HPSP for PsyD... a few questions

[cmd0618]

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Hey everyone,

Let me start off by saying I found a lot of people who had info about the HPSP for psychology on this site when I googled it, and I am thankful for that. But I'm hoping some of you guys are still around here because I have a few more unanswered questions about it.

First, how hard is it to get the scholarship for the PsyD? I think that in some health professions, anyone who applies and serves in the military for the required amount of time gets it, but this doesn't seem to be the case for psychology. What's the average GPA (undergrad as well as grad, since they only pay for the last two years of schooling), average GRE, anything else I'd need to know? (I haven't taken my GRE yet, and my GPA is... ugh I don't even want to say, but I have one more year and I'm working on it.)

Second, the Army appears to be the only branch of the military that offers much on the Psychology HPSP, although the Air Force and Navy both apparently have it... if I do decide this is what I want, would the Army be the way to go?

Lastly, if I don't get this, I would have to take out an additional $65,000 in loans (that's 2 years at a professional school for you... too bad I'm not PhD material.) I FEEL like this would be taking me out of tons of debt, which is what I feel turns most people away from PsyD programs... so I feel like this is a good idea. But I want you to know - I'm NOT one of those people who's just in it for the money. While I will admit I never saw myself in the military before this, I've thought about it a lot recently and realize it would really help mold me into the person I want to be - responsible, hardworking, etc (I have a lot of tendencies about myself that I don't like, but for some reason I just can't rid myself of them.) I really think it would build character, as well as serving a unique population that you just don't find anywhere else. And of course, I love my country!!! Don't we all?

Ever since I realized that this could be my life I've been really excited, which I hope is legit and not just that "new idea" excitement. I really want to do this... I've never felt so certain about anything before. Your thoughts?

 

[TenaciousGirl]

Hey everyone,

Let me start off by saying I found a lot of people who had info about the HPSP for psychology on this site when I googled it, and I am thankful for that. But I'm hoping some of you guys are still around here because I have a few more unanswered questions about it.

First, how hard is it to get the scholarship for the PsyD? I think that in some health professions, anyone who applies and serves in the military for the required amount of time gets it, but this doesn't seem to be the case for psychology. What's the average GPA (undergrad as well as grad, since they only pay for the last two years of schooling), average GRE, anything else I'd need to know? (I haven't taken my GRE yet, and my GPA is... ugh I don't even want to say, but I have one more year and I'm working on it.)

Second, the Army appears to be the only branch of the military that offers much on the Psychology HPSP, although the Air Force and Navy both apparently have it... if I do decide this is what I want, would the Army be the way to go?

Lastly, if I don't get this, I would have to take out an additional $65,000 in loans (that's 2 years at a professional school for you... too bad I'm not PhD material.) I FEEL like this would be taking me out of tons of debt, which is what I feel turns most people away from PsyD programs... so I feel like this is a good idea. But I want you to know - I'm NOT one of those people who's just in it for the money. While I will admit I never saw myself in the military before this, I've thought about it a lot recently and realize it would really help mold me into the person I want to be - responsible, hardworking, etc (I have a lot of tendencies about myself that I don't like, but for some reason I just can't rid myself of them.) I really think it would build character, as well as serving a unique population that you just don't find anywhere else. And of course, I love my country!!! Don't we all?

Ever since I realized that this could be my life I've been really excited, which I hope is legit and not just that "new idea" excitement. I really want to do this... I've never felt so certain about anything before. Your thoughts?

It's my understanding that there is a lot of "fine print" with the HPSP program. Maybe that's wrong, but from what I've heard and read it definitely isn't something to be taken lightly. You are literally signing yourself away and if that's what you want, then great. However, I've seen first hand that a lot of people jump into it without really knowing what they're getting into. Hopefully you'll be able to get connected with someone who is in the same program. I know someone who is in the HPSP navy program for psychology and the only thing they've mentioned about PsyD vs. PhD is the program must be APA accredited.

 

[cmd0618]

Hey Tenacious Girl,

Thanks for responding, I almost thought no one would since a while went by with no answers. I'm glad you know someone in the program - I didn't know how common it was for psychology vs. other health professions, which it seems to be more common. Hopefully someone on here is in the program, or will at least know more about it.

