HPSP Military

[MaxillofacialMN]

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Before everyone yells at me, I know there are lots of threads about Health Professions Scholarship Program through the military but are there any pod students currently doing the HPSP program on here right now? What are your thoughts/anyone know a classmate that has strong opinions about it?

 

[fivescrew]

Edit: oops

 

[gibbman]

Yeah, I am currently a second year student enrolled at DMU and in my second year of the HPSP program. I actually love the program get about 2k/month for living plus tuition and health insurance (single) paid for. It depends on what you want out of podiatry if the program is right for you. I will graduate with almost no debt, but the con to that is I will only make about 70k/year starting in the Navy. Also, you need to be flexible on where you want to practice, there are numerous locations the Navy has podiatrists located, but you will have to go where they send you. I can answer more specific questions if you have any.
Best

 

[MaxillofacialMN]

Yeah, I am currently a second year student enrolled at DMU and in my second year of the HPSP program. I actually love the program get about 2k/month for living plus tuition and health insurance (single) paid for. It depends on what you want out of podiatry if the program is right for you. I will graduate with almost no debt, but the con to that is I will only make about 70k/year starting in the Navy. Also, you need to be flexible on where you want to practice, there are numerous locations the Navy has podiatrists located, but you will have to go where they send you. I can answer more specific questions if you have any.
Best

Thanks a ton for your response!! I'm sure this is true, but the 70k includes your housing allowance and food, etc and isn't just your O3, specialist pay, right?

Was podiatry hpsp competitive? It is my understanding a 3.5/30 is auto acceptance at MD/DO school, but is there auto accept with pod?

I know the 2088 a month is good, and free tuition, but you don't feel ripped off by the 70k? That's four years at 70k when I'm sure you could be making way more in private sector? I'm not asking because money is the only reason I'm doing it, because I've always wanted to join the service, but the 70k is pretty low compared to the hpsp md counterparts...

Thoughts?

 

[gibbman]

You are correct, the 70k/ year includes all your extra pay (housing, food, clothing allowances), podiatrists do not to my knowledge recieve incentive/specialist pay like the MD/DO do, so there is also a monetary hit there as well. As for being competative, I think the program is very competative, out of all the schools and all current students, I only know one other podiatry HPSP student and a third who just started residency. It is a pretty large hassle to get into the program, but be persistant if you want it. I feel in some aspects podiatrists get the bad end of the deal when compared with other medical professionals, but it depends on what you want to do. You may only start making 70k year, but you will have no debt and can retire after 20 years and join a private practice if you wish. I think it also depends on what type of life you want, if you want to make 200k / years right out of residency you will most likely have to get lucky, and work very hard to achieve that, the Navy allows you to earn a set amount while getting comfortable with you skill set after residency.

 

[MaxillofacialMN]

You are correct, the 70k/ year includes all your extra pay (housing, food, clothing allowances), podiatrists do not to my knowledge recieve incentive/specialist pay like the MD/DO do, so there is also a monetary hit there as well. As for being competative, I think the program is very competative, out of all the schools and all current students, I only know one other podiatry HPSP student and a third who just started residency. It is a pretty large hassle to get into the program, but be persistant if you want it. I feel in some aspects podiatrists get the bad end of the deal when compared with other medical professionals, but it depends on what you want to do. You may only start making 70k year, but you will have no debt and can retire after 20 years and join a private practice if you wish. I think it also depends on what type of life you want, if you want to make 200k / years right out of residency you will most likely have to get lucky, and work very hard to achieve that, the Navy allows you to earn a set amount while getting comfortable with you skill set after residency.

Excellent! Thanks so much for your responses - I really appreciate your responses! I think I'll apply for it this upcoming cycle. I know it might not be as lucrative, but we'll all have money and this program is a great way not to worry about money while also serving your country. Thanks again!

 

[fivescrew]

Make sure you put a lot of thought into this. The military isn't for everyone.

Also, and this may have changed but I don't think it has, while you may have to do 4 years active service to pay back their help everyone that joins the military does so for an 8 year commitment. Your last 4 may be inactive but you are still eligible for recall and are legally\morally expected to keep yourself available and in military shape concerning your fitness.

