your wisdom helps 🙏 I tried to keep the OP short/sweet so I didn't go into details, I'll give a few more days to think about it since my meeting with the recruiter is next week.

 

[Nontrad_FL_LGBT]

I know this is your personal issue to deal with, but it sounds like your spouse is a big part of the issue if you're struggling financially AND the house isn't even decent. Spend some of that gift money on marriage counseling, it'll pay dividends. Good luck, friend.

 

[armytrainingsir]

You really need to get to the bottom of your problems with your spouse and that should be your first priority.

Having a rocky marriage, financial difficulties and then adding a military commitment on top of medical school and internship would pretty much guarantee a complete personal disaster for most anyone.

While I hesitate to make any concrete, hard and fast sweeping recommendations to strangers online, but based on what you’ve told us, you’re a hot mess at the moment and the military isn’t going to fix that at all. But it will almost certainly make it worse. Much worse.

Good luck and I pray you find peace in all this.

 

[Syndonium]

You really need to get to the bottom of your problems with your spouse and that should be your first priority.

Having a rocky marriage, financial difficulties and then adding a military commitment on top of medical school and internship would pretty much guarantee a complete personal disaster for most anyone.

While I hesitate to make any concrete, hard and fast sweeping recommendations to strangers online, but based on what you’ve told us, you’re a hot mess at the moment and the military isn’t going to fix that at all. But it will almost certainly make it worse. Much worse.

Good luck and I pray you find peace in all this.

Thank you, I met with my pastor today for counseling (by myself) and was really encouraged. Sounds like this is a bad idea, I'll stick civilian and in 4 years I can get a 2wk on 2wk off gig. Got some counseling on how to be a better spouse and advice on working in getting them to join me in the future.

 

[Syndonium]

Just wanted to share an update. It's been a very trying last 2 months and I'm so thankful for the guidance I've gotten both on and off this forum.

Very thankful as well for the cool heads here helping me not make rash decisions when I was desparate.

Having to delay graduation into my MS4 because I decided to file for divorce. My spouse had kidnapped our son and when she made him miss his well-child appointment for important vaccines/bloodwork I knew she wasn't doing anything with good intentions. I was just being emotionally blackmailed for the 2nd time with our son.

As a Christian, this was really distressing for a while but recently she tried to falsely accuse me of domestic violence/assault and get me arrested in front of our son after trying to forcibly move back in due to her getting standard visitation from the judge. Luckily I covered myself and recorded the interaction, but that's removed any self-blame or doubt I had about if this was the right move.

Praying there's a light at the end of this tunnel for my son and I. She's very mentally sick and her family unfortunately enables her. Hoping to get through all these legalities without it ruining my career and ability to provide for my child. Very blessed my school has been extremely supportive during all this.

 

[Nontrad_FL_LGBT]

Jesus man. Hope it all works out well for you.