But I hope you realize I'm not taking this lightly, I'm actually very serious about this. I've thought about my options recently and there's really nothing I'll be able to do with a bachelor's in psychology. I'm looking for a sense of direction as well as trying to take the pressure off my mother, who is working two jobs right now. On top of that, my family situation is VERY complicated - I need to get away. There are a million more reasons why this is the right thing to do, but I don't want to bore you to death.

I also noticed there's a section on here for military medicine... I might post a similar thread in there and see if people there know a little more about it.

 

[roubs]

What stage are you at in school? You are more likely to get a scholarship if you already have a year of grad school under your belt.

Many Psy.D. students do get these scholarships, but afaik, there is no published data on GPA/GRE out there. There should be threads on SDN that compare Army/Navy/AF. All 3 have a program so look around and talk to the recruiters.

 

[cmd0618]

Hey roubs - yeah, from what i read you usually need to have two years under your belt before you apply, but some people are lucky and apply after one. I'm about to finish my last year of undergrad, so it's a bit of a ways away - I just like to plan ahead, that's all.

But yeah I will search the website for those statistics. Thanks!

 

[roubs]

Sorry if I wasn't clear--I may be wrong, I don't think statistics exist on what GPA/GRE people have who get into HPSP. "As high as possible" is a good rule of thumb :/

 

[erg923]

As far as I am aware, GRE is not a factor in the determination process.

I would warn the OP that they would be setting themselves up for alot of geographic instability/moving around (relocation for internship, relocation for stationing, deployments, etc.), not too mention actually being in the military. This was NOT something I or my wife found very suitable for starting a family and settling down. And thus, the idea was quickly abandoned in our house.

I'm NOT one of those people who's just in it for the money. While I will admit I never saw myself in the military before this, I've thought about it a lot recently and realize it would really help mold me into the person I want to be - responsible, hardworking, etc (I have a lot of tendencies about myself that I don't like, but for some reason I just can't rid myself of them.)

Um...This, frankly, is not so good and would be a redflag to any HPSP recruiter. This attitude would be good for someone who wants to enlist as a private. The military has a rep for straightening people out like that. But, you are NOT enlisting. You are coming in as an officer. The military really wants to see that you have demonstrated those qualities already, across multiple settings. Commissioned Officers are seen as "role models" and leaders, and the military wants to see that you will fit that mold. At that level, all the "molding" they want to have to do is help you adjust to military culture/life.

 

[2012PhD]

Hey Tenacious Girl,

But I hope you realize I'm not taking this lightly, I'm actually very serious about this. I've thought about my options recently and there's really nothing I'll be able to do with a bachelor's in psychology. I'm looking for a sense of direction as well as trying to take the pressure off my mother, who is working two jobs right now. On top of that, my family situation is VERY complicated - I need to get away. There are a million more reasons why this is the right thing to do, but I don't want to bore you to death.

I also noticed there's a section on here for military medicine... I might post a similar thread in there and see if people there know a little more about it.

Given that you are both financially strained and desperate, I would AVOID an unfunded PsyD at a professional school. You will be even more desperate for a job when you graduate, plus you'll have 200K in loans. Unfunded PsyD's in professional programs are only appropriate if you have a large trust fund.

You can't join the military or work at a VA without an apa internship period. Professional PsyD programs have poor apa internship match rates as a whole so this is a bad idea if you want to go the military route. Plus, attrition rates tend to be as high as 50% so you may never get your degree period.

 

[2012PhD]

Here is a good thread to read about being a psychologist in the military and there are several military psychologists that posted on here:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=821410&highlight=military

 

[cmd0618]

Given that you are both financially strained and desperate, I would AVOID an unfunded PsyD at a professional school. You will be even more desperate for a job when you graduate, plus you'll have 200K in loans. Unfunded PsyD's in professional programs are only appropriate if you have a large trust fund.

You can't join the military or work at a VA without an apa internship period. Professional PsyD programs have poor apa internship match rates as a whole so this is a bad idea if you want to go the military route. Plus, attrition rates tend to be as high as 50% so you may never get your degree period.

I'm actually more aware of the subject than you appear to presume. Although the info isn't always out there (as you were saying in the other thread) I knew the military required an APA internship. What I didn't realize was that they didn't automatically place you in an internship (as they do in the case for other health professions). I am a bit concerned with the school I was planning on going to and their internship match rates as well... it is pretty low.

