HPSP Question - impact of 3+4 program?

[WaitingInCPA]

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I was just reviewing the Army's HPSP web page, since our son plans to become of dentist and is interested in serving in the military too.

The requirements listed are:

• Be a U.S. citizen with a baccalaureate degree from an accredited school
• Be enrolled in (or have a letter or acceptance from) an accredited graduate program in the U.S. or Puerto Rico (varies by specialty)
• Maintain full-time student status during the length of the program
• Qualify as a commissioned officer

So here is my question. Two of the Early Entrance Programs my son is applying to are 3+4. Three years as an undergrad student, four years in dental school--with the first year of dental school counting as your fourth year of undergrad too. So you don't get your bachelor's degree until you complete your first year of dental school.

Am I correct that he would not be able to apply for the HPSP until after his first year of dental school when he gets his bachelor's degree? Thus also meaning he could only get a 3 year HPSP scholarship.

Thanks for any help anyone can offer.

 

[stoopidmonkeycatdog]

I was just reviewing the Army's HPSP web page, since our son plans to become of dentist and is interested in serving in the military too.

The requirements listed are:

• Be a U.S. citizen with a baccalaureate degree from an accredited school
• Be enrolled in (or have a letter or acceptance from) an accredited graduate program in the U.S. or Puerto Rico (varies by specialty)
• Maintain full-time student status during the length of the program
• Qualify as a commissioned officer

So here is my question. Two of the Early Entrance Programs my son is applying to are 3+4. Three years as an undergrad student, four years in dental school--with the first year of dental school counting as your fourth year of undergrad too. So you don't get your bachelor's degree until you complete your first year of dental school.

Am I correct that he would not be able to apply for the HPSP until after his first year of dental school when he gets his bachelor's degree? Thus also meaning he could only get a 3 year HPSP scholarship.

Thanks for any help anyone can offer.

that's a great question, but i don't know if anyone on this site will have the answer to it. I think in your case your best bet would be to speak to a recruiter who could give you a lot more information. You'll have to speak to them at some point in time, so there really isn't any harm in talking to them early so that you get a good picture of everything that's require and what you can do.

 

[schmoob]

You can still apply from what I understand. Since this is an early acceptance, providing that documentation SHOULD be enough. If you wait to apply until AFTER the first year of dental school, it will be too late. As an example, for those in their first year of dental school now it is already too late for the 3 year scholarships, they have all been awarded.
Your son will need to apply at the beginning of his 3rd year of undergrad with his acceptance and his DAT.

 

[deleted696582]

My recruiter was very particular with the fact that I can't commission as an officer until I have a college degree completed. I have to wait to commission until May when my undergrad degree is awarded.

You can't receive benefits until you commission, which includes tuition payments and signing bonuses. This is just my situation with the Navy. It would be a good idea to contact a military healthcare recruiter.

 

[DynamicDental]

Hi, I am currently in the process of applying to the HPSP scholarship and am also currently in an accelerated 3+4 program. It has not been a problem so far with my recruiter, if anything he was been thrilled to hear I was in such a program because it is basically a guarantee of acceptance into school, therefore the board does not have to worry about the chance of you not getting into dental school as much. Hope this helps.