 

[MaxillofacialMN]

Make sure you put a lot of thought into this. The military isn't for everyone.

Also, and this may have changed but I don't think it has, while you may have to do 4 years active service to pay back their help everyone that joins the military does so for an 8 year commitment. Your last 4 may be inactive but you are still eligible for recall and are legally\morally expected to keep yourself available and in military shape concerning your fitness.

I believe you are correct. There is an additional four years of reserve duty. I won't have to make up my mind until nearly a year from now I think as the first acceptances for the. Ext cycle go out in January. But I might as well apply and if I do t get in there is no decision to make anyways.

You bring up a good point though, if I'm on reserve for the last four years, like I am on reserve the first four during school, I have a 45 day commitment of active duty each year. Do you know if this is true for your post active duty four year reserve time? If it is, then I should at least get a month and a half of active pay per year right? I'll check the military medicine forum as this is a pretty broad scope question, I'll answer the question myself if I did it. Thanks though!

 

[fivescrew]

During your last 4 years you are what they call IRR which is inactive ready reserve so you don't have any scheduled drill time but you are still eligible for recall if they really needed you in any capacity, not just that of a podiatrist. I knew dentists that were called back for a few weeks to perform physicals and a few lawyers they called back for simple paper work.

But now that the wars are winding down the most I would tell you to expect is a simple officer muster every other year which is an informal gathering, usually at a national guard armory, so they can make sure you are alive and have your current info.

The military is great...if you know before hand what you are getting into and how to get the most out of it. I should note that this info is a few years old from my personal experience so things may have changed.

 

[gullloga]

Sorry to revive such an old thread. I have just been accepted to pod school. Just wondering if the HPSP is still available for podiatry students?

 

[SLCpod]

Sorry to revive such an old thread. I have just been accepted to pod school. Just wondering if the HPSP is still available for podiatry students?

If you have questions about scholarships it is usually best to go to your financial aid counselor. They can tell you everything you are eligible for.

 

[CardsFan92]

Sorry to revive such an old thread. I have just been accepted to pod school. Just wondering if the HPSP is still available for podiatry students?

Spoke w/ a Navy recruiter recently about it--there are a couple slots available for pods for the new billets--literally, two, for the entire country. He wasn't sure exactly how many people applied last time, but it was over 100.

 

[Weirdy]

Spoke w/ a Navy recruiter recently about it--there are a couple slots available for pods for the new billets--literally, two, for the entire country. He wasn't sure exactly how many people applied last time, but it was over 100.

They're pretty rare. Dental and Opto have few if any slots.

Not sure what the numbers for MD/DO are. Still competitive as hell though.

 

[gullloga]

Spoke w/ a Navy recruiter recently about it--there are a couple slots available for pods for the new billets--literally, two, for the entire country. He wasn't sure exactly how many people applied last time, but it was over 100.

They're pretty rare. Dental and Opto have few if any slots.

Not sure what the numbers for MD/DO are. Still competitive as hell though.

I just got off the phone with the Navy recruiter in my area and he told me that no one from podiatry has received it in the 6yrs hes been recruiting...I guess I will look for other options. Thanks for the responses.

 

[Creflo]

Podiatry is very small in the Navy, so many recruiters may not be well versed in the podiatry options. Not saying the recruiter is wrong, but you may want to dig deeper.

 

[CardsFan92]

Podiatry is very small in the Navy, so many recruiters may not be well versed in the podiatry options. Not saying the recruiter is wrong, but you may want to dig deeper.

I'll add that the recruiter I spoke to told me that there was very little information available on online or even over the phone--if you're cold calling some random recruiter, they're probably not going to know a thing about it. Best bet is probably to contact the schools and then ask who their regular Navy recruiter is and then contact that person.

 

[Creflo]

Current Navy info:
There is one HSCP podiatrist who is either in residency or graduated within the year from residency. There are 3 HPSP podiatrists who are either in residency or graduated within the year from residency. There is one HPSP podiatry student or resident who is either still a student or in residency. My apologies for not being clear, my source wasn't clear but is reliable, point is the program may still be active.