Nothing's set in stone, though - I guess I'll just have to see what happens. I appreciate you helping me out, though!

 

[roubs]

I've thought about it a lot recently and realize it would really help mold me into the person I want to be - responsible, hardworking, etc (I have a lot of tendencies about myself that I don't like, but for some reason I just can't rid myself of them.)

Um...This, frankly, is not so good and would be a redflag to any HPSP recruiter. This attitude would be good for someone who wants to enlist as a private. The military has a rep for straightening people out like that. But, you are NOT enlisting. You are coming in as an officer. The military really wants to see that you have demonstrated those qualities already, across multiple settings. Commissioned Officers are seen as "role models" and leaders, and the military wants to see that you will fit that mold. At that level, all the "molding" they want to have to do is help you adjust to military culture/life.

Sorry I missed this part on first read, Erg is absolutely right. If you come in wanting them to mold you into a responsible and hardworking person, they will throw away your application. They expect those things to be already present at this level.

 

[cmd0618]

Sorry I missed this part on first read, Erg is absolutely right. If you come in wanting them to mold you into a responsible and hardworking person, they will throw away your application. They expect those things to be already present at this level.

I never said I wasn't responsible or hardworking - just that I always strive to be better. And these are more my personal feelings and not necessarily what I would tell to recruiters. Seriously guys, I'm not THAT stupid.

 

[cmd0618]

As far as I am aware, GRE is not a factor in the determination process.

I would warn the OP that they would be setting themselves up for alot of geographic instability/moving around (relocation for internship, relocation for stationing, deployments, etc.), not too mention actually being in the military. This was NOT something I or my wife found very suitable for starting a family and settling down. And thus, the idea was quickly abandoned in our house.



Um...This, frankly, is not so good and would be a redflag to any HPSP recruiter. This attitude would be good for someone who wants to enlist as a private. The military has a rep for straightening people out like that. But, you are NOT enlisting. You are coming in as an officer. The military really wants to see that you have demonstrated those qualities already, across multiple settings. Commissioned Officers are seen as "role models" and leaders, and the military wants to see that you will fit that mold. At that level, all the "molding" they want to have to do is help you adjust to military culture/life.

Sorry I must have skipped over this. You seem like you know quite a bit about it. But yes I have thought about this for a long time. Starting a family is obviously something I worried about, but hopefully this will be done before that is an issue (I'm not married nor do I have children, and I've decided it will remain this way for at least the next five years - I always try to plan ahead!) And as I said in my other post - that is more of what I personally hope to gain, not what I'd tell a recruiter. I also think I do posses those qualities, just not as much as I would like to. Most people I know consider me responsible and hardworking (not to brag, lol) but I still want to be better. That's just how I am.

 

[erg923]

Sorry I must have skipped over this. You seem like you know quite a bit about it. But yes I have thought about this for a long time. Starting a family is obviously something I worried about, but hopefully this will be done before that is an issue (I'm not married nor do I have children, and I've decided it will remain this way for at least the next five years - I always try to plan ahead!) And as I said in my other post - that is more of what I personally hope to gain, not what I'd tell a recruiter. I also think I do posses those qualities, just not as much as I would like to. Most people I know consider me responsible and hardworking (not to brag, lol) but I still want to be better. That's just how I am.

That's fine. The point was to convey that I think you are underestimating the competitiveness of the program. As I said before, they are seeking those individuals who have a track record of demonstrating these qualities in the past, both in school and in their personal lives or community. If you dont have some tangible evidence of those qualities, then its going to be an uphill battle.

Its a shame about some of the professional schools because they didn't use to be like this. For example, Alliant/CSPP used to have a solid reputation and there are many, many well known and established alumni from their program. Unfortunately, in the last 10 years, the professional school thing has gotten way out of hand, and quality, apparently, has continued to plummet at many of them.

 

[cmd0618]

That's fine. The point was to convey that I think you are underestimating the competitiveness of the program. As I said before, they are seeking those individuals who have a track record of demonstrating these qualities in the past, both in school and in their personal lives or community. If you dont have some tangible evidence of those qualities, then its going to be an uphill battle.

Its a shame about some of the professional schools because they didn't use to be like this. For example, Alliant/CSPP used to have a solid reputation and there are many, many well known and established alumni from their program. Unfortunately, in the last 10 years, the professional school thing has gotten way out of hand, and quality, apparently, has continued to plummet at many of them.

