Ok JPenzer and everyone else who wants to do UoP with HPSP, here's something that most or maybe all recruiters do not know and will probably screw up for you like they did for me.
Due to the past mistakes of the air force in over estimating the number of dentist they needed over the last few years (thus having a surplus of military dentists), all the branches have very set numbers of how many dentist they can have graduate every year. Additionally, most of the branches hand out 3 year HPSP before they hand out their 4 year HPSP. Those 3 year HPSP are taken up by D1 students who finally realize its the smart thing to do. What this means for me and other future HPSP people who get into HPSP: you might get screwed over like i just did.
So I met AAC qualifications for HPSP and thus will get a HPSP spot for class of 2014. However, since technically all the three year scholarships have been handed out already, class of 2013 is at max capacity, thus I cannot apply the scholarship to UoP since I would be graduating in class of 2013👎
Recruiters can be worthless sometimes.... if you want to do HPSP and UoP in the future, you are going to have to apply early and make sure that the recruiter knows that you need a 3 year and NOT a four scholarship.
Not quite sure what you are basing your information off of - let's put things out here straight. Each service basis the number of scholarships (both 4 and 3 yr) off of what they will need in the future to maintain their force. If a service is full or down sizing, then they will not offer as many scholarships if their people that forcast manpower think they will be fine. So what one service does or ddesn't do has no affect on the other services HPSP.
I can't speak for the other services, but the 3 year scholarships in the Army go faster, because there is fewer of them. Also, there are the wait-listed 4 yr HPSP applicants that have their packets ready to go and apply for them right off the bat - whereas the new 4yr applicants are still getting packets together, waiting for acceptance letters, and deciding whether mom, dad, or significant other will approve of them joining.
I am not sure what service you applied with, but the HPSP is not a right or a guarantee - therefore for someone to be upset and feel like they were screwed over something that is a competition seems strange. If you decide to go to UOP that is a choice. It will put you at a disadvantage for getting a HPSP because you are competing for scholarships that are tougher to get (more competition - less available). Your alternative is to apply to a 4 yr school where you will have a much better chance with all 3 services HPSP.
If you feel like your recruiter screwed you because he/she put you in for a 4 yr and you were applying to a 3 yr school - shouldn't have made that much difference since the process is the same, and things will be changed by the recruiting command when they see it.
AAC program is not something that the Army has even though most (including recruiters) people believe it does. Medical offers it - not dental. The biggest factor is timing - look ahead, decide what you want and apply early. The HPSP will only get more competitive in the future as retention and recruitment remain strong.
If you are set on UOP and the military and don't get HPSP - there are still loan repayment programs offered through the military as well as public health. If HPSP was just a bump on the way to becoming a private practice dentist - you will have the opportunity to start sooner.
2 yr HPSP are easier to get - and it gives you the advantage of being able to do a 12 month AEGD without incuring an additional year (since you will owe 3 yrs anyway).
