Foreign military - an app boost?

[canijust]

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Wondering about some of us who may have to fulfill military duties in non-US countries. Will this be looked on favorably in terms of med admissions? I think it'll make you a unique applicant, but how will this affect your candidacy?

Cheers

 

[Rachapkis]

Adcoms will likely have different views depending on their own personal background and biases, what your military experience entailed, and how you present those experiences. For example, I would suspect that a compelling portrayal of your experiences as a medic in a war torn area would be looked upon much more favorably than a ho-hum presentation of time spent as a short order cook's assistant. (No offense to you short-order cooks out there; I was one in a prior life.)

 

[Goro]

I would say the compulsory military service wouldnt hurt an app and certainly is a different experience than most other applicants, even if only a short order cook (I worked the counter and also deli clerk)

Agree 100% with my wise colleague

 

[canijust]

Would it have the same effect as going to the US military since the experience would be similar? Or is it less meaningful to the adcoms?

Thanks!

 

[Geo16]

Same thing happening here. But won't be serving the full service though. Just reserve/social service agent duty.
Gotta be drilled for 4 weeks. Will be a private in ROKA.

 

[canijust]

sounds like what you actually do in the military matters significantly. thanks for the input!

 

[Detective SnowBucket]

At lease many of the countries that have a compulsory military system are quite close with the US (Korea, Israel). Otherwise, that could make for an awkward conversation about what you were fighting towards.