Well, I can tell you I've never been in trouble with the cops. I know that alone isn't enough, but it's a start, right?

The one area I'm concerned about is the academics. I'm limited in what I can do by my past (and god only knows if I even CAN turn it around) and so unfortunately for my pocket, a professional school would probably be my only option. But honestly, this is all I really can see myself doing. And apart from taking out $200,000 in loans, joining the military to pay for part of it is really my only option.

My plan for this year, though, is to try and get involved in a research study somehow, so I'll have some experience in addition to the academics (which I need to work on, anyway.) It's not going to be an easy year, but I'm going to do the best I can. Hopefully that will be good enough for everyone else.

 

[deleted176373]

First, how hard is it to get the scholarship for the PsyD?

Well the Navy gave out 5 scholarships starting this year. The question is how many people are applying, my guess is many. The program in the Navy has been described by the specialty leader for clinical psychology as EXTREMELY competitive.

What's the average GPA (undergrad as well as grad, since they only pay for the last two years of schooling), average GRE, anything else I'd need to know? (I haven't taken my GRE yet, and my GPA is... ugh I don't even want to say, but I have one more year and I'm working on it.)

Don't expect to find statistics on this, you won't. I can tell you that the first year of Navy HPSP students were selected from the following schools:

Penn State University
Biola University
Loma Linda University
George Fox University
Illinois Institute of Technology

It is more than just GPA and GRE, they are looking for people with the right outlook and mindset.

Although the Air Force and Navy both apparently have it... if I do decide this is what I want, would the Army be the way to go?

This is a lifestyle choice, each branch offers something different in the way of culture.

Lastly, if I don't get this, I would have to take out an additional $65,000 in loans (that's 2 years at a professional school for you... too bad I'm not PhD material.) I FEEL like this would be taking me out of tons of debt, which is what I feel turns most people away from PsyD programs... so I feel like this is a good idea. But I want you to know - I'm NOT one of those people who's just in it for the money. While I will admit I never saw myself in the military before this. Your thoughts?

Really, it sounds like you are one of those people in it for the money, and that's ok. Be honest with yourself, would you consider this without the financial inducement? Perhaps you would, and in that case, I would retract my suggestion that you might be in it for the money. I am certainly in it for the money, retirement, and the lifestyle, now mind you I really enjoy being a member of the US Military and probably would do it for nearly free (as long as I could feed myself and cover my basic needs) but the pay and retirement are great perks.

Good Luck,

Mark

 

[cmd0618]

Well the Navy gave out 5 scholarships starting this year. The question is how many people are applying, my guess is many. The program in the Navy has been described by the specialty leader for clinical psychology as EXTREMELY competitive.



Don't expect to find statistics on this, you won't. I can tell you that the first year of Navy HPSP students were selected from the following schools:

Penn State University
Biola University
Loma Linda University
George Fox University
Illinois Institute of Technology

It is more than just GPA and GRE, they are looking for people with the right outlook and mindset.



This is a lifestyle choice, each branch offers something different in the way of culture.



Really, it sounds like you are one of those people in it for the money, and that's ok. Be honest with yourself, would you consider this without the financial inducement? Perhaps you would, and in that case, I would retract my suggestion that you might be in it for the money. I am certainly in it for the money, retirement, and the lifestyle, now mind you I really enjoy being a member of the US Military and probably would do it for nearly free (as long as I could feed myself and cover my basic needs) but the pay and retirement are great perks.

Good Luck,

Mark

Hi Mark! I'm glad you saw my post, I read a few other posts on the subject that you commented on, and I could tell you knew your stuff, so I had hoped you would see mine. Thanks for all the info!

But yeah, the Navy scholarship sounds extremely hard to get - I have a feeling the Army program is the one that is the most common since it was the only one that I could find info about it online. Either way, it's not for another few years, so we'll see what happens.

And yeah, not gonna lie - the money is a big part of it. I probably wouldn't have considered it otherwise, but now that I've gotten to place where I'm thinking about it, I really like the idea. I'm still not sure what's going to happen, though, and that bothers me - or even what the best decision to make is. I need to talk to a lot of people about this before I make any final decisions.

Again, thanks!